Queensryche fans, check out this conversation about a rare magazine find! I share a rare interview with Geoff Tate during the making of the Empire full album. It's a dive into the band's progressive metal journey after the success of Operation Mindcrime and their impact on Heavy Metal and Rock Music.

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:00 – Cold Open – “If you’re a Queensrÿche fan…” setup; what this series does (mining old mags/newspapers).
0:48 – Sponsor – Shout to @digitech; invite guitarists to check out digitech.com.
1:01 – Source & Timing – The Rocket (June 1, 1990). Context: Empire drops Aug 20, 1990; Alice In Chains – Facelift lands Aug 21, 1990 (grunge wave coming).
1:53 – Tour Memory – Robert saw Queensrÿche on the Empire tour; band performed all of Operation: Mindcrime—surprised new fans who arrived via “Empire,” “Jet City Woman,” “Silent Lucidity.”
2:44 – Article Title – “Screaming in Digital” (nice nod to Rage for Order).
2:56 – The Money Reality – Studios up to ~$3k/day; label “advances” are recoupable (why million-selling bands can still be broke).
3:33 – Why Studios Cost So Much (then) – $50k–$100k consoles, $250k 2-inch tape machines, maintenance. Contrast with today’s home-studio world.
4:39 – Jeff Tate’s Line – “Music used to be my hobby… now it’s my business.” How recoupment works; tape costs; how bad budgeting sinks bands.
7:36 – Budgeting 101 – Choose studio, set real budget, and pick a producer who can work within it.
8:59 – Queensrÿche’s Frugal Approach – “We’re penny pinchers.” Why Vancouver Studios (price + facilities), calling around for quotes, building a plan “like monthly bills.”
10:02 – Community Call – Robert’s 15-minute fan chats: top 3 channel videos + future topics.
10:37 – Keep It Local (Someday) – Tate wants Seattle, but staying budget-conscious after being “close to broke.”
11:00 – Lockouts & Day Rates – $1k–$2k/day rooms; bands buy 24-hour lockouts; typical “7th day free” deals.
11:26 – Chasing Facilities – Record in Vancouver, mix at Royal Recorders (WI); Mindcrime recorded/mixed in three countries. Travel/hotel/per-diem add up fast.
12:44 – Smart Drum Tracking – Mobile truck + Bellevue warehouse for Mindcrime drums; big room, small bill. Drums first, then bass; later guitars/vocals in controlled rooms.
15:02 – One Good Room – With modern gear (for 1990), you really only need a great drum room; the rest can be bedrooms.
15:20 – Producer Economics – Fees from ~$1k–$10k (indie) to $50k+ (top guns like Mutt Lange / Ted Templeman), plus 2–5% points; some also snag publishing.
17:44 – Budget Breakdown – ~⅔ to studio + producer; $2k–$5k on tape; outboard rentals; travel/hotels/per-diem; 10% contingency (“slush fund”).
19:46 – Tech Keeps Rising – Sampling/MIDI/DAT; why a fast, organized engineer is gold.
21:25 – Constraint == Creativity – Deadlines/budgets improve output; Robert’s take on constraints vs. endless tinkering.
21:31 – Track Count Madness – 48 tracks on Empire; engineer James “Jimbo” Barton blazing fast; likely dual synced 24-track 2” tape machines; track “cleaning” & comping.
25:01 – Two Budget Philosophies – Cut corners vs. spend for quality; Tate: don’t burn money, but don’t starve the record either.
27:22 – Robert’s Book Plug – Your Next Eleven Marketing Moves (constraints help you finish).
28:18 – Why Queensrÿche Won – Disciplined, organized, creative without “unlimited time” bloat: EP → The Warning → Rage → Mindcrime → Empire.
30:44 – Wrap / CTA – Comment with your studio/label war stories; pros welcome; like/share/subscribe; have a fantastic day.

Description (drop-in)

We dig into a June 1, 1990 piece from The Rocket: Jeff Tate (Queensrÿche) on budgets, producers, and why constraints helped the band deliver EMPIRE (released Aug 20, 1990). From $3k/day studios and mobile-truck drum sessions to 48-track analog workflows with engineer James Barton, this is a masterclass in making a major-label record without lighting cash on fire.

Were you at the Empire tour when they performed all of Operation: Mindcrime? Drop your story. Pros + studio vets—share your recoupment/producer/points lessons!

Chapters above. Thanks to @digitech for supporting the channel. Guitar players: check out their latest gear.
Also, if you’ve got analog media to preserve, @Audiomover (my studio) is offering 15% off (code on screen).