Enjoying the Seattle Sun—and the Outdoors
Geoff answered the phone in a surprisingly sunny Seattle.
“The sun is shining, so I’m outside enjoying it,” he said. Despite the city’s rainy reputation, Geoff doesn’t shy away from the outdoors.
“As long as you’ve got proper rain gear, it’s not really an issue. It’s more of a drizzle than a downpour. You get used to it.”
Sweet Oblivion’s Second Chapter
Geoff’s latest project, Sweet Oblivion, drops April 9th. While technically the second release, Tate prefers to avoid the term "sophomore record."
“I don't know what that means. It sounds like a sports term,” he laughed. “Let's just call it the second record.”
He’s especially proud of this one, citing the creative chemistry with his collaborators.
“It was very satisfying to make. I worked with a great producer and guitarist, and it really came together in a meaningful way.”
Geoff co-wrote several tracks on the album and shared that while there's no strict concept, there’s a loose theme centered around the passage of time.
“There’s nothing more relentless than time,” he reflected.
No Touring Band, But Plenty on the Horizon
Sweet Oblivion is a studio-only project for now, with no touring band. That said, Geoff’s calendar is anything but empty.
“I’ve got three or four different projects in the works that’ll be released over the next few years,” he revealed. He’ll also be hitting the road soon, starting in May with UK dates in the summer and a full U.S. tour in the fall.
The Queensrÿche Chapter
Of course, no interview would be complete without mentioning Queensrÿche.
“We had a good run,” he said. “We made some great music and progressed creatively. But I don’t think a reunion is going to happen.”
Fans will be happy to hear he still performs many of the classic songs on tour.
Metallica Memories and the Day on the Green
Tate shared a few memories from touring with Metallica and performing at the legendary Day on the Green festival in Oakland.
“That was a great show. The backstage vibe was fantastic, the weather was perfect, and everyone played really well.”
He was surprised to hear fans bringing up the show again after so many years.
“It’s funny—no one mentioned it for decades, and now it keeps coming up again!”
On Spotify, Awards, and the State of the Industry
Don’t expect Geoff to weigh in on streaming wars or curated playlists.
“I honestly know nothing about Spotify,” he admitted. “I’m not someone who listens to a lot of music. I’m usually working on my own stuff. When I’m not, I enjoy the silence.”
He also isn’t one to watch award shows.
“I performed at the Grammys once, years ago. But no, I don’t watch. I’m not a TV person.”
Remembering Jason Slater
Geoff took a moment to reflect on the late Jason Slater, who worked with him on several Queensrÿche projects.
“It was very unfortunate. He’d been ill for years. Jason was incredibly talented and creative. We wrote some wonderful songs together, and I definitely miss him.”
Life, Humor, and Shaving Your Head
In a lighthearted moment, Geoff was asked if he missed his hair.
“Nope. I shave it regularly,” he laughed. While he couldn’t recall the brand of razor he uses, he praised modern blade technology:
“It’s been so long since I nicked myself that I can’t even remember. We’ve come a long way in blade manufacturing!”
Final Thoughts
When asked what he wishes interviewers would ask him, Tate was humble.
“I don’t really feel the need to talk about myself that much. I like to let the music do the talking.”
That’s exactly what fans can expect when Sweet Oblivion drops this April, followed by a tour that brings Tate’s powerful voice back to the stage.
We’ll be seeing him in Petaluma this October—and we can’t wait.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Sweet Oblivion on their Youtube, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
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