I had the pleasure of seeing local Heavy Prog band Tiles play a set at the Record Time music store located in Roseville, Michigan last night, February 2, 2008 (Groundhog's Day here in the USA).  Let me just say that the groundhog did see his shadow from the great light emanating from the band and according to folklore this means that prog rock fans will be subject to many more weeks of great live prog rock music from Tiles. 

 

Their new CD Fly Paper was released on Tuesday, January 29th and the show was in a sense a CD release party for family and friends and a few party crashers such as myself who were thrilled at the opportunity to see them play live up close and personal.  Their set lasted about an hour and included 8 songs with a 1 song encore.  They played 3 songs from their new album, and the remaining songs were from their catalogue.  The setlist was as follows:

 

1. Cactus Valley (from Fence the Clear)

2. Modification (from Presents of Mind)

3. Remember to Forget (from Window Dressing)

4. Hide and Seek (from Fly Paper)

5. Sacred and Mundane (from Fly Paper; this is the track Alex Lifeson plays on, so I am sure he was there in spirit).

6. Dress Rehearsal (from their Self-titled album)

7. Capture the Flag (from Window Dressing)

8. Landscrape (from Fly Paper)

Encore - Patterns (from Fence the Clear)

 

The guys were definitely having a fun time on stage and interacting with the crowd, which as I mentioned above was made up of mostly friends and family.  I was able to meet the guys after the show and told them that I would write a review of the show for them on PA.  They told me to go easy on them with the review since it was really more of a public rehearsal then it was a full-fledged concert.  Nothing to worry about.  They sounded excellent.  Quite frankly, for me it was quite a thrill to see a concert so up close and personal of a band playing their original music, which I generally only get to hear through my headphone or blasting out of the car stereo. 

 

Their next show is Sunday March 9th at the Magic Bag in Ferndale.  They will be playing with Matthew Parmenter's band Discipline, which I believe have reunited.  Matthew Parmenter has appeared as a guest on many of their albums playing violins, and on their most recent album playing hammond organ.  For this show, their set will be expanded for a full-fledged concert.  According to the band, they will be playing some dates in the midwestern USA, as well as possibly touring as the opening act for another well-know prog rock/metal band. 

 

If you are in the area or if they come to your area I highly recommend that you try and make it out to see them.  If you are not familiar with their sound, I highly recommend them to fans of bands like Rush, Enchant and Shadow Gallery.  They also had a supporting spot on a previous Dream Theater tour, so they might also appeal to fans of Dream Theater.

 

I took some pictures from the show so I will try and post them, but I am going to have to try and figure out how to do that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Side view of the stage

 

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Vocalist Paul Rarick

 

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Guitarist Chris Herin

 

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From Left to Right: Drummer Mark Evans, Bassist Jeff Whittle, Guitarist Chris Herin, and Lead Vocalist Paul Rarick posing for a picture after their set.

 

Thanks for coming out to Record Time and sticking around to chat.... it was nice meeting you and also thanks for the show synopsis & photos.  We had fun knocking the rust off and appreciate the support from fans, friends and family.   The store sold out of Fly Paper (33 copies) and we've been really pleased with the initial reception to our new CD.  Rehearsals continue this week and we look forward to the first "real" show March 9th at the Magic Bag in Detroit.

 

I have just one small point to clarify in your original post.... when we were talking I meant to say if "Fly Paper" does very well then we might have a shot at an opening spot on a larger tour.  I didn't mean to imply that our appearance this year on a major tour was in the works.... sorry!  We're sticking close to home for awhile & are working on plans for some shows throughout the midwest and northeast.

 

Anyway, thanks again - and thanks for introducing me to Prog Archives... I've got some snooping around to do!

 

Chris

 

   

 

Thank you for signing up for Prog Archives and checking it out.  Also, thank you for the clarification.  I tend to be a bit superstitious so I did say "possibly" and I didn't mention the band that you mentioned because I didn't want to do anything to jinx you guys.  But I certainly hope that the Fly Paper sales are strong and that you do get the chance for an opening slot on a larger tour. 

 

Scott

 

 

I agree. I've got every one of their CDs.

They could probably do a spectacular "Best Of" compilation right about now.