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Some rock and roll bands never go out of style.

Queensrÿche is one such band. The Seattle heavy metal group not only is still touring to the delight of a legion of loyal fans, but releasing new material to satisfy its own creative desires and give fans something new.

“We started this in 1981, and it does feel good to still be going,” singer Geoff Tate told 210SA. “We're all very proud of what we've done, the music, keeping the band mostly together. It's a wonderful feeling to drop down in any major city in the world and be able to play to a couple thousand people.”

x  Queensrÿche earned much of its following with the release of Operation: Mindcrime in 1988. It's fair to say that its nasty tale of hypocrisy and corruption earned the record classic status. Fans clamored for a sequel and got one in 2006 with Operation: Mindcrime 2. 

The sordid saga of characters — Nicky, Mary and Dr. X — in Mindcrime always will be special to fans.

“When I got the idea standing on a street corner in Montreal, in a snow storm in 1988, I never thought I would still be talking about it today,” Tate said. “It has resonated with a lot of people. People have embraced it and identified with the characters, either with their sadness or their tortured existences, or the feelings of being pawns.”

The band, which honed its chops more than 20 years ago in drummer Scott Rockenfield's basement before ever playing a gig, is appealing to a broader audience.

Tate said it's not uncommon to look out at shows and see people who weren't born when the band's first release came out in 1983.

“I have a funny story about that,” Tate said. “There is a respect for nostalgic bands. After shows last year, we had a meet-and-greet with fans, and I was noticing kids 14 to 16 years old. I asked them, ‘What brings you to the shows?' and they said, ‘You're a legendary band, and we wanted to see you before you were dead'.”

About which Tate laughs and says, “It's been a good gig.”

Queensrÿche is touring in part to support Mindcrime at the Moore, a live album and two-disc DVD released July 3, that captures last year's shows in which both Mindcrime records were played in their entirety. The band also is preparing for a future that includes the release of “Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensrÿche,” scheduled for Aug. 28.

Tate is especially excited about the compilation because it's not your typical best-of package. It will feature 32 songs, including 15 rare and previously unreleased demos, outtakes and live recordings. It also will have a new song, “Justified,” written and recorded with original guitarist Chris DeGarmo.

Later this summer, the band will tour on a triple bill with Heaven and Hell and Alice Cooper. Fans should expect more new music from Queensrÿche, too, as Tate says it will release a new record before the summer of 2008.

RICK TAYLOR | 210SA contributor