JE: There were always bands we enjoyed, and they are the best bands in this genre of music. Mike Portnoy (drummer) from Dream Theater who got into the band to start with, and helped us get our name out there. Its an absolute honor to be on the same bill with those bands.

MCB:What different aspects do you think certain bands bring to the Progressive Nation lineup?

JE: I think that we all have different aspects to each of our music in their own way. Some our techniques might be a bit different. Opeth is one of those bands that play some really heavy stuff, and then 10 minutes in bust into a jazz beat and totally change up direction.

MCB:When your latest record, The End Has Begun was released, various bootlegs of the album came out. Do you feel that either live bootlegs or bootlegged copies of the album hurt your sales?

JE: I tend not to fight things like that. It’s one of those things that if you love the band, then you will go out and support and buy the band’s records and see them live. But that sort of thing is a struggle, but we want people to hear the music anyway we can. I don’t think it hurts all that much for a band like us in the end.

MCB:Do you think the term “prog-rock” is used too loosely to some bands these days?

JE: It might be, but I think the term could be used to describe anything groundbreaking. As long as it fits the bill, I try and keep a open mind about what can be described as prog-rock because it can encompass so many different things.

MCB:You guys played in a sea of death metal and hardcore bands at the New England Metal Festival last year, how was that experience for you?

JE: I think being on a bill like that makes things exciting. It proves that you can get on stage with anybody and it can work. When we got there, we saw all the bands and said, “What are we getting ourselves into?” Fortunately, it worked out real well. I got a guitar deal from ESP after the performance, so it worked out in more ways than one.

MCB:What sort of bills do you think the band thrives on?

JE: Tours like the one we did with Porcupine Tree last year. Their fans can be nasty if they don’t like your sort of music. But we fit very nicely on that bill and did two legs of their tour with them. We’ve been on tours with groups like Atreyu, and bills like that are fine, but their fans can always be tougher to make an impression on.

MCB:What sort of things can we expect on the Progressive Nation tour?

JE: It’s going to be an amazing tour, there is such different vibes with the bands. It should be a lot of fun, and so cool to be a part of this first run. We are hoping this can turn into a yearly thing. And being the first band on the bill, we have to make a good first impression in a short time span at 30 minutes.

Three will be a part of the Progressive Nation Tour, featuring Dream Theater and Opeth. It hits the Fillmore Detroit on Wednesday, May 14^th. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Additional dates can be found at www.theband3.com.