Platypus (band)
Encyclopedia
Platypus was a progressive rock
/ jazz-fusion supergroup that consisted of members from Dream Theater
, King's X
and Dixie Dregs
. The group was formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2000.
bassist John Myung
and (then) Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian
as a creative outlet where ideas that wouldn't fit in Dream Theater could be developed. Joined by guitarist Ty Tabor
of King's X
(who also sang lead vocals) and drummer Rod Morgenstein
of Dixie Dregs
, they released two albums between 1997 and 2000.
The sound of Platypus's music can be described as guitar- and keyboard-driven modern progressive rock
mixed with influences from the 70s rock and progressive rock scenes, employing vocal harmonies and lengthy instrumental pieces.
Their first album, When Pus Comes To Shove, did reasonably well, so much that it inspired a follow-up named Ice Cycles, released in 2000. After this the band parted ways and there are currently no plans to re-form to record another album. The legacy of Platypus does live on, though, in The Jelly Jam
- a project formed in 2000 consisting of three-quarters of Platypus (Myung, Morgenstein and Tabor). They have currently released two albums.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
/ jazz-fusion supergroup that consisted of members from Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
, King's X
King's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
and Dixie Dregs
Dixie Dregs
The Dixie Dregs are an American band formed in the 1970s. Their mostly instrumental music fuses jazz, southern rock, bluegrass and classical forms in an often unique style.-Formation and early years:...
. The group was formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2000.
History
Platypus was conceived by Dream TheaterDream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
bassist John Myung
John Myung
John Ro Myung is an American bassist, Chapman Stick player and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater. He is considered a virtuoso player who is widely recognized for his technical proficiency....
and (then) Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
as a creative outlet where ideas that wouldn't fit in Dream Theater could be developed. Joined by guitarist Ty Tabor
Ty Tabor
Ty Tabor is the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for the progressive metal band, King's X....
of King's X
King's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
(who also sang lead vocals) and drummer Rod Morgenstein
Rod Morgenstein
Rod Morgenstein is an American drummer and music educator. He is best known for his work with the late '80s Heavy metal band Winger and with the Jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs. He also played with Fiona, Platypus, The Steve Morse Band, and Jelly Jam...
of Dixie Dregs
Dixie Dregs
The Dixie Dregs are an American band formed in the 1970s. Their mostly instrumental music fuses jazz, southern rock, bluegrass and classical forms in an often unique style.-Formation and early years:...
, they released two albums between 1997 and 2000.
The sound of Platypus's music can be described as guitar- and keyboard-driven modern progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
mixed with influences from the 70s rock and progressive rock scenes, employing vocal harmonies and lengthy instrumental pieces.
Their first album, When Pus Comes To Shove, did reasonably well, so much that it inspired a follow-up named Ice Cycles, released in 2000. After this the band parted ways and there are currently no plans to re-form to record another album. The legacy of Platypus does live on, though, in The Jelly Jam
The Jelly Jam
The Jelly Jam is a three-piece progressive rock band, consisting of Ty Tabor of King's X on guitar and vocals, Rod Morgenstein of The Dixie Dregs on drums, and John Myung of Dream Theater on bass...
- a project formed in 2000 consisting of three-quarters of Platypus (Myung, Morgenstein and Tabor). They have currently released two albums.
Membership
- John MyungJohn MyungJohn Ro Myung is an American bassist, Chapman Stick player and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater. He is considered a virtuoso player who is widely recognized for his technical proficiency....
- bass - Derek SherinianDerek SherinianDerek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
- keyboards - Ty TaborTy TaborTy Tabor is the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for the progressive metal band, King's X....
- guitars, vocals - Rod MorgensteinRod MorgensteinRod Morgenstein is an American drummer and music educator. He is best known for his work with the late '80s Heavy metal band Winger and with the Jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs. He also played with Fiona, Platypus, The Steve Morse Band, and Jelly Jam...
- drums