Styx management - Brusco and company SUCK

Posted:
Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:35 pm
by Toph
Plain and simple. Somehow Journey and now Foreigner manage to get big time distribution deals with Wal Mart and get their records promoted on major shows (Foreginer was just on Conan last night) while Styx doesn't get jack *&^* from a PR perspective and has no record deal much less a distribution deal. Seems like Brusco and company are fit to manage Styx as an oldies act - get their share of the $50K that the band brings in when they play and aren't too terribly concerned about where they play or what kind of detrimental image it may have to the band, as long as they pocket their change. And forget about trying to do/promote/release anything new....quite pathetic actually. You would think if JY was such a "savvy business type", he'd walk into Brusco's office and say...WTF?

Posted:
Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:53 pm
by Babyblue
We do not know what goes on behind closed doors.Would love to have a new cd from them.

Posted:
Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:48 pm
by styxfanNH
REO and Foreigner are still promoting new albuma. With no new material to promote, why would anyone have them on.
No new album seems to be a band decision. But with members writing again, we will have to see what they do with the new material. If it hits a cd and there is no PR, then you can attack them.

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:31 am
by BlackWall
Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..


Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:56 am
by Everett
BlackWall wrote:Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..

Just bring back good ole' vinyl


Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:43 am
by styxfanNH
BlackWall wrote:Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..

JY said in a recent interview that part of the reason they hadn't been working on an album was because Tommy's studio was down and that is their main recording studio. Now with it back up and running, their was more opportunity for them to record. Jy also said that they were looking at the recent success of Journey and Foreigner's success with their recent releases.
He also said he had written a song or two. One of them was titled "Blind Sided".
So the answer really is that we will have to wait and see.

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:08 am
by Higgy
BlackWall wrote:Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..

I sure hope not! The album is an art form that hopefully stays around. There are bands that are still making top 10 albums that see it that way: U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, etc. I think the album has been dead for awhile with pure pop. No one is looking for a concept behind a Jonas Brothers album, they just want the download. However, U2's last album has gone double platinum without a hit single.

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:13 am
by Everett
styxfanNH wrote:BlackWall wrote:Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..

JY said in a recent interview that part of the reason they hadn't been working on an album was because Tommy's studio was down and that is their main recording studio. Now with it back up and running, their was more opportunity for them to record. Jy also said that they were looking at the recent success of Journey and Foreigner's success with their recent releases. He also said he had written a song or two. One of them was titled "Blind Sided". So the answer really is that we will have to wait and see.
What they couldin't use reo's blue moon studio's in la? Or go back to chicago and record at pumpkin studio's? Seems odd to me that they rely on just one studio.

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:41 am
by styxfanNH
Tommy's studio is free, the others aren't.

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:00 am
by Everett
styxfanNH wrote:Tommy's studio is free, the others aren't.
Still it shouldin't matter but then again...
Re: Styx management - Brusco and company SUCK

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:46 pm
by froy
Toph wrote:Plain and simple. Somehow Journey and now Foreigner manage to get big time distribution deals with Wal Mart and get their records promoted on major shows (Foreginer was just on Conan last night) while Styx doesn't get jack *&^* from a PR perspective and has no record deal much less a distribution deal. Seems like Brusco and company are fit to manage Styx as an oldies act - get their share of the $50K that the band brings in when they play and aren't too terribly concerned about where they play or what kind of detrimental image it may have to the band, as long as they pocket their change. And forget about trying to do/promote/release anything new....quite pathetic actually. You would think if JY was such a "savvy business type", he'd walk into Brusco's office and say...WTF?[/q
uote]
I hate to tell you this but there is simply no intrest in Styx from anyone other than Tommy fans or drunks looking for a night out.
It's all over the band is in the gutter and the 50k is all that is left.
Picking larry Gowan was the biggest mistake they ever made.
No way in hell they were going to replace Dennis no freakin way
I am ashamed at what has happened to Styx simply terrible

Posted:
Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:29 pm
by Jodes
Toph you do know that Styx has always gotten the "short end" of the Styx when they were with A&M.. They never had the "huge" (10 million seller) album like Foreigner, REO or Journey had.. But you'll probably blame that on Tommy and JY now wouldn't you?
What I don't get though is if STYX did get a Walmart distribution deal, you'd be slamming it left right and center because its not featuring the "classic Styx" lineup..
But Toph, why don't you email Charlie and tell him yourself if you're so upset? We'd love to hear the kind of response you get (if any).. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
Here you go:
Charlie Brusco
cbrusco@tbaent.com

Posted:
Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:55 am
by froy
Jodes wrote:Toph you do know that Styx has always gotten the "short end" of the Styx when they were with A&M.. They never had the "huge" (10 million seller) album like Foreigner, REO or Journey had.. But you'll probably blame that on Tommy and JY now wouldn't you?
What I don't get though is if STYX did get a Walmart distribution deal, you'd be slamming it left right and center because its not featuring the "classic Styx" lineup..
But Toph, why don't you email Charlie and tell him yourself if you're so upset? We'd love to hear the kind of response you get (if any).. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
Here you go:
Charlie Brusco
cbrusco@tbaent.com
hey Jodes
Who is this Charlie dude the manager or booking agent?

Posted:
Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:03 am
by Toph
Jodes wrote:Toph you do know that Styx has always gotten the "short end" of the Styx when they were with A&M.. They never had the "huge" (10 million seller) album like Foreigner, REO or Journey had.. But you'll probably blame that on Tommy and JY now wouldn't you?
What I don't get though is if STYX did get a Walmart distribution deal, you'd be slamming it left right and center because its not featuring the "classic Styx" lineup..
But Toph, why don't you email Charlie and tell him yourself if you're so upset? We'd love to hear the kind of response you get (if any).. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
Here you go:
Charlie Brusco
cbrusco@tbaent.com
If you had even close to a clue, you'd know that I've posted about that a few times - Styx never had as strong as a seller because Paradise lacked a strong third single (they all can be blamed for that) and Cornerstone's singles got screwed up, yes, because of JY/Tommy. Kilroy's third single was supposed to be Haven't We Been Here, but again, Tommy was worried about "rock cred" and it never got released. A cool video was never debuted on MTV and that album's momentum also got stalled because of a shitty single strategy - High Time as the third single? No video....horrible strategy.
Brusco is an asshole by the way - so I don't know why I would waste my time.

Posted:
Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:25 am
by Jodes
I thought by time Haven't We Been Here Before was released as a single Tommy was pretty much a non factor in the band?

Posted:
Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:46 pm
by shaka
Thenightbull wrote:styxfanNH wrote:Tommy's studio is free, the others aren't.
Still it shouldin't matter but then again...
Major studios cost a lot of money and you have a limited amount of time to accomplish your task before the money runs out. If they record at Tommy's studio it is free (unless he decides to charge) and they have unlimited time to be creative. This extra time is especially important if the recordings are self produced.

Posted:
Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:59 pm
by styxfanNH
Rock Band, Styx, to Headline Spike Party at Builders' Show
The American rock band, Styx, will be the featured entertainment at the Spike party during the 2010 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 19-22.
The Spike party, free to all eligible Spikes, will be from 7:00-10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Spawned in a suburban Chicago basement in the early 1970s, Styx would eventually be transformed into the virtual arena rock prototype by the early 1980s. From its breakthrough hit “Lady” to the classic rock radio standards "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man" and "Fooling Yourself” and the concept albums “Paradise Theater” and “Kilroy Was Here,” Styx has dominated the rock landscape throughout its career and was the first band in the history of rock to release four consecutive triple-platinum albums.
Since 1999, Styx — Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips along with the occasional appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo — has performed live more often than it did in its previous history. Recent performances include two Super Bowl appearances as well as Pollstar Box Office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company and others.

Posted:
Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:15 am
by Rockwriter
Thenightbull wrote:styxfanNH wrote:BlackWall wrote:Is Styx really trying for a new album? I've seen where they talk about possibly releasing some singles somewhere down the line, but from what we've heard, I don't think they're really trying to get an album out. I wish they would as well, but let's be real.. albums/cds are living on "borrowed time"..

JY said in a recent interview that part of the reason they hadn't been working on an album was because Tommy's studio was down and that is their main recording studio. Now with it back up and running, their was more opportunity for them to record. Jy also said that they were looking at the recent success of Journey and Foreigner's success with their recent releases. He also said he had written a song or two. One of them was titled "Blind Sided". So the answer really is that we will have to wait and see.
What they couldin't use reo's blue moon studio's in la? Or go back to chicago and record at pumpkin studio's? Seems odd to me that they rely on just one studio.
I'm guessing it's because Tommy owns his studio and they can record there free, whereas they would have to pay elsewhere. With sales being down as much as they are everywhere, bands have to look at the cost effectiveness of every dollar spent, because the bitter reality is that they likely won't get it back from sales. I'd rather get my arm caught in a combine harvester than try to make a living from selling records right now.
Sterling

Posted:
Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:22 am
by Rockwriter
Toph wrote:Jodes wrote:Toph you do know that Styx has always gotten the "short end" of the Styx when they were with A&M.. They never had the "huge" (10 million seller) album like Foreigner, REO or Journey had.. But you'll probably blame that on Tommy and JY now wouldn't you?
What I don't get though is if STYX did get a Walmart distribution deal, you'd be slamming it left right and center because its not featuring the "classic Styx" lineup..
But Toph, why don't you email Charlie and tell him yourself if you're so upset? We'd love to hear the kind of response you get (if any).. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
Here you go:
Charlie Brusco
cbrusco@tbaent.com
If you had even close to a clue, you'd know that I've posted about that a few times - Styx never had as strong as a seller because Paradise lacked a strong third single (they all can be blamed for that) and Cornerstone's singles got screwed up, yes, because of JY/Tommy. Kilroy's third single was supposed to be Haven't We Been Here, but again, Tommy was worried about "rock cred" and it never got released. A cool video was never debuted on MTV and that album's momentum also got stalled because of a shitty single strategy - High Time as the third single? No video....horrible strategy.
Brusco is an asshole by the way - so I don't know why I would waste my time.
Brusco is actually a pretty nice guy from what little contact I've had with him. And that's coming from somebody who doesn't always see eye to eye with him on how the band's business is being managed. On the other hand, how much of what happens to Styx is directed by him, and how much by the band's internal dynamics? I suspect he's doing the best he can with a band that has always been very difficult to manage because of the unusual personalities involved. Which hasn't changed as much as people think, by the way, simply by removing one of them. Styx is still Styx. As I always say, we won't know the true story of this version of Styx until it's no longer together and there's no further reason to hide its weaknesses.
Sterling