Dennis's New Band

[Everett]

Holy shit ... Tommy Shaw wishes he could still sound like that! Blue Collar Man sounded amazing and there are notes in Renegade he doesn't even try to hit anymore. Great band. I'd rather see them than Styx ... especially when you factor in price. They seem to have more drive than Styx and that little something extra in their sound. But I am going to see Styx in Omaha this summer with Kansas and Foreigner. I'll report back with a full review.

PS The concert is free.

free as in your not paying for it or it's totally free

[kansas666]

For God sakes, Froy, would you shrink that damn avatar?

For God sakes, Zan, would you shrink that damn signature?

[Rockwriter]

I've held off posting about this until I could watch it quite a few times and kinda get used to it. I tend to respond badly to changes in lineups, as just kind of an automatic reaction, and so it was with this. When I first saw this my reaction was, "But I LIKE the other lineup!" Which I did. I saw nothing wrong with it for the most part.

My main point of concern about this, initially, was that I am just not a big fan of hearing someone else sing a performer's best-known songs. I am, and always have been, in the camp that says I'd rather hear Tommy sing Tommy's songs, Dennis sing Dennis' songs, Glen sing Glen's songs, Lawrence sing his own songs, and so on. I never liked Glen singing Tommy's songs, even though he's a very talented singer and he certainly did it as well as he could. I'm still not totally on board with Gowan's interpretations of DDY's songs, all these years later, although I've gotten used to it and I really, really like Lawrence as a person. I didn't even particularly care for hearing Dennis sing "Boat On The River" at that Nokia thing, even though I understood the reasoning behind doing it.

Having said all that, after watching this quite a few times I can say that overall, it's very good. These are high-quality versions of these songs. There's never any getting around that "cover band" thing in this scenario, but hey, if you're going to do someone else's songs, at least this is doing them justice, and it's cool to hear Dennis back on the keys instead of someone else playing his parts while he's standing there. This seems more like a band, which in some ways is weird because it IS a solo show, but I think Dennis has made a wise choice here, even if it's one that wouldn't have been MY choice particularly. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the quality of it - after all, Dennis was in on the original creation of these songs, even if he didn't write them - but I'm actually a little bit surprised at how faithful these versions are, considering that they're being played by all different people except for one. Sure, they're cover versions to a degree, absolutely . . . but I can look at this and say, whatever my personal feelings about replacements doing someone else's songs, this is a show that is very likely to please the largest cross section of Styx fans paying to come to this show. And when you're touring as a "classic rock" act, isn't that the bottom line?


Sterling

[froy]

I've held off posting about this until I could watch it quite a few times and kinda get used to it. I tend to respond badly to changes in lineups, as just kind of an automatic reaction, and so it was with this. When I first saw this my reaction was, "But I LIKE the other lineup!" Which I did. I saw nothing wrong with it for the most part.

My main point of concern about this, initially, was that I am just not a big fan of hearing someone else sing a performer's best-known songs. I am, and always have been, in the camp that says I'd rather hear Tommy sing Tommy's songs, Dennis sing Dennis' songs, Glen sing Glen's songs, Lawrence sing his own songs, and so on. I never liked Glen singing Tommy's songs, even though he's a very talented singer and he certainly did it as well as he could. I'm still not totally on board with Gowan's interpretations of DDY's songs, all these years later, although I've gotten used to it and I really, really like Lawrence as a person. I didn't even particularly care for hearing Dennis sing "Boat On The River" at that Nokia thing, even though I understood the reasoning behind doing it.

Having said all that, after watching this quite a few times I can say that overall, it's very good. These are high-quality versions of these songs. There's never any getting around that "cover band" thing in this scenario, but hey, if you're going to do someone else's songs, at least this is doing them justice, and it's cool to hear Dennis back on the keys instead of someone else playing his parts while he's standing there. This seems more like a band, which in some ways is weird because it IS a solo show, but I think Dennis has made a wise choice here, even if it's one that wouldn't have been MY choice particularly. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the quality of it - after all, Dennis was in on the original creation of these songs, even if he didn't write them - but I'm actually a little bit surprised at how faithful these versions are, considering that they're being played by all different people except for one. Sure, they're cover versions to a degree, absolutely . . . but I can look at this and say, whatever my personal feelings about replacements doing someone else's songs, this is a show that is very likely to please the largest cross section of Styx fans paying to come to this show. And when you're touring as a "classic rock" act, isn't that the bottom line?


Sterling

Great post Sterling

The bottom line here is Styx is a messed up band as your post shows. Gowan singing Dennis, Dennis singing Tommy, JY singing Lorelie, Glen singing Tommy
and now Dennis's band singing Shaw songs.
Current Styx has no writing core what so ever Glen and Dennis are not there, That = a dead band when it comes to anything new . JY and Shaw can't write anything together and Gowan can't write period. Look at what greed has done to this once great band.
The selfish Shaw and Young are now in a box with no way out. Great job guys,

[StyxCollector]

Sterling hit the nail on the head here with a few points. At least Dennis is back playing keys more than he ever has been during a solo show, and let's face it, some of those lines he plays in the Tommy songs are some of his signature hallmarks (especially songs like "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)". And as I pointed out in another post, this show is still a majority of Dennis songs; it's not like it's a 50/50 split. Doing 3, 4, or 5 Tommy Shaw songs really doesn't skew Dennis' show, whereas Styx doing more Dennis songs would definitely change the character of the Styx show at this point.

The other thing is that DDY seems to be skewing towards the album version of those songs, and I'll be seeing this lineup for the second time in May. I expect it to be tighter than the first time I saw it since they will have had a few months under his belt.

Dennis has made no apologies (nor should he) that he's loved playing those songs. He ignored them basically for 10 years. At this point, I don't see the big deal. Now, had Dennis done this out of the gate, it could easily be seen as a "wannabe" or "me too" move. I think he just wants to play these songs again - for whatever reason that is.

Dennis' show definitely hits the broader spectrum of Styx tunes and has that pacing (love it or not) of the old Styx shows. As I put in my review, it's what threw me. I hadn't heard that show live since 1997. Whether or not you fault ballads like "Babe", they do have a (rightful) place in the set, if not just for pacing. I've enjoyed Styx shows post-1999, so it's not like it's a bash at all on what Styx is doing now. It's just interesting now to go back to the original "formula" and realize it worked. I was bored of it back then. I appreciate it for what it is now.

While it will never happen, I think Dennis' show is as close to what you'd see from a reunited Styx with Dennis, with the inclusion of maybe "Miss America", "Snowblind" (which would be interesting for DDY's lineup to pull out), or "Half Penny, Two Penny".

[Rockwriter]

I've held off posting about this until I could watch it quite a few times and kinda get used to it. I tend to respond badly to changes in lineups, as just kind of an automatic reaction, and so it was with this. When I first saw this my reaction was, "But I LIKE the other lineup!" Which I did. I saw nothing wrong with it for the most part.

My main point of concern about this, initially, was that I am just not a big fan of hearing someone else sing a performer's best-known songs. I am, and always have been, in the camp that says I'd rather hear Tommy sing Tommy's songs, Dennis sing Dennis' songs, Glen sing Glen's songs, Lawrence sing his own songs, and so on. I never liked Glen singing Tommy's songs, even though he's a very talented singer and he certainly did it as well as he could. I'm still not totally on board with Gowan's interpretations of DDY's songs, all these years later, although I've gotten used to it and I really, really like Lawrence as a person. I didn't even particularly care for hearing Dennis sing "Boat On The River" at that Nokia thing, even though I understood the reasoning behind doing it.

Having said all that, after watching this quite a few times I can say that overall, it's very good. These are high-quality versions of these songs. There's never any getting around that "cover band" thing in this scenario, but hey, if you're going to do someone else's songs, at least this is doing them justice, and it's cool to hear Dennis back on the keys instead of someone else playing his parts while he's standing there. This seems more like a band, which in some ways is weird because it IS a solo show, but I think Dennis has made a wise choice here, even if it's one that wouldn't have been MY choice particularly. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the quality of it - after all, Dennis was in on the original creation of these songs, even if he didn't write them - but I'm actually a little bit surprised at how faithful these versions are, considering that they're being played by all different people except for one. Sure, they're cover versions to a degree, absolutely . . . but I can look at this and say, whatever my personal feelings about replacements doing someone else's songs, this is a show that is very likely to please the largest cross section of Styx fans paying to come to this show. And when you're touring as a "classic rock" act, isn't that the bottom line?


Sterling

Great post Sterling

The bottom line here is Styx is a messed up band as your post shows. Gowan singing Dennis, Dennis singing Tommy, JY singing Lorelie, Glen singing Tommy
and now Dennis's band singing Shaw songs.
Current Styx has no writing core what so ever Glen and Dennis are not there, That = a dead band when it comes to anything new . JY and Shaw can't write anything together and Gowan can't write period. Look at what greed has done to this once great band.
The selfish Shaw and Young are now in a box with no way out. Great job guys,

Actually, for what it's worth Lawrence Gowan's contributions to the last two Styx albums were my favorite things on there, and even on stage he has become a focal point more and more. I never thought I'd say this in a billion years, but Lawrence is probably my favorite front person in the band right now.

As for new stuff from Styx, they're in the same box EVERY band of that era is in. How do you make any money from a new record that radio won't play, that fans will just steal? And why make a record that won't sell when the game is stacked against you before you record the first note? Two very difficult hurdles and I don't know how - or if - Styx will overcome them. Hell, if I had no way to make a living from writing, I wouldn't be awfully eager to spend my life doing it, so I can't blame them.


Sterling

[Rockwriter]

Sterling hit the nail on the head here with a few points. At least Dennis is back playing keys more than he ever has been during a solo show, and let's face it, some of those lines he plays in the Tommy songs are some of his signature hallmarks (especially songs like "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)". And as I pointed out in another post, this show is still a majority of Dennis songs; it's not like it's a 50/50 split. Doing 3, 4, or 5 Tommy Shaw songs really doesn't skew Dennis' show, whereas Styx doing more Dennis songs would definitely change the character of the Styx show at this point.

The other thing is that DDY seems to be skewing towards the album version of those songs, and I'll be seeing this lineup for the second time in May. I expect it to be tighter than the first time I saw it since they will have had a few months under his belt.

Dennis has made no apologies (nor should he) that he's loved playing those songs. He ignored them basically for 10 years. At this point, I don't see the big deal. Now, had Dennis done this out of the gate, it could easily be seen as a "wannabe" or "me too" move. I think he just wants to play these songs again - for whatever reason that is.

Dennis' show definitely hits the broader spectrum of Styx tunes and has that pacing (love it or not) of the old Styx shows. As I put in my review, it's what threw me. I hadn't heard that show live since 1997. Whether or not you fault ballads like "Babe", they do have a (rightful) place in the set, if not just for pacing. I've enjoyed Styx shows post-1999, so it's not like it's a bash at all on what Styx is doing now. It's just interesting now to go back to the original "formula" and realize it worked. I was bored of it back then. I appreciate it for what it is now.

While it will never happen, I think Dennis' show is as close to what you'd see from a reunited Styx with Dennis, with the inclusion of maybe "Miss America", "Snowblind" (which would be interesting for DDY's lineup to pull out), or "Half Penny, Two Penny".

Funny, I hadn't thought of it from a pacing perspective, but I only saw these clips online and not in the context of the whole show. That has been my one major complaint with both Dennis and Styx, is the pacing of their respective shows since the split. Dennis has been perhaps a bit heavy on the slower and mid-tempo, while Styx has dropped so many of its biggest hits that are slower and mid-tempo. So I can imagine that seeing these versions of these songs in context with the whole show might be a trip down memory lane for a lot of fans, LOL . . . kinda like the RTP tour was. Really, THAT was the first time we'd seen the traditional Styx set pacing since PT, because KILROY was a different animal altogether, and the tour for EOTC was kinda scattershot and featured so much of that record, right or wrong. What I thought was really sorely missing from the EOTC live shows was virtually the entire progressive side of Styx.

Sterling

[Everett]

exactly sterling. I got an e mail response from gary loizzo himself today (i think that's how you spell his last name ) about a question i asked him if there were any plans for a new styx album in the future and he said and i quote "the band loves to record, but no definite plans right now". Take it for what it's worth

[StyxCollector]

Funny, I hadn't thought of it from a pacing perspective, but I only saw these clips online and not in the context of the whole show. That has been my one major complaint with both Dennis and Styx, is the pacing of their respective shows since the split. Dennis has been perhaps a bit heavy on the slower and mid-tempo, while Styx has dropped so many of its biggest hits that are slower and mid-tempo. So I can imagine that seeing these versions of these songs in context with the whole show might be a trip down memory lane for a lot of fans, LOL . . . kinda like the RTP tour was. Really, THAT was the first time we'd seen the traditional Styx set pacing since PT, because KILROY was a different animal altogether, and the tour for EOTC was kinda scattershot and featured so much of that record, right or wrong. What I thought was really sorely missing from the EOTC live shows was virtually the entire progressive side of Styx.

Sterling

Adding the TS tunes adds some uptempo to DDY's show, much like a ballad or two would change the pace of the current Styx show. The old show - as cliche as it was post-1977 - had pretty good balance. It's what struck me. And the TS songs got a big reaction. I'll say it again like I have before: DDY's show didn't need the TS songs. He had enough material to stand on his own. The TS songs enhance his show, but by no means take it over. By adding Dennis songs you take away other tunes from a Styx set which for them is not a good thing. I do agree with Sterling that Lawrence is good in Styx at the moment, adds quite a bit to their show ... even if I don't love his renditions of Dennis tunes. I've also been forthcoming that I've liked his contributions to the recent Styx albums.

Going back to the Rye Playland set for DDY, what are we seeing now that's different? Summertime is gone. Show Me The Way a capella (THANKFULLY) is gone. Outside of that? Not much change except for the TS tunes.

[Toph]

I thnk he should put SMTW back in the set list. But the album version. Them you would have every big hit played.

[froy]

I thnk he should put SMTW back in the set list. But the album version. Them you would have every big hit played.

Sure it would so would Paradise

[styxfanNH]

exactly sterling. I got an e mail response from gary loizzo himself today (i think that's how you spell his last name ) about a question i asked him if there were any plans for a new styx album in the future and he said and i quote "the band loves to record, but no definite plans right now". Take it for what it's worth

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

[froy]

exactly sterling. I got an e mail response from gary loizzo himself today (i think that's how you spell his last name ) about a question i asked him if there were any plans for a new styx album in the future and he said and i quote "the band loves to record, but no definite plans right now". Take it for what it's worth

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they recor

d something soon.

Sure Todd we all care about Styx and new music from the band. Go ahead play one of those new songs live if they are written
This way you wont give anything away. We all know SYTX is in this for money and would not dare give away a cd.

[Monker]

I've held off posting about this until I could watch it quite a few times and kinda get used to it. I tend to respond badly to changes in lineups, as just kind of an automatic reaction, and so it was with this. When I first saw this my reaction was, "But I LIKE the other lineup!" Which I did. I saw nothing wrong with it for the most part.

My main point of concern about this, initially, was that I am just not a big fan of hearing someone else sing a performer's best-known songs. I am, and always have been, in the camp that says I'd rather hear Tommy sing Tommy's songs, Dennis sing Dennis' songs, Glen sing Glen's songs, Lawrence sing his own songs, and so on. I never liked Glen singing Tommy's songs, even though he's a very talented singer and he certainly did it as well as he could. I'm still not totally on board with Gowan's interpretations of DDY's songs, all these years later, although I've gotten used to it and I really, really like Lawrence as a person. I didn't even particularly care for hearing Dennis sing "Boat On The River" at that Nokia thing, even though I understood the reasoning behind doing it.

Having said all that, after watching this quite a few times I can say that overall, it's very good. These are high-quality versions of these songs. There's never any getting around that "cover band" thing in this scenario, but hey, if you're going to do someone else's songs, at least this is doing them justice, and it's cool to hear Dennis back on the keys instead of someone else playing his parts while he's standing there. This seems more like a band, which in some ways is weird because it IS a solo show, but I think Dennis has made a wise choice here, even if it's one that wouldn't have been MY choice particularly. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the quality of it - after all, Dennis was in on the original creation of these songs, even if he didn't write them - but I'm actually a little bit surprised at how faithful these versions are, considering that they're being played by all different people except for one. Sure, they're cover versions to a degree, absolutely . . . but I can look at this and say, whatever my personal feelings about replacements doing someone else's songs, this is a show that is very likely to please the largest cross section of Styx fans paying to come to this show. And when you're touring as a "classic rock" act, isn't that the bottom line?

Sterling

I agree with most of what you say here...except:

It's not THAT great of quality. It's an audience recording, not 'soundboard quality' as froy said. it's a good audience recording, but still...

It's an interesting interpretation...but not one I'm that interested in. It's interesting in the same way it is interesting in hearing Tommy sing "Open Arms'. Yeah, OK, cool...so what?

In the end, all I need to do is look at the audience...except for a few people during Renegade, the ENTIRE audience is SITTING DOWN. I've NEVER sat down during a Styx concert. This still looks boring as hell to me. I'd rather go and have fun at a Styx concert...Dennis can have fun with his audience who sits on their hands....except during the light induced claps of TMTOMH.

[Zan]

For God sakes, Froy, would you shrink that damn avatar?

Remember when I asked you to get rid of the pink fonts?
You ignored that request
Took ya about 2 years to listen .

So, that annoying avatar was for me? Gosh, I'm flattered. But my pink font didn't take up half the flippin' page.

[StyxCollector]

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

Songwriters write (and even record) whether they release it or not. It may be crap or it may be genius. Look at Prince and his vault of unreleased stuff as a great example. Right now there are a few core problems:
a) There is very little market for a band like Styx to release new material - where is it going to get radio play? Promotion?
b) What are the economics? How will they get paid? Will you even be able to buy it in a physical store? It's clear at best they'd break even, worst case: lose $.
c) Most people showing up to shows could care less. Play the hits, man! New songs are beer or bio breaks.

There are a lot of issues that make it not worth it for many bands to even attempt to release material - right or wrong.

[LtVanish]

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

Songwriters write (and even record) whether they release it or not. It may be crap or it may be genius. Look at Prince and his vault of unreleased stuff as a great example. Right now there are a few core problems:
a) There is very little market for a band like Styx to release new material - where is it going to get radio play? Promotion?
b) What are the economics? How will they get paid? Will you even be able to buy it in a physical store? It's clear at best they'd break even, worst case: lose $.
c) Most people showing up to shows could care less. Play the hits, man! New songs are beer or bio breaks.

There are a lot of issues that make it not worth it for many bands to even attempt to release material - right or wrong.

Why not release something to satistify themselves? Or are they too lazy? There are plenty of smaller acts than Styx releasing new material all the time. I just picked up Bruce Hornsby's new album, it is really good, he continues to write and release albums all the time, I'm sure he is not selling 100,000 copies of these releases. Why does Styx feel they need to release something that will only make loads of money? As an artist I would be happy just to break even to get new stuff out there.

[froy]

For God sakes, Froy, would you shrink that damn avatar?

Remember when I asked you to get rid of the pink fonts?
You ignored that request
Took ya about 2 years to listen .

So, that annoying avatar was for me? Gosh, I'm flattered. But my pink font didn't take up half the flippin' page.

No but it gave everyone a migrane

[Rockwriter]

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

Songwriters write (and even record) whether they release it or not. It may be crap or it may be genius. Look at Prince and his vault of unreleased stuff as a great example. Right now there are a few core problems:
a) There is very little market for a band like Styx to release new material - where is it going to get radio play? Promotion?
b) What are the economics? How will they get paid? Will you even be able to buy it in a physical store? It's clear at best they'd break even, worst case: lose $.
c) Most people showing up to shows could care less. Play the hits, man! New songs are beer or bio breaks.

There are a lot of issues that make it not worth it for many bands to even attempt to release material - right or wrong.

Why not release something to satistify themselves? Or are they too lazy? There are plenty of smaller acts than Styx releasing new material all the time. I just picked up Bruce Hornsby's new album, it is really good, he continues to write and release albums all the time, I'm sure he is not selling 100,000 copies of these releases. Why does Styx feel they need to release something that will only make loads of money? As an artist I would be happy just to break even to get new stuff out there.

Sure, but you're not known and haven't had the success they have. It looks different on the other side of 35 million albums sold. I remember KISS in the non-makeup years were CONSTANTLY bitching - and I mean Gene and Paul - because things were not as good as they used to be. And this was when they were still selling gold and platinum! And still touring successfully. But it wasn't enough for them because they couldn't help comparing it to the past. An awful lot of bands are that way.

With Styx you also have the problem that there is money on the table every year for them, for the taking, as long as they are willing to go out and do the hard work. There are automatic bookings at a high quality level for good money, as many as they want. Everyone has lives; houses, cars, insurance, medical bills . . . and several of them are nearer retirement than further from it. Even the younger members are middle-aged now. They have a loyal crew and team that also depends on that money. If they take a lot of time off to record a new album - knowing perfectly well there's no reasonable chance of selling much - they cut into booking work that keeps everyone paid. If they take too long off, they'd risk having to lose some of the core members of their touring team to other bands that are out working . . . all for the sake of losing money on an album that even most hardcore fans are going to say, "Well, it's no 'Grand Illusion', Dennis blah, Glen blah blah, Tommy didn't do blah blah blah, ballads blah blah blah blah, progressive blah, solos blah blah blah, they need so-and-so back blah blah compared to blah blah blah blah blah blah BLAH."

Kind of a questionable investment of time and energy, when you think about it. That said, yeah, I'd like a new album from the group if it could be a great one. If they're gonna go in and rush through it and make an album that doesn't match the best of the band's previous work, and then stick in some new recordings of old hits to get people to buy it like so many classic rock artists are doing, I'd just as soon they not, frankly.


Sterling

[froy]

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

Songwriters write (and even record) whether they release it or not. It may be crap or it may be genius. Look at Prince and his vault of unreleased stuff as a great example. Right now there are a few core problems:
a) There is very little market for a band like Styx to release new material - where is it going to get radio play? Promotion?
b) What are the economics? How will they get paid? Will you even be able to buy it in a physical store? It's clear at best they'd break even, worst case: lose $.
c) Most people showing up to shows could care less. Play the hits, man! New songs are beer or bio breaks.

There are a lot of issues that make it not worth it for many bands to even attempt to release material - right or wrong.

Why not release something to satistify themselves? Or are they too lazy? There are plenty of smaller acts than Styx releasing new material all the time. I just picked up Bruce Hornsby's new album, it is really good, he continues to write and release albums all the time, I'm sure he is not selling 100,000 copies of these releases. Why does Styx feel they need to release something that will only make loads of money? As an artist I would be happy just to break even to get new stuff out there.

Sure, but you're not known and haven't had the success they have. It looks different on the other side of 35 million albums sold. I remember KISS in the non-makeup years were CONSTANTLY bitching - and I mean Gene and Paul - because things were not as good as they used to be. And this was when they were still selling gold and platinum! And still touring successfully. But it wasn't enough for them because they couldn't help comparing it to the past. An awful lot of bands are that way.

With Styx you also have the problem that there is money on the table every year for them, for the taking, as long as they are willing to go out and do the hard work. There are automatic bookings at a high quality level for good money, as many as they want. Everyone has lives; houses, cars, insurance, medical bills . . . and several of them are nearer retirement than further from it. Even the younger members are middle-aged now. They have a loyal crew and team that also depends on that money. If they take a lot of time off to record a new album - knowing perfectly well there's no reasonable chance of selling much - they cut into booking work that keeps everyone paid. If they take too long off, they'd risk having to lose some of the core members of their touring team to other bands that are out working . . . all for the sake of losing money on an album that even most hardcore fans are going to say, "Well, it's no 'Grand Illusion', Dennis blah, Glen blah blah, Tommy didn't do blah blah blah, ballads blah blah blah blah, progressive blah, solos blah blah blah, they need so-and-so back blah blah compared to blah blah blah blah blah blah BLAH."

Kind of a questionable investment of time and energy, when you think about it. That said, yeah, I'd like a new album from the group if it could be a great one. If they're gonna go in and rush through it and make an album that doesn't match the best of the band's previous work, and then stick in some new recordings of old hits to get people to buy it like so many classic rock artists are doing, I'd just as soon they not, frankly.


Sterling

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

[froy]

I talked to Todd last week at his clinic and asked him the same question. His answer was pretty much like Gary's. The band has written stuff, but the cost of producing a quality product knowing that they will basically be giving it away for free is the real issue. That said, he hopes they record something soon.

Songwriters write (and even record) whether they release it or not. It may be crap or it may be genius. Look at Prince and his vault of unreleased stuff as a great example. Right now there are a few core problems:
a) There is very little market for a band like Styx to release new material - where is it going to get radio play? Promotion?
b) What are the economics? How will they get paid? Will you even be able to buy it in a physical store? It's clear at best they'd break even, worst case: lose $.
c) Most people showing up to shows could care less. Play the hits, man! New songs are beer or bio breaks.

There are a lot of issues that make it not worth it for many bands to even attempt to release material - right or wrong.

Why not release something to satistify themselves? Or are they too lazy? There are plenty of smaller acts than Styx releasing new material all the time. I just picked up Bruce Hornsby's new album, it is really good, he continues to write and release albums all the time, I'm sure he is not selling 100,000 copies of these releases. Why does Styx feel they need to release something that will only make loads of money? As an artist I would be happy just to break even to get new stuff out there.

Sure, but you're not known and haven't had the success they have. It looks different on the other side of 35 million albums sold. I remember KISS in the non-makeup years were CONSTANTLY bitching - and I mean Gene and Paul - because things were not as good as they used to be. And this was when they were still selling gold and platinum! And still touring successfully. But it wasn't enough for them because they couldn't help comparing it to the past. An awful lot of bands are that way.

With Styx you also have the problem that there is money on the table every year for them, for the taking, as long as they are willing to go out and do the hard work. There are automatic bookings at a high quality level for good money, as many as they want. Everyone has lives; houses, cars, insurance, medical bills . . . and several of them are nearer retirement than further from it. Even the younger members are middle-aged now. They have a loyal crew and team that also depends on that money. If they take a lot of time off to record a new album - knowing perfectly well there's no reasonable chance of selling much - they cut into booking work that keeps everyone paid. If they take too long off, they'd risk having to lose some of the core members of their touring team to other bands that are out working . . . all for the sake of losing money on an album that even most hardcore fans are going to say, "Well, it's no 'Grand Illusion', Dennis blah, Glen blah blah, Tommy didn't do blah blah blah, ballads blah blah blah blah, progressive blah, solos blah blah blah, they need so-and-so back blah blah compared to blah blah blah blah blah blah BLAH."

Kind of a questionable investment of time and energy, when you think about it. That said, yeah, I'd like a new album from the group if it could be a great one. If they're gonna go in and rush through it and make an album that doesn't match the best of the band's previous work, and then stick in some new recordings of old hits to get people to buy it like so many classic rock artists are doing, I'd just as soon they not, frankly.


Sterling

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

[chowhall]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

[LtVanish]

Sterling:

You bring up some good points no question about it. As a fan i just am dissapointed in them that is all I just wish they were more into for the music than the profit. I would love for Styx to be releasing new material even if it is downloadable albums on their website or such every couple of years. Not to mention I would love for the band to play mix up their show set lists more than they do. I just wish they were one of those bands that you would have no idea what they were going to play on a given night. I understand that this is all a pipe dream. I am just dissapointed in them, they don't seem very creative or inspired at all, all signs and interest just point to $$$.

[bugsymalone]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

Bingo, Chow. Styx is not the young, hungry band looking for a break, getting music out any way they can, hoping for the big break. Those are the ones you see releasing to their websites, My Space, You Tube, etc., and sometimes it works for those groups or singers.

Styx is a band of the past and they are going out on the road to entertain those that want to revisit the past, not to hear, or buy, new music.

Dennis got a break with a CD of new music because he was specifically asked to record such an album with a label in Canada. It was picked up by a US label, but was not promoted, not given any exposure, not anythinged. Neither Styx nor Dennis is of the legendary or enduring stature of some of the groups who have made a go at new music and had success because of promotion and/or exclusive deals with retailers (AC/DC, Journey, The Eagles, etc.)

As many above have stated. There is no incentive to put out new music in any format at all, and none to put in the effort and money to produce a CD.

Those of us who are fans of DDY got an album of all-new music in "100 Years", but I have little doubt it will be his last unless someone else wants more music from him and puts in the effort and money to see that it gets done.

Fans of Styx or DDY, or both, don't like this one bit, but there is nothing that can be done to change it. We cannot guarantee platinum, gold, or even 50-100,000 units will be sold.


Bugsy

[Monker]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

[DerriD]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

Holy Moly, I just completely agreed with Monker.

[froy]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

Great point Monker I agree

[LtVanish]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

Well since it is all about money they probably would require $200 an hour each during the recording process, then it might get expensive.

[froy]

You mean to tell me after 1000 shows they don't have any money to put together a cd and sell it at there shows?
Sounds like a load of crap to me. Heck they sell Tee Shirts what's the problem with a cd? The problem is they don't have any good music to put on it.
Im sure they have the funds to pay a producer and a house to burn the discs . This is plain an simple bulls hit spewing from the dead Styx
Even if they had songs done just play em live Oh yea that was Just be I forgot

Because it worked so well for Dennis last year. Dennis put out by most accounts a very respectable effort that did nothing. Styx could write another GI, or POE, or even Kilroy with Dennis on board and it still wouldn't sell. Radio is on life support. CD sales are anemic. And Styx's best years are 30 years behind them. You don't have to have a dog in the hunt to know this doesn't make economic sense. I'm sure Dennis, Tommy, Gowan, Glen, etc have all written songs in the last 10 years that they know are hits. THe problem is to find someone with some money to make it happen. Geriatric rockers just don't have that big of a market to mine for gold.

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

Well since it is all about money they probably would require $200 an hour each during the recording process, then it might get expensive.

They could jam in Keith Marks basement for free. JYG did it so can warshed up Styx

[StyxCollector]

I disagree with this. How much would it cost to write a song, play it live and record it, and put it on ITunes for download? Doesn't seem like it would cost much at all to me.

Writing a song is time. Sure, a live version could be recorded for some format.

The thing boils down to distribution. I don't do downloads, and certainly wouldn't buy a lossy product. I don't have iTunes installed and won't do it just for one track. Most people today want music for free. I want a physical CD at 44.1/16, no MP3, etc. A lot of the older folks (the core audience for Styx) may not be technologically aware or good at it, so doing download only doesn't make sense.

I just don't see them doing a piecemeal offering. Styx seems like a go big or go home kind of band.