Queensryche Deserved Better

I’d like to ask a simple question, if you don’t mind. Who is Mike Boehm? That’s the first thing that came to mind after I read his review of the Queensryche show at Irvine Meadows (“Queensryche Avoids Worst Metal Cliches; Music Is Still Boring,” Calendar, May 15).

What is his musical background? Has he ever purchased a Queensryche album? What is his problem? From Mr. Boehm’s idiotic comments, I found it hard to believe that we had attended the same concert. I am appalled that The Times would send this musically ignorant “staff writer” to the most awe-inspiring, raise-the-hairs-on-your-neck concert of the year.

Why is it that all of your so-called “rock critics” don’t know anything about the music that they review, let alone like it? It’s obvious that Mikey is not a longtime patron of heavy metal, or he would have noticed that Queensryche’s music is indeed striking and original.

As for Geoff Tate’s vocals, the band prides (itself) on being a musical stretch for (its) listeners and not easy to listen to the first time. Obviously, this was Boehm’s first exposure to the band.

Another indication of Dweeb-head’s stupidity was his complaint about the lack of explanation during the concert of the story line of “Operation: Mindcrime” (the band’s “concept” piece). Apparently the “sketchy” plot was too much for your pea brain to handle, because the rest of us didn’t need any help in understanding it.

And tell me, “staff writer,” if the concert was so “tiresomely heavy going,” then why did all 12,000 of us call them back for four encores?

So, L.A. Times, next time you need someone to review a concert, send someone with some objectivity--or at least someone with some background.

LYSA JACOBS

Huntington Beach