Author Topic: Spock's Beard (Read 146670 times)

Mladen · « **Reply #1085 on:** September 22, 2015, 11:53:37 AM »

Took the chance and went off to Budapest yesterday to see Spock's Beard. Great concert like every single time. Spock's Beard has turned out to be my go-to band whenever I want to see some well performed catchy prog rock live. I'm really liking Ted as the "new" frontman, the band chemistry looks fantastic and you can see the guys are having the time of their lives.

I only had a slight issue with the set list. Even though I love the new SB stuff, having only three songs from the first ten albums was a bit too much. The other thing is, they seem to be playing shorter shows nowadays. When I saw them on X tour, they played for almost two and a half hours, and this show was an hour and fifty minutes. That's probably my high expectations, though, they set the bar very high. It's a shame they cut Hell's not enough from the set list, that's a tremendous song.

Nevertheless, it was a great show and there was plenty more people in the audience than last year, which is hopefully a good sign.

The Curious Orange · « **Reply #1086 on:** October 03, 2015, 03:30:31 AM »

London show last night was blistering. I love this band!
Al was on fire, despite a few tech problems, Ted really seems to have settled into the part, and had a great chemistry with the other guys. Only downside was the truly awful Synathesia as opening act (sorry guys...)

Setlist:
Tides of Time
On A Perfect Day
Hell's Not Enough
The Good Don't Last/The Radiant Is
Minion
A Better Way To Fly
Afterthoughts
To Be Free Again
June
Waiting For Me
-----------
Bennett Built a Time Machine (very short acoustic version)
The Water

The Letter M · « **Reply #1087 on:** November 06, 2015, 11:08:31 AM »

Radiant Records' Facebook Page has updated with a sneak peak at the new SB epic to end all epics, featuring vocals from Neal, Nick and Ted!!!

Cannot wait to get this compilation for the new epic, but also to hear the remasters from Rich of the selected tracks! Gonna be spinning this one in my car the rest of the year when it comes out!

-Marc.

Mosh · « **Reply #1088 on:** November 06, 2015, 12:34:51 PM »

Quote from: The Curious Orange on October 03, 2015, 03:30:31 AM

London show last night was blistering. I love this band!
Al was on fire, despite a few tech problems, Ted really seems to have settled into the part, and had a great chemistry with the other guys. Only downside was the truly awful Synathesia as opening act (sorry guys...)

Setlist:
Tides of Time
On A Perfect Day
Hell's Not Enough
The Good Don't Last/The Radiant Is
Minion
A Better Way To Fly
Afterthoughts
To Be Free Again
June
Waiting For Me
-----------
Bennett Built a Time Machine (very short acoustic version)
The Water

The Water?! Have they just started playing that or has it been done before that (without Neal)?

emtee · « **Reply #1089 on:** February 19, 2016, 08:52:06 AM »

https://www.radiantrecords.com/default.aspx

Let the Snow speculation begin.

Possibly a reunion show for Snow in it's entirety?

The Letter M · « **Reply #1090 on:** February 19, 2016, 03:03:59 PM »

Called this last year, that the next MORSEFEST will feature SNOW in its entirety, hopefully with the whole current band, Neal, and Nick as well.

They can play all of Snow one night, then a reverse-chronological set the other night, ending with an epic performance of "The Light" (because you gotta), then an epic encore of "Falling For Forever" with all 7 band members on stage!

-Marc.

Tomislav95 · « **Reply #1091 on:** February 20, 2016, 05:28:03 PM »

Hi, guys. Only Spock's Beard song I heard is Crack the Big Sky and I love it so I wanted to ask what's good place to start with their music? Actually, I also checked one live video on Youtube and don't remember which songs they played but I liked it. So, recommend me album or two

KevShmev · « **Reply #1092 on:** February 20, 2016, 05:35:54 PM »

Crack the Big Sky is from Day for Night, which is the consensus least best album from the Neal Morse era, so I wouldn't start with that.

If you don't mind getting the epics right away, start with V or The Light.

If you want a nice mix of catchy shorter tunes and mini-epics, go with with Beware of Darkness or the Kindness of Strangers.

For the post-Neal stuff, X and Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep are the best ones.

Enjoy the ride you are about to get on.

Orbert · « **Reply #1093 on:** February 20, 2016, 11:19:49 PM »

Counterpoint: Day for Night is still a very good album. I started with it because I got it for cheap, and I liked it, and it only got better and better for me as I filled out the back catalogue.

Also, I love "Crack the Big Sky" too. Great song. ♫♫

KevShmev · « **Reply #1094 on:** February 21, 2016, 07:20:21 AM »

Oh, I agree that Crack the Big Sky is a great tune, but I just think that someone starting off with DfN is not a good idea, since tracks 2 and 3 are total duds, and you'd rather have someone start off with an album that is filled with nothing but good tunes. But that's me.

Orbert · « **Reply #1095 on:** February 21, 2016, 08:18:50 PM »

I guess. I don't consider any of the tracks to be total duds; I kinda like "Giberish". I didn't know much about the band at the time, other than that one of the guys was in Transatlantic, so I picked it up and was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of it. I suppose if I'd gone into it expecting some mind-blowing experience, I'd have been disappointed. I was just offering up the counterpoint to those saying that Day for Night isn't a good choice as a starting point. It was mine, and it worked out really well. It was accessible enough to grab me, yet had enough meat to it to make me want to check out the rest of their catalogue.

Kwyjibo · « **Reply #1096 on:** February 22, 2016, 02:20:37 AM »

Day For Night isn't really bad, it's just not as good as some others. But I think it's a good starting point, because then you can still experience the highlights. If you start with the best them, everything that follows will pale in comparison.

Mladen · « **Reply #1097 on:** February 22, 2016, 03:58:33 AM »

I think Skin is fairly catchy and Gibberish is one of their most awesome songs in terms of vocals. The Gypsy and Can't get it wrong, now those are two duds on the album.

Mindflux · « **Reply #1098 on:** February 22, 2016, 07:32:49 AM »

https://www.facebook.com/RadiantRecord/videos/962143307206927/

Awww yiss. Snow.

With NDV too!

jingle.boy · « **Reply #1099 on:** February 22, 2016, 12:36:10 PM »

Quote from: KevShmev on February 21, 2016, 07:20:21 AM

Oh, I agree that Crack the Big Sky is a great tune, but I just think that someone starting off with DfN is not a good idea, since tracks 2 and 3 are total duds, and you'd rather have someone start off with an album that is filled with nothing but good tunes. But that's me.

There is nothing wrong with starting @ DfN ... I did, and it's still a top 3 SB album for me - even though I know in my heart of hearts, it is - as you say - the least-best from the Neal Era.

ytserush · « **Reply #1100 on:** February 27, 2016, 02:30:32 PM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on February 22, 2016, 12:36:10 PM

Quote from: KevShmev on February 21, 2016, 07:20:21 AM
Oh, I agree that Crack the Big Sky is a great tune, but I just think that someone starting off with DfN is not a good idea, since tracks 2 and 3 are total duds, and you'd rather have someone start off with an album that is filled with nothing but good tunes. But that's me.

There is nothing wrong with starting @ DfN ... I did, and it's still a top 3 SB album for me - even though I know in my heart of hearts, it is - as you say - the least-best from the Neal Era.

I'd say it's their most accessible album. Great tracks on Day For Night. Skin, Crack The Big Sky, Can't Get It Wrong. The Healing Colors Of Sound suite (especially live) is damn amazing. Al is all over it.

Tomislav95 · « **Reply #1101 on:** February 27, 2016, 02:49:48 PM »

I picked The Kindness of Strangers first and I like it

ytserush · « **Reply #1102 on:** February 27, 2016, 03:34:20 PM »

Quote from: Tomislav95 on February 27, 2016, 02:49:48 PM

I picked The Kindness of Strangers first and I like it

Another great one. I love the vibe on those early albums.

ich bin besser · « **Reply #1103 on:** July 25, 2016, 04:54:30 PM »

Very nice videos with a great audio quality from the gig at Night of the Prog:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHemaK7FgeU (first record)
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMB4pUpDOjI (second record)
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPpCIt2NaQs (Falling For Forever)

Unfortunately, Ted is kinda left out and the guy uses pics in the end instead of letting the video roll on. But as I said: the audio is very good.

Btw: Jimmy lost the drum battle by far...

Mindflux · « **Reply #1104 on:** July 26, 2016, 07:31:02 AM »

Quote from: ich bin besser on July 25, 2016, 04:54:30 PM

Btw: Jimmy lost the drum battle by far...

Everyone lost out. Drum battles are (historically) boring as heck.

The Letter M · « **Reply #1105 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:05:30 PM »

Sad news...

"From the band: We regret to announce that Jimmy Keegan has resigned from Spock's Beard to pursue other interests. Jimmy has been a key member of the SB family since 2003, and his unique contribution will be sorely missed. His talents as a drummer and vocalist are world class, unsurpassed. We wish Jimmy well and look forward to what he's going to come up with next - Dude, you're the best!"

Looks like the next album will be SB version 4.0, featuring whoever they get to replace Jimmy.

-Marc.

Mosh · « **Reply #1106 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:09:02 PM »

Is NDV still doing Cirque Du Soleil?

The Letter M · « **Reply #1107 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:11:53 PM »

Quote from: Mosh on October 12, 2016, 12:09:02 PM

Is NDV still doing Cirque Du Soleil?

I don't think so, but he's pretty busy with Big Big Train.

-Marc.

ich bin besser · « **Reply #1108 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:18:16 PM »

Fuck.

Mindflux · « **Reply #1109 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:22:50 PM »

Super sad for this. I get it though, they don't tour enough or attract a big enough crowd for this to be a living.

I hope the rest will carry on with a new drummer (or old drummer, hint hint NDV!). So many line-up changes would be the death of a lot of other bands.

Mindflux · « **Reply #1110 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:24:39 PM »

From Jimmy's Facebook:

Quote from: jimmy keegan

Hey Kids! So ... In 2003 I was asked to join Spock's Beard. I had been toying with the idea of putting my own band together but this seemed a safer route as well as an honorable one. Nick had become the singer and they needed a drummer who could sing (especially the high bits) as well as play the often complex parts that Nick had crafted so well. The fit seemed perfect. Almost too perfect! I became the touring drummer while Nick played alongside and in the studio. Some time later, Nick would get a call to join Cirque du Soleil and he decided to take the offer, as I would've as well. I became the full time drummer and tracked two fantastic records as well as some great tours and shows. The idea of my own band was still nagging. I started to humor it and raised some money in a campaign but the schedule has proven extremely difficult and I have been way too slow to produce this first album. I should've been doing this long ago. For this reason, I have stepped down as the drummer for Spock's Beard and will be putting all my efforts into my own project. Oh sure, I will continue doing sessions, gigs and short tours but my daily focus will now be ... well, myself. For those who contributed, I can't thank you enough for your patience. For SB fans, you will be in good hands. Look to the guys for announcements of what is to come.
Definitely not an easy decision but a necessary one. Thanks for your support and thanks to Spock's Beard for allowing me to be a part of such a fantastic band for so long.
Stay tuned!

goo-goo · « **Reply #1111 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:34:09 PM »

Quote from: The Letter M on October 12, 2016, 12:11:53 PM

Quote from: Mosh on October 12, 2016, 12:09:02 PM
Is NDV still doing Cirque Du Soleil?

I don't think so, but he's pretty busy with Big Big Train.

-Marc.

NDV's full time gig is at Sweetwater, where teaches, demos products, among other things.

Mindflux · « **Reply #1112 on:** October 12, 2016, 12:47:48 PM »

Quote from: goo-goo on October 12, 2016, 12:34:09 PM

NDV's full time gig is at Sweetwater, where teaches, demos products, among other things.

His "demo" videos on youtube make him seem so sad. "I've sold my soul for this..." I think when I see him saying how cool an electric drum pad set is.

King Postwhore · « **Reply #1113 on:** October 12, 2016, 01:52:54 PM »

Dammit. I love Jimmy.

ytserush · « **Reply #1114 on:** October 12, 2016, 04:38:14 PM »

Very honorable reasons. I hope it works out for him.

KevShmev · « **Reply #1115 on:** October 12, 2016, 07:09:03 PM »

Can't say I am surprised; playing in Spock's these days can't be a money-making endeavor.

King Postwhore · « **Reply #1116 on:** October 12, 2016, 07:21:02 PM »

Neither is a program drummer going for a new music project. Just do what makes you happy.

Kwyjibo · « **Reply #1117 on:** October 12, 2016, 11:37:45 PM »

Surprised and sad. Jimmy was such a good fit for SB.

Can't see him making that more money with his own band although I wish him all the best and I'm interested what he's coming up with. But then SB doesn't seem to be active for long periods of time, why can't he (and others) have both?

RoeDent · « **Reply #1118 on:** October 13, 2016, 04:42:02 AM »

It's a shame they can't make enough to live on. It feels like they should be one of prog's most popular and successful bands. The fact they've managed to keep going for as long as they have, with the member changes and everything, deserves enormous respect.

All the best to Jimmy in future endeavours. He's a fine drummer and (as BBATM proved) a great singer.

The Curious Orange · « **Reply #1119 on:** October 13, 2016, 06:05:08 AM »

MP is always looking for a drumming gig...

News: Track-by-track video for Untethered Angel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Co1_h0GtAw

Author Topic: Spock's Beard (Read 146670 times)