Poll

How would you rate psycotic Symphony on a scale from 1 to 10?

10 (highest)
8 (3.4%)
9
13 (5.6%)
8
23 (9.9%)
7
43 (18.5%)
6
33 (14.2%)
5
32 (13.8%)
4
24 (10.3%)
3
14 (6%)
2
7 (3%)
1 (lowest)
7 (3%)
0. Their online behaviour ruined it (won't listen)
28 (12.1%)

Total Members Voted: 229

Author Topic: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)  (Read 464422 times)

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Offline cramx3

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3325 on: February 11, 2018, 06:41:02 AM »
MP's TSF did DT much better than SOA judging from the one video of LitS.  I'm really struggling to get into JSS from the album but these live clips aren't helping. Bumblefoot once again impresses though, he's really shining from this.

Offline axeman90210

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3326 on: February 11, 2018, 08:31:47 AM »
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?

Nick has more experience than I do, but I went on Cruise to the Edge last year and had an absolute blast. Four days of waking up and bouncing between an all you can eat buffet and concerts, all surrounded by people who love the music at least as much as you do. It definitely helped that the lineup was stacked for my particular tastes as Portnoy's Shattered Fortress/birthday bash, Neal Morse Band, Pain of Salvation, Haken, Spock's Beard, and Frost* are all bands that I'd happily go see at a normal concert venue. That averaged out to three sets a day from bands I like/love, plus then the headliners (Yes, Steve Hackett, Kansas), the other bands on the ship, and the other events they have going on (Q&A sessions, photo ops, a daily late night covers jam session for the passengers). Is the sound as pristine as your normal concert venue? No. Do bands sometimes not have their full production going on? Yes. But you can't relax in a hot tub with a beer while watching Spock's Beard at a normal concert venue either, and being outside on the pool deck late at night jumping around to the breakdown in Haken's The Endless Knot is up there with my favorite live show memories. I probably wouldn't do a cruise again unless it was as great a lineup as CttE 2017 was for me, but if I did see a lineup that good I'd book it in a heartbeat.


Really looking forward to the SoA show on Thursday, I think it's going to be great to see these guys live in a super small venue.
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Offline bill1971

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3327 on: February 11, 2018, 10:07:59 AM »
Watching some of the clips on YouTube they definitely pull off the material live which seem to be obvious because they're all very talented. Soto sounds very good but seems ironically a little cheesy is a front man but still incredible voice and he seems like a really good guy.

I think the real Discovery here is Ron Thal very talented very cool guy.

Offline bill1971

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3328 on: February 11, 2018, 10:14:18 AM »
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. ;D

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.

 Mike Portnoy has said he doesn't really like doing small shows so maybe that's why he was energy isn't there.

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3329 on: February 11, 2018, 10:17:35 AM »
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. ;D

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.

 Mike Portnoy has said he doesn't really like doing small shows so maybe that's why he was energy isn't there.

Then the entire US run is going to suck for him.
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Offline KevShmev

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3330 on: February 11, 2018, 10:18:55 AM »
A true professional puts on the best show he/she can, regardless if they are playing in front of 20,000 or 200 people.

I saw Devin Townsend at a tiny venue last May here in St Louis, and despite the crowd being maybe 200-300 people, he had so much energy and enthusiasm, you would have thought he was playing to a stadium full of fans. That is what being a professional is all about.

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3331 on: February 11, 2018, 10:22:46 AM »
Everyone else in the band, especially Thal an Soto seemed to have plenty of energy.
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Offline bill1971

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3332 on: February 11, 2018, 11:54:31 AM »
A true professional puts on the best show he/she can, regardless if they are playing in front of 20,000 or 200 people.

I saw Devin Townsend at a tiny venue last May here in St Louis, and despite the crowd being maybe 200-300 people, he had so much energy and enthusiasm, you would have thought he was playing to a stadium full of fans. That is what being a professional is all about.

You're right. I've seen Living Colour and Geoff Tate last year and they both performed as if it was a sold out MSG.

Offline DT2003

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3333 on: February 11, 2018, 12:49:54 PM »
A true professional puts on the best show he/she can, regardless if they are playing in front of 20,000 or 200 people.

This is what I was thinking. To be fair to Mike though he always seems to put on a great show. I have seen Mike live almost 40 times now with numerous bands and in all different size venues and I have never once left a show thinking that Mike wasn’t putting on the best show he could.

Offline bill1971

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3334 on: February 11, 2018, 02:07:31 PM »
A true professional puts on the best show he/she can, regardless if they are playing in front of 20,000 or 200 people.

This is what I was thinking. To be fair to Mike though he always seems to put on a great show. I have seen Mike live almost 40 times now with numerous bands and in all different size venues and I have never once left a show thinking that Mike wasn’t putting on the best show he could.

Yes, I agree even if he isn't happy he still puts on a great show. Heck, Neil Peart hasn't been happy touring since the 80s and he always brought it. When he knew he couldn't anymore, he retired.

Offline Peace and Love

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3335 on: February 11, 2018, 03:41:01 PM »
I watched all the live videos posted so far and found them terribly boring.

Will agree with most here in that the only one who impressed me is the guitarist.

I apologise if this next comment is too harsh: visually and musically, I find this band very unappealing. Sheehan looks like a bored old grandpa up there, MP looks lethargic, and JSS really needs a hair and make up guy. I know it's prog and all that - but come on, just put some attention into your appearance if you're performing on a stage in front of a crowd.

Offline Stadler

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3336 on: February 11, 2018, 03:59:32 PM »
Yeah, Mike looked tired in those clips, but fair is fair:  last three times I've seen him it was in a 500 seat theater (twice) and a 1,000 seat club, and he NAILED it all three times.   I don't worry about tour; he may like the pomp of MSG better, but in my experience, that doesn't show on stage.   I don't know what was going on on the cruise. 

Offline kaos2900

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3337 on: February 12, 2018, 07:36:38 AM »
Glad you guys are liking the vids that were released. I’m not feeling or seeing it....but, that’s the Beauty of music.

Me neither. The double guitars and Soto's outfit just looks so cliche and stupid (i tried to think of nicer way to say this but this is really the best word to describe my opinion).

Offline Nick

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3338 on: February 12, 2018, 07:55:32 AM »
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?

Nick has more experience than I do, but I went on Cruise to the Edge last year and had an absolute blast. Four days of waking up and bouncing between an all you can eat buffet and concerts, all surrounded by people who love the music at least as much as you do. It definitely helped that the lineup was stacked for my particular tastes as Portnoy's Shattered Fortress/birthday bash, Neal Morse Band, Pain of Salvation, Haken, Spock's Beard, and Frost* are all bands that I'd happily go see at a normal concert venue. That averaged out to three sets a day from bands I like/love, plus then the headliners (Yes, Steve Hackett, Kansas), the other bands on the ship, and the other events they have going on (Q&A sessions, photo ops, a daily late night covers jam session for the passengers). Is the sound as pristine as your normal concert venue? No. Do bands sometimes not have their full production going on? Yes. But you can't relax in a hot tub with a beer while watching Spock's Beard at a normal concert venue either, and being outside on the pool deck late at night jumping around to the breakdown in Haken's The Endless Knot is up there with my favorite live show memories. I probably wouldn't do a cruise again unless it was as great a lineup as CttE 2017 was for me, but if I did see a lineup that good I'd book it in a heartbeat.


Really looking forward to the SoA show on Thursday, I think it's going to be great to see these guys live in a super small venue.

I've been on three cruises, but Axeman has summed things up nicely. All festivals have their advantages, with a place like RoSfest or NEARfest giving every band a long set and fantastic sound. Those two things are sometimes missing from the cruise, but all bands on all the cruises are given at least 2 sets of 1 hour minimum, which means they can play up to 2 hours of music, which is actually more than the 1.5 hours most bands get at RoSfest. Some bands on the cruise take full advantage, and other play the same hour of music twice. The cruise is also rather expensive and aside from the main theater none of the music venues are typically overly ideal.

All that said those trips have been far and away the best festival experiences I've had. It's a cruise, everything is taken care of, and everyone, fans and artists alike are constantly mingling and having a great time together. If you can afford it and see a lineup you like you should absolutely take advantage at least once and go.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3339 on: February 12, 2018, 08:01:10 AM »
Seems like it would be a fun thing to do.

As for the footage of SoA, I don't really understand any of the criticism.  If you don't like the album for whatever reason, you don't like the album.  So if it just boils down to, "I don't like the music on the album, so the live versions don't do anything for me," then I get it.  But most of the criticism that has been posted makes no sense to me whatsoever. 
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Offline chaotic_ripper

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3340 on: February 12, 2018, 09:24:46 AM »
Is it possible that Mike is finally stretching himself too thin?

Offline Destiny Of Chaos

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3341 on: February 12, 2018, 09:26:32 AM »
The set for the first non-cruise show looks great. Get the whole album, plus the intriguing covers. I would love to hear them do the Prophet Song, one of my favorite Queen songs.

Offline Anxiety35

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3342 on: February 12, 2018, 09:37:24 AM »
Seems like it would be a fun thing to do.

As for the footage of SoA, I don't really understand any of the criticism.  If you don't like the album for whatever reason, you don't like the album.  So if it just boils down to, "I don't like the music on the album, so the live versions don't do anything for me," then I get it.  But most of the criticism that has been posted makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I like the album. My criticism was based on what the performance appeared to be. The played well. From the videos it was just missing something in the live element. To me it wasn't a wow moment.

I don't think a cruise is the best way to showcase something new. It might have been good for the band to get some gigs in to iron out the kinks before their inland dates begin.

Offline MirrorMask

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3343 on: February 12, 2018, 09:39:06 AM »
Seems like it would be a fun thing to do.

As for the footage of SoA, I don't really understand any of the criticism.  If you don't like the album for whatever reason, you don't like the album.  So if it just boils down to, "I don't like the music on the album, so the live versions don't do anything for me," then I get it.  But most of the criticism that has been posted makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I like the album. My criticism was based on what the performance appeared to be. The played well. From the videos it was just missing something in the live element. To me it wasn't a wow moment.

Well, the "something" missing is that you weren't there at the show  ;D sure, a video gives the general idea, but it's when you're actually there that you really "feel" (or not) the actual vibe of the gig.
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Offline cramx3

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3344 on: February 12, 2018, 09:41:23 AM »
The set for the first non-cruise show looks great. Get the whole album, plus the intriguing covers. I would love to hear them do the Prophet Song, one of my favorite Queen songs.

Yea, that's kind of the set I expected them to play.  Pretty solid.

Offline JayOctavarium

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3345 on: February 12, 2018, 11:40:35 AM »
I still cant figure out why Billy is playing a double neck :lol
I just don't understand what they were trying to achieve with any part of the song, either individually or as a whole. You know what? It's the Platypus of Dream Theater songs. That bill doesn't go with that tail, or that strange little furry body, or those webbed feet, and oh god why does it have venomous spurs!? And then you find out it lays eggs too. The difference is that the Platypus is somehow functional despite being a crazy mishmash or leftover animal pieces

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Offline gzarruk

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3346 on: February 12, 2018, 12:47:23 PM »
I still cant figure out why Billy is playing a double neck :lol

This!

I mean, Bublefoot’s double neck guitar makes perfect sense, because one neck is fretted and the other is fretless, and that’s his signature thing to do, so that’s cool.
Billy’s double neck bass is just a gimmick, imo. As in “Ron is going to play everything with a double neck guitar, so I should bring a double neck bass because...double necks.”
It sounds like, "ruk, ruk, ruk, ruk, ruk." Instead of the more pleasing kick drum sound of, "gzarruk, gzarruk, gzarruk, gzarruk."

Offline pg1067

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3347 on: February 12, 2018, 12:51:54 PM »
I still cant figure out why Billy is playing a double neck :lol

This!

I mean, Bublefoot’s double neck guitar makes perfect sense, because one neck is fretted and the other is fretless, and that’s his signature thing to do, so that’s cool.
Billy’s double neck bass is just a gimmick, imo. As in “Ron is going to play everything with a double neck guitar, so I should bring a double neck bass because...double necks.”

It seemed like there were a LOT of hard rock/metal videos in the hey day of MTV with guys playing a double neck instrument for no apparent reason.  When I got exposed to Rush and saw them actually switching between the necks, I was blown away.  The other thing that never made any sense is when you've got a guitar with two six string necks or a bass with two four string necks.  I suppose they could have different tunings, but unless you're using both necks in the same song, there's just no point.
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Offline The Walrus

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3348 on: February 12, 2018, 12:58:48 PM »
Yeah but if he only used 1 neck it would throw off the symmetry on the album art and we all know 4 necks is more prog than 3
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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3349 on: February 12, 2018, 01:35:18 PM »
I still cant figure out why Billy is playing a double neck :lol

This!

I mean, Bublefoot’s double neck guitar makes perfect sense, because one neck is fretted and the other is fretless, and that’s his signature thing to do, so that’s cool.
Billy’s double neck bass is just a gimmick, imo. As in “Ron is going to play everything with a double neck guitar, so I should bring a double neck bass because...double necks.”

It seemed like there were a LOT of hard rock/metal videos in the hey day of MTV with guys playing a double neck instrument for no apparent reason.  When I got exposed to Rush and saw them actually switching between the necks, I was blown away.  The other thing that never made any sense is when you've got a guitar with two six string necks or a bass with two four string necks.  I suppose they could have different tunings, but unless you're using both necks in the same song, there's just no point.

I've watched most of the live videos so far on Youtube... And I have yet to see him use the top neck.

I thought maybe he had it strung with a low B or something for like Just Let Me Breathe or something... but nope.



Also side note: I actually really am enjoy the live vids. Bumblefoot  and JSS totally kill it!
I just don't understand what they were trying to achieve with any part of the song, either individually or as a whole. You know what? It's the Platypus of Dream Theater songs. That bill doesn't go with that tail, or that strange little furry body, or those webbed feet, and oh god why does it have venomous spurs!? And then you find out it lays eggs too. The difference is that the Platypus is somehow functional despite being a crazy mishmash or leftover animal pieces

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Offline Schurftkut

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3350 on: February 12, 2018, 02:19:34 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3351 on: February 12, 2018, 02:26:12 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.


But...

Why?

When does he use it?
I just don't understand what they were trying to achieve with any part of the song, either individually or as a whole. You know what? It's the Platypus of Dream Theater songs. That bill doesn't go with that tail, or that strange little furry body, or those webbed feet, and oh god why does it have venomous spurs!? And then you find out it lays eggs too. The difference is that the Platypus is somehow functional despite being a crazy mishmash or leftover animal pieces

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3352 on: February 12, 2018, 02:37:02 PM »
The set for the first non-cruise show looks great. Get the whole album, plus the intriguing covers. I would love to hear them do the Prophet Song, one of my favorite Queen songs.

I saw JSS at the Queen convention a few years ago, doing his Queen set. It was amazing. Don’t think he played The Prophet Song though.

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3353 on: February 12, 2018, 03:23:48 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.

Then why not just play a single-neck 5 string bass?

Offline Schurftkut

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3354 on: February 12, 2018, 03:31:56 PM »
look on his FB page, i'm too lazy to search for the part where he explains the "need" for a double neck besides looking cool and in harmony with the other guy's guitarino. Also, i think pretty much all the songs in the setlist are on youtube now, aside from the Prophet's Song?

Offline pg1067

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3355 on: February 12, 2018, 03:50:15 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.

Then why not just play a single-neck 5 string bass?

I found this ( https://equipboard.com/pros/billy-sheehan/yamaha-custom-shop-attitude-double-neck ), which says the top neck is strung BEAD, which seems oddly limiting given how Billy plays.  I would agree that a standard BEADG 5-string is far more practical, but I did read some stuff that said Billy doesn't like 5-string necks, which is fine, and I'm all for double necks being cool, but they're unnecessary -- and therefore stupid -- if you aren't switching between the necks in a song.  Symmetry seems to be a really dumb reason to strap on an extra 10 pounds for an entire set.
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Offline gzarruk

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3356 on: February 12, 2018, 03:59:36 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.

Then why not just play a single-neck 5 string bass?

I found this ( https://equipboard.com/pros/billy-sheehan/yamaha-custom-shop-attitude-double-neck ), which says the top neck is strung BEAD, which seems oddly limiting given how Billy plays.  I would agree that a standard BEADG 5-string is far more practical, but I did read some stuff that said Billy doesn't like 5-string necks, which is fine, and I'm all for double necks being cool, but they're unnecessary -- and therefore stupid -- if you aren't switching between the necks in a song.  Symmetry seems to be a really dumb reason to strap on an extra 10 pounds for an entire set.

I agree. There's nothing wrong with playing a double neck, but if he's not really using the one with the different tuning, then it's just dumb.

Most (if not all) of the set is here, btw: https://www.youtube.com/user/concertsrock/videos
It sounds like, "ruk, ruk, ruk, ruk, ruk." Instead of the more pleasing kick drum sound of, "gzarruk, gzarruk, gzarruk, gzarruk."

Offline bosk1

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3357 on: February 12, 2018, 04:05:01 PM »
I DISagree.  Unnecessary does not equate to stupid.  How much that musicians do is really "necessary?" 
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Offline MinistroRaven

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3358 on: February 12, 2018, 04:27:06 PM »
the top neck is in a different tuning, low note is a B i think. Billy mentioned it a few times on his FB page.

Then why not just play a single-neck 5 string bass?

I found this ( https://equipboard.com/pros/billy-sheehan/yamaha-custom-shop-attitude-double-neck ), which says the top neck is strung BEAD, which seems oddly limiting given how Billy plays.  I would agree that a standard BEADG 5-string is far more practical, but I did read some stuff that said Billy doesn't like 5-string necks, which is fine, and I'm all for double necks being cool, but they're unnecessary -- and therefore stupid -- if you aren't switching between the necks in a song.  Symmetry seems to be a really dumb reason to strap on an extra 10 pounds for an entire set.

I agree. There's nothing wrong with playing a double neck, but if he's not really using the one with the different tuning, then it's just dumb.

Most (if not all) of the set is here, btw: https://www.youtube.com/user/concertsrock/videos

Thanks for the link

Offline Cool Chris

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Re: Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)
« Reply #3359 on: February 12, 2018, 04:41:32 PM »
Wow I haven't listened to Just Let Me Breathe in forever. Thanks for reminding me why.
"Nostalgia is just the ability to forget the things that sucked" - Nelson DeMille, 'Up Country'