I caved...

[DerriD]

...and got tickets to see Kansas/Foreigner/Styx.

I'm mainly going to see Foreigner, but still a triple bill like that is hard to pass up. This will be my 3rd time seeing the current lineups of all 3 bands. Yes, I'll be one of those 2% that hopes they play new material. Glad to hear that Styx is mixing up the song list a bit, the last time around it was pretty stale except for Larry.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the drummer that's almost as good as Portnoy.

[Babyblue]

...and got tickets to see Kansas/Foreigner/Styx.

I'm mainly going to see Foreigner, but still a triple bill like that is hard to pass up. This will be my 3rd time seeing the current lineups of all 3 bands. Yes, I'll be one of those 2% that hopes they play new material. Glad to hear that Styx is mixing up the song list a bit, the last time around it was pretty stale except for Larry.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the drummer that's almost as good as Portnoy.

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

[chickenbeef]

...and got tickets to see Kansas/Foreigner/Styx.

I'm mainly going to see Foreigner, but still a triple bill like that is hard to pass up. This will be my 3rd time seeing the current lineups of all 3 bands. Yes, I'll be one of those 2% that hopes they play new material. Glad to hear that Styx is mixing up the song list a bit, the last time around it was pretty stale except for Larry.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the drummer that's almost as good as Portnoy.

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

portnoy wishes he was half the drummer todd is

[DerriD]

...and got tickets to see Kansas/Foreigner/Styx.

I'm mainly going to see Foreigner, but still a triple bill like that is hard to pass up. This will be my 3rd time seeing the current lineups of all 3 bands. Yes, I'll be one of those 2% that hopes they play new material. Glad to hear that Styx is mixing up the song list a bit, the last time around it was pretty stale except for Larry.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the drummer that's almost as good as Portnoy.

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

portnoy wishes he was half the drummer todd is

Who said anything about Todd? But since you brought him up, how can you tell he's that good? Styx songs aren't overly complicated and they seem determined not to write new material to feature him. A real waste.

In the meantime, feel free to put your head back up his ass.

[chickenbeef]

...and got tickets to see Kansas/Foreigner/Styx.

I'm mainly going to see Foreigner, but still a triple bill like that is hard to pass up. This will be my 3rd time seeing the current lineups of all 3 bands. Yes, I'll be one of those 2% that hopes they play new material. Glad to hear that Styx is mixing up the song list a bit, the last time around it was pretty stale except for Larry.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the drummer that's almost as good as Portnoy.

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

portnoy wishes he was half the drummer todd is

Who said anything about Todd? But since you brought him up, how can you tell he's that good? Styx songs aren't overly complicated and they seem determined not to write new material to feature him. A real waste.

In the meantime, feel free to put your head back up his ass.

ok

[Archetype]

I'm gonna see Todd Sucherman on June 24th and Mike Portnoy on July 14th

To the OP: Which drummer are you referring to?

[DerriD]

It was Todd, but that's more of an inside joke between me and another poster here who just loves when I bring up Portnoy.

Truth is, both are great drummers. They have different backgrounds and different styles. I would say Portnoy has a style that I appreciate more.

I really don't care how good these guys are in drum clinics or who has the most magazine covers.

The main difference I see between the two, in an apples to apples comparison, is Portnoy is in a band that performs music that showcases his talent whereas Todd almost has to hold back.

Zan and I discussed this at Glen's show in Atlanta. It would be great to see what the current line-up of Styx could do if they played up to their ability and churned out some new tunes. The lament of so many here. It would most likely sound nothing like Classic Styx, but for the 2% of us that would prefer new material it would be a welcome change.

[Archetype]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

[LtVanish]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

Agree. I used to love it when Larry played a ragtime solo in the set, it really showed how talented of a musician he is.

[chickenbeef]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

Agree. I used to love it when Larry played a ragtime solo in the set, it really showed how talented of a musician he is.

or when he plays the keyboard from the other side of it

[Babyblue]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

You are so right about both of them.I would love to see them stand out more.

[Babyblue]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

Agree. I used to love it when Larry played a ragtime solo in the set, it really showed how talented of a musician he is.

I have seen Larry play the ragtime on youtube.He is so amazing.I was listening to journey yestarday.....and Friga just can not hold a candle to Larry.JMO!

[Archetype]

Cain is a better writer, but very quickly fades into relative mediocrity when it comes to raw playing ability.

[brywool]

I would love to see some Styx material that allows the tremendous talent of Gowan and Sucherman to shine. I bet they're playing at about 20% of their ability at any given time with Styx.

Check out the Styx Medley and the "Quake Cam" thing on the CYO disk. Todd's an AMAZING drummer. His DVD is also pretty good.

[chickenbeef]

Cain is a better writer, but very quickly fades into relative mediocrity when it comes to raw playing ability.

music is not about showing off your skills it's about painting a melody

[Toph]

Cain is a better writer, but very quickly fades into relative mediocrity when it comes to raw playing ability.

And is downright horrid vocally...Rollie is a much better vocalist....When Cain joined they had to redub Perry multiple times to get the background vocals right.

[Babyblue]

Cain is a better writer, but very quickly fades into relative mediocrity when it comes to raw playing ability.

music is not about showing off your skills it's about painting a melody

So ture it is.So in that case Friga & Larry wins.
"Open Arms" is truley a beautiful song.

[Zan]

Derri, Get yourself to one of Todd's clinics. It'll take you a few days to get your mouth off the floor. As for Styx, yeah, I think I would wet myself if those guys were free to play to their ability, that includes Tommy and JY. I think Styx music in general, while the best in the world , is not extremely complex. Just once I'd like to see a show where they were all showcased in such a way that people would actually be able to understand just how good they really are.

[StyxCollector]

Derri, Get yourself to one of Todd's clinics. It'll take you a few days to get your mouth off the floor. As for Styx, yeah, I think I would wet myself if those guys were free to play to their ability, that includes Tommy and JY. I think Styx music in general, while the best in the world , is not extremely complex. Just once I'd like to see a show where they were all showcased in such a way that people would actually be able to understand just how good they really are.

You had me until JY. Todd - no contest on talent. Arguably, he's got the best "chops" in the band. Tommy - absolutely. Gowan and Ricky - sure. But JY? Look, I've heard him live enough over the years and heard all of his stuff. I hear no flashes of brilliance in his playing. He fits VERY well in Styx and compliments the others. He's not shit at all, but on the level of a Todd talent wise? No way. He brings other stuff to the table, but virtuosity in his guitar playing is not one of them. That's like saying Mike Rutherford was and is better than Steve Hackett. I love Genesis post-Hackett, but you aren't listening because you think MR was an awesome guitarist. Although he's a better songwriter than JY ...

[StyxCollector]

It was Todd, but that's more of an inside joke between me and another poster here who just loves when I bring up Portnoy.

Truth is, both are great drummers. They have different backgrounds and different styles. I would say Portnoy has a style that I appreciate more.

I really don't care how good these guys are in drum clinics or who has the most magazine covers.

The main difference I see between the two, in an apples to apples comparison, is Portnoy is in a band that performs music that showcases his talent whereas Todd almost has to hold back.

Zan and I discussed this at Glen's show in Atlanta. It would be great to see what the current line-up of Styx could do if they played up to their ability and churned out some new tunes. The lament of so many here. It would most likely sound nothing like Classic Styx, but for the 2% of us that would prefer new material it would be a welcome change.

I'd be OK with it sounding not like "classic" Styx. More songs like "More Love for the Money" and "Fields of the Brave"? Absolutely. Bring it on. Ricky has writing chops, too, so it'd be interesting to hear him bring more to the table as well.

I think it's a testament to Todd that he can go from very simple to very complex. Portnoy to me is more of a one trick pony, at least as much as I've heard of his stuff. Talented? No doubt, but I'd say Todd's a more versatile drummer. I love Peart more than Portnoy, but that's a different argument. Although truth be told, I'd take Phil Collins in his prime (ever listen to Brand X?) over either of those two.

[Zan]

As always, Allan, thank you for your never-ending expert input on music. It is much appreciated.

[StyxCollector]

As always, Allan, thank you for your never-ending expert input on music. It is much appreciated.

You're welcome

[sniper16]

seen stys more than a few times since denis' departure, but hadnt really watched them(all outdoors, so i spent the sets listening not watching)(same wit foreigner just not the same without dennis and lou) BUT I CAUGHT THE REO/STYX/N RANGER SHOW last winter and they were good. i just really hate where a headline capable band only plays an hour or hour 15 min set, i wish thes triple bill shows would stop or have one of the openers play a shorter or acoustic set to allow the other to play longer

[Toph]

seen stys more than a few times since denis' departure, but hadnt really watched them(all outdoors, so i spent the sets listening not watching)(same wit foreigner just not the same without dennis and lou) BUT I CAUGHT THE REO/STYX/N RANGER SHOW last winter and they were good. i just really hate where a headline capable band only plays an hour or hour 15 min set, i wish thes triple bill shows would stop or have one of the openers play a shorter or acoustic set to allow the other to play longer

The slot to be in on these triple bills is the #2 slot. Number 1 slot you are clearly the opener and are playing to an empty house...#3 people are tired and/or leaving.