Biography
A supergroup rooted in progressive rock, Flying Colors unites alumni from Dream Theater, the Dixie Dregs, and Spock's Beard, shaping their energetic, tightly constructed melodic rock through spontaneous improvisation and instrumental mastery. Their 2012 self-titled debut entered the Billboard Hard Rock chart’s upper reaches at number ten, while the 2019 release Third Degree entered the Top 20 across several European territories shortly after its arrival.
Executive producer Bill Evans required the project to remain grounded in straightforward songcraft, prompting the assembly of vocalist Casey McPherson of Alpha Rev, vocalist and keyboardist Neal Morse formerly of Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic, guitarist Steve Morse known from the Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, and Kansas, bassist Dave LaRue of the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band, and drummer Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater and Transatlantic. Working under producer Peter Collins, whose credits include Rush and Bon Jovi, the ensemble tracked its debut during 2011; Mascot Label Group issued the album in March 2012. Beyond its number-nine placement on the U.S. Hard Rock chart, the record registered on the national album listings of Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The following year, the live set Live in Europe climbed to the Swiss Top Ten and reached number 15 in Sweden.
Opting to helm their own sessions for the follow-up, the musicians augmented the arrangements with strings and enlisted gospel ensemble the McCrary Sisters for backing vocals. Mascot released the resulting Second Nature in September 2014; it rose to number four on the Billboard Hard Rock chart and entered the Top 40 in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Conflicting calendars restricted touring to a two-week run, yet those dates yielded the 2015 double album and concert video Second Flight: Live at the Z7, which reappeared on European charts.
Work on the next studio album commenced in late 2016, though the members could not reconvene to finish tracking until late 2018. Issued by Mascot in October 2019, the stylistically varied Third Degree peaked at number 11 on the Swiss album chart and number 16 in Germany.
Executive producer Bill Evans required the project to remain grounded in straightforward songcraft, prompting the assembly of vocalist Casey McPherson of Alpha Rev, vocalist and keyboardist Neal Morse formerly of Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic, guitarist Steve Morse known from the Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, and Kansas, bassist Dave LaRue of the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band, and drummer Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater and Transatlantic. Working under producer Peter Collins, whose credits include Rush and Bon Jovi, the ensemble tracked its debut during 2011; Mascot Label Group issued the album in March 2012. Beyond its number-nine placement on the U.S. Hard Rock chart, the record registered on the national album listings of Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The following year, the live set Live in Europe climbed to the Swiss Top Ten and reached number 15 in Sweden.
Opting to helm their own sessions for the follow-up, the musicians augmented the arrangements with strings and enlisted gospel ensemble the McCrary Sisters for backing vocals. Mascot released the resulting Second Nature in September 2014; it rose to number four on the Billboard Hard Rock chart and entered the Top 40 in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Conflicting calendars restricted touring to a two-week run, yet those dates yielded the 2015 double album and concert video Second Flight: Live at the Z7, which reappeared on European charts.
Work on the next studio album commenced in late 2016, though the members could not reconvene to finish tracking until late 2018. Issued by Mascot in October 2019, the stylistically varied Third Degree peaked at number 11 on the Swiss album chart and number 16 in Germany.
Albums
Third Stage: Live In London
2020
Third Degree
2019
Second Nature
2014
Flying Colors
2012
The Other Side
2010
Bible Camp Songs - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
2008
Bible Camp Songs - O How Wonderful
2008
Bible Camp Songs - Jesus Loves Me
2008
Bible Camp Songs - All Things Bright and Beautiful
2008
Live
