Queensryche Drummers Says Fans Know The Difference

It’s business as usual for the members of Queensryche these days — this version of Queensryche, at least.

After a rancorous split with frontman Geoff Tate last fall, there are two versions of the Bellevue, Wash., hard rock band on the road, and both have released new albums this year. But drummer Scott Rockenfield — whose version includes two other founding members and new singer Todd La Torre, and released a self-titled album in June — says he feels the group’s fans know which band is the genuine article.

“It really brought Queensryche back to what we feel we should’ve been doing for a long time — and that’s the response we’re hearing from the fans, too, says Rockenfield, 50. “Ever since we made our transition, we decided we’re just going to let the music that we’re doing do the talking, whether it was a live show or the new record.

“And that’s really what’s happened. The record is obviously speaking for itself — and fortunately we have a record to talk about. There’s no better way of doing things than that.”

Nevertheless, in November both Queensryche factions are slated to go to court to determine who gets final use of the name — although Rockenfield says negotiations are ongoing and “there’s still time for anything to happen between now and then.”

“I think our confidence is pretty high,” he says. “There’s a lot of legal stuff you have to deal with, but we just feel good and look at it as a light at the end of the tunnel and keep playing shows and making music. I think when you do that, the right decision will be made in time.”