New JY Interview

[StyxCollector]

“He was the best partner the band could have, but that changed in 1982. I really tired of working with him. He and I were diametrically opposed musically, and Tommy was in the middle.”

...when set against the bacldrop of JY discussing group goals and compromises sustaining the band up to that point, seems to be pointing towards the idea of a split within the band, as opposed to a member literally quitting -- which is not an unreasonable interpretation, considering that seems to be the way it did happen. Everyone was disgruntled, TS was just the first to make it official.

Correct in the sense that I'm nearly 100% they wanted no part of a concept album, but the problem is that the money under the Styx brand name was too lucrative.

I wonder how Tommy would feel about this (emphasis added) considering the new Shaw/Blades is coming out :

“We each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess, so we decided it was in the best interests of the band to just combine those. And it was never talked about. He tried his own solo success, and I did my own share of that. But, we have this collective, massive power that cannot be duplicated.

I'd call that simply speaking to the idea that they are stronger together than apart, but I remember JY quotes from other interviews where he brushes off DY in the same kind of dismissive manner. Considering how successul a venture that was for TS, I think it does reveal some level of defensiveness on JY's part.

That was my point. It's easy to dismiss what you fear. JY's biggest problem at this point is TS - Styx at this point is 100% dependent upon whether TS stays or goes. You may be able to do without DDY, but not TS (or vice versa). One of those two has to be in there. Therefore he can't come out and slam TS for doing a solo project (but he does dismiss solo projects in 2003 in my interview with him) - he'd be biting the hand that helps him make an income. He's caught in a bind.

Look, I think JY is an important part of Styx. Had JY been able to have even a modicum of the solo success DDY or TS has had, I don't think there would be that defensiveness.

[StyxCollector]

It's interesting that Mr. Roboto (recorded in 82/83) has No guitars on it. No vocals from Tommy or JY and maybe drums from John (but probably a machine).

If anybody else is on it other than Dennis, you sure can't hear it.

You mean like the guitars after the bridge (i.e. the "too much technology" part) - including that long feedback note? The drums are definitely partially Simmons pads and played by a real drummer in spots (although I'm sure there's also a bit of programming). The drum fills are a dead giveaway that it's John.

The production on Kilroy is actually very good.

[stabbim]

“He was the best partner the band could have, but that changed in 1982. I really tired of working with him. He and I were diametrically opposed musically, and Tommy was in the middle.”

...when set against the bacldrop of JY discussing group goals and compromises sustaining the band up to that point, seems to be pointing towards the idea of a split within the band, as opposed to a member literally quitting -- which is not an unreasonable interpretation, considering that seems to be the way it did happen. Everyone was disgruntled, TS was just the first to make it official.

Correct in the sense that I'm nearly 100% they wanted no part of a concept album, but the problem is that the money under the Styx brand name was too lucrative.

Well, sure. Contrary to conventional wisdom when it comes to All Things Rockstar, I don't find that to be a craven or corrupt position for someone to take. You spend the better half of a decade doing all you can do to build your band up and make it a profitable enterprise and that gives you a stake in it, regardless of whether you approve of the current direction or not. That's why I'm always vaguely irritated when the "Well, if they hated things so much, why not just quit?" question gets trotted out. The answer is perfectly obvious: because it was their band, too.

The production on Kilroy is actually very good.

I agree with respect to the production on "Roboto" specifically -- it sounds good, works for what it is, and fits the album's concept well. I also think "Just Get Through This Night" is one of Styx's sonic masterpieces, up there with "Castle Walls." But foisting that production style on the rest of the songs yielded less than spectacular results, IMO. "Cold War" and "Heavy Metal Poisoning" got neutered but good.

[Diffworlds]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

I was just typing this same thing. I bet that is a real kick in the ASS to those guys.

I agree with you. How can you respect a guy that says that stuff.

I am surprised you are raking JY over the coals about this statement. I am not a JY fan, but do you really expect him or any band to say that the current touring (i.e. money making) line up is not the best damn thing around. I mean would a casual fan buy the tickets, T-shirts, etc. if he said "Yeah, these guys are alright but you should have seen Styx in 2001 with Glen Burtnik" or "...1982 with Dennis". It's not going to be good for group dynamics or convince me to take the family.

I am sure that Frankie Sullivan & Neal Schon will be saying the same thing about Survivor and Journey during the promotions for their tours. Regardless how any band members feel, the current line is always going to be the best, when the press is in the room.

[DerriD]

I don't recall Neal Schon ever saying anything along the lines of Deen Castronova plays circles around 'the man he replaced' or Frankie Sullivan saying that 'this is the best line-up of Survivor ever to take the stage.' Those type of comments...and worse...that come streaming out of JY any time a microphone is put in front of him is what makes many fans weary.

It is sad, and obvious by the number of responses to threads like these, that Styx is no longer discussed much about making great music. The majority of banter amongst fans now is throwing bombs back and forth about pending litigation, band members insults of each other, who dyes their hair, who used to smoke weed, dwindling record sales, loss of headliner status and on and on....

I guess we should be happy that as estranged as Styx is, they're still MILES ahead of Van Halen.

[styxfanNH]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

I was just typing this same thing. I bet that is a real kick in the ASS to those guys.

I agree with you. How can you respect a guy that says that stuff.

I am surprised you are raking JY over the coals about this statement. I am not a JY fan, but do you really expect him or any band to say that the current touring (i.e. money making) line up is not the best damn thing around. I mean would a casual fan buy the tickets, T-shirts, etc. if he said "Yeah, these guys are alright but you should have seen Styx in 2001 with Glen Burtnik" or "...1982 with Dennis". It's not going to be good for group dynamics or convince me to take the family.

I am sure that Frankie Sullivan & Neal Schon will be saying the same thing about Survivor and Journey during the promotions for their tours. Regardless how any band members feel, the current line is always going to be the best, when the press is in the room.

Diff,

that's what peeps in here do. Their hatered for JY is personal. Why, I don't know. But it is.

Anytime JY opens his mouth, he basicly has given the same interview and lines for the past 5 to 6 years. So the response is predictable.

Objectiveness left the building the last time the band split.

[bugsymalone]

Anytime JY opens his mouth, he basicly has given the same interview and lines for the past 5 to 6 years. So the response is predictable.

That is why I find it of no use to listen to, or read, anything JY says. He has not changed his tune at all and one either agrees with him or does not.

Objectiveness left the building the last time the band split.

I agree completely, NH.

Bugsy

[StyxCollector]

I guess we should be happy that as estranged as Styx is, they're still MILES ahead of Van Halen.

... and this is one reason why I'd never want another reunion with DDY unless they just did a tour, put up a good front, and called it a day so they can mend the fanbase and be done with it. If they tried to do more than that (such as attempt an album) and it fell apart, I think the fallout would be way worse than it has been since 1999.

Again I say: let sleeping dogs lie.

[Blue Falcon]

That was my point. It's easy to dismiss what you fear. JY's biggest problem at this point is TS - Styx at this point is 100% dependent upon whether TS stays or goes. You may be able to do without DDY, but not TS (or vice versa). One of those two has to be in there. Therefore he can't come out and slam TS for doing a solo project (but he does dismiss solo projects in 2003 in my interview with him) - he'd be biting the hand that helps him make an income. He's caught in a bind.

Look, I think JY is an important part of Styx. Had JY been able to have even a modicum of the solo success DDY or TS has had, I don't think there would be that defensiveness.

JY knows that is TS leaves Styx, then the band effectively becomes the James Young Experience...or, more accurately, the James Young Debacle. They would have to pay customers to show up at their concerts then.

Last time I checked, it was one "James Young" who is listed on the writing credits of "Heavy Metal Poisoning" and not one "Dennis DeYoung"...one of the worst songs written in the history of this solar system.

[brywool]

“In my humble opinion, this is the best lineup of Styx to take the stage, just in terms of pure musicianship,” Young said. “That’s without question, and everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Ah so in the immortal words of JY - lets take this statement apart. This means

Lawrence is more talented than DDY
Ricky is more talented than Glen Burtnik or Chuck
Todd is more talented than John P.

I was just typing this same thing. I bet that is a real kick in the ASS to those guys.

I agree with you. How can you respect a guy that says that stuff.

I am surprised you are raking JY over the coals about this statement. I am not a JY fan, but do you really expect him or any band to say that the current touring (i.e. money making) line up is not the best damn thing around. I mean would a casual fan buy the tickets, T-shirts, etc. if he said "Yeah, these guys are alright but you should have seen Styx in 2001 with Glen Burtnik" or "...1982 with Dennis". It's not going to be good for group dynamics or convince me to take the family.

I am sure that Frankie Sullivan & Neal Schon will be saying the same thing about Survivor and Journey during the promotions for their tours. Regardless how any band members feel, the current line is always going to be the best, when the press is in the room.

Diff,

that's what peeps in here do. Their hatered for JY is personal. Why, I don't know. But it is.

Anytime JY opens his mouth, he basicly has given the same interview and lines for the past 5 to 6 years. So the response is predictable.

Objectiveness left the building the last time the band split.

I think a lot of people don't like JY because of the whole deal where he (or Styx with Jy as their representative) was going to sue the guy with the web site. I don't remember people hating him so much before that (other than for his lame lead vocals). Now, everything he says is just slammed. Unfortunately, all sides have to do interviews to promote their respective projects and journalists are going to ask those tough questions. It'd be nice if Styx took a bit more of the high road (as I've noticed Dennis has) and just said, we wish everybody luck and we're happy now. JY did kind of do that in this interview and I thought it was pretty positive.

[Classic Rock]

I am glad most of us see through Mr. Reluctant still leading the double life eh? This clown must think 20 year olds who have zero knowledge of the history of this band (TS quitting during Kilroy, JY joining in 91, JY and the Panazzo's trying to replace TS when he walked out, the bards about DDY playing with a choir/orchestra, etc) are the only ones who post his interviews. One thing early on I take acception to in this interview is the comment about making connection to the audience. As somebody who attended many Styx shows with DDY, the connection was made pal!!! Great points all, keep up the good work and call him out on the carpet.

I get what you are saying for the most part but don’t make the mistake of assuming that “20 year olds…have zero knowledge of the history of this band.” This 20 year old knows just as much as you and you will be surprised how many people my age know the history of their favorite classic rock bands.

[bugsymalone]

I am glad most of us see through Mr. Reluctant still leading the double life eh? This clown must think 20 year olds who have zero knowledge of the history of this band (TS quitting during Kilroy, JY joining in 91, JY and the Panazzo's trying to replace TS when he walked out, the bards about DDY playing with a choir/orchestra, etc) are the only ones who post his interviews. One thing early on I take acception to in this interview is the comment about making connection to the audience. As somebody who attended many Styx shows with DDY, the connection was made pal!!! Great points all, keep up the good work and call him out on the carpet.

I get what you are saying for the most part but don’t make the mistake of assuming that “20 year olds…have zero knowledge of the history of this band.” This 20 year old knows just as much as you and you will be surprised how many people my age know the history of their favorite classic rock bands.

The "this clown" being referred to by the OP (LordofDaRing) was JY.

Love your avatar, Classic Rock! Very nice.

Bugsy

[LordofDaRing]

Now classic that was simply a generalization made by a 44 year old dolt like me. But don't drop a challenge of knowing more about this band or the fab four (nice moniker) on the Lord. You may not like the results. Besides that comment was far from the important point of my post. I like the fact that 20 year olds love classic rock.

[Zan]

Now classic that was simply a generalization made by a 44 year old dolt like me. But don't drop a challenge of knowing more about this band or the fab four (nice moniker) on the Lord. You may not like the results.

is it time to get the ruler again?

[LordofDaRing]

Nah Zan, I am impressed with his list anyway. I even like the current list he has.

[radiolouis]

After reading all of the posts here I'd comment that:
I am 44 and a singing Bass Player/Vocalist from Chicago and was close to these guys from 79-84 (radio @radiolouis.com)
Rocko and George and Loizzo and Stocki and The Panozzo's were my friends. now live in Orlando.....
I idolized STYX for the genius's that they were not to mention the absolute tweakers of Audio and players and songwriters...
The band is "always" good in any shape that they represent. I have watched one with everything, the Paradise reunion, caught in the act,.........It's funny during the eighties, I always had a secret desire that JY and Tommy get to lead the band from a guitar rocker perspective. I too loved the guitar oriented songs and felt that Dennis Got away from the keyboard ripping stuff from the Pieces of eight days....he never recaptured the solo's and the high tech feel. Roboto was quite a step for a band trying to give us an alternative to "the Wall " by Floyd. The current lineup is good and tasty, and more progressive than ever. It is however not the Styx of 1977. The Styx of 83 wasn't either......Who cares! These guys are all Champions...They showed a lot of us how to Rock, including Glen and Todd. I would like to hear some demo's of some of you Styx critics and listen to how your guitars sound through your ADAT.....HA HA.......
Dennis project now is beyond good also, it is different as I am different as we are all different......Hell, I am even clean and sober now and in the ministry! I still rock much to the ? of my financial supporters, and can still sing the upper parts, and leads on Blue Collar man but I am no TS, JY, or DDY......I feel badly for my 17 year old son who doesn't know what it's like to go to Hegewisch records in Calumet City to buy a copy of Paradise Theater on the day it dropped. I bought the album and was immediately taken by the artwork, the songs, the excitement of a new look and concept and laser etching....then to hear that DDY dropped off a couple of cases of albums in person......I know a lot of Styx stories, Guns in New Orleans, DDY and TS feuds, TS's dad being called in to find TS. TS buying another Porsche while on tour...(a NO NO).....I loved the JY record recorded at Tanglewood and think Prisoner of War was a great tune and recorded to the hilt. Can any one you JT critics sing City Slicker and play the chops at the same time? Can you pre plan the pans? Can you eliminate the buzz and get the S/N ratio tweaked? Can you also midi your guitar setup as JY has....the most unreal guitar board tweaker ever.......Let me know when you can emulate JY's Big butt patch........I've been trying for more than a few years now.....
Rock on and love everyone...... www.myspace.com/radiolouiskaraoke my demos are there recorded with 4 track portastudio....................I bet I singer better than all of you Styx critics not to mention I played everything and sang everything in more than one language........Recorded all of these tunes one rainy day in Miami in 8 hours......
It's all who you know...
Know Jesus....

[radiolouis]

After reading all of the posts here I'd comment that:
I am 44 and a singing Bass Player/Vocalist from Chicago and was close to these guys from 79-84 (radio @radiolouis.com)
Rocko and George and Loizzo and Stocki and The Panozzo's were my friends. now live in Orlando.....
I idolized STYX for the genius's that they were not to mention the absolute tweakers of Audio and players and songwriters...
The band is "always" good in any shape that they represent. I have watched one with everything, the Paradise reunion, caught in the act,.........It's funny during the eighties, I always had a secret desire that JY and Tommy get to lead the band from a guitar rocker perspective. I too loved the guitar oriented songs and felt that Dennis Got away from the keyboard ripping stuff from the Pieces of eight days....he never recaptured the solo's and the high tech feel. Roboto was quite a step for a band trying to give us an alternative to "the Wall " by Floyd. The current lineup is good and tasty, and more progressive than ever. It is however not the Styx of 1977. The Styx of 83 wasn't either......Who cares! These guys are all Champions...They showed a lot of us how to Rock, including Glen and Todd. I would like to hear some demo's of some of you Styx critics and listen to how your guitars sound through your ADAT.....HA HA.......
Dennis project now is beyond good also, it is different as I am different as we are all different......Hell, I am even clean and sober now and in the ministry! I still rock much to the ? of my financial supporters, and can still sing the upper parts, and leads on Blue Collar man but I am no TS, JY, or DDY......I feel badly for my 17 year old son who doesn't know what it's like to go to Hegewisch records in Calumet City to buy a copy of Paradise Theater on the day it dropped. I bought the album and was immediately taken by the artwork, the songs, the excitement of a new look and concept and laser etching....then to hear that DDY dropped off a couple of cases of albums in person......I know a lot of Styx stories, Guns in New Orleans, DDY and TS feuds, TS's dad being called in to find TS. TS buying another Porsche while on tour...(a NO NO).....I loved the JY record recorded at Tanglewood and think Prisoner of War was a great tune and recorded to the hilt. Can any one you JT critics sing City Slicker and play the chops at the same time? Can you pre plan the pans? Can you eliminate the buzz and get the S/N ratio tweaked? Can you also midi your guitar setup as JY has....the most unreal guitar board tweaker ever.......Let me know when you can emulate JY's Big butt patch........I've been trying for more than a few years now.....
Rock on and love everyone...... www.myspace.com/radiolouiskaraoke my demos are there recorded with 4 track portastudio....................I bet I singer better than all of you Styx critics not to mention I played everything and sang everything in more than one language........Recorded all of these tunes one rainy day in Miami in 8 hours......
It's all who you know...
Know Jesus....

[brywool]

I loved the JY record recorded at Tanglewood and think Prisoner of War was a great tune and recorded to the hilt. .

Dang! I was with ya till this quote!


Welcome.

[shaka]

. I would like to hear some demo's of some of you Styx critics and listen to how your guitars sound through your ADAT.....HA HA.......
Can any one you JT critics sing City Slicker and play the chops at the same time? Can you pre plan the pans? Can you eliminate the buzz and get the S/N ratio tweaked? Can you also midi your guitar setup as JY has....the most unreal guitar board tweaker ever.......Let me know when you can emulate JY's Big butt patch........I've been trying for more than a few years now.....
Rock on and love everyone...... www.myspace.com/radiolouiskaraoke my demos are there recorded with 4 track portastudio....................I bet I singer better than all of you Styx critics not to mention I played everything and sang everything in more than one language........Recorded all of these tunes one rainy day in Miami in 8 hours......
It's all who you know...
Know Jesus....

What in the world are you talking about? Why would anyone want to emulate JY's Big Butt patch? What song did JY use his big butt patch on? If you want to emulate it you might want to start with a Marshall Plexi and a strat.

All I have to do to midi my guitar setup is call Bob Bradshaw just like JY did.

My studio has automation so I can automate any pans, effects, and volume changes that I want. I know about ground loops so buzz isn't a problem. Decent mic preamplifiers so I don't have to worry much about signal to noise ratio.

You typed this errrrr, ummmm, interesting post on a computer. Since you have a computer why are you still recording on a four track Portastudio?

[ManOfMiracles]

Hey, radiolouis! Out of that long post ya made, one thing really stood out for me... Hegewisch Records in Calumet City! I live in Cal City... H.R. was blocks away from my house! Sadly... it's a Walgreen's now. But back in the day, that place was it!