It's "business as usual" for Queensryche, according to drummer Scott Rockenfield. Of course, you have to ask which Queensryche he means.

Following a nasty split with lead singer Geoff Tate earlier this year, both parties are operating under the Queensryche name until a November 18 court hearing to determine who has ultimate rights.

Rockenfield, who's soldiering on with fellow band co-founders guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson, as well as new frontman Todd La Torre from Crimson Glory, tells us he's confident their version of the group will prevail:

"We're three of four owners of the Queensryche corporation. We have the right to go out and proceed as members of Queensryche and do business as Queensryche. We're going to keep doing that. If it goes all the way to the end, an actual court, the judge can make the decision on who should have the name of Queensryche. For now we feel that what we're doing is totally justified."

Queensryche begins a run of shows on Friday (December 21) in Detroit, and Rockenfield says the group has dates booked into the summer. It's also started working on a new album with producer James "Jimbo" Barton, who was an engineer on Queensryche's popular "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Empire" albums.

Tate, meanwhile, has released a solo album called "Kings & Thieves" and is leading his own version of Queensryche that plays a New Year's Eve show in Aberdeen, Washington, and will play the group's two "Operation: Mindcrime" rock operas on tour in April.

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