Neal Morse, Steve Morse, Mike Portnoy, et al formed a new band

[Finch Platte]

Called Flying Colors, it was produced by Peter Collins (Rush).

Below is from January. By now, they've named the band and have come out with an album.

Drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, TRANSATLANTIC), guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE, DIXIE DREGS), multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse (TRANSATLANTIC, SPOCK'S BEARD), bassist Dave LaRue (DIXIE DREGS) and vocalist Casey McPherson (ALPHA REV, ENDOCHINE) have joined forces in a brand new project. The as-yet-unnamed band has just entered the studio to begin work on a new album, due later in the year.

Regarding how the new project came together, Neal Morse said, "Last April I got together with Steve Morse to do some writing and to see what would happen with a collaboration between the two of us and how I went down to his house in Florida and spent some days with him, getting to know him and writing some music and we had a really good time. So we've been talking about doing a project together for a while."

As for the musical direction of the new project, Neal said, "We're all going to get together and work from scratch with no pre-prepared material and see what comes out.

"I'd like to do something different. Something to make it very different from like my solo stuff or TRANSATLANTIC.

"There are some demos and some things that Steve and I did in April that we've worked on and so we'll have some things to start with, but I think the plan is to get together and see what happens and write in the room."

He added, "We're all excited about the project, but it is a bit of a mystery as to what will come. The vision is to do something a little more song-oriented and not quite so riffy, as one might expect. But still, of course, having the musical elements that people like Steve Morse, Dave LaRou, Mike Portnoy, and myself can provide."

Although Neal is hoping to release the album this year, he was quick to point out that there is no firm timetable set for the completion of the new project's debut.

"We've mapped out about 10 days [in the studio for the project's first session]," he said. "We'll see what happens and see how much we can get done, if we can't get the basics down enough for an album then we'll have to continue on later.

"Everyone's schedules are a bit in flux and their very busy people so I don't know how long it will take us to actually finish and release the record."

Cheggit out.

[Mr MidFi]

To this day, Steve Morse is the best guitarist I've ever seen live... and quite possibly the best musician. Of course, this was back in the 1980s. Don't know how good he is now. But man, back in the day, that guy could flat-out PLAY.

[ForeverAutumn]

To this day, Steve Morse is the best guitarist I've ever seen live... and quite possibly the best musician. Of course, this was back in the 1980s. Don't know how good he is now. But man, back in the day, that guy could flat-out PLAY.

He was on Kim Mitchell's radio show recently and he's still killer.

[ForeverAutumn]

Here's a link to the audio of the Kim Mitchell show if you're interested.
Q107 Classic Rock - Kim Mitchell's Blog

[MasterCylinder]

That is the second recent video I've seen where it appears Portnoy has lost weight and gained ink.

[Finch Platte]

This is quite good. Not prog, tho, it's pop-rock, with the guys showing off their chops every now & then. I haven't listened to it all the way through, but I'm disappointed that I haven't heard any lead keyboards from Neal, yet.

Very catchy & hooky. (Steve) Morse seems out of place at times, and I wish he'd change his tone once in a while. The singer is good, and knows how to sing so it's not typical phrasing.

Sounds good, and I think it's a keeper. I'll UL it if anyone's interested.

[BarryL]

This is quite good. Not prog,
Very catchy & hooky.
Sounds good, and I think it's a keeper. I'll UL it if anyone's interested.

Heard one track on a sample disk, and I liked it a lot. Pop in a major key.

I'd be interested in giving it a listen. Nice that they got a really good singer, and not Neal for a change.

[Finch Platte]

Lol. Only 2 dates in the states so far, one in Torrance CA (wtf?) and New York.

In September!?!

■Tuesday, September 4th – Torrance, CA – James Armstrong Theater
Special Guests: New World Martyr | Tickets available ONLY at: calprog.com
■Thursday, September 6th – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
Special Guests: Jolly | Tickets: ticketmaster.com
■Sunday, September 9th – Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Monday, September10th – Berlin, Germany – C-Club
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Tuesday, September 11th – Munich, Germany – Theaterfabrik
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Thursday, September 13th – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketone.it, livenation.it
■Friday, September 14th – Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: taifunmusic.ch, ticketcorner.ch
■Saturday, September 15th – Stuttgart, Germany - Zapata
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Sunday, September 16th – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-Saal
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Monday, September 17th – Cologne, Germany – Gloria
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.de
■Wednesday, September 19th – Paris, France – Le Trianon
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: fnacspectacles.com
■Thursday, September 20th – Tilburg, Holland – 013
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: ticketmaster.nl
■Friday, September 21st – London, England – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Special Guests: Beardfish | Tickets: gigsandtours.com

[ForeverAutumn]

I'd go just to see Beardfish!

Ooops. Just realized that Beardfish isn't playing the US dates.