Nick D'Virgilio Leaves Spock's Beard

[kirksnosehair]

Yes, it's true:  https://www.ndvmusic.com


Not sure they can survive this.  But hopefully they can find a new vocalist and a new drummer and soldier on 

[Pols Voice]

Terrible news. NDV is one of my favorite drummers, a great singer and frontman, and a very good songwriter. I quite like all four NDV era albums. They could survive Neal leaving, but not this. Now the only two original members are Alan and Dave, because Ryo wasn't on The Light. ugh 

It's D'Virgilio (one L), btw.

[kirksnosehair]

Thanks for correcting me on the spelling.  Yeah, this will be tough for them to survive I think.  In terms of percussion, I think Jimmy is quite capable, and he's a pretty good backing vocalist too, but they're going to need a very dynamic frontman, and from what I heard after the summer festival shows, Ted Leonard was described mostly as "meh" by the people at the gigs.

[pogoowner]

Sad. With both Neal and Nick gone, I'm not sure where the songwriting would really come from if they continued. I really enjoyed his voice, too, so that'll be tough to replace.

[Nick]

Wow, terrible news, but totally understandable. I wish both parties the best.

[Dr. DTVT]

While this sucks, it might not be as doom and gloom as people want to make it.  Jimmy fills in at drums, they find a new singer.  Ted Leonard is great, if he was off I would suspect it had more to do with lack of familiarity than talent.

The main songwriters post Neal are still there, as Boegehold and Ausmus have written most if not all of the songs from Feel Euphoria on.

Not terribly surprised though, NDV has a lot on his plate and SB wants to keep going.  An amiable break is much better than the alternative which we are familiar with...

[darkshade]

The guys over at Prog Archives are discussing how it would be interesting if Neal went back to SB, and took Portnoy with him.

[Pols Voice]

Since I don't like Ted Leonard that much from his time in Enchant, I couldn't listen to a Spock's Beard with him fronting.

[yorost]

The guys over at Prog Archives are discussing how it would be interesting if Neal went back to SB, and took Portnoy with him.

Oh boy, Spock's Beard with Cookie Monster.

[EPICVIEW]

I guess he shaved..

[Bongasti]

No no this is terrible! It was just today when I listened to SB and thought "Damn, Nick is really a great singer". And I've always loved his voice and the songwriting is also an obvious great thing about him. I don't know what will happen now...

NEAL BACK!

[JRundquist]

My day went from shitty to amazing finding out Devin Townsend just announced a show about an hour away from Me December 6th....

Then it went back to shitty reading this. 

I hope The Beard can survive. Neal, please take this as a sign.

[Dr. DTVT]

I wouldn't be catagorically opposed to Neal, and matter of fact I would love him coming back, but only under one crippling condition - he leaves the Christians stuff to his solo work.

[kirksnosehair]

I wouldn't be catagorically opposed to Neal, and matter of fact I would love him coming back, but only under one crippling condition - he leaves the Christians stuff to his solo work.

Never gonna happen anyway.  But even if it did, Neal's religion seeps into everything he writes.  Even Transatlantic.  He can't help it.  It's who/what he is.

[Dr. DTVT]

My guess is that since it seems to be the SB guys who pressed the issue, they have someone in mind already and don't want to announce the new guy immediately to let the fans digest this news first.

Note to other bands, THIS is how you handle a lineup change.  Very classy NDV.

[jingle.boy]

Note to other bands, THIS is how you handle a lineup change.  Very classy NDV.

Yeah, this for sure.  Hope they can find what they need to continue, because all 10 albums are fantastic.

[Tick]

 

[kirksnosehair]

NDV is a class act.  They're going to continue, I've already talked to Dave and Ryo today.  No word yet on a replacement but stay tuned.

[King Postwhore]

Sad to hear.  I'm glad they will continue though.

[KevShmev]

Bummer, but not at all surprising.  Spock's simply isn't able to tour anymore (since who likes touring and losing money?), and NDV can't not take advantage of the opportunity right in front of him.  But hey, at least the last album they gave us with NDV, X, was a major winner; Jaws of Heaven and From the Darkness are easily two of the best songs the band ever did (from any lineup). 

Should be interesting to see who they get to replace him.

[The Letter M]

Bummer, but not at all surprising.  Spock's simply isn't able to tour anymore (since who likes touring and losing money?), and NDV can't not take advantage of the opportunity right in front of him.  But hey, at least the last album they gave us with NDV, X, was a major winner; Jaws of Heaven and From the Darkness are easily two of the best songs the band ever did (from any lineup). 

Should be interesting to see who they get to replace him.

Agreed - X was a fantastic album, and what an album for him to leave on.

Anyone else think it interesting that SB's drummer leaves after their fantastic tenth album? Hmmm... 

Anyways, I will still full-heartedly support this band as I love Al and Dave and Ryo, their music is just top-notch! I really hope the keep Jimmy on board and record the next album with him on drums and find a dedicated singer who can either play keys, guitar, or both on stage.

Looks like that SB Snow-Tour Reunion is looking less and less likely now...

-Marc.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

He should become a permanent member of Big Big Train.

[rumborak]

OK, I'm too lazy to find the thread, but let me go on record that I *totally* fucking called this one. To me it was clear as day when they had the ersatz-singer.

I say, good on him. I love SB to death, but they're done. The last album was the first really good post-Neal album,  but it was too little too late. In terms of his own career it's probably also good because I always thought he was somewhat held back by this dying endeavour. I am very interested in his solo stuff.

rumborak

[matt1722]

NDV is a class act.  They're going to continue, I've already talked to Dave and Ryo today.  No word yet on a replacement but stay tuned.

Damn it Barry your such an insider . . . 

I just wonder what's gonna happen, I do agree that Ted Leonard was kinda meh, but I suppose you could chalk that up to that fact that he doesn't have that gel factor. It would be cool to see Neal back in the mix, but like Barry said, the Christan influence would seep in a bit more then usual. (I'm of the opinion that it should stay with the solo stuff). Anyway here's to the future, good luck Beardies.

[KevShmev]

Unless they get a new frontman who is a songwriter and a major creative force, I think rumborak is probably right in that they are, for all intent and purposes, done.  Sure, they can get a new guy, pump out another album or two while using outside writers even more than they had in recent years, and maybe even throw in a few shows here and there, but that's about it.  Something tells me that an album without NDV or Neal Morse would be like Genesis' Calling All Stations, which ended their studio careers with a thud thanks to not having Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel around anymore.  I hope I am wrong, but I suspect I won't be.

[rumborak]

I am really surprised people even entertain the idea of Neal coming back. That's not gonna happen for a million years. Neal left for a reason, and that reason has not changed whatsoever.

I already called NDV's departure. I now call the follow-up of SB soon saying they quit altogether.

rumborak

[rumborak]

Something tells me that an album without NDV or Neal Morse would be like Genesis' Calling All Stations, which ended their studio careers with a thud thanks to not having Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel around anymore.  I hope I am wrong, but I suspect I won't be.

SB always seems to have modeled their career after Genesis it seems. First vocalist and creative force leaves, drummer becomes vocalist, vocalist leaves. Let's hope they don't try out the Calling All Stations chapter.

rumborak

[hefdaddy42]

I am really surprised people even entertain the idea of Neal coming back. That's not gonna happen for a million years. Neal left for a reason, and that reason has not changed whatsoever.

It changed enough to let him do a Transatlantic album.

[Sketchy]

I do hope that they find someone really good and continue...

I was sad when I heard this.

[Perpetual Change]

Ok, crazy scenario but...

Imagine Neal rejoins Spock's Beard. And then Neal brings Mr. Portnoy in on the drums as a replacement.

I know it's a long-shot, but I can dream can't I? 

EDIT: Wow, just saw someone already posted that. Amazing. Great minds think alike!

[hefdaddy42]

Ok, crazy scenario but...

Imagine Neal rejoins Spock's Beard. And then Neal brings Mr. Portnoy in on the drums as a replacement.

I know it's a long-shot, but I can dream can't I? 

Dream away, it may be their best shot, and I would be totally up for that.

Seriously, old SB (with Neal) is some of my favorite music ever.

[Mladen]

The guys over at Prog Archives are discussing how it would be interesting if Neal went back to SB, and took Portnoy with him.

This would actually be a lot of fun. 

I seriously doubt Neal would be into it, though... Can you link me to that Prog Archives thread, please? Because I can't find it myself.

The news still sucks, though. I'm incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to see Spock's beard live last year, and it was actually one of the best shows I've ever attended, believe it or not. Nick was a fabulous frontman, got everybody moving, he played and sang everything perfectly. It's such a shame that he can't pull it off anymore, but it's completely understandable - CDS is an incredible gig and he should definitely go for it. I wish him well.

As for the rest of the guys, full support! I hope they find the right guy. Actually, Jimmy could still play drums and perform backing vocals - they just need a kick-ass singer. So, fingers crossed and I can't wait to see where Alan, Ryo and Dave are gonna get.

Here's to a new Spock's beard line-up. 

[kirksnosehair]

Neal isn't coming back and they're not done.  I got another email from Dave this morning.  A very long one.  I can't go into too much detail, but they are definitely going to soldier on.  Most of the music on X was written by people who are going to write the music for the next album as well, so the departure of NDV has almost zero impact on the KIND and QUALITY of music they'll be writing.  I don't know if Jimmy Keegan will become their drummer or not, but if he does, he's definitely capable of playing all of the back catalog and any new stuff they come up with.  So, the search is on for a good, dynamic front man, but they are absolutely going to continue.

[Dr. DTVT]

Most of the music on X was written by people who are going to write the music for the next album as well, so the departure of NDV has almost zero impact on the KIND and QUALITY of music they'll be writing.

I tried stating that earlier in the thread and was roundly ignored because people continued to insist losing NDV was going to kill creativity.  Maybe someone else stating it will validate my point.

[KevShmev]

Having a different lead singer will hurt them much more than any loss in creativity.  I mean, how many bands have seen a third lead singer (not counting bands that featured multiple lead singers at the same time like Floyd, The Beatles, etc.) widely accepted by the fanbase?  Probably not many.  Maybe Sabbath.  Any others?  Not saying it can't happen, but the Spock's fanbase has already dwindled in recent years anyway, and while I think most who are still fans will give anything new they do a chance, they have a major hill to climb.  Spock's has such a unique sound, and the vocals have always been a big part of that.  When Neal left, NDV took over, and while it was different, his voice was already a part of the band since he was always a part of the harmonies and the occasional lead vocal (like Carie, Looking for Answers, etc.), but anyone else will be brand new and their voice will naturally be different, unless they go the Priest or Yes route and get someone who sounds a lot like Neal or NDV.