I want to get the elephant in the room out of the way first. Most of you that have known me from early on, know that shortly after the big split, and after several months of reading absolute tripe from some of the lesser life forms on the forums of old, I was pretty firmly seated on the Styx side of the fence. I could get into the who's and why's, but frankly, it's all subjective and really kind of unimportant now. Most people in which I have responded with my proverbial lashing tongue over the years have absolutely deserved it. However, there are some comments I probably should not have made, either publicly or in private. Call them moments of weakness or bad judgement or whatever. One thing I've come to realize over the years is that just because someone is in the public eye, doesn't make them immune to human feeling or sensitivity, and there are some things I would erase if I could. But since I can't do that, I *can* do the next best thing: Give a thorough and honest review on what I witnessed tonight.
There are many more pros than there are cons, but to be fair, I'll give my entire thoughts. I would like to think that if it were my band, I'd want to hear everything, especially from someone with a more critical POV.
I was looking forward to the show, but I wasn't "stoked" about the show the way I am before a Styx show. I don't know. I knew I'd enjoy it, and I had great seats (3rd row center), but I wasn't gooey about it. That could have to do with the current state of my life - the autistic toddler, behavioral nightmare 5 year old (NOT an exaggeration) starting school, husband changing jobs, band issues, etc. Or maybe I was not sure I'd "love" it.
It is clear (at least to me) that Dennis is passionate about this project. I'm not saying the orchestra show was bad, I'm just saying that this lineup, THIS show, seems to have put the spark back in him. It exudes from him, and I think the band really digs it too. That is a huge plus for any performer.
For the first few songs, I was skeptical, reserved, awkward...It took me a few minutes to get comfortable in the environment. After all, rock show or not, the two bands have an entirely different vibe about them (to give a couple examples - 1. NO ONE stands at these shows. I wanted to stand, but I undoubtedly would have pissed off everyone behind me, and I didn't want that sort of experience. I often felt as though I was watching from a cage because I had to contain myself. 2. Another difference is the texture of Dennis' voice is not only different from Gowan's [which we have argued ad nauseum], it's distinctively different from heyday Dennis' voice. It's richer. Much, much richer. Heavy vibrato. It's been that way for some time, but I'm still not entirely used to it. At times, it seems over-the-top, albeit still great...just...takes some adjustment. 3. Also, for the first couple of songs, his bass player was having sound issues - I think he had a bad cable...the tech kept coming out and screwing with it...loudly. Kinda reminded me of MY band, actually. They're always doing annoying crap like that. lol). However, it wasn't long before I was submerged in the music and full of nostalgia. I was thirteen again. And it was really, really great, despite the awkward sitting thing.
Jimmy and August are top shelf. TOP shelf. Very impressive. August nailed Blue Collar Man, and the solos were indescribable. Just great.
The whole band is TIGHT. BOOM! Punch. Bam. They are either the best musicians in the world, or they really like the music they're playing. They nailed everything.
The rest of the evening was a cake walk for me...Mr. Roboto by itself was worth the $250 I paid for my and my husband's tickets, but then "Born for Adventure" was just...AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Can't describe it. Fucking incredible. Even my husband's mouth was agape, and he isn't even familiar with the song.
Dennis did a MONSTER keyboard solo during "Fooling Yourself" that practically stopped your heart. It was the best keyboard solo I think I've ever heard him do. he destroyed it. Seriously. It was almost not human. I was smiling ear-to-ear and thinking, I am so happy he got his chops back. (For a long time, I know Dennis was focusing heavily on the "show" and "voice" aspect of his performances, and was letting someone else do the bulk of the synths. A few years ago, I think he went back to his roots and got his mad skills back.) Anyway, it was spectacular. I was all jazzed. The only real bummer of the night for me was what followed this tremendous, mind-shattering solo: August says "Dennis DeYoung on keyboards!" (crowd goes nuts) Then he yells "ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!"
Groan. Really? A cheap jab after THAT AMAZING THING I JUST WITNESSED? blech. Oh well. Thankfully, it was the one and only one of the night. I'll be ok. lol (Trust me when I say that UNDERSTAND the sentiment behind it...I honestly do...but from a strictly neutral standpoint, the comment takes away from the solo, it doesn't add to it.)
By the way, my husband made a funny comment in the car on the way home about that jab...He said he didn't think about Gowan so much as found it peculiar that the substitute was screaming for us to accept no substitutes. A little ironic...doncha think?
Anyhoo...
The best thing of all, aside from seeing DDY and his band having FUN, was the stuff that i DON'T hear when I go to a Styx show:
Acoustic "Don't Let it End"
Show Me the Way (which always makes me teary - and they do this beautifully)
Mr. Roboto (guiltiest pleasure on earth - that song is just awesome. the world can KMA)
Born for Adventure
Suite Madame Blue
I birdie told me that they were playing some other chestnuts during soundcheck...but aren't 100% ready to play them out...so be prepared, folks.
Would have loved to hear "Castle Walls," but I won't complain too much.
And apparently, the DeYoungs have been married as long as I've been alive. So now I will always be able to remember how many years they are married when I'm not at a show
Here are the differences between Dennis' show and Styx' show from what I have observed:
Styx is much more crowd interactive and even still - more energetic (they truly are on "11"). I sometimes joke and compare it to a Rocky Horror show...same show, different experience every time.
Dennis' show is much more about the finer details of the songs. They have a slightly more "authentic" like-how-I-remember-it-in-my-timeless-mind sound (please don't make this into a Gowan slam-fest. It's not really that so much- just the "sound of everything," if that makes any sense.)
Styx's shows are a big, giant, fun release. Dennis' shows are more introspective and nostalgic. Both are pretty magical, on different levels.
After that, I don't see much else that sets them apart. They're both great experiences, and I'd recommend seeing both of them in a heartbeat.
Now, what could possibly be better than everything I already mentioned? I commented about wincing at the little "dig." Because sometimes it's the smaller pieces that leave the biggest impressions. The BEST part of the night for me was shortly before the show came to a close, Dennis thanked every person in the room for "ponying up" their hard-earned money to come out and see his show during these tough economic times. I never would have given it a second thought had he not mentioned it, but since he DID mention it, I was really impressed...To hear a performer make that kind of acknowledgement. It felt good.
Oh, and of course the photo I got. That was cool too
Besides Dennis' shows are about Dennis DeYoung not August. Even so, I think August wouldn't be just as happy with the opportunity of the time he had sharing the stage with a legend.
Loved his voice