Styx appreciation

[ehra]

Throughout my 19 years of life there have been plenty of bands that I got really into at one point and now I either can't even remember them or I absolutely hate them. A few of them I'll still enjoy listening to, but they just won't wow me like they did when I first got into them. Strangely enough, however, Styx still manages to get that effect from me just as much as it did back when I was watching The Little Mermaid four times a day.

I decided to give Equinox a listen today just for shits and giggles, and Suite Madame Blue still kicks my ass as much as it did when I was 8. I think it's amazing how even a lot of Dio stuff sounds ridiculously dated to me, someone I have a huge amount of respect for as an artist, yet Styx, a band that I really haven't given much attention for the past five or so years, still sounds as great as I remember them sounding.


So I figured I'd make an appreciation thread. This may also double as a Damn Yankees appreciation thread if you want, because they're awesome and I say so.

[73109]

*appreciates* I've seen them 3 times and they have wowed me each time. Tommy Shaw is my dude.

[KevShmev]

Been a fan of Styx for over 20 years, and still love 'em.  They are one of those bands I burned out on a long time ago from listening to them so much, but I still go through phases where I listen to them a lot. 

And hell yeah to Damn Yankees!  Both cds are good, especially the second one, which rocks pretty hard.  "The Silence Is Broken" is just a killer tune. 

[King Postwhore]

First saw Styx in 1982(Kilroy tour). I've seen then 4 times since.  Can't say enough of the music, songsmenship & harmonies.  I wish they do a new album with this line up they have now.  BTW, I saw Tommy Shaw solo in 1983-84?  backing up The Kinks

[EstyMaJ]

I was a big fan of theres way back when , But until Grand illusion came out that was the last one I liked after that forget it LOL

[KevShmev]

You didn't like Pieces of Eight? 

Also, while the newer stuff isn't as great as their 70s stuff, "One With Everything" is easily one of their best songs ever.

[King Postwhore]

You didn't like Pieces of Eight? 

Also, while the newer stuff isn't as great as their 70s stuff, "One With Everything" is easily one of their best songs ever.

I second that KevShmev.

[ich bin besser]

Big Styx fan here, too. Still have most of their stuff on vinyl. The DVD "One With Everything" is fantastic. I just regret I never saw them with the original lineup (the one after John Curulewski, I mean).
Actually, I just got to see them twice (in 2000 and 2005)... The latter was with Kansas opening. I had such a great time at the Styx gig - awesome band!

 

[MS394]

Their current drummer Todd Sucherman is one of the best drummers right now IMO, and ``Suite Madame Blue´´ is one of my favorite songs of all time.

[icysk8r]

I already made a thread about this.

[pneumothorax]

My first "favorite band".  Great band with a pretty cool combination of pop rock and a small amount of prog.

[KevShmev]

Listen to how amazing Dennis DeYoung's live voice was back in 1996.  The note he holds starting at 2:40 (and holds for over 20 seconds) is godly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKlw-eoZGgo

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

I love Styx as well.  There's just such an undeniable energy about them that's kinda tough to put your finger on.

Also, after 10 beers last Thursday night, I totally nailed "Blue Collar Man" on karaoke at our favorite dive. 

[yorost]

After an Evanescence concert we were walking back and saw Dennis DeYoung singing STYX songs.  It was sort of underwhelming.

Otherwise, they're usually a really enjoyable group to listen to, and their two-disc Return to Paradise was a great release.  Anybody else really love Heavy Water?

[King Postwhore]

I realy liked their 2002 album Cyclorama.  I'd wish they'd work on a new one.

[KevShmev]

GC, nice!

yorost, "Heavy Water" isn't too bad, kind of like the bulk of the material on Brave New World.  That album had potential, but the fractured nature of the band at the time really hurt the end product.  "Number One" is probably the song I like the most from it.

kingshmegland, I like Cylorama a lot; the first seven songs, "Together," and "One with Everything" all range from good to very good.  

[King Postwhore]

Yea, it does tail off a little bit but I love Killing the Thing That You Love and who doesn't love One With Everything. It's very proggy for Styx.  It almost could fit on some of the 70's albums.

[pogoowner]

I always intend to get some more Styx (I only have their Greatest Hits), but it always slips my mind.

[kirbywelch92]

Crystal Ball makes me

[Cool Chris]

Listen to how amazing Dennis DeYoung's live voice was back in 1996.  The note he holds starting at 2:40 (and holds for over 20 seconds) is godly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKlw-eoZGgo

I didn't even have to open that link to know what video that was going to be. But shit, watched it anyway. Amazing.

I saw then live maybe in 2002? I was never a huge fan, and just knew their hits at the time (and only went to the show because I won the tickets - Bad Company and Billy Squire opened ), but they put on an awesome show.

[Orbert]

My very first concert was "The Grand Illusion".  I was in ninth grade, and amazingly my parents allowed me to go, as long as I could get a ride to and from.  My buddy and I got a ride there and ended up walking home because we got separated from the chicks who drove us and couldn't find them afterwards.

Uh... so yeah, I've been a Styx fan for a long time.

[KevShmev]

  who doesn't love One With Everything. It's very proggy for Styx.  It almost could fit on some of the 70's albums.

Very true.  And I love the keyboard solo in it!

My very first concert was "The Grand Illusion".  I was in ninth grade, and amazingly my parents allowed me to go, as long as I could get a ride to and from.  My buddy and I got a ride there and ended up walking home because we got separated from the chicks who drove us and couldn't find them afterwards.

Uh... so yeah, I've been a Styx fan for a long time.

Very nice.

[masterthes]

Always been a sucker for Come Sail Away

[KevShmev]

Styx is always a fun summer band for me.

Anyone else a fan of Tommy Shaw's solo record, 7 Deadly Zens?  Released in 1998, many of the songs sound like what would have ended up on the 3rd Damn Yankees record that was never recorded.  Plenty of great songs with wonderful melodies on that record.

[chknptpie]

Ive seen Styx twice (they come to phoenix every 4.5 months...) and would see them again. I love them!

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

LOW-RUH-LY LET'S LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE TO-GAH-THAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

[ShadowWalker]

Paradise Theater is one of my goto road trip CDs. I love listening to that disc while out on the road...

[hefdaddy42]

Styx is one of those bands that can do no wrong and it is always good to hear.

[Orbert]

LOW-RUH-LY LET'S LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE TO-GAH-THAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The first girl I ever (heh heh) was named Lorelei.  She absolutely hated that song, which is understandable.

[King Postwhore]

I hope this lineup comes out with a new ablum besides the cover album.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

The first girl I ever (heh heh) was named Lorelei.  She absolutely hated that song, which is understandable.

I can imagine.  Despite that, it is a pretty cool tune.

[KevShmev]

Styx News » STYX announces The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight tour
STYX announces The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight tour

Posted by Styx Management on 4 August 2010 | 0 Comments

Tags: STYX Fall tour 2010 The Grand Illusion Pieces of Eight
STYX is very happy to announce that for the first time ever, they will perform TWO of their classic albums live, in their entirety, in an exclusive and limited tour this Fall!  Read the press release below for details!

STYX SET TO LAUNCH “THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF EIGHT” TOUR THIS FALL, PERFORMING BOTH ALBUMS IN THEIR ENTIRETY;

SEVEN-SONG EP OF RE-RECORDED CLASSICS AND ONE BRAND NEW TRACK FOR SALE AT EVERY SHOW

August 4, 2010 -- It’s the tour STYX fans have been waiting for.

STYX--Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo—are getting ready to head out on the U.S. concert trail again this year.  However, for this round of dates, the band has an extra-special treat planned - it won’t be a typical STYX show.  Along with the classic hits, the band will be performing 1977's THE GRAND ILLUSION and 1978's PIECES OF EIGHT in their entirety.  Both albums spawned such hit singles and Classic Rock radio standards as "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man" and "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).”

And as icing on the cake, a seven-song EP, entitled REGENERATION, VOLUME 1, containing six newly re-recorded classics--"Come Sail Away,” "Crystal Ball," "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Lorelei,” “The Grand Illusion” and “Sing For The Day”—and a brand new track, “Difference In The World,” will be available for sale at every stop along “The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight” October/November tour route.

“This is the most unique STYX concert ever,” says singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw.  “It's a hybrid experience of enjoying the artistry of the vinyl album and the energy and of our live performance.  Some songs have never been performed live!”

Spawned from a suburban Chicago basement in the early ‘70s, STYX would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late '70s and early '80s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads.  Over the course of their 38-year career they’ve released 15 studio albums, 6 best-of compilations and 4 live albums, garnering 8 Top Ten singles. STYX has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

On the touring front, STYX has performed more shows since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined.  Two Super-Bowl appearances, Pollstar box office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company, Foreigner (to name a few), two more studio albums and no end in sight, STYX continues to conquer the planet, one venue at a time.

Check out the “The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight” at any of the following stops:

DATE CITY VENUE

Thu 10/14 Evansville, IN The Centre (on-sale 8/13)
Fri 10/15 Merrillville, IN Star Plaza Theatre (on-sale 8/14)
Sat 10/16 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre (on-sale /14)
Sun 10/17 Columbus, OH The Palace Theatre (on-sale 8/13)
Tue 10/19 Chattanooga, TN Tivoli Theatre (on-sale 8/20)
Thu 10/21 Melbourne, FL King Center (on-sale 8/20)
Fri 10/22 Ft. Myers, FL Barbara B. Mann Perf Arts Hall (on-sale 8/20)
Sat 10/23 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall (on-sale 8/20)
Mon 10/25 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center (on-sale 8/20)
Wed 10/27 Washington, DC Warner Theatre (on-sale 9/10)
Thu 10/28 New York, NY Beacon Theatre (on-sale 8/6)
Fri 10/29 Baltimore, MD Hippodrome Theatre (on-sale 8/20)
Sat 10/30 Albany, NY Palace Theatre Albany (on-sale 8/19)
Tue 11/2 Bangor, ME Bangor Auditorium (on-sale 8/27)
Wed 11/3 Lowell, MA Lowell Memorial Auditorium (on-sale 8/20)
Fri 11/5 Erie, PA Warner Theatre Erie (on-sale 8/27)
Sat 11/6 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theatre (on-sale 8/27)
Sun 11/7 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace (on-sale 8/27)
Tue 11/9 Memphis, TN The Orpheum Theatre (on-sale 8/27)
Thu 11/11 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium (on-sale 8/27)
Fri 11/12 Biloxi, MS Hard Rock Casino & Resort (on-sale TBA)
Sat 11/13 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Center (on-sale 8/27)

**On-sale dates are subject to change.

[chknptpie]

Why no Phx date?! boooooo

[KevShmev]

Doing this tour without Dennis DeYoung is the biggest travesty.  A DDY soundalike singing "Pieces of Eight" will be a crying shame.

[Orbert]

I totally agree.  If I were to pick two Styx albums to see in their entirety, The Grand Illusion would be one, and I'd probably take Crystal Ball over Pieces of Eight, but Pieces of Eight is also very good, and from the same "classic" period, so that's cool too.

But doing it without DDY is silly.  I know... he's gone, he ain't coming back, the band has moved on, deal with it.  But it's still wrong to me.