Darren & Froy & other Carrot Styx fans

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Hey guys (and girls), do you have any questions that you would like to ask any member of the current line up of Carrot Styx?

Please let me know by this Sunday morning

Froy, I'll try to request "Safety Dance" for you - LOL I'll also let you know if Larry is to the left or to the right - LOL

[classicstyxfan]

Suite,

Back in their heyday, Styx used to put out an album of new matrial every
12-18 months.......what I'd really like to know, is why we now have to wait 4 years between releases of new material ........is writing quality new music more difficult now that they are at a different ( perhaps more content ? ) place in their lives ?

I would think there is less interference form their record company now that expectations for a "hit" record are not an issue.......

that's my question.

[yogi]

My questions would be asked to JY. I would like him to comment on John C. What happened to him??, why he really left the band??, his opinion of John as a musician, did he ever stay in touch with him,?? etc??. Then I would love to know if JY felt Styx would of hit as big as they did with John C. as opposed to Tommy being in the band.

Finally, I would love to know his feelings about the album Equinox. For me this was their GREATEST album. Also, his true feelings on Cyclorama. Another GREAT CD. Two of my favs. One has no Tommy, the other no Dennis.

[DarrenUK]

Ask Tommy if he is doing the Damn Yankees tour planned for the new year and tell Todd when I see the band in Clearwater he can suggest a good American beer in return for me suggesting the 2 i got him in Manchester......

[Monker]

Ok, I'll do this:

For Tommy...

Over the past few years, what has provided you with the most inspiration as both a songwriter and performer. And, how do you find the time to write all of those notes at the Styx page?

For Todd...

He reminds me a lot of Steve Smith, and he has talked about him in the past. I would like to know what advice he has given, or would give, Dean for performing with Journey.

For JY...

IMO, "These Are the Times" is the most traditional sounding Styx song that Styx has recorded since Paradise Theatre. I would very much like to hear more like this one....Will I?

For Gowan...

IMO, "Big Bang Theory" showcased his vocals in a MUCH better way then Cyclorama. In the future, which path will be followed...More mid-tempo songs like on Cyclorama, or the rockier edge like on BBT? And, which do you prefer?

For Ricky...

How do you see yourself contributing in the writing process for any new Styx songs? Are you going to take a backseat to the established writers in the band, or are you going to be more active and bring your own songs to the table?

[bugsymalone]

Here is my question:

When are you going to drop the music Dennis DeYoung wrote and sang from your shows?

(Note: I think this is a legitimate question. One I would most certainly ask them if I met them.)

Bugsy

[froy]

Suite,

Back in their heyday, Styx used to put out an album of new matrial every
12-18 months.......what I'd really like to know, is why we now have to wait 4 years between releases of new material ........is writing quality new music more difficult now that they are at a different ( perhaps more content ? ) place in their lives ?

I would think there is less interference form their record company now that expectations for a "hit" record are not an issue.......

that's my question.

Back in there hayday they did not have Lawrence Gowan or Rickie Phillips , They had Dennis DeYoung who thought of there concepts and produced there cds , They threw him out and thus you only have JY who can't write a song if his life depended on it and Shaw who does not even know what city he is in
You can figure it out Im sure,

[froy]

Here is my question:

When are you going to drop the music Dennis DeYoung wrote and sang from your shows?

(Note: I think this is a legitimate question. One I would most certainly ask them if I met them.)

Bugsy

Excellent question

[sadie65]

While performing concerts is certainly something they enjoy doing, my question would truly be, where do they see themselves within 5 years? How have the remaining members struggled/accepted that in all probability that "Santana" moment they hoped for will most likely not occur? Not meant in a negative way at all, as well all have dreams that never come completely true.

[gr8dane]

Jy:Are you aware of some Wooden Nickel era live recordings sitting around (or in your possession), that could be released anytime in the near future?

Are you yourself interested in seing such set available to the WN era Styx fan??

[Monker]

When are you going to drop the music Dennis DeYoung wrote and sang from your shows?

(Note: I think this is a legitimate question. One I would most certainly ask them if I met them.)

It's not 'legitimate' at all...The very question assumes they must drop those songs, which they don't have to.

Perhaps a better question would be:

Why do you not give in to the demands of the DeYoungians and never again perform songs that Dennis sang?

Or, maybe a better question would be:

What do you think of the DeYoung fans who demand specific actions from Styx, like not perform Dennis songs.

Or, maybe a better question yet would be:

Do you care what ex-fans say when they are so over-zealous about the fact that Dennis is no longer in the band?

[bugsymalone]

Why do you not give in to the demands of the DeYoungians and never again perform songs that Dennis sang?

If you think it should be asked this way, then ok. Sounds good to me. Sure would be nice to know if they might be willing to quit butchering (in the view of many DeYoung fans) Dennis' music in concert and on recordings.

What do you think of the DeYoung fans who demand specific actions from Styx, like not perform Dennis songs.

That was not my question, but sure, that could be asked too. Why not?

Do you care what ex-fans say when they are so over-zealous about the fact that Dennis is no longer in the band?

Ask 'em that one, too. Not my question either.

Maybe I should word the question: Dennis is no longer in the band. He has not been in the band for 7 years now. When do you think you will finally drop the music he wrote and sang from your concerts and your recordings?

Bugsy

[froy]

It's not 'legitimate' at all...The very question assumes they must drop those songs, which they don't have to.

They don't have to but they sure should
I think Dennis should start doing Fooling Yourself and Madmoiselle Live
Its the muisc of Styx he should do them also
But he wont because he 's a class act not a back stabber.

[yogi]

They (Hourglass Styx) sure as hell played four Tommy Shaw penned and sung songs back during the 1991 Hourglass tour. Couldnt of (Hourglass Styx) survived without Tommy's tunes back then????????????


I also know that if (Big Bang Carrot Styx) dropped all DDY penned and sung songs many of you would be bitching that the current band( Big Bang Carrot Styx) is trying to erase Dennis from ' the very band that he started'.

Quit your damn bitching all of you Deyoung sensitive souls. There are much bigger problems in the world, such as ANOTHER version of Blue Collar Man. Will this Blue Collar madness EVER stop????????????????

[bugsymalone]

They (Hourglass Styx) sure as hell played four Tommy Shaw penned and sung songs back during the 1991 Hourglass tour. Couldnt of (Hourglass Styx) survived without Tommy's tunes back then????????????

Yes!!!!!!!!!:P

I also know that if (Big Bang Carrot Styx) dropped all DDY penned and sung songs many of you would be bitching that the current band( Big Bang Carrot Styx) is trying to erase Dennis from ' the very band that he started'.

That (well the "erase" part of it) has already happened, so whazabigdeal???

Quit your damn bitching all of you Deyoung sensitive souls. There are much bigger problems in the world, such as ANOTHER version of Blue Collar Man. Will this Blue Collar madness EVER stop????????????????

I know, I know.....in the grand scheme of things this BCM madness problem is WAY bigger!!! I apologize for my bitchin' and complaining!!

Wait! No I don't!!!!!!!!

Bugsy

[froy]

They (Hourglass Styx) sure as hell played four Tommy Shaw penned and sung songs back during the 1991 Hourglass tour.

Shaw was offered to be in that band remember he was to busy mooning his fans with the Damm Yankees '
I could have done without the Shaw songs in 91

Couldnt of (Hourglass Styx) survived without Tommy's tunes back then????????????

Sure could have
They could have added Love at first sight and a few others .

I also know that if (Big Bang Carrot Styx) dropped all DDY penned and sung songs many of you would be bitching that the current band( Big Bang Carrot Styx) is trying to erase Dennis from ' the very band that he started'.

I don't think so
Dennis is singing them just fine
They erased him without it,

Quit your damn bitching all of you Deyoung sensitive souls. There are much bigger problems in the world, such as ANOTHER version of Blue Collar Man. Will this Blue Collar madness EVER stop????????????????

Next is Blue Collar Man sung backwards.

[yogi]

I will agree with Froy on one point maybe on Dennis's next Lost Treasure show he could add Cold War, Havin A Ball, and Witch Wolf to his set. Rumor has it that Gowan and his (Big Bang Carrot) parteners have been rehearsing High Time, Music Time and Hip Hop.

Finally, where the hell have you been Froy?? They sung Blue Collar Man backwards back in 2000. It was on their Styxworld live CD, and it also appeared on their Rockers CD. The song was track 11 and it came right after that forgotten Man In The Wilderness verse that Dennis cut off the Grand Illusion. Get your facts straight before you come here!!!!!!!

[froy]

I will agree with Froy on one point maybe on Dennis's next Lost Treasure show he could add Cold War, Havin A Ball, and Witch Wolf to his set. Rumor has it that Gowan and his (Big Bang Carrot) parteners have been rehearsing High Time, Music Time and Hip Hop.

Finally, where the hell have you been Froy?? They sung Blue Collar Man backwards back in 2000. It was on their Styxworld live CD, and it also appeared on their Rockers CD. The song was track 11 and it came right after that forgotten Man In The Wilderness verse that Dennis cut off the Grand Illusion. Get your facts straight before you come here!!!!!!!

Damm Im sorry Yogi I have lost it,

[SuiteMadameBlue]

A lot of great questions and comments.

I just printed out what I have here so far. Keep the questions coming, I appreciate it.

I guess I'll have to take the "Carrot" part off, since I'm the one that coined the name way back in 2003 - LOL

Should be a very fun and very interesting weekend.

I can't wait to give Larry a hug from Froy

I'd give anything to hear Dennis sing Mademoiselle, I LOVE that song!! I'll take Lords of the Ring or I'm Okay.

[Monker]

They don't have to but they sure should

No they shouldn't. As Tommy said a while back about bands not having certain members, "When people go to a Journey concert, they expect to hear 'Seperate Ways'." Or, was it "Don't Stop Believin'"? I don't remember.

When I go to a Styx concert, I expect to hear certain songs. Some of those happen to be songs Dennis sang - I don't care if someone else sings them. They are STYX songs, not Dennis DeYoung songs. The few people who do give a damn about such petty things have long left Styx fandom.

I think Dennis should start doing Fooling Yourself and Madmoiselle Live
Its the muisc of Styx he should do them also
But he wont because he 's a class act not a back stabber.

It doesn't make any difference what songs Dennis performs in concert. He can perform whatever he wants. The songs he chooses do not make him a better human.

[Monker]

Shaw was offered to be in that band remember he was to busy mooning his fans with the Damm Yankees '
I could have done without the Shaw songs in 91

LOL! In the past you have always said you didn't support Tommy being replaced for EotC! Funny how time and circumstance changes your opinion.

They could have added Love at first sight and a few others .

Yeah, sure, replace a rock song with yet another ballad. BRILLIANT idea.

People expect to hear some : TMTOYH, BCM, and FY at a Styx concert - EVEN IF TOMMY ISN"T SINGING IT! That is how things were, and how things ARE.

I don't think so
Dennis is singing them just fine
They erased him without it,
{/quote]

Err, whatever. You make about as much sense as a Roboto after he's kneed in the balls.

Next is Blue Collar Man sung backwards.

Well, that's better then Hunchback songs sung frontwards.

[ek88]

Suite, this is a question I would ask a lot of musicians: Do you ever get tired of playing certain songs, particularly the ones you almost HAVE to play (ie. Come Sail Away, Renegade)? If so, how do you approach playing those songs to keep it fresh for the audience?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

ek88 says:

Suite, this is a question I would ask a lot of musicians: Do you ever get tired of playing certain songs, particularly the ones you almost HAVE to play (ie. Come Sail Away, Renegade)? If so, how do you approach playing those songs to keep it fresh for the audience

That's a great question. I asked Dennis this question in my interview, I forgot what he said maybe Bugsy remembers. I'll have to watch it again. I know there were a few songs that he wouldn't mind dropping.

[PsychoSy]

When are you going to drop the music Dennis DeYoung wrote and sang from your shows?

The answer to that (considering if Styx does answer such a combative question which I highly doubt) would be, "That issue was resolved according to the terms of the settlement both Styx and Dennis DeYoung reached a few years back -- terms which both parties agreed to not divulge to the public."

[onestilllearning]

Here is my question:

When are you going to drop the music Dennis DeYoung wrote and sang from your shows?

(Note: I think this is a legitimate question. One I would most certainly ask them if I met them.)

Bugsy

That is a good question - I wish they would for 2 reasons 1.No one does DDY songs justice but DDY 2. Room for new material

On this point my Daughter disaggrees as she thinks LG sings the songs almost as well as DDY and performs them better. --- I know how would she know unless she saw DDY live.

[sadie65]

Okay...one more time. Certain songs that Dennis wrote, there is no way the band could drop them. They are too closely identified as being Styx songs. They are signature songs for the band. Preference over whose renditions of those songs is another matter, but it's pointless to wonder if that material could be dropped.

As for whether or not they tire of any of their material, I can answer what I have heard Dennis say. There are songs he knows he will have to sing, however, he focuses more on making sure he doesn't blow it. There is one song he has mentioned on a few occasions as saying will soon be retired from the setlist...Suite Madame Blue as he feels he soon will not be able to perform it as he would like.

[onestilllearning]

They don't have to but they sure should
I think Dennis should start doing Fooling Yourself and Madmoiselle Live
Its the muisc of Styx he should do them also
But he wont because he 's a class act not a back stabber.

Froy you make a good point here. If Dennis can draw almost the same crowds as Carrot Styx without ripping off TS and JY material then why can't Styx.

Did I just agree with Froy? Wow!

[gr8dane]

I sure would not miss Lady,CSA and GI.
If they played These are the times,Put me on and I will be your witness,I would be quite relieved,or just about anything else.

[froy]

They don't have to but they sure should
I think Dennis should start doing Fooling Yourself and Madmoiselle Live
Its the muisc of Styx he should do them also
But he wont because he 's a class act not a back stabber.

Froy you make a good point here. If Dennis can draw almost the same crowds as Carrot Styx without ripping off TS and JY material then why can't Styx.

Did I just agree with Froy? Wow!

[DeeJaySTYX]

For Gowan...

IMO, "Big Bang Theory" showcased his vocals in a MUCH better way then Cyclorama. In the future, which path will be followed...More mid-tempo songs like on Cyclorama, or the rockier edge like on BBT? And, which do you prefer?

Out of all the questions I have read I like this one the best...And will we see more songs that Showcases Gowans Vocals Like they did on "Big Bang Theory"