QUEENSRŸCHE's EDDIE JACKSON Says He Doesn't Follow What GEOFF TATE Does

In an interview with "Rockpalast" at this year's Summer Breeze festival in Germany, QUEENSRŸCHE bassist Eddie Jackson shared some of the ups and downs the band has experienced since its 1982 formation, namely the 1998 departure of guitarist/primary songwriter Chris DeGarmo, and, more recently, the acrimonious 2012 split with singer Geoff Tate which eventually resulted in litigation over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. The matter was settled in 2014 that awarded the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name to Jackson, guitarist Michael Wilton and then-drummer Scott Rockenfield. The current incarnation of QUEENSRŸCHE is rounded out by vocalist Todd La Torre, guitarist Parker Lundgren and touring drummer Casey Grillo (ex-KAMELOT).

"I think a lot of bands experience difficulties, adversities, whether it's a lineup change, or, someone decides they want to move on and pursue something else," he said (see video below). "Our former guitar player, Chris DeGarmo, he wanted to pursue other things and spend time with family and all. I'm sure everyone's aware of the litigations we were in with our old singer, Geoff. These are things you never really think about as you begin a band. Start touring, writing, recording records…these are things you never really think about. Then when it happens, it's almost 'How is this happening?' Or 'Why is it happening?' Things change. A lot of bands go through this."

Jackson was then asked whether the current members of QUEENSRŸCHE have reached some level of "peace" with Tate, who, in recent years has shared varying degrees of interest in performing with his old bandmates. In 2017, Tate ran into the members of QUEENSRŸCHE at a festival in Barcelona, Spain, and "had pleasantries to say to each other." La Torre later told "Trunk Nation" that it was a "nice, complimentary exchange."

"We took care of a settlement with our former singer, but I don't really follow a lot of what he does," said Eddie. "But we just wish him well. Just like our former guitar player, Chris, they were part of a group that…we were like brothers. Things like this happen. But it's all good."

QUEENSRŸCHE recently announced "The Verdict" 2020 headline tour. The band will be joined by special guests John 5 and EVE TO ADAM starting on January 17 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and wrapping up on February 27 in Orlando, Florida.

QUEENSRŸCHE is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "The Verdict", which was released in March via Century Media Records. The disc was produced, mixed, and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, ICED EARTH, HATEBREED) at Uberbeatz in Lynwood, Washington; Planet-Z in Wilbraham, Massachusetts; and Watershed Studio in Seattle, Washington.

"The Verdict" marks QUEENSRŸCHE's third full-length release with La Torre.