Note from Todd

[styxfanNH]

Hi everybody,

Just a note to say "thanks" to those who've ordered the "Methods and Mechanics" dvd. The feedback I've received so far has been wonderfully gratifying and I'm so happy to pass on information and hopefully inspiration. Keep the feedback coming and while you're at it--don't be shy about telling your other drummer/musician friends about the dvd. Make posts online, share youtube clips, whatever. If you feel that your getting something out of "Methods and Mechanics", share the news about it!

I'm honored to be on the cover of Classic Drummer magazine's July/September issue. As well, I'll be on the cover of Modern Drummer's October issue (on newsstands Sept 2). I've been receiving Modern Drummer in my mailbox every month since I was ten years old, so to say that this is thrilling would be an understatement. The feature interviewer, Ken Micallef, had glowing things to say about the dvd. I feel so fortunate to have worked with such an amazing team at Altitude Digital to bring this project from concept to reality. It's been over a year in the making with thousands of hours put in---it's just been a tremendous experience.

Other things.......Brian Wilson's new record, "That Lucky Old Sun" comes out September 2nd as well from Capitol Records. There is a special CD with a DVD of the record live, beginning to end, filmed at Capitol Studio. It's a charming record capturing the feel of Los Angeles in the late 50s and early 60s. It was an honor to play on the CD and appear in the DVD. It was special to work with my wife Taylor again as well! It's a great piece of work. My dear friend Scott Bennett (Falling Wallendas and Taylor Mills collaborator) co wrote many of the songs with Brian and mixed the record. I'm very proud of my boy! "That Lucky Old Sun" has received 4 stars from Rolling Stone, Mojo and Uncut. Check out the movie on the front page of Brianwilson.com
Brian Wilson | That Lucky Old Sun | In Stores & Online September 2

I also have the honor of appearing at the Modern Drummer Festival in New York on Sept 20&21st. I will not be appearing with Styx September 19th in Laughlin or September 20th in Newport, CA. These shows were added after my confirmation at the Modern Drummer Festival and I'm honoring my original commitment.

Thanks to those who have kept JY's wife, Susie Young, in their thoughts. The collective wave of positive energy is being felt--so keep the good vibes coming. They are such a sweet couple, I can't even put it into words. They've been inseparable for 35 years. There will be shows for the remainder of the year where JY will be absent looking after his sweet love. This is understandable and we will do our best to improve as a four piece unit--honoring Susie and JY in doing so.

Again, thanks to those who've ordered the dvd and I hope it takes your playing to new heights....and hope you're simply entertained at the very least! For you drummers out there that haven't checked it out yet, you can see clips here and on "page two" at the bottom.

Altitude Digital Video Production

Health and happiness to you all--

Todd

[RumTumJM]

I will not be appearing with Styx September 19th in Laughlin or September 20th in Newport, CA. These shows were added after my confirmation at the Modern Drummer Festival and I'm honoring my original commitment.

Interesting. I wonder who will be taking his place. (Not to toot my own horn, but I have been jamming with Styx songs for quite some time now! LOL!)

[yogi]

I am NOT trying to be funny at all about this but I wonder if Chuck has ever played the drums?

Would that do honor to his brother, or be something that would be impossible for him to do??

[LtVanish]

Crazy as it is I can not vision Styx without Todd at all. This is going to be interesting.

As for the Brian Wilson news, I can not wait to listen to the new album.

[Archetype]

JY misses the first concert in his whole Styx career, and then Todd misses the first in his Styx career...only months apart. Strange

[classicstyxfan]

I wonder why they booked the show knowing Todd had a previous engagement ?

[MtlLady]

I wonder why they booked the show knowing Todd had a previous engagement ?

I hate to be negative but realistically, drummers are a dime a dozen. (Yes, I know, some are better than others.) But they should be able to find a temp for those two nights from any decently large city's musician's union.

[styxfanNH]

They should reschedule the shows. With JY being a last minute decision at any show, it would be the right thing to do. Heck, it would be the right thing to do regardless.

[classicstyxfan]

It almost seems like the 1st cracks in the armour.......whats next ? will Tommy be taking time away ?

[MRMUSIC413]

I hate to be negative but realistically, drummers are a dime a dozen. (Yes, I know, some are better than others.)

Nothing "realistic" about that thought at all, Amanda.

As a pro drummer of 30+ years, I find that narrow minded view naive at best.

Sucherman is hardly playing basic Ringo beats. The guy was a Berklee student...
and along with Gowan (who attended the Royal Conservatory of Music), they are the
most formally trained players within the band. That would make them "over qualified"
for most professional rock acts. And at the level of musicianship the band has played at
over the last decade, they won't be using a basic 4/4 player in the interim.

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

[sadie65]

I just have to say I really think the fact that he won't be at 2 performances is not a major deal. He had commitments. He's honoring them. The band will find someone to fill in for those 2 performances. They might not find someone of his calibur, but because they are all extremely capable musicians who know their material extremely well (one hopes-LOL) I really don't think for 2 performances there will be any major lack. That isn't intended as a slight to Todd in anyway, merely the reality of the business situation at hand. The majority of people attending their concerts these days won't be overly concerned about his absence as long as the band performs reasonably up to their normal level.

I believe Todd has long had side projects and interests outside the band. I wish him well in this endeavor.

[MRMUSIC413]

^^^

Well said, Sadie.

[LtVanish]

Book Simon Phillips and I will be very happy.

[Zan]

It almost seems like the 1st cracks in the armour.......whats next ? will Tommy be taking time away ?

Oh, there's a crack, alright. Not sure they're anything to do with the band, though. lol

[Ash]

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

What an incredibly sexist thing to say.

[MRMUSIC413]

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

What an incredibly sexist thing to say.

Exactly.... read it in context with her shitty comment, and you'll see the point.

[sadie65]

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

What an incredibly sexist thing to say.

Exactly.... read it in context with her shitty comment, and you'll see the point.

Her comment was certainly not "shitty". Many fans, regardless of whether they are male or female and don't know the technical complexities of being a drummer would make the exact same comments she did. I'd venture a guess that most fans of what is now basically a nostalgia act would be hard pressed to know who the drummer was.

[MRMUSIC413]

Sadie-

Anything that is prempted with the likes of "Not to be negative" and then moves into
"are a dime a dozen" is hardly positive....no matter how you slice it.

Her opinion was based on a half assed stereotype, as was the one I used.

The difference is mine was in jest to make a point, not to get a rise out of someone.

Capiche ?

[Zan]

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

What an incredibly sexist thing to say.

Really. Many people like Ash here like those topics too.

Seriously though, "snappier dresser?" "A dime a dozen?" You people are funny.

You know who's a dime a dozen? Obnoxious Internet fans! lolol

[bugsymalone]

(Primps hair and makeup before comments. Whoops! I won't be talking about "snappy dressing" or "best hair" so not necessary)

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

This might be kind of funny if it weren’t so patently stupid. Especially in this forum.

While Amanda can surely defend herself, in both French and English, I will say I agree with her (and Sadie's) premise. There are many, many competent drummers who can fill in for Todd temporarily. Musicians know plenty of other musicians and Tommy, JY and company certainly know someone who can fill in as a drummer. One who is possibly a bit “better” than a "formally trained" one. I would worry about them if they didn’t know someone.

It almost seems like the 1st cracks in the armour

I must say I am surprised at the reading of the last rites here over Styx. I don’t see anyone going anywhere anytime soon. This gravy train is still too laden with goodies for them right now. I don’t think JY, Tommy or Todd will be going anywhere else anytime soon.

HOOAF (Humble Opinion of Airhead Female)

Bugsy
(Now off to post in those "Who's the Cutest" threads! )

[MRMUSIC413]

C'mon, Bugsy...

Did you miss the post where I had to explain it to Ash ?




It's not that big of a deal, and I'm sure Amanda is a sweet girl, so all of her
web buddies can relax. My point was the post was negative (which she
knew from the start) and was based on a poor stereotype. Just suggesting that
she think before posting something based on nonsense, not fact.

And all of the "I'm sure most people view it that way" remarks in the world
doesn't make it right. If it did, we'd all be saying moronic things like "Not to be negative
but I'm sure all blondes with big tits are stupid" and get away with it.

Ignorance is no excuse, no ?

[sadie65]

C'mon, Bugsy...

Did you miss the post where I had to explain it to Ash ?




It's not that big of a deal, and I'm sure Amanda is a sweet girl, so all of her
web buddies can relax. My point was the post was negative (which she
knew from the start) and was based on a poor stereotype. Just suggesting that
she think before posting something based on nonsense, not fact.

And all of the "I'm sure most people view it that way" remarks in the world
doesn't make it right. If it did, we'd all be saying moronic things like "Not to be negative
but I'm sure all blondes with big tits are stupid" and get away with it.

Ignorance is no excuse, no ?

Ignorance may not be an excuse, but being human is. Anyone who doesn't make a stereotype remark from time to time...I want to meet them. I didn't view her comment as being negative from the start, but then one of the great things about being humans...we can all see things differently. Not like that would ever happen in a Styx forum.

[MRMUSIC413]

^^^

Or any forum for that matter.

[bugsymalone]

C'mon, Bugsy...

Did you miss the post where I had to explain it to Ash ?




It's not that big of a deal, and I'm sure Amanda is a sweet girl, so all of her
web buddies can relax. My point was the post was negative (which she
knew from the start) and was based on a poor stereotype. Just suggesting that
she think before posting something based on nonsense, not fact.

And all of the "I'm sure most people view it that way" remarks in the world
doesn't make it right. If it did, we'd all be saying moronic things like "Not to be negative
but I'm sure all blondes with big tits are stupid" and get away with it.

Ignorance is no excuse, no ?

I didn't see what she said as negative either. And I guess your "jest" of a response was all a bit clumsy. But I understand your perspective.

Sadie:
Not like that would ever happen in a Styx forum.

Naahhh. Not here!!!!!!! Only in those "other" forums.

Bugsy

[Ash]

Maybe you should stick to the typical threads where the ladies comment on "which guy is
the snappier dresser" and "who is the cutest and has the best hair". Those threads
require nothing more than opinions and aren't based on background or facts.

What an incredibly sexist thing to say.

Really. Many people like Ash here like those topics too.

Seriously though, "snappier dresser?" "A dime a dozen?" You people are funny.

You know who's a dime a dozen? Obnoxious Internet fans! lolol

I will say that I beg to differ on drummers being a dime a dozzen too. There are some simply amazing drummers out there. Joey Jordison is one of them (even if you don't like his style of music, you can appreciate his talent). He once stood in for Lars Ulrich when Lars fell ill in the just before a concert. Barely any practice, no tryout, no previous playing with the band. That is crazy talent.

http://music.ign.com/articles/521/521653p1.html

I would have KILLED to be at that show and see Jordison behind the kit for Metallica. He's simply one of the most talented and versital drummers in all of rock or metal for that matter

[Ash]

And all of the "I'm sure most people view it that way" remarks in the world
doesn't make it right. If it did, we'd all be saying moronic things like "Not to be negative
but I'm sure all blondes with big tits are stupid" and get away with it.

Ignorance is no excuse, no ?

Well it's no excuse, and you seem to be demonstrating what a pure lack of class you have in spades. Thanks for bringing down the discussion to a very base level.

[MRMUSIC413]

Ash-

Please, for the love of god, learn to read and comprehend.

It's amazing how this thread has gone due to lack of thorough
reading.

[chowhall]

My question is not if Drummers are a dime a dozen or if Blondes with Big Boobs have brains, It is should Todd miss 2 Styx concerts for a Drumming Festival? I understand about honoring commitments, but should the Styx gig override an industry show or is Todd shopping his considerable wares elsewhere? I'm sure Tommy and JY are cool with it or they wouldn't have approved and Styx would have a new drummer. It just sounds a little like my Grandmother died over the weekend or there was a terrible flood or I didn't have enough money for Cab fare.

Now, I'm not calling Todd or anyone else a liar. I just don't know if this is the beginning of another band change.

[Ash]

Ash-

Please, for the love of god, learn to read and comprehend.

It's amazing how this thread has gone due to lack of thorough
reading.

Oh I can read and I can comprehend. And I understand the point you were trying to make.

Just a very poor way to do it.

[MRMUSIC413]

My question is not if Drummers are a dime a dozen or if Blondes with Big Boobs have brains, It is should Todd miss 2 Styx concerts for a Drumming Festival? I understand about honoring commitments, but should the Styx gig override an industry show or is Todd shopping his considerable wares elsewhere?

He had it booked for awhile, and he has a great relationship with his sponsors (especially Pearl).
I tip my hat to him and question the adding of the 2 band dates after the fact. (It's not like he and the band have an agreement ala Eric Singer with Alice Cooper & KISS, where one gig is the priority and over rides the other.)

Got to respect the fact he didn't leave the organizers in the lurch when he easily could have backed out and stuck them for promo expenses, etc.

Hopefully this is just a bunch of speculation over nothing. His chops oriented playing fits the band perfectly and really accents them well.