Gowan interview

by **sadie65** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:43 am

Found this today:

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 30307/1050

Styx sail away at Fantasy Springs

Special to The Desert Sun
Styx.

If you go
When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: $29-$59
Info: (800) 827-2946

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Michael Felci
The Desert Sun
September 23, 2005

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The most unenviable task in rock 'n' roll is that of replacing a beloved member of an already-established group - just ask Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Mark II) or Gary Cherone (Van Halen, Mark III). It ain't easy.
So charged was Canadian crooner Lawrence Gowan, tapped in 1999 by arena-rock gods Styx to take over the keyboard and lead vocals from departing founding member, Dennis "Mr. Roboto" DeYoung.

For Gowan, a multi-platinum recording artist in his own right, the proposal was a no-brainer. Already well-acquainted with band leaders Tommy Shaw and James "JT" Young thanks to a brief stint opening for the group in 1997, Gowan relished the notion of tackling Styx's classic late '70s/early '80s material, including "Lady," "Come Sail Away," and "Renegade."

"It was just kind of a 'way to go' situation, because Tommy heard my songs and saw people singing them at shows," Gowan recalled during a call from Idaho in the midst of Styx's current tour. "So Tommy said, 'Gosh, your material really fits with Styx in a lot of ways. Let's do something together in the future.'"

In rock 'n' roll terms that meant two years, the bulk of which Gowan spent touring England. Before long, Styx came knocking once again.

"In '99, I got a call from Tommy Shaw and James Young and they just asked me if I'd join the band," Gowan recalls. "I said 'Sure.'"

Still, Gowan wasn't content to exist merely as the hired-gun successor of DeYoung, nor was he content to function as the faceless mouthpiece of grandiose epics like "The Grand Illusion" and "Pieces Of Eight."

"A band really relies on the balance of all of its members," Gowan contends. "What I had to do was hold up what Dennis had contributed, and at the same time propel the band forward. Not have to be totally stuck in the past, but certainly do it justice."

And with Styx's latest studio offering, this year's "Big Bang Theory," Gowan claims the individual contributions of both he and other members are on full display.

An eclectic mix, covering everything from the Beatles' spookily surreal "I Am the Walrus" to the Lovin' Spoonful's urban anthem "Summer In The City," Gowan assures fans will find the band firing on all cylinders.
"This is the record where we were really able to dust off our musical influences and give our interpretations of songs that helped form us as musicians," Gowan said. "So in that regard, this new album's really great."

To showcase "Big Bang Theory," Styx has unleashed an all-out sonic assault on North America, which, in between tour stops in Phoenix and Los Angeles, includes an appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.

"We'll probably do at least three songs from the new album, but we're a band that aims to never disappoint," Gowan contends. "Every conceivable Styx hit will somehow be squeezed into the show, even if that means we have to include it in this 18-song medley we put in the middle to touch on one song from every album. It's very hard to take a 30-year career and be able to do it justice, but somehow we seem to always figure out a way to have people standing and screaming for more."

by **jrnyman28** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:23 am

18 SONG MEDLEY????

That seems a bit extreme!

by **sadie65** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:32 am

jrnyman28 wrote:18 SONG MEDLEY????

That seems a bit extreme!

It's portions of songs, not 18 complete songs thrown into a medley

by **Zan** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:42 am

sadie65 wrote:
jrnyman28 wrote:18 SONG MEDLEY????

That seems a bit extreme!

It's portions of songs, not 18 complete songs thrown into a medley

Cuz then it wouldn't be a medley. LOL (Not that I'd complain, mind you)

FYI, the medley is around 13 minutes long, and it SMOKES!

However, if you're Froy, it's a disgrace and only another cheap way to scam their audiences out of money.

by **sadie65** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:50 am

Zan wrote:
sadie65 wrote:
jrnyman28 wrote:18 SONG MEDLEY????

That seems a bit extreme!

It's portions of songs, not 18 complete songs thrown into a medley

Cuz then it wouldn't be a medley. LOL (Not that I'd complain, mind you)

FYI, the medley is around 13 minutes long, and it SMOKES!

However, if you're Froy, it's a disgrace and only another cheap way to scam their audiences out of money.

See I disagree. I heard the medley done over labor day weekend. I watched the people around me as well...most people were showing recognition of some of the songs, but from what I saw, the people looked more bewildered by it than anything else. I myself, found it a bit rushed at times. Though I do honestly give props to Todd for putting it together.

by **Zan** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 5:58 am

sadie65 wrote:
Zan wrote:
sadie65 wrote:
jrnyman28 wrote:18 SONG MEDLEY????

That seems a bit extreme!

It's portions of songs, not 18 complete songs thrown into a medley

Cuz then it wouldn't be a medley. LOL (Not that I'd complain, mind you)

FYI, the medley is around 13 minutes long, and it SMOKES!

However, if you're Froy, it's a disgrace and only another cheap way to scam their audiences out of money.

See I disagree. I heard the medley done over labor day weekend. I watched the people around me as well...most people were showing recognition of some of the songs, but from what I saw, the people looked more bewildered by it than anything else. I myself, found it a bit rushed at times. Though I do honestly give props to Todd for putting it together.

If only they had a Crystal Ball to know which songs to play in the medley every night so not to bewilder some of their audience. How cool would that be? I guess that's why they don't play these cuts in full. Too much time spent on songs that make the majority of the people go "huh?" Myself, I get that "rushed" sense too. If it were up to me,they'd play them all - AT LENGTH. But until I can afford to buy the whole place out, I'll be glad they do the little they do.

And TOTAL props to Todd (please contain your shock) for doing it. It's nice to have a Styx FAN in the band. :-D

by **jrnyman28** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 6:36 am

Oh I like the idea of a medley. But 18 songs just seems like too much to take in.

Before Journey's current tour (and for future tours) I always thought a medley of the pre-Perry material was a good idea. 5-8 songs thrown together in a big jam. I am also getting to the point where I would like to see them do a "hits" medley so they can spend more time on recent material (but that's just me

).

by **ek88** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:12 am

I'm a big fan of the medley. I enjoy it very much. Can't really speak for anyone else. BTW, thanks for posting the interview, Sadie. I generally enjoy reading interiews of band members, past and present.

by **thebook** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:33 am

ek88 wrote:I'm a big fan of the medley. I enjoy it very much. Can't really speak for anyone else. BTW, thanks for posting the interview, Sadie. I generally enjoy reading interiews of band members, past and present.

Personally, I don't like medley's. I think band's are better off changing the setlist from show to show. Rush did one last tour in the beginning and I didn't care for it. Playing a snippet from a song, whether its 30 seconds or a minute, is a bit ridicolous.

by **jrnyman28** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:32 am

Actually, in this day and age, with the prevalence of soundclips on the internet to sell product, a medley sounds like a good idea. The younger generation is used to deciding in 30 seconds if they like something. Medley's could be a good way to sell back catalogie material to yourger audience members...

Just a thought.

by **froy** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:55 pm

FYI, the medley is around 13 minutes long, and it SMOKES!

However, if you're Froy, it's a disgrace and only another cheap way to scam their audiences out of money.[/color][/b]

[/quote]

Yep 1 of many .
I met some people this week who told me allot of interesting things about our friends Gowan and the boys.
Im sure I will get to a few of them soon
Any band that does a medley needs to get some sleep.

by **froy** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:59 pm

jrnyman28 wrote:Actually, in this day and age, with the prevalence of soundclips on the internet to sell product, a medley sounds like a good idea. The younger generation is used to deciding in 30 seconds if they like something. Medley's could be a good way to sell back catalogie material to yourger audience members...

Just a thought.

Wrong
There is no experience behind 30 second clips
The reason we love classic Styx is because of our childhood memories attached to each song , There is no memory when you just hear a medley
Stupid lazy idea

by **froy** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:59 pm

thebook wrote:
ek88 wrote:I'm a big fan of the medley. I enjoy it very much. Can't really speak for anyone else. BTW, thanks for posting the interview, Sadie. I generally enjoy reading interiews of band members, past and present.

Personally, I don't like medley's. I think band's are better off changing the setlist from show to show. Rush did one last tour in the beginning and I didn't care for it. Playing a snippet from a song, whether its 30 seconds or a minute, is a bit ridicolous.

Exactly

MR

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