Minnesota Review

[stmonkeys]

review by Jonathan Rundman that was posted on the styx list:

http://jonathanrundman.blogspot.com/200 ... esota.html


Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Foreigner, Styx, Leppard at the Minnesota State Fair: concert review

Sheesh, I should be in bed right now, but I just had to post this:

Last night at 5:30PM Dawn said to me, "So, you're gonna go to that concert, right?" I had sorta given up on the idea, but at that moment I got inspired so I got a lift to the shuttle bus, zipped over to the Fairgrounds in St. Paul, walked to the grandstand and bought my ticket as Foreigner started their first song. I'm very shaped by the FM radio rock of the '70s and '80s, so this evening was sort of a pilgrimage to the tunes that brought me to where I am today. Ten bucks says that in 30 years nobody is gonna be going anywhere to hear The Arcade Fire in concert.

FOREIGNER played first. English grandpa Mick Jones is the founder and songwriter for the band, and there he was, playing nice piano and shredding on the guitar like a pro. Of course, the main personality of the band for most folks is famed singer Lou Gramm, who has not been in the band for about five years. Health problems took Lou out of commission, and it's initially hard to imagine that the band could soldier on without him, but MAN, good old Mick found an incredible new vocalist to front the group, Kelly Hansen. This guy is one of the greatest male tenor rock vocalists I've ever heard in concert, and he KICKED butt...and he looked cool in red pants. The chords and melodies of Foreigner songs are so good that they transcend some of the most groin-driven lyrics in rock history...and these old tunes hold up well. Did through your musical vaults and listen to Lou Gramm's original high notes in the vocal performances in "Feels Like the First Time" and "Juke Box Hero"...these are amazing notes, and Hansen nailed 'em, as well as every other vocal line, sounding eerily like Gramm. The rest of the band was quite good too, especially the drummer who bashed out these old standards like Dave Grohl. Rock on Mick, you're keeping the family business afloat admirably.

STYX played next. As most of you know, I love Styx...they're one of my favorite and most influential bands. Also...I've seen them in concert about ten times in the past decade. Also, last night, as always, they were awesome, they rocked, and they were super-tight, full of joy, and with mind-blowingly awesome vocals. Really, it's true. That being said, I've earned the right to challenge them on some aspects of their show...so allow me some nitpicking:
+ I know they've only got 45 minutes, so they've got to play the hits...but I've heard this set list so many times, I really think I'm done going to see them in concert (especially when they're the opener).
+ Yes, JY needs to sing a song, but why must it ALWAYS be "Miss America?" I've never really liked this one, PLUS since Dennis DeYoung left in '99 JY has been singing the awesome "Lorelei"...and "Lorelei" was an actual Top 40 hit! Time to retire "Miss America," guys.
+ Todd Sucherman, yes, you are a head-spinningly good drummer. But why all the funky, skippy, snare noodling on "Too Much Time" and "Grand Illusion?" Just play the groove, man! I know you're in Styx, and the drums are pretty much always playing a fill, but geeze, you're playing like Stewart Copeland after too much Jolt Cola. A few less 16th notes, please.
+Props to Lawrence Gowan for being a much better Dennis DeYoung than Dennis himself. Gowan is a instrumental superpower, and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song. Love you Larry!
+ In closing, I'll comment on the subtle beauty of "Fooling Yourself," one of the greatest Styx songs. Sandwiched between the testosterone of Foreigner and Leppard, Styx gave the audience a subtle breath of fresh air: Tommy Shaw grabbed his acoustic guitar, original bassist Chuck Panazzo came out to play (nice to have you around, Chuck!), Gowan delivered those thrilling keyboard solos while standing backwards at the keyboard, and everybody moved in and out of weird time signatures with casual perfection. This song, with its uplifting lyrics and instrumental sophistication was an oasis in a sea of Classic Rock wankery.

DEF LEPPARD was the headliner. Big production, video screens with special synchronized visual effects...the whole shebang. They opened with "Rocket" followed by "Animal." It took about two measures for the whole audience to realize that lead vocalist Joe Elliot CAN'T FREAKIN' SING. I couldn't believe how bad it was. His voice was totally blown out. The sound tech did his best to bury Joe's mic amongst the other noise, but to no avail...everybody knew the vocals sucked. Plus the other four guys in the band were trying to reproduce the 26-tracked harmony vocals of the albums, and they were obviously about 22 voices short. After their disastrous attempt at "Foolin'" (another GREAT song, butchered) I left, only four songs into their show. And I didn't walk out because the band stank (which they indeed did)...I walked out because I was embarrassed for them, especially after they followed Foreigner and Styx who were so tight and rocking and vocally stunning. I felt so bad for the Lepps that I just had to get outta there. Here's a brutal review by another blogger who was there. "Do you wanna get rocked?" No thanks, I wanna take the shuttle bus home and change Svea's diaper.

[Ash]

+Props to Lawrence Gowan for being a much better Dennis DeYoung than Dennis himself. Gowan is a instrumental superpower, and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song. Love you Larry!

What a retard.

[froy]

+Props to Lawrence Gowan for being a much better Dennis DeYoung than Dennis himself. Gowan is a instrumental superpower, and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song. Love you Larry!

What a retard.

Its obvious this guy was paid off just like the others
This is what makes current STYX laughable
They pull all the tricks
Pay off writers make up bullshit and look where its got them
What a shame
You ask why I want todd out of the band well its simple the guy sits there and watches this shit happening
and is not man enough to move on.
Goodbye JY Goodbye Todd

Hello Steve Smith and Glen

New Styx

[Everett]

+Props to Lawrence Gowan for being a much better Dennis DeYoung than Dennis himself. Gowan is a instrumental superpower, and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song. Love you Larry!

What a retard.

Its obvious this guy was paid off just like the others
This is what makes current STYX laughable
They pull all the tricks
Pay off writers make up bullshit and look where its got them
What a shame
You ask why I want todd out of the band well its simple the guy sits there and watches this shit happening
and is not man enough to move on.
Goodbye JY Goodbye Todd

Hello Steve Smith and Glen

New Styx

No comment

[styxfanNH]

Froy,
You reading thesame review I am reading? He criticizes the set list, criticizes JY singing Miss America, criticizes them opening and you think he is paid by the band because he gave Gowan some kudos?

Same old schtick is old for you. I expect more from you

[Barbara]

I was at this show. I should have taken a picture of the crowd to post on here!

and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song.

Like it or not, I think this ^^ is right on.

STYX ROCKED!! :D

[froy]

Froy,
You reading thesame review I am reading? He criticizes the set list, criticizes JY singing Miss America, criticizes them opening and you think he is paid by the band because he gave Gowan some kudos?

Same old schtick is old for you. I expect more from you

The trap worked
You took the bait.
Just look its there
.

[Jodes]

Froy, what's with the Hate on for Todd all of a sudden?? It's not like he had an impact or a say on the whole TS/JY/DDY situation..

[froy]

Froy, what's with the Hate on for Todd all of a sudden?? It's not like he had an impact or a say on the whole TS/JY/DDY situation..

I think there are far better drummers out there
Todd was never my favorite
Steve Smith Kenny Aranoff these guys are monsters
Todd time to move on

[froy]

Gowan is a instrumental superpower, and on "Grand Illusion" he toned down his Scottish twang more than usual...I'm sure the casual fan thought he was the original singer of the song. Love you Larry!

[/quote]


Shows just how smart current Styx fans are



What a retard.[/quote]

Thats being nice.

[Jodes]

yes.. Kenny Arnoff is an amazing drummer, but why would he leave his Fogerty gig? That is a guaranteed gig for years to come.

As for Steve Smith, is he really a touring drummer? I haven't heard about him being on the road lately, isn't he pretty much just a studio guy now?

Big difference from the studio to being on the road 50-100 gigs a year.

Oh wait, if Dennis comes back to styx, he won't have to worry about that.. because he'll be lucky if he does a 100 shows in two years!

[froy]

r.

Oh wait, if Dennis comes back to styx, he won't have to worry about that.. because he'll be lucky if he does a 100 shows in two years!

[/quote]

Less is more 50 shows a year is perfect.

[bugsymalone]

The guy is a blogger. Not an "official" reviewer.

He lost all credibility as a "Styx" fan with:

Props to Lawrence Gowan for being a much better Dennis DeYoung than Dennis himself.

OK, a fan of the Current Lineup, and Gowan, but.....hope all the Classic stuff has been sent to the landfill and he enjoys his Cyclo and Covers.

I was at this show. I should have taken a picture of the crowd to post on here!

Excellent. But will you please single out the Styx fans from the Foreigner fans from the fans who came to see the headling group, Def Leppard. Then we can get a real idea of the actual "crowd" who came to see Current Lineup Styx.


Bugsy

[stmonkeys]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other? i know it's happened to me on a few occasions. if the crowd is into the performance, who cares who they are there to "see". The point is, that they are making a positive impression on all of the fans, not JUST the Styx fans.

[bugsymalone]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other? i know it's happened to me on a few occasions. if the crowd is into the performance, who cares who they are there to "see". The point is, that they are making a positive impression on all of the fans, not JUST the Styx fans.

I completely agree. This happened to me with Cheap Trick at a Kansas concert. But the audience was there for Kansas, not for Cheap Trick. Just sayin' .......


Bugsy

[Barbara]

I was at this show. I should have taken a picture of the crowd to post on here!

Excellent. But will you please single out the Styx fans from the Foreigner fans from the fans who came to see the headling group, Def Leppard. Then we can get a real idea of the actual "crowd" who came to see Current Lineup Styx.


Bugsy

Of course they were all there for Styx! Was there someone else there?!

Seriously, I will rephrase myself. I should have taken a picture of the whole damn crowd
ROCKING OUT to current STYX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[froy]

Seriously, I will rephrase myself. I should have taken a picture of the whole damn crowd
ROCKING OUT to current STYX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/quote]


Seeing 3 people rocking out would not do much for me
Just sayin

[I Stumble In]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other?

I went to see Tommy (Girls With Guns tour) when he was opening for the Kinks - and came out a HUGE Kinks fan. I've seen them 5 times - and to this day - the best concerts I've ever seen. And I've seen over 400 concerts with over 150 different bands.
Everyone talks about DDY and Styx yadda - yadda - yadda. At least you can still see them both in concert - the Kinks will never tour again due to Dave Davies stroke.
Apreciate what you have - not what you don't.

[bugsymalone]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other?

I went to see Tommy (Girls With Guns tour) when he was opening for the Kinks - and came out a HUGE Kinks fan. I've seen them 5 times - and to this day - the best concerts I've ever seen. And I've seen over 400 concerts with over 150 different bands.
Everyone talks about DDY and Styx yadda - yadda - yadda. At least you can still see them both in concert - the Kinks will never tour again due to Dave Davies stroke.
Apreciate what you have - not what you don't.

I was a Kinks fan long before I saw them live. But that live show I saw still stands among the best I have EVER seen. Ray Davies was on FIRE!

Agree with your last line as well.


Bugsy

[stmonkeys]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other?

I went to see Tommy (Girls With Guns tour) when he was opening for the Kinks - and came out a HUGE Kinks fan. I've seen them 5 times - and to this day - the best concerts I've ever seen. And I've seen over 400 concerts with over 150 different bands.
Everyone talks about DDY and Styx yadda - yadda - yadda. At least you can still see them both in concert - the Kinks will never tour again due to Dave Davies stroke.
Apreciate what you have - not what you don't.

Great post! i totally agree- the kinks are one of the most underrated bands. unfortunately, i never had a chance to see them live.

[ek88]

stmonkeys

Great post! I pretty much agree with all your comments on Styx, based on the handful of times I've seen them lately! I, too, would love a fresh setlist sans Miss America! As far as Def Leppard, I've always found Joe Elliot's voice to be quite mediocre live, but the background vocals were usually pretty solid. I've always been disappointed with the sound of Foolin' and Love Bites live. I wish they'd stay away from them.

[stmonkeys]

stmonkeys

Great post! I pretty much agree with all your comments on Styx, based on the handful of times I've seen them lately! I, too, would love a fresh setlist sans Miss America! As far as Def Leppard, I've always found Joe Elliot's voice to be quite mediocre live, but the background vocals were usually pretty solid. I've always been disappointed with the sound of Foolin' and Love Bites live. I wish they'd stay away from them.

uh.. thanks, but i didn't "write" the review, i just reposted what was sent to one of the styx lists. But i DO wish they would retire Miss America for a while, and maybe bring back Half Penny or Midnight Ride instead.

[styxfanNH]

Is it possible to go to a multiple band concert and only go there for one of the bands?

I usually look at the entire bill and go because I like both or all three groups or have an interest in a style or era of music.

[Everett]

Is it possible to go to a multiple band concert and only go there for one of the bands?

I usually look at the entire bill and go because I like both or all three groups or have an interest in a style or era of music.

Yes it is. Your's truly went to see the styx/leapord/foreigner bill and guess which band I only stayed for? And we all know what my reaction into that bill was. 50 mins is horrible 90 minutes would have been acceptable but then again I'm not a big time promoter but if I was and this is totally my idea to have styx play almost litterally an all day event from about 1:00 pm to midnight with intermissions of course thrown in from time to time. This would also be recorded for a DVD/CD release and it WOULD INCLUDE all the songs including the one's soley writtin by you know who. I would personally pay him to allow them onto the dvd/cd. Of course I would throw in chuck to play whenever he can. I also would have the local tribute band light up open for them for about 90 minutes before and that would also be recorded for dvd/cd. I know it's probably only me but I think that is really a cool idea.

[ek88]

uh.. thanks, but i didn't "write" the review, i just reposted what was sent to one of the styx lists.

I see that . . . . . now

[Moon Beam]

DEF LEPPARD was the headliner. Big production, video screens with special synchronized
visual effects...the whole shebang. They opened with "Rocket" followed by "Animal."
It took about two measures for the whole audience to realize that lead vocalist Joe Elliot
CAN'T FREAKIN' SING. I couldn't believe how bad it was. His voice was totally blown out.
The sound tech did his best to bury Joe's mic amongst the other noise, but to no avail...everybody
knew the vocals sucked.

Plus the other four guys in the band were trying to reproduce the 26-tracked harmony vocals of
the albums, and they were obviously about 22 voices short. After their disastrous attempt
at "Foolin'" (another GREAT song, butchered) I left, only four songs into their show.
And I didn't walk out because the band stank (which they indeed did)...I walked out because
I was embarrassed for them, especially after they followed Foreigner and Styx who were so
tight and rocking and vocally stunning. I felt so bad for the Lepps that I just had to get outta there.
Here's a brutal review by another blogger who was there. "Do you wanna get rocked?"
No thanks, I wanna take the shuttle bus home and change Svea's diaper.

Ouch!.......that's gotta hurt, huh Joe.

Thanks for posting this stmonkeys, good reads.

[Classic Rock]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other? i know it's happened to me on a few occasions. if the crowd is into the performance, who cares who they are there to "see". The point is, that they are making a positive impression on all of the fans, not JUST the Styx fans.

Excellent post! I was at the F,S,DL concert in Houston 08/31. There was this guy sitting behind me that was saying he was there just to see Def Leppard. He was not enthusiastic at all when STYX took the stage. About 20 minutes into it I could hear him clapping and the cheering. Then half way into “Come Sail Away” he was screaming “fuck yeah, fuck yeah!!!” They left the stage briefly and he was saying that he didn’t know what to expect and that STYX blew him away. He went crazy when they came back on to play “Renegade.” It was a good thing to see and naysayers of the current lineup may shrug it off but current STYX is making waves with this Def Leppard crowd.

[stmonkeys]

CR- thanks for the "review". While i'm not fond of this short/opening act tour, i think it is opening up the band to a broader audience and can understand how it made good marketing sense for them. Hopefully, we'll get a good co-headlining tour next year with around 90-120 minutes on stage.


ok.. so given a choice, who would you like to see them with next year? I know they are playing one or 2 shows with the scorpions this summer, and i'm VERY intrigued by THAT combination! The scorps have a similar blend of slower ballads to counter balance their harder edge. Packaging them with Styx could be a really great tour. any idea what kinds of numbers (attendance wise) the scorpions are doing?

i'd also like to see Heart on a bill with Styx one day. that could also have some great possibilities.

[Zan]

Excellent post! I was at the F,S,DL concert in Houston 08/31. There was this guy sitting behind me that was saying he was there just to see Def Leppard. He was not enthusiastic at all when STYX took the stage. About 20 minutes into it I could hear him clapping and the cheering. Then half way into “Come Sail Away” he was screaming “fuck yeah, fuck yeah!!!”

I'm cracking up here! I can almost picture his face too. LOL

A few shows I've been to where I could not have cared LESS about the opening act but left a fan of some sort:

Styx/Loverboy (still not a Loverboy "fan," but Mike Reno has an A M A Z I N G voice. WOW.)
Styx/Big Bad Voodoo Daddy/John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band - OMFG, they SMOKED (both of them)!!!
Styx/Foreigner - very impressed with this band, despite never really being into their music
Styx/REO (altho, now I am sick of them)

& Classic Rock, I've said it before: I LOVE your tags.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

question- how many shows have you been to where you went to see one band in particular, and left the show a fan the other? i know it's happened to me on a few occasions. if the crowd is into the performance, who cares who they are there to "see". The point is, that they are making a positive impression on all of the fans, not JUST the Styx fans.

Excellent post! I was at the F,S,DL concert in Houston 08/31. There was this guy sitting behind me that was saying he was there just to see Def Leppard. He was not enthusiastic at all when STYX took the stage. About 20 minutes into it I could hear him clapping and the cheering. Then half way into “Come Sail Away” he was screaming “fuck yeah, fuck yeah!!!” They left the stage briefly and he was saying that he didn’t know what to expect and that STYX blew him away. He went crazy when they came back on to play “Renegade.” It was a good thing to see and naysayers of the current lineup may shrug it off but current STYX is making waves with this Def Leppard crowd.

I was in Houston too and I pretty much had the same impression.

STYX buried Def. with Foeigner right behind them.