Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)

[OpenYourEyes311]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear Raise The Knife either.

That's all I have for now.

I can't stand to listen to Raise the Knife since Mike left DT. The MP-penned lyrics make me cringe:

"I'll take the blame for these things that I say
'Cause I had the heart and the will and the courage to stay
Every day
I won't walk away"

...but you did.

I think it would be weird if that was ever played again by either MP or DT

[Tick]

For a band who says they are dedicating all of 2018 to touring they sure haven't announced many shows so for and its February.

They are hitting the European festival circle in the Summer. I think they will hit North America in the fall again.

I don't know when the Euro festival circuit starts, but it's hard to believe they don't have at least a couple months between February 18 and whether it starts.  Unless I missed something, they've got zero shows lined up west of the Mississippi.

Exactly. I mean I don't care how many shows they play but Mike really poured it on think saying things like...
"This is not a side project, this is a real band"

"We have cleared our schedules for 2018 to dedicate to a full blown tour"

Seriously, what is there like 10 North American dates? If that.

[cramx3]

He really shouldn't of said a lot of that stuff, but I am guessing that's what they wanted to do and this is the reality.  Maybe if the first run of shows is successful, we'll see another and bigger US tour later. 

[Stadler]

For a band who says they are dedicating all of 2018 to touring they sure haven't announced many shows so for and its February.

They are hitting the European festival circle in the Summer. I think they will hit North America in the fall again.

I don't know when the Euro festival circuit starts, but it's hard to believe they don't have at least a couple months between February 18 and whether it starts.  Unless I missed something, they've got zero shows lined up west of the Mississippi.

Exactly. I mean I don't care how many shows they play but Mike really poured it on think saying things like...
"This is not a side project, this is a real band"

"We have cleared our schedules for 2018 to dedicate to a full blown tour"

Seriously, what is there like 10 North American dates? If that.

And of course the obvious:  if they "cleared our schedules", then TSO shouldn't be an issue.

[bosk1]

I highly doubt that "clearing their schedules" means that Soto isn't doing TSO.  Come on now.

[MirrorMask]

I highly doubt that "clearing their schedules" means that Soto isn't doing TSO.  Come on now.

Indeed. Let's be realistic. Nothing stops TSO.

[mikeyd23]

I highly doubt that "clearing their schedules" means that Soto isn't doing TSO.  Come on now.

I'm sure you are right, but technically if they did clear their schedules then he wouldn't be doing TSO 

[bosk1]

I think you guys are being too literal. 

[bill1971]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear Raise The Knife either.

That's all I have for now.

I can't stand to listen to Raise the Knife since Mike left DT. The MP-penned lyrics make me cringe:

"I'll take the blame for these things that I say
'Cause I had the heart and the will and the courage to stay
Every day
I won't walk away"

...but you did.

I think it would be weird if that was ever played again by either MP or DT

You're right> i retract my statement.

[Stadler]

I think you guys are being too literal.

Well, more facetious than anything else.  I have faith that "Mr. 86 Bands" (said respectfully) understands that his singer has a very special, very lucrative holiday presentation he's been doing for what, the better part of half a decade now?  Maybe more?

[Madman Shepherd]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear Raise The Knife either.

That's all I have for now.

I can't stand to listen to Raise the Knife since Mike left DT. The MP-penned lyrics make me cringe:

"I'll take the blame for these things that I say
'Cause I had the heart and the will and the courage to stay
Every day
I won't walk away"

...but you did.

I think it would be weird if that was ever played again by either MP or DT

You're right> i retract my statement.

Yeah, that would be pretty weird.  Those lyrics are pretty cringey overall BUT I would buy a ticket in a heartbeat if I knew they were playing it.  It's a great song overall. 

As it stands, I've been vacillating about going ever since a gig in driving distance was announced.  Was close to pulling the trigger and then my friend said he bought Meet and Greet tickets so now I will either have to wait around for him or drive by myself which I'm fine with but I just don't know if I want to put that much effort into an underwhelming band that will probably play 3 songs I kind of dig, a bunch I don't, and either some of my least favorite or favorite DT songs. 

[Schurftkut]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ADueslSrQ

still waiting for live performance videos...

[Schurftkut]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyLzroWqpMM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTMZV4O4Gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L4wFbL8AyM

[RodrigoAltaf]

On the Q&A Mike mentions whta is said in Opus Maximus..."we are now at the end of the solo".

[Madman Shepherd]

Any word on their set list from last night?

Also, Jeff seems like a cool guy and a great singer, but what is with all of his hand gestures?  At times it seems like he is on the cheer squad more than fronting a rock band. 

[goo-goo]

Setlist from last night

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/sons-of-apollo/2018/magic-city-casino-miami-fl-5beee330.html

God of the sun
Signs of the time
Divine Addiction
Just Let Me Breathe
Labyrinth
Bass Solo
Prophet's Song/Save Me
Alive
Pink Panther Theme
And the Cradle will Rock
Coming Home

I'm a bit excited to see them live on Sunday. I think Sons of Apollo is much better on a live setting.

[Madman Shepherd]

Was this another abbreviated set?  I thought starting last night it was going to be full but that seems a bit thin. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyLzroWqpMM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTMZV4O4Gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L4wFbL8AyM

I honestly don´t know where to look in those videos...everyone is KILLING on this band!!!

[RodrigoAltaf]

Was this another abbreviated set?  I thought starting last night it was going to be full but that seems a bit thin.

I think it was abbreviated too.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyLzroWqpMM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTMZV4O4Gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L4wFbL8AyM

These guys are incredible. No two ways about it.

[gmillerdrake]

Glad you guys are liking the vids that were released. I’m not feeling or seeing it....but, that’s the Beauty of music.

[ytserush]

Glad you guys are liking the vids that were released. I’m not feeling or seeing it....but, that’s the Beauty of music.

I'm not either. Not feeling any connection at all. Maybe after a year on the road?

[pcs90]

Glad you guys are liking the vids that were released. I’m not feeling or seeing it....but, that’s the Beauty of music.

I'm not either. Not feeling any connection at all. Maybe after a year on the road?

Same. I was pretty bored honestly.

[Metro]

Yeah....still not doing anything for me. The energy is there, but the music is still dreadful. The LITS cover wasn't bad.

[pcs90]

Ironically I think the LITS cover was the best of the clips posted.

[The Walrus]

I get that the LITS motif is the thing Derek is most known for but there's so much more to the song and the lyrics weren't even written by him or Mike, so I don't get it (especially since Mike did TSF with only songs he wrote lyrics to). But oh well. Good stage presence, not sure what the hell Soto is doing with his hands during those instrumental sections though.

It just... sounds like they want to be Dream Theater. That's not a dig at them just because they're SoA, it's something that tons of prog metal bands have suffered from. Watching that God of the Sun clip just made me think (especially in the solos) it's just DT, but not DT.

[Cool Chris]

Off-topic, but having worked for a cruise line (in the office, not on board the ships) for years, and one that catered more toward families and the elderly, seeing a rock/metal based cruise still rattles my brain a bit.

[Anxiety35]

My thoughts on the 3 videos...

Overall, I'm not feeling it. They're playing well, but it's missing that "something." Not sure what it is. But hey, who am I? Just some guy at my computer.

MP looks bored or like he's going though the motions. Not the same guy we saw on Shattered Fortress show videos.
Sheehan is great as always.
Derek is too low in the mix for me to have an honest opinion (I get that it's cell phone videos).
I don't get Soto's motions & gestures as a front man.
Bumblefoot is the star of this thing. Incredible guitarist and great stage presence.

[Ben_Jamin]

If these guys where coming anywhere close here, I would go and see them. They put on a good show, as I knew they would based on the style of music, it just calls for it.

[Schurftkut]

My thoughts on the 3 videos...

Overall, I'm not feeling it. They're playing well, but it's missing that "something." Not sure what it is. But hey, who am I? Just some guy at my computer.

MP looks bored or like he's going though the motions. Not the same guy we saw on Shattered Fortress show videos.
Sheehan is great as always.
Derek is too low in the mix for me to have an honest opinion (I get that it's cell phone videos).
I don't get Soto's motions & gestures as a front man.
Bumblefoot is the star of this thing. Incredible guitarist and great stage presence.

pretty much agree with this, Ron seems to be the only one totally comfortable on stage playing these tunes. Jeff is peeking a lot at lyrics and tapdancing around trying to hit the right patches etc.. Wish there would be a video where you can hear the keyboards..

[Madman Shepherd]

My thoughts on the 3 videos...

Overall, I'm not feeling it. They're playing well, but it's missing that "something." Not sure what it is.

I've always thought that cruise shows are a terrible representation of a band.  I've never been on one but part of the reason I haven't is because it seems like a giant gimmick.  Half ass production, shortened set, weird venue more suitable for Wayne Newton.  So I agree it's missing something but I think those reasons may be that "something."  At the same time, that's a good reason not to unveil something like this in a gimmicky setting. 

[Cool Chris]

On the plus side, your crowd is already at the venue, so to speak. All you have to do is be more appealing than the casino or the buffet. No "I'd consider going, but I have to work the next day, it's a 2 hour drive, etc..."

I know members here have been on these types of cruises.... any thoughts from them?

[gzarruk]

I don't get Soto's motions & gestures as a front man.
Bumblefoot is the star of this thing. Incredible guitarist and great stage presence.

My thoughts exactly.

His performance wasn't bad at all, but I just don't like what JSS is trying to do as a frontman, it bothers me.

Bumblefoot is, by far, the best musician on this band and he really seems to be enjoying playing these songs. Fantastic player.

The rest of the guys? Just meh.

[Stadler]

Wow, they are not making it easy on themselves, at least with me.  I was SOOOO open to this, and yet, at every turn it seems like it's moving farther and farther from what it could be and what it should be.    I really don't like LITS, particularly because of that vocal by Doug Pinnick.  I really don't like those screamy, pseudo-bluesy, quasi-soulful wailing kind of vocals... so what does JSS do?  Seems to sing the whole song in that voice.   

If its within 50 miles of me, I'll go, just to see Mike, since it will invariably be in a small place, and seeing Mike in a small place is always good.  I want to see Ron Thal again, too.   Having said that, I'm sure he's a great singer and a super guy, but Jeff isn't working for me in this combo.   

[Adami]

It's also their first shows.

Maybe it'll improve in time. I'm sure once they start playing those 500 person clubs, MP will start acting much more lively and energetic.