MR

I am sure Froy is going to love this off of Styxworld from Tommy...

After what feels like a couple of years, since we finished CYCLORAMA, we're back in my home studio again after spending two days down the hill at Ocean Way Studios. Ricky and JY and Gary are here and we're overdubbing to Todd's awesome drum tracks he cut before flying to Australia to meet his wife Taylor Mills who's there on tour with Brian Wilson. Todd did 9 drum tracks in 2 days, each of them in one take. He was in this amazing space, this Zen state of mind after coming back from his week of drum clinics. We were simply amazed at his focus and his range of ideas.

Now we're cutting bass guitars, electric and acoustic guitars, and every stringed instrument we can find in my house. In doing these cover songs we are getting a lesson in old school arranging and recording and this will be resonate in whatever comes after these sessions. To see how bands did things before digital recording (not that we weren't one of those bands, but we've long since gotten on board the digital train) has been a real breath of fresh air, and a license to Rock, recklessly and unchained by styles which emerged over the last 30 years is downright emancipating.

styxfanNH wrote:I am sure Froy is going to love this off of Styxworld from Tommy...

After what feels like a couple of years, since we finished CYCLORAMA, we're back in my home studio again after spending two days down the hill at Ocean Way Studios. Ricky and JY and Gary are here and we're overdubbing to Todd's awesome drum tracks he cut before flying to Australia to meet his wife Taylor Mills who's there on tour with Brian Wilson. Todd did 9 drum tracks in 2 days, each of them in one take. He was in this amazing space, this Zen state of mind after coming back from his week of drum clinics. We were simply amazed at his focus and his range of ideas.

Now we're cutting bass guitars, electric and acoustic guitars, and every stringed instrument we can find in my house. In doing these cover songs we are getting a lesson in old school arranging and recording and this will be resonate in whatever comes after these sessions. To see how bands did things before digital recording (not that we weren't one of those bands, but we've long since gotten on board the digital train) has been a real breath of fresh air, and a license to Rock, recklessly and unchained by styles which emerged over the last 30 years is downright emancipating.

Excuse me while I puke

Well, all I can say is when your new original music won't sell, turn to making an album full of proven hits. Except that this didn't even seem to work for Def Leppard either.

How far have Styx fallen.... relegated to being a cover band again. Looks like it's all come full circle. This is so far beneath Styx it's disgusting. Sorry.

As I said on the other thread, this is what nostalgia bands like Styx are relegated to doing to try to stay "current" and to, maybe, sell a few records. They are following a fairly big trend nowadays.

They are victims of the times and of their advancing ages. And they are doing what they can and very likely what the record company wants.

Younger people will not buy an album of new material, but, possibly will buy into a collection some old, well-known songs.

True Styx fans would buy any album they put out, being far happier, of course, with an album of new material. But that would not sell enough albums to keep a record company happy.

And this way, the Current Styx touring ensemble can slot in some of these covers that might be more audience pleasers. Audiences always enjoy the familiar, especially with the dinosaur rocker groups who now tour endlessly.

Just my 27 cents.

Bugsy

The album was at the request of the album company. They are now with Universal. This was originally slated to be an EP with the 2120 songs and a couple of covers but has turned into a full fledged album because of IATW's success.

It is a trend of aging bands. I don't blame them. Any band of their age will do whatever they can that might give them airplay. Take advantage of whatever happens and move forward. The new material album is supposedly scheduled for fall release.

And for those that say the covers album should be beneath Styx but are fine with the 10 on Broadway CD of Dennis', you are contradicting yourself. Personally, I think Dennis' 10 on Broadway is a great album for Dennis it highlighted his vocal talent and range. I would have liked to see a rock album at somepoint before next year, but I thought it was really good and was a good decision on his part. It seemed that he had his heart in it.

Ash wrote:Well, all I can say is when your new original music won't sell, turn to making an album full of proven hits. Except that this didn't even seem to work for Def Leppard either.

How far have Styx fallen.... relegated to being a cover band again. Looks like it's all come full circle. This is so far beneath Styx it's disgusting. Sorry.

Who in there right mind would buy a Styx cd of cover tunes
It doesn't work guys like you said Def Leppard and Rush tried it and it bombed. Im telling ya if nobody showed up to there shows they would be forced to make a change, Nobody is going to buy this cd so why would anyone want to see these guys live anymore. They think that IATW went over so well well there wrong so it go airplay for a week big deal.
Real Styx fans are laughing in these guys faces, If Shaw saw JY at the urinal he would post on the website that JY was really getting into it and he was freaked out at how amazing JY was, We can see what you are doing shaw its called HYPE , Dennis is sitting pretty right now he's taking his time and getting it right, If he has 1 great song on his new cd he will make STYX look foolish even more than they do right now.
Someone wrote a thread about how I always talk negative about current Styx well guys based on a band that once was 4 times platinum how can you not see this is a slow death comming fast ,

bugsymalone wrote:True Styx fans would buy any album they put out, being far happier, of course, with an album of new material. But that would not sell enough albums to keep a record company happy

Excuse me? I consider myself a "true" styx fan. I am just not a fan of what has become of Styx. My reason for listening to styx was ousted several years ago. I am still a fan of Styx as I know Styx. This band - to me - isn't styx. But please don't make the insinuation that people who don't buy this album somehow aren't fans of the band known as styx... that would be inaccurate.

styxfanNH wrote:And for those that say the covers album should be beneath Styx but are fine with the 10 on Broadway CD of Dennis', you are contradicting yourself. Personally, I think Dennis' 10 on Broadway is a great album for Dennis it highlighted his vocal talent and range. I would have liked to see a rock album at somepoint before next year, but I thought it was really good and was a good decision on his part. It seemed that he had his heart in it.

BTW - if you read one of my posts elsewhere, I was HIGHLY critical of Dennis for doing the broadway covers album. Even though I consider it to be well done, I think it was beneath an artist of his talent and calibur. I am on record saying that and I agree with your point that people who would excuse Dennis for it and not Styx would be showing a hippocritical bias.

Incidentally - 7 Deadly Zens showed that Tommy had really grown as a writer and an artist of his own merrit and like Don Henley and other writers who had been with large name bands had out-grown his ability to be a "better" writer within the group environment. I content that Tommy would be best served writing and recording as himself. He would produce better music. 7 Deadly Zens is brilliant music.

This band - to me - isn't styx. But please don't make the insinuation that people who don't buy this album somehow aren't fans of the band known as styx... that would be inaccurate.

I sure mis-wrote myself up there, Ash. I am totally with you on this one. What I meant is fans of the Neo-Styx would be thrilled to buy an album of new material. That is not a large group, as Cyclorama sales proved.

As far as an album of new material from THIS group that calls themselves "Styx", someone would have to pay me to take a copy.

What I was really talking about in my earlier post was fans of the current lineup, of which I do not consider myself one. But trying to be understanding here.

As to "10 On Broadway". When one has a voice of the beauty and caliber of Dennis DeYoung, I see nothing wrong with trying some other, challenging, music to showcase such a gift.

And, as someone pointed out, he was a solo performer at the time.

Bugsy

styxfanNH wrote:The album was at the request of the album company. They are now with Universal. This was originally slated to be an EP with the 2120 songs and a couple of covers but has turned into a full fledged album because of IATW's success.

All of a sudden 1 week of airplay is a sucsess?
Its a copy of a Beatles song maybe thats why it even got what it got.
Styx is in shambles they have to scrape the bottom of the barrell to do another lame summer tour . Todays STYX fan is getting ripped off
I hope they wake up and smell the coffee.

BTW - if you read one of my posts elsewhere, I was HIGHLY critical of Dennis for doing the broadway covers album. Even though I consider it to be well done, I think it was beneath an artist of his talent and calibur. I am on record saying that and I agree with your point that people who would excuse Dennis for it and not Styx would be showing a hippocritical bias.

If Dennis was in Styx and he suggested a Covers CD he would get blasted by me for it , As a solo artist he can do whatever he wants
Tommy Shaw and James Young have held this band hostage for 5 years They are not keeping the Styx tradition alive at all
Massive amounts of shows promoting nothing and now a covers cd
They have all but destroyed the popularity of Styx only a few thousand followers left what a shame.

Incidentally - 7 Deadly Zens showed that Tommy had really grown as a writer and an artist of his own merrit and like Don Henley and other writers

Sure Zens is great but Shaw can't make money touring as a solo act thats why he abducted the Styx name to make money off of touring, Why anyone would pay to see these guys as the band Styx is beyound believe, Allot of followers in this world.




[/quote]

A suggested track listing of the new covers CD (jokingly of course)

1) I'll have a Blue Collar Man XMAS without you (complete with the original classic Elvis Backing vocals...guest sung by billy bob of course)

2) Watching Scotty grow - acoustic (singer Shaw)

3) Act Naturally - STYX does Ringo doing Hoyt Axton (sung by Todd)

4) Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant oringal recording (sung by JY)

5) Blue Collar Man live in Japan (guest singe Robin Zander)

6) Blue Bayou - Gowan does Rondstant doing Orbison

7) Boys will be Boys - oringal artist ?? (sung by gowan)

Copa Cabana - Tommy stretching out to Barry Manilow's territory

9) Come Sail Away - Cartman's version (Gowan)

10) Blue Collar Man - REO joins STYX live in the studio to sing bridge of song

2) Watching Scotty grow - acoustic (singer Shaw)

Im still laughing

I sure mis-wrote myself up there, Ash. I am totally with you on this one. What I meant is fans of the Neo-Styx would be thrilled to buy an album of new material. That is not a large group, as Cyclorama sales proved.

If I don't want to buy an album full of covers, then I won't...and it does not make ANY differnce if YOU think I am a fan or not. YOU do not hold the key to the definition of 'fan'...So, why do you feel a need to define the word?

If somebody considers themself a fan, then they are.

As to "10 On Broadway". When one has a voice of the beauty and caliber of Dennis DeYoung, I see nothing wrong with trying some other, challenging, music to showcase such a gift.

THAT is not the issue. The issue is that others see talent within Styx and say there is nothing wrong with them doing a cover song. For Dennis fans to critique that stance and say his "10 On Bradway" was an OK thing is the very definition of a hypocrit.

YOU do not hold the key to the definition of 'fan'...So, why do you feel a need to define the word?

Defining what I feel is the difference between fans of Classic Styx and Current Styx only. Also, I have stated many times, MY opinion on this. No one else's.

is the very definition of a hypocrit.

hypocrite

Happy Holidays!

Bugsy

THAT is not the issue. The issue is that others see talent within Styx and say there is nothing wrong with them doing a cover song. For Dennis fans to critique that stance and say his "10 On Bradway" was an OK thing is the very definition of a hypocrit.

[/quote]

Nice try Monker but your wrong again
The problem is our pals JY and Shaw have run out of song writers they have forced both of them out of the band, Now there fuked they have no material and have to figure out a way to keep making touring money .
So they are forced once again to copycat which has down graded a band that was once a platinum seller. In your lame attempts here you always have to say JRNY did it so STYX can do it Now its Dennis Did it so its ok.
Only problem is Dennis did it as Dennis not as Styx and thats why it was ok , Styx is doing it because they are left no choice, They can't tour in the US anymore unless they have a new product so they do a cover tunes cd Woopie how original Even you don't like it but you have no balls to say it .
Shaw say's the record company asked them to do it and that is simply BS
If the record company had a say they would tell them to dump Gowan and get Dennis back that would make them the most money .

The problem is our pals JY and Shaw have run out of song writers they have forced both of them out of the band, Now there fuked they have no material and have to figure out a way to keep making touring money.

Tommy, JY and Gowan are ALL talented songwriters. Saying they are not is simply ignorant of you. The same is true when you say they are just releasing an album to keep touring. It just simply isn't true. You are just inventing things.

So they are forced once again to copycat which has down graded a band that was once a platinum seller.

When was the last studio album from Styx to go platinum? Kilroy? Maybe Edge? You are talking more then a decade ago. Even with Dennis back, I doubt they would be able to release a platinum album.

In your lame attempts here you always have to say JRNY did it so STYX can do it Now its Dennis Did it so its ok. Only problem is Dennis did it as Dennis not as Styx and thats why it was ok

According to you, Styx isn't Styx without Dennis anyway. So, why are they not equal. Why do you suddenly feel that Styx is at the same level they were before BNW? It's good to know you now believe they are at that level.

Styx is doing it because they are left no choice, They can't tour in the US anymore unless they have a new product so they do a cover tunes cd

Prove it. Where is there ANY evidence that Styx can not tour without a new CD? Again, you are just inventing things.

Woopie how original Even you don't like it but you have no balls to say it.

What are you talking about? I already said I wouldn't buy a CD of covers. I think it's a mistake. In the long run it will hurt the band more then help them. If this is all that Universal is offering them, then they should have stayed with Sanctuary and released the music THEY wanted to release. The only way this could be helpful to Styx is if they have at least a two record contract and can get whatever songs they want to on the next release.

Shaw say's the record company asked them to do it and that is simply BS

No it's not. Again, you are inventing things. Where are your quotes to the contrary? Where is there ANY evidence that Tommy is lying about it?

If the record company had a say they would tell them to dump Gowan and get Dennis back that would make them the most money .

Maybe, maybe not. If Dennis refused to tour and support the CD, I doubt it would make the label, or Styx, any money. The label has a lot of say on what is on the album...How many times have you heard the story of the band not getting the songs they wanted on the album because so-and-so from the label wanted something different? This isn't 198x when AOR bands ruled. If they want an album released on Universal, or Sony, or whatever, then the label has a lot of control over such things.

The only cover I can think of that these guys could do that I would actually like to hear would be Kansas' Carry On My Wayward Son. It's just build for Tommy to sing.

Froy, you are living in a vacuum.

kansas666 wrote:Froy, you are living in a vacuum.

No Im living in my house in Bloomingdale ILL
Thanks anyway DAVE

Tommy, JY and Gowan are ALL talented songwriters.

Ya got 1 right 2 wrong pal.

Saying they are not is simply ignorant of you.

Saying they are makes you sound foolish ,.

The same is true when you say they are just releasing an album to keep touring. It just simply isn't true. You are just inventing things.

Then tell us oh Swammy why are they releasing a cover cd 15 cds into there carreer,

According to you, Styx isn't Styx without Dennis anyway.

According to me and thousands of others my friend.

Styx is doing it because they are left no choice, They can't tour in the US anymore unless they have a new product so they do a cover tunes cd

Prove it.

Prove what?
You need to tell us why a band with the name Styx is becoming a cover band
How in the hell can you justify that .

Where is there ANY evidence that Styx can not tour without a new CD? Again, you are just inventing things.

If Styx played in front of 5 people a night you would say they were on tour, Fact is if you only drawing 1000 people or less at a show not counting triple bills you touring days are over , Thats todays Styx ,.

Woopie how original Even you don't like it but you have no balls to say it.

What are you talking about? I already said I wouldn't buy a CD of covers. I think it's a mistake.

My apologies I never saw you saw it was a mistake

In the long run it will hurt the band more then help them. If this is all that Universal is offering them, then they should have stayed with Sanctuary and released the music THEY wanted to release. The only way this could be helpful to Styx is if they have at least a two record contract and can get whatever songs they want to on the next release.

Folks I agree

Shaw say's the record company asked them to do it and that is simply BS

No it's not.

Prove IT

Again, you are inventing things. Where are your quotes to the contrary? Where is there ANY evidence that Tommy is lying about it?

Let me ask ya if you were the record company would you ask Shaw to do a cd of covers or get Dennis Back ?
I think we know the answer Shaw is justifing this move and lying through his teeth , He has to pass the buck the record company said to do it
Simply BS .

If the record company had a say they would tell them to dump Gowan and get Dennis back that would make them the most money .

Maybe, maybe not. If Dennis refused to tour and support the CD,

Monk Dennis right now would do a 50 date summer tour that is a fact ,
Also Dennis has 5 songs done in the can which could be a STYX cd
If your 2 great songwriters had anything to add we could have a classic STYX cd by 2005 summer What would you ask for if you were the record company ?
This cover cd is another stupid mistake by Shaw and Goofy,.
If Dennis said yes to a 50 daye summer tour what should Shaw and The Legend Do ?

Are the 5 songs, 5 songs STYX fans want to hear??, or are they Dennis's GREAT voice doing more Hunchback type show tunes??? His Brave New World effort ( minus Roseland ) was dismal.

You can say all you want about what happened when they went into record Brave New World, but the bottom line is Dennis's songs STUNK for a Styx album. If he was disappointed with his effort on Pieces Of Eight, my god he should of crawled in a hole for his Brave New World effort. Some of you say While There's Still Time was a decent tune too, but it was a Hunchback tune, as was Paradise from Return To Paradise. So where is the musical writing genius that once was????? he is throwing Broadway on a Styx CD why??

Off of Brave New World both of JY's songs were good, and Everything Is Cool, Brave New World, Witness, and Number One were good songs from Tommy.

Dennis bombed on his final effort for Styx. Since we will probably never get another Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, or Suite Madame Blue out of Dennis I'll at least settle for a decent ballad. But as for showtunes on a rock CD ( Great Masturbation, Hip Hop, Fallen Angle) I NEVER want that again. So what type of 5 songs has Dennis completed??????????

yogi wrote:Are the 5 songs, 5 songs STYX fans want to hear??, or are they Dennis's GREAT voice doing more Hunchback type show tunes??? His Brave New World effort ( minus Roseland ) was dismal.

Don't really know but I would say Hello God could be a Styx song very easily .

You can say all you want about what happened when they went into record Brave New World, but the bottom line is Dennis's songs STUNK for a Styx album.

I agree to an extent Goodbye To Roseland was good and so was While There's still time no matter where it came from it was a good ballad,

If he was disappointed with his effort on Pieces Of Eight, my god he should of crawled in a hole for his Brave New World effort. Some of you say While There's Still Time was a decent tune too, but it was a Hunchback tune, as was Paradise from Return To Paradise.[/quote

And Dennis did not sing either one on Hunchback plus the words were very different.

Off of Brave New World both of JY's songs were good, and Everything Is Cool, Brave New World, Witness, and Number One were good songs from Tommy.

I think all of BNW sucked except ETIC and WTST Heavy Water was ok
Not the Styx album we want to rememeber Styx by ,

Dennis bombed on his final effort for Styx. Since we will probably never get another Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, or Suite Madame Blue out of Dennis I'll at least settle for a decent ballad.

Everyone gets a stinker in there careers and BNW was it for Dennis .
Im sure he admits it
That was then this is now

Lyrically, "Everything Is Cool" sucked eggs man.

"Everything Is Cool
In The Land of the brave new world"


.... In the land of the brave new world??!? thats a double noun. forget bad english tho (no pun intended) it's just a very weak song lyrically. Especially for the guy who wrote Who I Am and What Do You Want From Life.

Heavy Water was better, but still weak lyrically. (Hanging out in the chat room with the freaks and satellites?!!?!?). And just to be fair, Hip-Hopcracy was a discracecracy. The best songs on BNW:

I Will Be Your Witness (best on the album, but I don't like the production)
Great Expectations
Number One (not styx, but still a good song)

The point I am trying to make about Dennis Deyoungs recent Styx efforts are that I think its GREAT he is trying to produce a Broadway type of show, and write all the music for it. I own his Hunchback CD, and 10 From Broadway I admire him for these efforts.I would also go see Hunchback in a minute if it came within 500 miles of me. Still, that is not the type of music I want to hear on a Styx CD. When I purchased 10 From and Hunchback I knew EXACTLY what I was procuring. When I drove 50 miles to purchase Brave New World the day it came out I almost threw up the first time I heard Hip Hop, and Great Expectations.

Dennis's final two efforts with Styx were Return To Paradise and Brave New World. He had one new song off of Return. That song was Paradise. He had 5 new songs on Brave New World. One was While Theres Still Time. So out of 6 new DDY led Styx songs one third of those songs were aimed to hopefully go to Broadway. Thats NOT what brought me to Styx. Add to this Fallen Angel, Great Expectations, and Hip Hop. You have got 5 out of 6 'Styx' tunes aimed at a Broadway audience.

I know we have all aged and musical tastes change. Dennis has EVERY right to do the type of music he wants. Still while I have now hit 40. I want rock music and good ballads from my favorite all time band. Spare me the Broadway showtunes. I honestly believe with many of you Dennis could sing Row Row Row Your Boat, and Barneys Theme, and you would think its great and belongs on a Styx CD!!!!!!

Then tell us oh Swammy why are they releasing a cover cd 15 cds into there carreer,

Because that is what their label signed them up to do. Why come up with conspiracy theories when the answer is so simple?

> According to you, Styx isn't Styx without Dennis anyway.

According to me and thousands of others my friend.

I don't see this "thousands of others" posting on this forum and elevating Styx to the level they were more then 20yrs ago. YOU are doing that.

Styx is doing it because they are left no choice, They can't tour in the US anymore unless they have a new product so they do a cover tunes cd

Give ANY evidence that the above is true. You are inventing things.

If Styx played in front of 5 people a night you would say they were on tour, Fact is if you only drawing 1000 people or less at a show not counting triple bills you touring days are over , Thats todays Styx ,.

If Styx wasn't making money on tour, they wouldn't be touring. It is as simple as that. You like to exagerate EVERYTHING. Touring with two othre bands IS STILL TOURING. If they were not worthy of being on the ticket, they wouldn't be!

>>>Shaw say's the record company asked them to
>>>do it and that is simply BS

>>No it's not.

>Prove IT

I believe what Tommy says. That is all the proof I need. You are the one calling him a liar...without ANYTHING to support your position.

Let me ask ya if you were the record company would you ask Shaw to do a cd of covers or get Dennis Back ?

If I were a label and I wanted Styx with Dennis, I would not have signed the current lineup to a contract. The band as it is now is the band that is signed - not a band with Dennis in it.

If the record company had a say they would tell them to dump Gowan and get Dennis back that would make them the most money .

And, perhaps that is what they said four years ago, or three, or two. But, they decided to sign the current band. Why would they sign a band and then tell them to change members before they even release an album? What you are saying makes absolutely no sense at all. If Universal expects Dennis back, they should have never signed the band.


>> Maybe, maybe not. If Dennis refused to tour and support the CD,

>Monk Dennis right now would do a 50 date summer tour that is a fact

All I am saying is that things could happen which result in the label not making money. Maybe he would fall down and hurt his hip.

Also Dennis has 5 songs done in the can which could be a STYX cd

As has been pointed out, he has five SOLO songs supposedly written. We really don't know if they would translate well into Styx songs.

If your 2 great songwriters had anything to add we could have a classic STYX cd by 2005 summer What would you ask for if you were the record company ?

Again, I would not have signed the band if that is what I was going to ask for.

The band that is signed does not include Dennis. The band would have to agree to renegotiate their contract to bring Dennis back in the band. Do you think that's going to happen? I don't.

This cover cd is another stupid mistake by Shaw and Goofy,.

No, it's a stupid mistake by the label. The stupid mistake by the band was allowing the label to take away their freedom to record whatever music they wanted.

If Dennis said yes to a 50 daye summer tour what should Shaw and The Legend Do ?

Tell him they are currently under contract for x number of albums, and in the middle of recording one. That if he wanted to join in on a summer tour next year, he would have to wait until the current album was recorded and released...and then they could talk about it.

Or, they could tell him to wait for Styx to freeze over so he could play ice-hockey on it.

Monker wrote:

Then tell us oh Swammy why are they releasing a cover cd 15 cds into there carreer,

Because that is what their label signed them up to do. Why come up with conspiracy theories when the answer is so simple?

So from what you are saying the band Styx are a bunch of followers a record lable comes up with a horrible idea for the band and they say sure this will ruin our band but we will do it anyway, Shows just how smart Dennis was in STYX he would have said take a walk on this idea . Shaw and JY need to keep touring so they said who cares if it makes us look bad we can make another 500 K
this summer , Thats called selling out MOnker .

> According to you, Styx isn't Styx without Dennis anyway.

According to me and thousands of others my friend.

I don't see this "thousands of others" posting on this forum and elevating Styx to the level they were more then 20yrs ago. YOU are doing that.

Not everyone runs to this board but you don't see em at STYX concerts thats where it counts.

I believe what Tommy says.

Really shall I get the Kiroy quotes from 83 did ya believe those ?