Edmonton last night..

[Jodes]

Okay.. so where as Lou Gramm put on a good 75 minute show, Styx hit the stage last night and proved once again they are one of the best live bands out there period.

TWO HOURS of smokin rock n roll. They were all in fine form last night. Refreshed, rested and ready to go. Definately no "going through the motions here". I'm starting to think the best time to see them is when they have just come off a break.

The crowd was pumped even befor the show started. They opened the doors around 7 and there was allready a lineup. We got their around 730 thinking, yeah nobody will be there, we can walk right in. WRONG. Luckily though we were able to get along the rail for the show (thanks Barb!). Lets put it this way, there were allready more people in the building when we got there then there was for Lou Gramm total! I kept overhearing "these guys blew Def Lep off the stage in October". So the crowd was definately anxious!

Although it was a small stage (club was packed, 700 or so) it has been the closest I'd ever been to the guys. You could actually reach out and "retune" their guitars if you wanted too! I was actually cringing every time I saw a fan trying to touch their guitars.. luckily nobody did that!

I've been lucky I have to say the last few times I've seen Styx that they've added a "gem" or a new song to the mix. Back in 03 it was One With Everything, These Are The Times and More Love For The Money. In October it was "Midnight Ride" (definately a gem for me, one of my all time fav Styx songs) and last night it was "Walrus" (hadn't heard it live) and Everything All The Time (which honestly sounds much better live then on the website/studio).

Here was the setlist:

Blue Collar Man
Grand Illusion
Lorelei
One With Everything
Suite Madame Blue
Too Much Time On My Hands
Snowblind
Maple Leaf Rag
Walrus
Man In the Wilderness (Intro)
Crystal Ball
A Criminal Mind
Fooling Yourself
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Everything All The Time
Renegade

Safe to say, they blew the roof of the place last night!

[StyxCollector]

Glad you had a good time. The show is basically the same as it has been here in the US sans "Midnight Ride" (glad I got to see it), but you did get "Criminal Mind". They really need to swap out a ton of songs.

How was Tommy last night? Mr. Shrinking Violet or into the show?

[Jazz]

Okay.. so where as Lou Gramm put on a good 75 minute show, Styx hit the stage last night and proved once again they are one of the best live bands out there period.

TWO HOURS of smokin rock n roll. They were all in fine form last night. Refreshed, rested and ready to go. Definately no "going through the motions here". I'm starting to think the best time to see them is when they have just come off a break.

The crowd was pumped even befor the show started. They opened the doors around 7 and there was allready a lineup. We got their around 730 thinking, yeah nobody will be there, we can walk right in. WRONG. Luckily though we were able to get along the rail for the show (thanks Barb!). Lets put it this way, there were allready more people in the building when we got there then there was for Lou Gramm total! I kept overhearing "these guys blew Def Lep off the stage in October". So the crowd was definately anxious!

Although it was a small stage (club was packed, 700 or so) it has been the closest I'd ever been to the guys. You could actually reach out and "retune" their guitars if you wanted too! I was actually cringing every time I saw a fan trying to touch their guitars.. luckily nobody did that!

I've been lucky I have to say the last few times I've seen Styx that they've added a "gem" or a new song to the mix. Back in 03 it was One With Everything, These Are The Times and More Love For The Money. In October it was "Midnight Ride" (definately a gem for me, one of my all time fav Styx songs) and last night it was "Walrus" (hadn't heard it live) and Everything All The Time (which honestly sounds much better live then on the website/studio).

Here was the setlist:

Blue Collar Man
Grand Illusion
Lorelei
One With Everything
Suite Madame Blue
Too Much Time On My Hands
Snowblind
Maple Leaf Rag
Walrus
Man In the Wilderness (Intro)
Crystal Ball
A Criminal Mind
Fooling Yourself
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Everything All The Time
Renegade

Safe to say, they blew the roof of the place last night!

Hear, hear, Jodes! You covered it all! The band put on a great show in spite of the lousy venue (it was embarrassing watching the condensation from the pipes raining down on the stage & their boards). But I have to hand it to Jet--at least they are bringing the acts to town. I wonder if Styx would come back to those lousy conditions though.

Gowan seemed to love being back in town. I'll be in Red Deer on Tuesday, so I'll see if that was for real or part of the act. The rest of the band definitely seemed to be on, but they let Lawrence take centre stage, being "home."

We got there about 15 minutes before the doors opened and went in, but when we found out there wasn't any food and the band wasn't going to be on until late, we skipped the opening act (who was it and were they any good?) and went for a bite and to a birthday party. We got back just as Styx began (thank goodness!) and worked our way to the front of the stage on Tommy's side. We were right next to Keith. The sound was not always great as we were right next to the speakers and occasionally the bass was overwhelming, but that was just where we were. The crowd definitely loved the show. I was so pleased that they did a two hour set.
Sorry we missed you. E-mail me if you're going to Red Deer.

I just wanted to add, if the guys are reading this, that we appreciate them putting up with the bad weather (the mini cold snap) and the bad conditions in the club and putting on such a great, high energy show for us here! It was awesome!

Jo

[Jodes]

Shrinking Violet? Do describe that please..

This band was on fire last night and Tommy was right into it from beginning to end.

[Jazz]

[color=darkblue]Tommy mentions Edmonton on Styxworld...
Please note everyone--the snow was almost gone until the last day or two! The photo is looking North, away from downtown, which is where the hotel is... The building in the foreground is a small casino. Tommy must have taken this shot this morning, as none of the businesses seem to be open yet and there isn't much traffic around. /color]

http://www.styxworld.com/listingsEntry. ... T=STYXNews

[stmonkeys]

jodes- glad you had a great time! you got 3 more songs than i did last friday- Suite Madam Blue, Criminal Mind & Snowblind. i want a refund!!!! (where's rajah when ya need him?) sorry zan...

personally, i like the small venues. makes it a lot easier to claim a spot up front.

[froy]

Okay.. so where as Lou Gramm put on a good 75 minute show, Styx hit the stage last night and proved once again they are one of the best live bands out there period.

Well seeing that nobody is out there right now your statement is worthless.

[chowhall]

Well seeing that nobody is out there right now your statement is worthless.

If anyone would know worthless, it's you.

[Jodes]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

At least I had enough respect NOT to slam any of your posts or post snide comments when you have gone and seen Deyoung and reported back here. Sadly the same can't be said about you.

[Zan]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

At least I had enough respect NOT to slam any of your posts or post snide comments when you have gone and seen Deyoung and reported back here. Sadly the same can't be said about you.

That's only 'cuz Froy's on Dennis' payroll. He gets paid by the post.

[froy]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

Its funny
Styx played High Schools back in 72 and drew more than 700 fans
This band is going in the wrong direction.

[StyxCollector]

Shrinking Violet? Do describe that please..

This band was on fire last night and Tommy was right into it from beginning to end.

When I saw them in October, TS hung out by his amps for a good portion of the show, only stepping up to sing. He had some interaction, but not a lot, and only seemed to be into the new stuff.

Glad to hear you had a different experience.

[Blue Falcon]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

Its funny
Styx played High Schools back in 72 and drew more than 700 fans
This band is going in the wrong direction.

Actually, they're going in the right direction if you follow JY's logic.

[Jodes]

But when Dennis plays small venues and halls its a "magical" intimate experience.. right Froy?

[froy]

But when Dennis plays small venues and halls its a "magical" intimate experience.. right Froy?

No its Dennis playing in a small intimate venue,

[Grotelul]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

Its funny
Styx played High Schools back in 72 and drew more than 700 fans
This band is going in the wrong direction.

So..who cares.

[Grotelul]

But when Dennis plays small venues and halls its a "magical" intimate experience.. right Froy?

No its Dennis playing in a small intimate venue,

It's Dennis and his "rock band" playing in a small intimate venue.

[Jazz]

But when Dennis plays small venues and halls its a "magical" intimate experience.. right Froy?

No its Dennis playing in a small intimate venue,

It's Dennis and his "rock band" playing in a small intimate venue.

Such as when Dennis and "the band" played Edmonton last time.

[Renegade79]

Shrinking Violet? Do describe that please..

This band was on fire last night and Tommy was right into it from beginning to end.

When I saw them in October, TS hung out by his amps for a good portion of the show, only stepping up to sing. He had some interaction, but not a lot, and only seemed to be into the new stuff.

Glad to hear you had a different experience.

Are you still talking about the Viejas show? I was at the show too. Right in front of Tommy's mic, where Tommy was, for most of the show, except for when he takes Ricky's mic. I still can't figure out where you were for the show, since your experience, and mine seem to be totally different!

Jodes, I'm glad you had such great Styx show!

[Zan]

When I saw them in October, TS hung out by his amps for a good portion of the show, only stepping up to sing. He had some interaction, but not a lot, and only seemed to be into the new stuff.

Glad to hear you had a different experience.

Are you still talking about the Viejas show? I was at the show too. Right in front of Tommy's mic, where Tommy was, for most of the show, except for when he takes Ricky's mic. I still can't figure out where you were for the show, since your experience, and mine seem to be totally different!

shhh... Don't bring that up - it discredits the validity of the myth at work here. Go find our own board to be positive on.

[Toph]

When I saw them in October, TS hung out by his amps for a good portion of the show, only stepping up to sing. He had some interaction, but not a lot, and only seemed to be into the new stuff.

Glad to hear you had a different experience.

Are you still talking about the Viejas show? I was at the show too. Right in front of Tommy's mic, where Tommy was, for most of the show, except for when he takes Ricky's mic. I still can't figure out where you were for the show, since your experience, and mine seem to be totally different!

shhh... Don't bring that up - it discredits the validity of the myth at work here. Go find our own board to be positive on.

I've heard people tell me (who aren't on the board) that when they saw Styx recently that Tommy Shaw didn't look like he was into it. So, I'd disagree that it is a myth. It seems to be coming from several sources.

[Jodes]

Toph I don't think Zan was talking about Tommy being a shrinking violet being a myth.. I think she was talking about being at the Vejas show being the Myth!

[Zan]

Toph I don't think Zan was talking about Tommy being a shrinking violet being a myth.. I think she was talking about being at the Vejas show being the Myth!

I AM talking about the shrinking violet myth.

No one can be "on" 100% of the time. I've seen show recently where Tommy looked like he was on autopilot, and shows where he looked like he was back in 1978 again. I don't *get* why everyone has to make a federal case about it every time he isn't on top of his game. It happens. It's "proof" of nothing.

[Jodes]

Ah okay.. sorry Zan.

Honestly I agree with you. Hell even watching the shows from 1996 there is a part of Tommy that stood by the amps doing his thing. Hell even during the 1997 show people were saying "the guys were just going through the motions".

Besides, who's to say that he wasn't feeling well or was having an off day?

Who's to say what's going through his head?

[sadie65]

Toph I don't think Zan was talking about Tommy being a shrinking violet being a myth.. I think she was talking about being at the Vejas show being the Myth!

I AM talking about the shrinking violet myth.

No one can be "on" 100% of the time. I've seen show recently where Tommy looked like he was on autopilot, and shows where he looked like he was back in 1978 again. I don't *get* why everyone has to make a federal case about it every time he isn't on top of his game. It happens. It's "proof" of nothing.

Hey, I've long espoused that everyone who works has days where they phone it in, myself included. That being said, there is also an expectation by people when they pay to see a concert that everyone should be going at it full throttle. I admit that's unrealistic, but it is true nonetheless.

When you make your living in the public (so to speak) then you get judged a bit harsher when you phone it in. Just the reality we've made it for entertainers.

[Zan]

Who's to say what's going through his head?

I know of a few people who think they are.

[Zan]

Toph I don't think Zan was talking about Tommy being a shrinking violet being a myth.. I think she was talking about being at the Vejas show being the Myth!

I AM talking about the shrinking violet myth.

No one can be "on" 100% of the time. I've seen show recently where Tommy looked like he was on autopilot, and shows where he looked like he was back in 1978 again. I don't *get* why everyone has to make a federal case about it every time he isn't on top of his game. It happens. It's "proof" of nothing.

Hey, I've long espoused that everyone who works has days where they phone it in, myself included. That being said, there is also an expectation by people when they pay to see a concert that everyone should be going at it full throttle. I admit that's unrealistic, but it is true nonetheless.

When you make your living in the public (so to speak) then you get judged a bit harsher when you phone it in. Just the reality we've made it for entertainers.

Yup.

FTR (in case I was to be...misunderstood or misquoted), I'm not saying people should or shouldn't be disappointed in a concert if they feel the performance wasn't that good. I'm saying this (as Stabbim puts it) "Urban Legend" about Tommy only being interested in Styx for the payout and being a shrinking violet as a result of periodic unfavorable reports is ludicrous. There are those here who claim to be experts on the innermost motives of certain people in this band, and if it weren't so sad the way their word gets expressed as undeniable fact, it would be funny.

Styx's gross earnings is not evidence of Tommy's greed or lack of artistic interest in the band. Furthermore, if Tommy quit Styx tomorrow, it would still not be any kind of "proof" that he was a shrinking violet. Only Tommy knows what is going on in Tommy's head, and sometimes, I'm not even sure he's all that privvy to it either.

[sadie65]

I've not heard the connection that he is a "shrinking violet" due to unfavorable reports. I've heard that he goes through the motions more often because of burnout.

Yes, there are people here and elsewhere that make the idiotic claim. I'd say that it's fairly equal among the two factions though.

[elmotano]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

Its funny
Styx played High Schools back in 72 and drew more than 700 fans
This band is going in the wrong direction.

froy how do you take your bathwater? I am guessing large gulps.

[froy]

What are you blabbing on about Froy?

Its funny
Styx played High Schools back in 72 and drew more than 700 fans
This band is going in the wrong direction.

froy how do you take your bathwater? I am guessing large gulps.

Im sorry I take showers