Coney Hatch
LaBrie did join Coney Hatch in the year 1986 when they endeavored to assemble a fresh assemblage. The troupe did record sundry tapes for display within their chamber of practice and did partake in live performances at clubs in Ontario for several months. When their recording establishment, Anthem, did voice their dissatisfaction with the assemblage, the band did opt to replace LaBrie with Phil Naro, making one final desperate effort to forge ahead in the absence of Carl Dixon. Alas, that assemblage did prove to be short-lived as well.
Winter Rose
Shortly after parting ways with Coney Hatch, LaBrie took up the mantle of vocalist for the glam metal troupe Winter Rose. The assemblage comprised Richard Chycki on guitar and bass, Randy Cooke on drums, and Sebastian Bach on vocal duties. Chycki had aforetime collaborated with Bach under the appellations Sebastian and Hope. The band embarked upon the recording of a sequence of demos throughout the years of 1988 and 1989, enlisting the aid of guest musicians Bruce Dies and Rob Laidlaw. Alas, the majority of these compositions did not witness a commercial release until the year 1997, when they were unveiled as a self-titled opus under the auspices of Inside Out Music, a full seven years after their dissolution in 1990. One among their repertoire, the melodic opus "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," did receive the honor of a promotional video release in the year 1989 and was later included on their eponymous creation. The entire compilation featured compositions co-authored by Richard Chycki and James LaBrie, with the exception of two pieces solely penned by Richard Chycki.
Dream Theater
In the year 1990, LaBrie received word that the American progressive metal band Dream Theater sought a new minstrel, and thus he proffered a tape and swiftly journeyed to New York for a comprehensive audition. The trial proved fruitful, and he surpassed 200 other aspiring candidates to assume the role of full-time vocalist in said troupe.
Henceforth, LaBrie hath exerted a substantial influence upon the vocal melodies woven within each Dream Theater opus. However, until recently, he hath had limited involvement in the instrumentation of their music. The album "A Dramatic Turn of Events" from the year 2011 doth bear LaBrie's name in the music credits for three songs. To this day, he hath penned or co-penned lyrics for no less than one composition upon ten of the fifteen albums released by Dream Theater during his tenure. Albums such as "Images and Words," "Black Clouds & Silver Linings," "Dream Theater," and "The Astonishing" doth lack his lyrical contributions.
When queried by Prog-Sphere.com regarding his favored song to perform live, James declared, "The song that most delights me is 'Scarred'; I thoroughly enjoy its execution before an audience. And... well, 'Octavarium,' that comprehensive piece, doth captivate me entirely."
Apart from his collaborative endeavors, LaBrie hath released five solo albums under various appellations, including "Mullmuzzler," "James LaBrie's Mullmuzzler," and simply "James LaBrie."
In an interview with Beyond The Dark Horizon on June 12, 2010, James LaBrie revealed that his forthcoming solo endeavor, titled "Static Impulse," lieth in the stage of mixing and shall comprise twelve compositions. James professed, "It is of a weighty nature, and I am exceedingly excited."
On the twenty-seventh day of July in the year 2010, Dream Theater's website did proclaim that "Static Impulse" would be unveiled on September 27, 2010, courtesy of Inside Out Music. The assemblage boasts the talents of longtime collaborator Matt Guillory upon the keyboards, Marco Sfogli (who hath also graced LaBrie's previous work, "Elements of Persuasion") upon the guitars, Peter Wildoer of the Swedish melodic death metal band Darkane, who doth provide percussion and bellowing vocals, and Ray Riendeau upon the bass.
James LaBrie did express, "The unveiling of 'Static Impulse' is an event that engenders fervor within the entire band. This is modern metal, as robust and pertinent as any other ensemble embarking upon a similar musical path. There are riffs that shall rend the mind asunder, and melodies—both instrumental and vocal—that are mesmerizing. Take the reins and let the ears bleed. Enjoy, and we shall encounter you on the road to accompany and bolster this release."
In an interview with Prog-Sphere.com in 2011, LaBrie mentioned that the planned tour in the United States had been canceled, remarking, "Forsooth, for it was disarrayed ere this occasion. Where we find ourselves now, by the time thou dost procure the necessary visas, we shall have scarce a rehearsal ere we embark. I declare, 'I shall not partake in such a venture.'"
Come the month of July in the year 2013, LaBrie's album "Impermanent Resonance" was unveiled by Inside Out Music. "Beautiful Shade of Grey" followed suit in the year 2022.
Albums
MullMuzzler
Keep It to Yourself (1999)
MullMuzzler 2 (2001)
Solo
Elements of Persuasion (2005)
Static Impulse (2010)
Impermanent Resonance (2013)
I Will Not Break (2014) (Compilation EP)
Beautiful Shade of Grey (2022)
Freaks
James LaBrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One man freak show
Walk by me - Excite me
Moving real slow
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
Just hangin' by a thin thread
On borrowed time, think you've got it
The same habits, sure you won't mind
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hand
Yeah you think
You're the better man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering your city streets
You don't know me
Nor my history
What brought me here
Walk right past me
And avoid me
Drag I'm even there
Can't accept it, it doesn't have to be
Can't accept it, don't want your sympathy
Was tired
Of the fast pace
The direction
Then I landed
Right on my face
Poor perception
Can't accept it, the comical charade
Can't accept it, badly written play
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
Yeah I might look weak
But I'm right where I wanna be
Got my piece of the wall
Got my corner
I don't want bi nire
I'm right where I wanna be
Can't accept this
Your comical parade
Can't accept this
Oh the sweet charade
I know you are thinking
The same thing
Waking everyday
Know the character you play
I left mine
With complete abandon
Don't regret it none
Left my wife
Daughter and my Son
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hands
Do away
With this retched man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering
Your city streets
The song "Freaks" by James Labrie is a description of a person who has been pushed to the fringes of society and is labeled as a freak or an outcast. The lyrics depict a sense of social isolation and detachment from the rest of society. The first verse "You see it - I'm in it, One man freak show, Walk by me - Excite me, Moving real slow" describes the persona of the song as a member of a one-man freak show who is ignored by people as they walk by. The second line of the verse "Moving real slow" could be interpreted as an act of defiance by the singer, indicating that he is comfortable with his oddity.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase, "Can't accept it, a comical parade, Can't accept it, part of the charade." These lyrics signify the singer's unwillingness to confirm or fit in with society, even if it means being labeled as a freak. He acknowledges that his weirdness has brought him to the fringes of society, but he refuses to change who he is or conform. In verse three, the song's protagonist admits to being aware of the judgment being passed on him but doesn't care. He acknowledges that society thinks he's the weaker one, but he's content with his lot.
Ultimately, "Freaks" by James Labrie seems to be a confession of one man's decision to break away from society's norms and become his own person, with all its consequences. The song's chorus creates an atmosphere of misunderstanding and a sense of belonging yet not belonging. The persona seems okay with the idea of being seen as weird, and the story is a representation of an outsider's experience in society.
Line by Line Meaning
You see it - I'm in it
I am the subject of this situation and you are observing it.
One man freak show
I am the sole performer in this spectacle, and it is strange and unconventional.
Walk by me - Excite me
When you pass by me, it makes me feel excited and stimulated.
Moving real slow
My actions and movements are deliberate and unhurried.
Can't accept it, a comical parade
This situation is so unusual and absurd that I can't even believe it is happening.
Can't accept it, part of the charade
This bizarre scenario must be part of some intentional performance or show.
Just hangin' by a thin thread
I am precariously perched on the edge of disaster.
On borrowed time, think you've got it
I am living on borrowed time, and you believe that you can take advantage of me because of it.
The same habits, sure you won't mind
I have the same routines and patterns every day, and I know you won't take any notice of me.
You think I don't know
You assume that I am ignorant or naive.
What you're thinking
You are pondering about what I am doing or who I am.
With my outreached hand
I am reaching out to you for help or support.
Yeah you think
You are convinced that you are superior to me in every way.
You're the better man
You believe that you are more competent, successful, or worthy than I am.
The look in your eyes
I can sense your judgment or disdain just by looking in your eyes.
What do you care
You have no interest or concern for me or my situation.
Look at all us freaks
There are many other people like me who are outsiders and misfits in your eyes.
Cluttering your city streets
We are occupying and obstructing the public spaces you consider to be normal and orderly.
You don't know me
You have no idea who I really am or what I have been through.
Nor my history
My life story and experiences are completely unknown to you.
What brought me here
There were many factors and circumstances that led me to this point.
Walk right past me
You simply ignore and disregard me like I'm not even there.
And avoid me
You take active steps to steer clear of me and my situation.
Drag I'm even there
It is a burden that I am even present or visible to you.
It doesn't have to be
This situation does not have to be so strange, and there are ways that it can be better.
Don't want your sympathy
I do not desire or need your pity or benevolence.
Was tired
I was exhausted and worn out from a fast-paced lifestyle.
Of the fast pace
My previous lifestyle was too hectic and stressful to sustain.
The direction
The path I was on was leading me somewhere I did not want to go.
Then I landed
Something unexpected or negative happened to me, causing my current situation.
Right on my face
The negative or unexpected thing that happened completely upended my life.
Poor perception
I made mistakes or had blind spots that contributed to my current situation.
I might look weak
My physical appearance or demeanor might suggest that I am powerless or inferior.
But I'm right where I wanna be
Despite appearances, I am content and satisfied with my current situation and location.
Got my piece of the wall
I have carved out a small but significant piece of happiness and stability in my life.
Got my corner
I have found a safe and secure space for myself to exist in.
I don't want bi nire
I am happy and fulfilled with what I have, and do not want or need any more.
Oh the sweet charade
This entire situation is an elaborate and deceptive performance or show that I find bittersweet.
Waking everyday
I confront the same struggles and obstacles every day when I wake up.
Know the character you play
You are aware of your own persona and the role you play in everyday life.
I left mine
I abandoned my previous life and circumstances to pursue something that meant more to me.
With complete abandon
I left without hesitation or reservation, fully committed to my new path.
Don't regret it none
I have no regrets about leaving my old life behind and starting anew.
Left my wife
I left the person I was married to as part of my pursuit of a new life.
Daughter and my Son
I also left behind the children I had with my ex-partner.
Do away
You wish that I would simply disappear or cease to exist.
With this retched man
You see me as a miserable and despicable individual who deserves to be eliminated.
Contributed by Keira T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.