JY Interview

[Grotelul]

Have at it...

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=co ... ticle=3339

[froy]

Have at it...

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=co ... ticle=3339

No thanks
I have no intrest in anything he say's

[Blue Falcon]

Some nuggets:

IESB: So what do you think is next for STYX?

James: Well like I said, we are writing and we will continue to do 100 shows a year, because that’s who we are, and that’s what we do.

No kidding, JY. Just keep diluting the Styx brand name!

IESB: So this is the year in my mind for the so called “reunion tour” I mean you had Heaven and Hell coming out, Rush, Genesis, The Police, Deep purple just toured a little while ago, how would you attribute that kind of success for those kind of tours?

James: Well I think that classic rock bands for a while had a hard time getting airplay because we were all writing our music and it was the first decade where the beatles kind of started that, you know the 70s were the decade for self contained bands sort of coming into there own and in the beginning it was hard to break through until we kind of became the mainstream but we had to go out there and earn our music and go on stage where people didn’t even know our music, but we made our name in touring and the record success came later, but I think that really when MTV came along it was all about making videos and looking good and people didn’t even care about how good they were on stage, it was all about how you looked on some 19 in diagonal screen in someones livingroom. And that obviously spawned a lot of stars, but it also spawned a lot of people that dance around and lip sync to track music and I think that particuallariy now that after milly vanilli and after you name it people that obviously people have gone out and done concerts where its obviously a soundtrack, young people are more and more into whats real and whats organic and whats the guys are real playing and that’s whats really it, you know I think that many of the other bands developed stage prescnes because they never had to, and I think that its also a 3rd generation of fans that is going back and seeing. Rock and Roll at its core is about teenage rebellion and I think that the success of AC/DC shows that I mean our greatest hit has sold 3 million copies, and theirs sold 20 million, and they just have a devoted fan base, and angus young goes out and does his thing wether its sticking his toungue out or what have you, he is kind of the ultimate bad boy next door and that’s still just a fun thing its not a mean spirted thing , but I think the anger in teenage rebellion kind of took over in Rap and theres some great work that has been done there, but nonetheless for the female half of the rock audience doesn’t really speak to their needs it kind of speaks against them in a way and I think that women has helped drive music back to whats real and stuff that has musicality and melody and not monotone poetry which is what rap is. So io think its kind of a matter of the pendulum swinging back in our direction and in my mind music tends to reflect whats going on in society in an opposite way and in the decade of the 90s where the stock market was up and the few were getting rich off the many, I think theres a whole sense of the people not sharing in the wealth and that’s were the anger in Rap music said, “whats going on here’ you know and then here we have the tragedy of 9-11 and this ugly thing were involved in with Iraq starts happening and people started thinking you know America is not all powerful and stock market took a dramatic drop in 2000 and the people who thought they were rich found out they had no money left at all after all that, and the way that people are starting to search out again, and people aren’t all angry again because we are all suffering and people are trying to find the music that can help them escape the negative things that they see surrounding, and peoples nature is to seek out things that have a calming influence, and positive things and I think that’s the great thing about classic rock is that its uplifting and melodic and there are glorious vocal choruses, of bands like STYX and Journey, songs like don’t stop beliving and come sail away, inspirational lyrics that people feel that regardless of what they see on television today they can still feel like they can have a good life and a good day tomorrow.

Um...what??

IESB: That’s funny, Do you have any stories of crazy fans or groupies?

James: You know there are all sorts of crazy fans that have done stupid things over the years, and Tommy Shaw that was really the guy that had young women around him and in the state of Michigan he had a ranch with about 20 acres and there were some women that would kind of camp at the end of his driveway, but generally we live a more sedate life than many in this profession since the majority of us have been married the duration of our careers.

Translation: Groupies don't like me. That last part seems to be a dig at Tommy, who'se been married anywhere from four to thirteen times.

[froy]

Some nuggets:

IESB: So what do you think is next for STYX?

James: Well like I said, we are writing and we will continue to do 100 shows a year, because that’s who we are, and that’s what we do.

Im proud to say I will never see any of these 100 shows a year.

[Barbara]

IESB: That’s funny, Do you have any stories of crazy fans or groupies?

James: You know there are all sorts of crazy fans that have done stupid things over the years, and Tommy Shaw that was really the guy that had young women around him and in the state of Michigan he had a ranch with about 20 acres and there were some women that would kind of camp at the end of his driveway, but generally we live a more sedate life than many in this profession since the majority of us have been married the duration of our careers.

That last part seems to be a dig at Tommy, who'se been married anywhere from four to thirteen times.

Not necessarily since he doesn't specify one continual marriage.

I thought it was a good interview. His interpretation of Rap Music was interesting.

[kansas666]

I found it interesting that he basically wrote out Denny in the history of STYX.

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

[bugsymalone]

I found it interesting that he basically wrote out Denny in the history of STYX.

So what's new.


My problem with most JY interviews is they are colossally boring. This one is no exception.



Bugsy

[stabbim]

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

Yeah, the wheels came off the wagon for a bit, there...but I think the main point he was trying to make was that he hates sauerkraut.

[shaka]

I thought his point about rap music was good. I thought his point about women influencing the music market was spot on.

[piecesofeight]

I found it interesting that he basically wrote out Denny in the history of STYX.

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

Not me, as far as JY is concerned, 'Denny' was either never in Styx or didn't do shit for them.


I take back what I have ever said about JY not doing much for Styx, because as long as he keeps doing these interviews, they are the one thing that can wake this bored/board up.

[gr8dane]

OK,I just skimmed it.
But look on the bright side ,Dennis was not slagged.He wasn't even mentioned.Shouldn't that make the Dennis fans happy?
Maybe that is a sign

[kipthekid]

He cares about making as much money as he can doing something he loves to do. His laughable failure to mention Dennis isn't surprising and the days of it being offensive have long since passed. JY isn't stupid - he knows that the band is less than a shell of its former self, but he's making a nice living, he's escaped from the man he blames for all the ills of the world - his life is good.

If I had to guess, I would think that Tommy isn't quite as thrilled with things as they are. Tommy I'm sure likes the money associated from taking EVERY gig under the and over the sun, but he's always struck me as an artist looking to expand his horizons while paying umbrage to the past that got him to where he is today. I doubt he likes the fact that they're warming up for Foreigner who's warming up for Def Leppard.

Whether the kool-aiders want to admit it or not, while neither "side" is "big" in the truest sense of the word, Dennis' career is stronger right now than Styx. His arrow is pointing more "upward" than Styx' is. There appears to be a strategy to what he's doing - he genuinely seems interested in making something meaningful out of the twilight of his career. IMHO - and this is just IMHO - and I could end up being totally and completely wrong - "100 Years From Now" will, on a global basis, clearly outsell Cyclorama.

In the meantime, Styx will play the Bloomberg Bar Mitvah and be the opening act for the Baby's sans John Waite. And JY will continue to get paid.

[rajah2165]

IMHO - and this is just IMHO - and I could end up being totally and completely wrong - "100 Years From Now" will, on a global basis, clearly outsell Cyclorama.

.

Let's hope he does better than that. Cyclo only sold like 20,000 copies. A complete and utter failure.

[Ash]

I'm glad he didn't mention Dennis. Perhaps he's learned that if you can't say something nice you shouldn't say anything at all.

Of course, most of us learned that in Kindergarten.

[shaka]

He cares about making as much money as he can doing something he loves to do. His laughable failure to mention Dennis isn't surprising and the days of it being offensive have long since passed. JY isn't stupid - he knows that the band is less than a shell of its former self, but he's making a nice living, he's escaped from the man he blames for all the ills of the world - his life is good.

If I had to guess, I would think that Tommy isn't quite as thrilled with things as they are. Tommy I'm sure likes the money associated from taking EVERY gig under the and over the sun, but he's always struck me as an artist looking to expand his horizons while paying umbrage to the past that got him to where he is today. I doubt he likes the fact that they're warming up for Foreigner who's warming up for Def Leppard.

Whether the kool-aiders want to admit it or not, while neither "side" is "big" in the truest sense of the word, Dennis' career is stronger right now than Styx. His arrow is pointing more "upward" than Styx' is. There appears to be a strategy to what he's doing - he genuinely seems interested in making something meaningful out of the twilight of his career. IMHO - and this is just IMHO - and I could end up being totally and completely wrong - "100 Years From Now" will, on a global basis, clearly outsell Cyclorama.

In the meantime, Styx will play the Bloomberg Bar Mitvah and be the opening act for the Baby's sans John Waite. And JY will continue to get paid.

Dude are you the bastard love child of Froy and rajah?

[kipthekid]

Much like your assessment (I think it was you - if it wasn't, I apologize) of Styx' misguided decision to be the warm act for the warm act for Def Leppard. I certainly don't doubt your individual experience, but it wasn't what many others reported - Styx getting 45 minutes or so, the crowd still arriving in the middle of their set, etc. Other than a few $$, Styx gained NOTHING from agreeing to that gig. But I digress...

Some folks, myself included, don't like the direction JY and Tommy have taken Styx - whether or not Dennis is in the band. Certainly, you can feel free to disagree - there are those who have steadfastedly defended everything the band has done since they jettisoned Dennis in 1999. I'm not one of those people.

Needless to say, me-thinks you're a king among the kool-aiders. If that makes you happy, that's GREAT for you. Good luck with that.

[ManOfMiracles]

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

Yeah, the wheels came off the wagon for a bit, there...but I think the main point he was trying to make was that he hates sauerkraut.

Did you just make an obscure "Weird Al" reference..?

[stabbim]

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

Yeah, the wheels came off the wagon for a bit, there...but I think the main point he was trying to make was that he hates sauerkraut.

Did you just make an obscure "Weird Al" reference..?

No ...I made it about five days ago.


(You got any bearclaws?)

[ManOfMiracles]

The interview got a little strange in the middle with all of the politics or rap etc.

Yeah, the wheels came off the wagon for a bit, there...but I think the main point he was trying to make was that he hates sauerkraut.

Did you just make an obscure "Weird Al" reference..?

No ...I made it about five days ago.


(You got any bearclaws?)

I could go for a box of weasels right about now...
(And yes... that JY ramble DID capture the spirit of "Albequerque" quite nicely...)

[kansas666]

If I had to guess, I would think that Tommy isn't quite as thrilled with things as they are. Tommy I'm sure likes the money associated from taking EVERY gig under the and over the sun, but he's always struck me as an artist looking to expand his horizons while paying umbrage to the past that got him to where he is today. I doubt he likes the fact that they're warming up for Foreigner who's warming up for Def Leppard.

Whether the kool-aiders want to admit it or not, while neither "side" is "big" in the truest sense of the word, Dennis' career is stronger right now than Styx. His arrow is pointing more "upward" than Styx' is. There appears to be a strategy to what he's doing - he genuinely seems interested in making something meaningful out of the twilight of his career. IMHO - and this is just IMHO - and I could end up being totally and completely wrong - "100 Years From Now" will, on a global basis, clearly outsell Cyclorama.

I suppose it all depends on who's kool-aid you are drinking.

Tommy has seen it all - the peaks and valleys. He has admitted that there is little incentive to release new music since it is hard sell product when people can get it for free and after all, people just want to hear the old stuff anyway.

STYX is in a good place right now. Sure, they are taking a lot of gigs. But the fact remains, the gigs are there and they pay. Not many classic rock artists can get the quality and quantity of gigs that STYX gets. If the band got back together today and released a good album, there might be a little blip; but it wouldn't be sustainable. The 2 factions have taken such drastically different paths that I think they are better off apart.

Denny isn't playing nearly as many shows; and I don't expect his latest overture to sell any better than Cyclorama did.

There is a lot of smoke and mirrors in the ratings game. People make a big deal about Denny's DVD going platinum in Canada. That just means it sold 10,000 copies. An album goes platinum in America after selling a million copies. Let's call a spade a spade.

[bugsymalone]

people just want to hear the old stuff anyway.

Very true, for the most part.

STYX is in a good place right now. Sure, they are taking a lot of gigs. But the fact remains, the gigs are there and they pay. Not many classic rock artists can get the quality and quantity of gigs that STYX gets. If the band got back together today and released a good album, there might be a little blip; but it wouldn't be sustainable. The 2 factions have taken such drastically different paths that I think they are better off apart.

I agree with this. It will end when the money ends. I do not think reuniting with Dennis would have much impact.

Denny isn't playing nearly as many shows;

Doing, right now, exactly what he wants to do and doing it quite well.

People make a big deal about Denny's DVD going platinum in Canada. That just means it sold 10,000 copies.

No. That would be 100,000 copies, which is respectable for any artist. It is 10,000 for a DVD in Canada for platinum status.

I will quibble a bit. I know neither Current Styx nor Dennis has set the world on fire with album sales post Classic Styx era, but I believe Dennis has fared far better, both with his double live CD, his Soundstage DVD and with the latest album and single (in Canada). It will remain to be seen what will come of this album in the US and he is the first one to say he does not expect much down here.


Bugsy

[Skates]

Much like your assessment (I think it was you - if it wasn't, I apologize) of Styx' misguided decision to be the warm act for the warm act for Def Leppard. I certainly don't doubt your individual experience, but it wasn't what many others reported - Styx getting 45 minutes or so, the crowd still arriving in the middle of their set, etc. Other than a few $$, Styx gained NOTHING from agreeing to that gig. But I digress...

Some folks, myself included, don't like the direction JY and Tommy have taken Styx - whether or not Dennis is in the band. Certainly, you can feel free to disagree - there are those who have steadfastedly defended everything the band has done since they jettisoned Dennis in 1999. I'm not one of those people.

Needless to say, me-thinks you're a king among the kool-aiders. If that makes you happy, that's GREAT for you. Good luck with that.

Forgive me for a minute here Kip...

What the hell are you talking about?

[kansas666]

People make a big deal about Denny's DVD going platinum in Canada. That just means it sold 10,000 copies.

No. That would be 100,000 copies, which is respectable for any artist. It is 10,000 for a DVD in Canada for platinum status.


Bugsy

I am not sure what you mean.

In Canada - a DVD goes platinum when it sells 10,000 units

In The United States an album goes platinum when it sells 1,000,000 units.

[bugsymalone]

People make a big deal about Denny's DVD going platinum in Canada. That just means it sold 10,000 copies.

No. That would be 100,000 copies, which is respectable for any artist. It is 10,000 for a DVD in Canada for platinum status.


Bugsy

I am not sure what you mean.

In Canada - a DVD goes platinum when it sells 10,000 units

In The United States an album goes platinum when it sells 1,000,000 units.

Oops! I read that wrong. You did say DVD.

I am amazed the DVD sold as many as 10,000, honestly, much less 30,000.

Bugsy

[blt man]

People make a big deal about Denny's DVD going platinum in Canada. That just means it sold 10,000 copies.

You need to take into account population differences and adjust. Denny's DVD is 3x platinum in Canada, selling over 30,000 copies.

Albums:

In the US an album goes:
Gold when it sells 500,000 units
Platinum when it sells 1,000,000 units

In Canada an album goes:
Gold when it sells 50,000 units
Platinum when it sells 100,000 units

Videos/Music DVDs:

In the US music video goes (the same category as music DVDs in Canada):
Gold when it sells 50,000 units
Platinum when it sells 100,000 units

In Canada music DVDs go:
Gold when they sell 5,000 units
Platinum when they sells 10,000 units

Canadian certifications are about 1/10 the volume of US ones. The population of Canada is approx 1/10 of that of the United States.

So selling 30,000 units of a video in Canada is 3x platinum and is impressive. If you adjust for population, its the equivalent of selling 300,000 copies in the US (which is also 3x platinum).