Life, the Universe, and Styx

[Monker]

In the beginning Styx was created. Some people did not like this and even regarded it as a bad move. These people became known as critics. They would write and talk about the band in a negative way Sometimes the critics were even paid for their critical words.

Another group of people also emerged in these early days. These people liked the band and their music. In fact, they regarded the band in such high esteem that they would pay to listen to the band perform. They would also spend their hard earned money on circular vinyl artifacts called records so they could repeatedly listen to them at home. These people became known as fans.

These two groups of people more or less ignored each other. The one not caring that the other existed. As long as critics were allowed to boast like the know-it-alls they thought they were and were sometimes even paid for it, they did not care that fans actually cared enough to spend money on the band. The reverse was also true. As long as fans could spend money on the band to hear their music, they did not care what the critics had to say.

Then, a third group started to emerge. This group sprouted from people listening to radio waves transmitting music to anybody with a radio receiver tuned to the correct frequency. They would listen to the radio waves and sometimes would be entertained by a Styx song. Listeners would hear the music and spontaneously say things like, "Ah, yes, that was a nice song." or "Wow, that was cool." or "hmmm, I wonder I'll for lunch?"

It is true that sometimes the radio listener just did not care for the music as much as the fans or the critics. They were not being paid to listen. They were not paying to listen. It was just background noise for them.

At other times, however, the radio listener would be so impressed by a song that he would buy the record or go to a live performance. Eventually he may even consider himself a fan.

On a rare occasion, a radio listener may be affected in a negative way. When this occurred he may say something like, "Oh, God, that was awful!" In some of these cases he may even start telling those around him how awful he felt the song was. If he had the vocabulary skill of a thirteen year old and was able to translate his thoughts to type written words, he may even find he could be paid for his opinions and hence become a critic.

Styx found themselves on the radio more frequently. Since they were on the radio they earned more fans, found more critics, and they had a lot of listeners. They were becoming popular.

Just as fans, critics, listeners, and even the members of the band itself, were evolved from monkeys, Styx itself evolved. The evolution of Styx began with the resignation of John Curulewski and the addition of Tommy Shaw. This, in turn, cause an evolution in the music, which caused an evolution in the type of fans and an evolution in the words the critics were writing.

This change was also regarded as a bad move by some and therefore a few more critics were added to the list. However, for whatever reason Styx found themselves on the radio more often then ever before. More people were going to their live performances then ever before. Styx was more popular then ever before. Therefore the additional critics were a bit superfluous. The critics, because of their arrogant and know-it-all nature, stubbornly endured these hard times.

Everything that has a finite lifespan and can somehow be measured has an apex. When Styx reached their apex they were one of the most popular rock bands on Earth. At the very peak of their popularity Styx seemed to forget what got them there in the first place. They released a record that left some fans thinking 'Huh?'.

Of course some fans understood it and even loved it. But, since some fans went 'Huh?' the critics had the opening they had been waiting for and went after Styx with all of the vengeance they could muster.

Feeling the pressure of their own popularity, the pressure of their critics, the pressure of dissatisfied fans (who were also starting to sound like critics) and the pressure to please listeners who really did not know if they were fans or not, Styx collapsed under all of the critique and baggage of popularity.

The band was gone for years. It was gone for more years. Then one day they came back. But, just like a Neanderthal they evolved again. This time Tommy Shaw had been replaced with Glen Burtnik.
Again, this was regarded as a bad move by some people. Tommy, however, was a part of Styx during their most popular time. So, many more fans moved into becoming critics. But, they were a different type of critic. They did not care if they were paid and they still considered themselves Styx fans. They were fan-critics.

Fan-critics had found a new outlet for their critiques. They could display their critical thoughts using a computer. It took the ability to connect to a bulletin board service or to an early version of what became known as the Internet. In those early days of online communication it took a more intelligent mind then most thirteen year olds had. So, in many ways the thoughts of the fan-critics of those days were often more interesting and enlightening then the critics who were being paid for their thoughts.

This reunion after having so many years off had mixed results. Yes, some new Styx songs were heard on the radio. Yes, they could still get a large sized audience to pay to see them perform. The overall success still did not equal their last album.

Perhaps it was absence of Tommy Shaw. Perhaps it was the long delay between albums and tours. Perhaps all the critics had worn away at Styx popularity. Perhaps it was because the vinyl records were replaced by silvery circled object called compact disks. Whatever the reason Styx was not what it once was.

Even the music had changed. Gone were the instrumental theatrics of the earlier Styx. Gone was the concept albums of the past. What remained seemed to be music that could easily be digested by a radio listener but any long time fan would know it was a very different Styx sound.

So, it seemed Styx was continuing their decline despite their efforts. Even the companies who made the silvery circles turned away any new Styx music. Styx started to fade away again. Years came and went without anything new from the band.

Then the miraculous started happening. A silvery circle maker decided to release a CD that had old Styx songs on it. They wanted to put the first Styx hit song on it but were not allowed for some crazy legal reason. So, they had to rerecord it. So, Styx got together for the first time in years. This time Tommy Shaw was included. They rerecorded their first hit song and the silvery circle of old Styx songs was released.

It didn't stop there. They decided to perform again. They found that fans were still willing to depart with their money to see and hear Styx. It was inspiring so they decided to make some new Styx music.

They did make new music. But, not all was calm on the river Styx. When they made this new music the band was split in two. After the silvery circle was made available for sale, Styx evolved again for the tour.

This time Dennis was replaced by Larry Gowan. Again this was also regarded as a bad move by some people. More fan-critics emerged. By now, the internet was in full blossom and they could spread their critiques instantly around the world. The old-school critics were now basically meaningless, except their words could now be used as 'evidence' against the band. Computers and the Internet itself was also much simpler. It COULD and IS being used by 13yr olds. So, anybody with the intelligence of a 13yr old could now be a critic on the internet.

Another group emerged from the Styx fans. This group was tired of the constant critique of Styx and decided to fight back. They also used the words of the old-school critics in defense of what the fan-critics were saying. They critiqued Dennis just as much as the fan-critics critiqued Styx. In fact, some of them became fan-critics themselves. Instead of critiquing Styx, they critiqued Dennis. in reaction to this, Dennis defenders emerged.

After a time of the Styx defenders and Dennis fan-critics battling the Styx fan-critics and Dennis defenders, yet another group emerged. These people had a "I don't give a smeg" attitude. They were tired of the critiquing of this and that and everything else. So, they stopped visiting the internet sites where such discussion was taking place and instead went about their own business of going to concerts or listening to their silvery circles.

In the end, the only fans who were truly happy were the "I don't give a smeg" fans. Everybody else: the defenders, the fan-critics and the fans were all grumpy and irritated and generally were no fun to be around.

[froy]

In the beginning Styx was created. Some people did not like this and even regarded it as a bad move. These people became known as critics. They would write and talk about the band in a negative way Sometimes the critics were even paid for their critical words.

Another group of people also emerged in these early days. These people liked the band and their music. In fact, they regarded the band in such high esteem that they would pay to listen to the band perform. They would also spend their hard earned money on circular vinyl artifacts called records so they could repeatedly listen to them at home. These people became known as fans.

These two groups of people more or less ignored each other. The one not caring that the other existed. As long as critics were allowed to boast like the know-it-alls they thought they were and were sometimes even paid for it, they did not care that fans actually cared enough to spend money on the band. The reverse was also true. As long as fans could spend money on the band to hear their music, they did not care what the critics had to say.

Then, a third group started to emerge. This group sprouted from people listening to radio waves transmitting music to anybody with a radio receiver tuned to the correct frequency. They would listen to the radio waves and sometimes would be entertained by a Styx song. Listeners would hear the music and spontaneously say things like, "Ah, yes, that was a nice song." or "Wow, that was cool." or "hmmm, I wonder I'll for lunch?"

It is true that sometimes the radio listener just did not care for the music as much as the fans or the critics. They were not being paid to listen. They were not paying to listen. It was just background noise for them.

At other times, however, the radio listener would be so impressed by a song that he would buy the record or go to a live performance. Eventually he may even consider himself a fan.

On a rare occasion, a radio listener may be affected in a negative way. When this occurred he may say something like, "Oh, God, that was awful!" In some of these cases he may even start telling those around him how awful he felt the song was. If he had the vocabulary skill of a thirteen year old and was able to translate his thoughts to type written words, he may even find he could be paid for his opinions and hence become a critic.

Styx found themselves on the radio more frequently. Since they were on the radio they earned more fans, found more critics, and they had a lot of listeners. They were becoming popular.

Just as fans, critics, listeners, and even the members of the band itself, were evolved from monkeys, Styx itself evolved. The evolution of Styx began with the resignation of John Curulewski and the addition of Tommy Shaw. This, in turn, cause an evolution in the music, which caused an evolution in the type of fans and an evolution in the words the critics were writing.

This change was also regarded as a bad move by some and therefore a few more critics were added to the list. However, for whatever reason Styx found themselves on the radio more often then ever before. More people were going to their live performances then ever before. Styx was more popular then ever before. Therefore the additional critics were a bit superfluous. The critics, because of their arrogant and know-it-all nature, stubbornly endured these hard times.

Everything that has a finite lifespan and can somehow be measured has an apex. When Styx reached their apex they were one of the most popular rock bands on Earth. At the very peak of their popularity Styx seemed to forget what got them there in the first place. They released a record that left some fans thinking 'Huh?'.

Of course some fans understood it and even loved it. But, since some fans went 'Huh?' the critics had the opening they had been waiting for and went after Styx with all of the vengeance they could muster.

Feeling the pressure of their own popularity, the pressure of their critics, the pressure of dissatisfied fans (who were also starting to sound like critics) and the pressure to please listeners who really did not know if they were fans or not, Styx collapsed under all of the critique and baggage of popularity.

The band was gone for years. It was gone for more years. Then one day they came back. But, just like a Neanderthal they evolved again. This time Tommy Shaw had been replaced with Glen Burtnik.
Again, this was regarded as a bad move by some people. Tommy, however, was a part of Styx during their most popular time. So, many more fans moved into becoming critics. But, they were a different type of critic. They did not care if they were paid and they still considered themselves Styx fans. They were fan-critics.

Fan-critics had found a new outlet for their critiques. They could display their critical thoughts using a computer. It took the ability to connect to a bulletin board service or to an early version of what became known as the Internet. In those early days of online communication it took a more intelligent mind then most thirteen year olds had. So, in many ways the thoughts of the fan-critics of those days were often more interesting and enlightening then the critics who were being paid for their thoughts.

This reunion after having so many years off had mixed results. Yes, some new Styx songs were heard on the radio. Yes, they could still get a large sized audience to pay to see them perform. The overall success still did not equal their last album.

Perhaps it was absence of Tommy Shaw. Perhaps it was the long delay between albums and tours. Perhaps all the critics had worn away at Styx popularity. Perhaps it was because the vinyl records were replaced by silvery circled object called compact disks. Whatever the reason Styx was not what it once was.

Even the music had changed. Gone were the instrumental theatrics of the earlier Styx. Gone was the concept albums of the past. What remained seemed to be music that could easily be digested by a radio listener but any long time fan would know it was a very different Styx sound.

So, it seemed Styx was continuing their decline despite their efforts. Even the companies who made the silvery circles turned away any new Styx music. Styx started to fade away again. Years came and went without anything new from the band.

Then the miraculous started happening. A silvery circle maker decided to release a CD that had old Styx songs on it. They wanted to put the first Styx hit song on it but were not allowed for some crazy legal reason. So, they had to rerecord it. So, Styx got together for the first time in years. This time Tommy Shaw was included. They rerecorded their first hit song and the silvery circle of old Styx songs was released.

It didn't stop there. They decided to perform again. They found that fans were still willing to depart with their money to see and hear Styx. It was inspiring so they decided to make some new Styx music.

They did make new music. But, not all was calm on the river Styx. When they made this new music the band was split in two. After the silvery circle was made available for sale, Styx evolved again for the tour.

This time Dennis was replaced by Larry Gowan. Again this was also regarded as a bad move by some people. More fan-critics emerged. By now, the internet was in full blossom and they could spread their critiques instantly around the world. The old-school critics were now basically meaningless, except their words could now be used as 'evidence' against the band. Computers and the Internet itself was also much simpler. It COULD and IS being used by 13yr olds. So, anybody with the intelligence of a 13yr old could now be a critic on the internet.

Another group emerged from the Styx fans. This group was tired of the constant critique of Styx and decided to fight back. They also used the words of the old-school critics in defense of what the fan-critics were saying. They critiqued Dennis just as much as the fan-critics critiqued Styx. In fact, some of them became fan-critics themselves. Instead of critiquing Styx, they critiqued Dennis. in reaction to this, Dennis defenders emerged.

After a time of the Styx defenders and Dennis fan-critics battling the Styx fan-critics and Dennis defenders, yet another group emerged. These people had a "I don't give a smeg" attitude. They were tired of the critiquing of this and that and everything else. So, they stopped visiting the internet sites where such discussion was taking place and instead went about their own business of going to concerts or listening to their silvery circles.

In the end, the only fans who were truly happy were the "I don't give a smeg" fans. Everybody else: the defenders, the fan-critics and the fans were all grumpy and irritated and generally were no fun to be around.

What the hell are you yappin about ?

[swwskj]

Monker,

In which camp are you in? The grumpy collective or the "I don't give a smeg" group? Space Corps directive 051205 clearly states that you should answer.

Scott

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Someone has a little too much time on their hands. Yikes.

[Guest]

Trying. Too. Hard.

[Guest]

Didn't the Unibomber pen something along these lines?

[Monker]

Someone has a little too much time on their hands. Yikes.

Oh, come on. You're the one who is basing a character on me. You should be happy...at least he'll be Godlike and interesting!

[Zan]

Someone has a little too much time on their hands. Yikes.

And NONE of us know what THAT'S like!

[Monker]

Monker,

In which camp are you in? The grumpy collective or the "I don't give a smeg" group? Space Corps directive 051205 clearly states that you should answer.

Scott

After writing that, I'm too mentaly drained to think up a witty retort to the above, except "Oh, haha".

I'm going to rewrite this and remove the Adams'isms and Dwarf'isms and try to replace them with Monker'isms, and take it out of the Styx context...and use it for something else. I kinda like it. Defintely fun to write...typos and grammar errors included (I guess those could be called Froy'isms).

[SuiteMadameBlue]

My screenplay is going pretty good. A big thanks to everyone that posts on here and people that I met at concerts. I have a local production company that's interested in filming it. Monker, your character won't be godlike at all, sorry

Oh yeah, when I'm not at work I totally know what it's like to have too much time on my hands - LOL

[Guest]

My screenplay is going pretty good. A big thanks to everyone that posts on here and people that I met at concerts. I have a local production company that's interested in filming it. Monker, your character won't be godlike at all, sorry

Oh yeah, when I'm not at work I totally know what it's like to have too much time on my hands - LOL

Is it going to be like the Wizard of Oz? If so I'm applying for the Wizard role.

[Monker]

Monker, your character won't be godlike at all, sorry

That just reminded me of something. I once wrote a story for somebody which I titled, "The Goddess of Stygian Fandom". Geez, that was too funny. Maybe she'll send me a copy of that back...I'd love to reread it and see what all I put into it.

I'll have to clean this one up a bit and send it to her. She'll love it. I remember telling her that if I ever wrote a novel it would read like some weird combination of Hitchhiker's and Monty Python. It was true ten years ago, and it's still true today.

[Abitaman]

OK-ERIC

[yogi]

Good post Monker!!!!

[ek88]

Good post Monker!!!!

Yes, a very enjoyable read. Thanks!

[evileyes]

Good post Monker!!!!

Yes, a very enjoyable read. Thanks!

I have to agree--at least with the "enjoyable read" part! Thanks Monker! Needs a title. How about "The History of the Styx Fan World According to Monker"?

[Monker]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

[Boomchild]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

[gr8dane]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

Guess the PO8-GI tour didn't really happen?

And for old times sake.Styx is doing what they want to do,and not what you want them to do.

[gr8dane]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

Where did the time go?
That was quite the mouthful there Monker.
Wonder how Suite's script is coming along?

[StyxCollector]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

Guess the PO8-GI tour didn't really happen?

And for old times sake.Styx is doing what they want to do,and not what you want them to do.

To be fair, there aren't many songs on the GI/Po8 tour that either DDY or Styx have not done live at some point before then including original tours (MITW in full, Superstars for GI and The Message/Lords of the Ring, Aku-Aku and maybe I'm OK off of Po8). The presentation was really the difference. I saw the show (had to travel to NYC), so I'm not slamming it.

[Boomchild]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

Guess the PO8-GI tour didn't really happen?

And for old times sake.Styx is doing what they want to do,and not what you want them to do.

Big whoop, one short stint of that and not that creative. A lot of bands have done this type of thing. Sure they are doing what they want, thanks for pionting out the bleeding obvious. That doesn't mean as a fan that I have to like it. Doesn't mean that it is interesting or creative either.

[masque]

can i ask a serious question? how many bands out there are truly doing anything "creative", "new", "super exciting", "truly different" that have been around going on 5 decades?

i mean the most exciting thing in music today for me is roger waters touring "the wall" and that is simply him getting to do his idea and concept exactly the way he envisioned 30 years ago.....so nothing new at all there.....just better lighting and sound.

so why all the debate about what these sixty year old artist do or dont do from a creative standpoint at this point in their lives?

if they did create new music it would never live up to our expectations or standards or the memories of the "classic" stuff.....now dont get me wrong I would love to have new material.....to me cyclorama was a great cd and i listened to it alot and will still pull it out from time to time....but dennis's 100 years cd didnt click for me so i listened about three times and have never listened again.....

[Everett]

Fantastic read monker. I got excited to see froy but then I read it was 2005

[Boomchild]

can i ask a serious question? how many bands out there are truly doing anything "creative", "new", "super exciting", "truly different" that have been around going on 5 decades?

i mean the most exciting thing in music today for me is roger waters touring "the wall" and that is simply him getting to do his idea and concept exactly the way he envisioned 30 years ago.....so nothing new at all there.....just better lighting and sound.

so why all the debate about what these sixty year old artist do or dont do from a creative standpoint at this point in their lives?

if they did create new music it would never live up to our expectations or standards or the memories of the "classic" stuff.....now dont get me wrong I would love to have new material.....to me cyclorama was a great cd and i listened to it alot and will still pull it out from time to time....but dennis's 100 years cd didnt click for me so i listened about three times and have never listened again.....

First off, Roger Waters' presentation of The Wall is not just better lighting and sound. He has made the message current then his original vision. There are quite a few "classic" bands putting out new material. Some are doing it with digital downloads or E.P. releases or whole album releases. Sure they are well aware of that this new material may not get airplay, may not spark a huge interest in the music business or fans may not latch onto it like their back catalog. They do it because they are artists and creating new music drives them. In the case of Styx, the last two times they released a recording project they did covers and then retreads of material they have been doing day in and day out. To top it off they pretty much laid the tracks down note for note. No different arrangements or acoustic versions, just the same old shit with low budget production. BORING! So, that begs the question, why do they even bother to write new material as they claim they have done? Never to have that stuff see the light of day. The artists that release new material get to put their creative ideas to good use and their long term, die hard fans get something new from their favorite artist(s) or group(s). I guess the point is that artists or groups that are still creative and have motivation find a way to put their stuff out there.

[Monker]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

All you are is a Styx critic. 90% of what you post is repetitive critique of Styx. You say hardly anything constructive and are almost exclusively destructive to reasonable conversation. Your posts below this one are proof of that. In fact, all you have done is prove exactly what the top post in this thread is describing. Thank you...as I said, nothing has changed.

[Boomchild]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

All you are is a Styx critic. 90% of what you post is repetitive critique of Styx. You say hardly anything constructive and are almost exclusively destructive to reasonable conversation. Your posts below this one are proof of that. In fact, all you have done is prove exactly what the top post in this thread is describing. Thank you...as I said, nothing has changed.

So what? I will be critical of whatever I wish to be. Speaking of constructive conversation, 98% of what you do is come here to turn someone's post or reply into a personal attack on that person simply because you do not share or agree with their viewpoints. Nothing has changed because Styx hasn't changed since the split with Dennis. Nothing has changed with how you post here either/ at least since i have been reading and posting here.

[gr8dane]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

Guess the PO8-GI tour didn't really happen?

And for old times sake.Styx is doing what they want to do,and not what you want them to do.

Big whoop, one short stint of that and not that creative. A lot of bands have done this type of thing. Sure they are doing what they want, thanks for pionting out the bleeding obvious. That doesn't mean as a fan that I have to like it. Doesn't mean that it is interesting or creative either.

At least it gives you something to yammer on about.Anything else lined up for the weekend?

[Boomchild]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

Guess the PO8-GI tour didn't really happen?

And for old times sake.Styx is doing what they want to do,and not what you want them to do.

Big whoop, one short stint of that and not that creative. A lot of bands have done this type of thing. Sure they are doing what they want, thanks for pionting out the bleeding obvious. That doesn't mean as a fan that I have to like it. Doesn't mean that it is interesting or creative either.

At least it gives you something to yammer on about.Anything else lined up for the weekend?

Well, since you asked, i'll be constructing my shrine to Gowan on my living room wall this weekend.

[Monker]

Ah, one of my favorite posts...came up when I was searching for a different post....just felt like bumping it to be a bit annoying.

So little has changed in the past 7yrs.

You got that right. Styx still doing the same types of shows over and over with the same songs over and over. No real new music in sight and to make things worse a feeble attempt to "create magic" by retreading songs from their back catalog. You could include Dennis as well however, he at least has changed up the format by doing orchestra and unplugged shows.

All you are is a Styx critic. 90% of what you post is repetitive critique of Styx. You say hardly anything constructive and are almost exclusively destructive to reasonable conversation. Your posts below this one are proof of that. In fact, all you have done is prove exactly what the top post in this thread is describing. Thank you...as I said, nothing has changed.

So what? I will be critical of whatever I wish to be.

Being critical is one thing...but intentionally being destructive is another. That is what you and Toph both do.

Speaking of constructive conversation, 98% of what you do is come here to turn someone's post or reply into a personal attack on that person simply because you do not share or agree with their viewpoints.

To certain people, yes, that is true...because all they are doing is being insulting towards the band and are wothless to any decent conversation anyway.

Nothing has changed because Styx hasn't changed

That isn't true either. They now have Ricky Phillips instead of Glen...but I know that's not what you are talking about.

Regardless of what they do, you will critique it and turn it into a negative and be insulting towards it. That is what you do - nothing else.

Nothing has changed with how you post here either/ at least since i have been reading and posting here.

I don't think that's true. Back then there were enough people to carry on a conversation with about Styx without the constant crap. Most of them are now gone so now it is filled with crap in EVERY Styx thread. So, it makes attempting any decent conversation a worthless effort. So, yes, I think I have changed how I post here...I know every single thread about Styx is a wasted effort and is always going to be shit on by you and Toph, with others joining in. So, really, there is no point in looking at this as anything other then an anti-Styx forum for anti-Styx fans.