Styx- Bristol

[RossUK]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
My first Styx Gig the previous day in London couldnt have been better. Saw Todd chatting to a crew member at the stage door, so went around and had a really nice chat with him and had a photo Then Lawrence came walking towards us with his video camera. Got a pic and autograph with him aswell. I 'm going to be honest and say while the boys played excellent the sound was amiss in the venue. Tommy's vocal was muddy and it just wasnt right.

With aprehension I trundled along as part of an 8 person entourage last night and didnt reveal that the previous night the cound was indifferent.

The opening bars of Blue Collar Man

I knew everything was going to be alright.
The sound was crystal clear. F***ing unbelievable.
The gig was one treat after another. Todds Base drum was hitting me in the chest and the keyboards were mixed perfectly. I had the pleasure of talking with Gary Loizzo the night before in London.
When it came to Come Sail Away I was right down the front like a shot.

I was yelling all the guys names whilst trying to capture some pics with my camera. I shouted 'JY!!!!' and he characteristically posed the camera. I then called out to Chucky who came over and shook my hand

I started shouting 'TOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!' I caught his attention and he came over and shook my hand, gave me a nod and a wink and gave me his guitar pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was all what Id hoped that Styx would be since following the band since 1995. They entertain. They play properly, they try their balls off.

And although it might be goading others (I dont intend this) Lawrence was immense. I'm sure Dennis was when he was performing with the band. But all those who doubt him-don't bother saying to me 'he can't play/sing' because quite frankly your talking 'bollocks'

I think the trick is not to compare him to Dennis (which all the Dennis fans do)You've got to judge the man on his own assets. Yes he is different. Maybe Dennis shades him vocally. But boy, can the guy perform.

What a weekend. I've left bits out but I'm still on a high so I'll post bits and pieces over the coming days.

Less than 24months before they return.

[froy]

:D AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
My first Styx Gig the previous day in London couldnt have been better. Saw Todd chatting to a crew member at the stage door, so went around and had a really nice chat with him and had a photo Then Lawrence came walking towards us with his video camera. Got a pic and autograph with him aswell. I 'm going to be honest and say while the boys played excellent the sound was amiss in the venue. Tommy's vocal was muddy and it just wasnt right.

With aprehension I trundled along as part of an 8 person entourage last night and didnt reveal that the previous night the cound was indifferent.

The opening bars of Blue Collar Man

I knew everything was going to be alright.
The sound was crystal clear. F***ing unbelievable.
The gig was one treat after another. Todds Base drum was hitting me in the chest and the keyboards were mixed perfectly. I had the pleasure of talking with Gary Loizzo the night before in London.
When it came to Come Sail Away I was right down the front like a shot.

I was yelling all the guys names whilst trying to capture some pics with my camera. I shouted 'JY!!!!' and he characteristically posed the camera. I then called out to Chucky who came over and shook my hand

I started shouting 'TOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!' I caught his attention and he came over and shook my hand, gave me a nod and a wink and gave me his guitar pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was all what Id hoped that Styx would be since following the band since 1995. They entertain. They play properly, they try their balls off.

And although it might be goading others (I dont intend this) Lawrence was immense. I'm sure Dennis was when he was performing with the band. But all those who doubt him-don't bother saying to me 'he can't play/sing' because quite frankly your talking 'bollocks'

I think the trick is not to compare him to Dennis (which all the Dennis fans do)You've got to judge the man on his own assets. Yes he is different. Maybe Dennis shades him vocally. But boy, can the guy perform.

What a weekend. I've left bits out but I'm still on a high so I'll post bits and pieces over the coming days.

Less than 24months before they return.

Was this another 850 fans showing up to a 3000 seater like Manchester?

[RossUK]

Thats right. Don't forget that Styx were never really a hit in the UK and I myself was surprised that they were playing 5 dates here. One date in London and Birmingham I thought would have seen around 5000 for each show then.

If Dennis had been with them (which I presume your hinting that the numbers would be greater with him) I reckon the numbers would have been near enough the same.

Are you one of these thinking that if Dennis was with them they'd be selling out everywhere. Afraid not.

4 people with me last night only had experience of Styx with the Cornerstone album which they bough tin 79 and love. I told them not to expect Babe or First Time. And was honestly a little worried as they had no perception of the band without him ( I suppose Ive had 6 years getting used to it)

They thought the concert was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

These are real people. real opinions

Yeah I was dissapointed with turn out. I'm being honest. But as good as they might have been with Dennis I cant have seen it making a huge amount of difference to the numbers

[ek88]

Ross: Sounds like you had a great time! Awesome!

Was this another 850 fans showing up to a 3000 seater like Manchester?

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. . . . . .

[bugsymalone]

Sounds like a lot of you who post here from the UK got to meet various members of the band and had some really positive interaction with them.

Good for you!

Bugsy

[DarrenUK]

850 in Manchester ???????

Manchester was almost full.....the best turnout of the tour.....dont know where you got your info from Froy.

Maybe you mean Glasgow........but its hard to get money out of a Scotsman..........unless your offering to go to the liquer store to bring back his whisky.

[styxmike]

850 in Manchester , yeh right , that was in the front stalls, now add the rear stalls, front and rear circle then you might be close Froy!!!!!
Great to hear you met some of the band too Ross, and had a great time . I think everyone and I mean EVERYONE came away from the Styx shows with a big smile
still cant get gowans performance of "Doctor" out of my head , what a guy!!!!!!!!!!

[RossUK]

I have to say I was most impressed with Larry. 'Doctor' is by far my most favourite track on BBT. I say he impressed me the much because I was judging him the most. I know what to expect from JY and Tommy.

His vocal sound and all round performance were top drawer. The clarity of the whole group was superb. Much better than that of London (unfortunate, but I'm told hammersmith is notorious for crap sound)

Todds bass drums were rezonating through the floor and hitting me in the chest. Superb. and to shake hands with Tommy/Chuck and to meet Todd and Lawrence. WOW!

I'm 23 Dont forget the Styx I fell in love with had Dennis at the fore. Oops now I'm having a passionate affair with 'Carrot' Styx!!!!! I tell you what, its HOT!!!!!!

I just need to meet Dennis now, whens he coming over? Froy.......Froy.....

nice to see the current lineup styx bashers make one pathetic post and swan off. Froy, I'd discuss classic styx with you, as I would any classic line up fan. But all I sense is this 'attitude' and hatred from all those 'fans' who cant stand the fact that some of us really like this current lineup.
Froy, when you got Brave New World did you REALLY like 'High Crimes...' and 'Great Expectations'? I didnt. I liked While Theres Still Time, and to a lesser extent Goodbye Roseland. What happened to the Dennis that wrote Lord Of The Rings, Pieces of eight, come sail away and Rockin The Paradise, Snowblind, Grand Illusion? I like the guy I would pay to see him. But those songs from BNW were obviously where he thought Styx was at. And 80% of his contribution to BNW was about as much Styx as you claim the current lineup are.

[sadie65]

Very happy for those "across the pond".

Stepping away from the ever present Dennis is Styx/Dennis can't write rock anymore/"carrot" Styx sounds more like classic Styx set of statements. The great thing about the band, is it's diversity. Past and present.


Sincerely happy for all of you over there who had such a great time. I'm sure meeting various band members/crew memebers was icing on the cake.

[Guest]

I'm 23 Dont forget the Styx I fell in love with had Dennis at the fore. Oops now I'm having a passionate affair with 'Carrot' Styx!!!!! I tell you what, its HOT!!!!!!

Give your hand a rest.

[RossUK]

That actually made me laugh

What did you think of Brave new World? (Dennis' songs)

If your a classic fan, you cant tell me that 'High Crimes' and 'Great Expectations' was true to that of the class he wrote in the albums which you proudly display on your posts.

Can you be honest and say that if Dennis had been on Cyclorama, rockin it up in These are the times and One With Everything that you would like the album?

Nobody holds a conversation with you about your bad feeling, but I 'm going to try.

[Guest]

:lol: That actually made me laugh

What did you think of Brave new World? (Dennis' songs)

If your a classic fan, you cant tell me that 'High Crimes' and 'Great Expectations' was true to that of the class he wrote in the albums which you proudly display on your posts.

I like those songs... especially "Fallen Angel" which could have fit quite nicely on Paradise Theatre. I wouldn't say they're the best songs he ever wrote but they are the best songs on BNW.

:
Can you be honest and say that if Dennis had been on Cyclorama, rockin it up in These are the times and One With Everything that you would like the album?

If Dennis were on Cyclorama we'd have a much better album... heck, just the lack of Gowan would improve that monstrosity.

[RossUK]

I just lost it with him because I loved Grand Illusion and Rockin The Paradise. The guy has such a good voice. I like some of his ballads.

The only non dennis songs I really like on BNW are Everything is Cool and the title track.

But I suppose everyone is differetn I really dont care for his current direction in songwriting. If they were still all getting on like in the RTP tour it would be immense. But its gone. Some of us like the change in the band. Some like your self don't. I just dont like it when people are so blinkered its crazy.

Dont you like These Are The Times on Cyclorama? Its a great Styx song.

[Guest]

Dont you like These Are The Times on Cyclorama? Its a great Styx song.

I'm on record saying that's the only good song on the album.

But it would have been EVEN BETTER with Dennis' harmonies.

Fact.

[froy]

850 in Manchester ???????

Manchester was almost full.....the best turnout of the tour.....dont know where you got your info from Froy.

Maybe you mean Glasgow........but its hard to get money out of a Scotsman..........unless your offering to go to the liquer store to bring back his whisky.

Ok Glasgow I knew it was one of them

[froy]

I have to say I was most impressed with Larry. 'Doctor' is by far my most favourite track on BBT. I say he impressed me the much because I was judging him the most. I know what to expect from JY and Tommy.

His vocal sound and all round performance were top drawer. The clarity of the whole group was superb. Much better than that of London (unfortunate, but I'm told hammersmith is notorious for crap sound)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[RossUK]

YEP i'LL GIVE YOU THAT ONE. it would have been the ultimate styx song.

I do miss his voice you know. I just wish he was still writing the classic era types of songs. About wizardry and stuff like pieces of eight. I can only take a limited number of songs about his wife and love.

[RossUK]

and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz to you froy.

Honestly the sound was superb in Bristol. It really just coundnt have been better (even with Master DeYoung) The clarity was better than any of the shit that play over here 'Oasis' and the like

[Adam]

about These Are The Times, IML wrote: I'm on record saying that's the only good song on the album.
But it would have been EVEN BETTER with Dennis' harmonies.
Fact.

Adam: How ridiculous is it to present a hypothetical scenario and then pronounce it's outcome as FACT? Do you know what the word means?

Firstly, the scenario could never have happened. Your "only good song" on Cyclorama WOULDN'T have been recorded if DeTYoung were in the band. He had already vetoed it.

Fact.

Secondly, announcing it would've been EVEN BETTER is another hypothetical.

[totobob]

Call yourself a Styx fan...how could you lower yourself to throwing cheap insults into this forum !!! That was a cheap jibe about Scotsmen !!!!. Now if you had said, go to the offsales to buy Bud weisers you may have been closer to the mark. Just stick to your cloth caps, gravy and whippets mate and you'll be alright. !!!! Regardless of LG or DDY Styx rule !!!!!!

[DarrenUK]

GRAVY RULES.............YOU CANT HAVE CHIPS (French Fries in American language) WITHOUT GRAVY.........NOW SOMEBODY PASS US ME CLOTH GAP I NEED TO TAKE THE WHIPPET FOR A WALK.

[totobob]

eeeeee by gum lad or as LG may say Och Aye The Noo Mon !!!!

and they say us northerners talk daft what do they mean.
Darren Have you seen the show recorded in Atlantic City on DVD roughly 1 year ago ? best "bootleg" Ive ever seen. thanks to the wonders of E bay.
Hope this band keep doin it for years to come. Im now making up for lost time.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

RossUK, I'm glad you enjoyed the show, I enjoy reading all the reviews. How did your pictures turn out????

[DarrenUK]

I have several Styx shows...including


EOTC tour
Live in Japan 81
2 Canadian shows GI 20th anniversary tour with DDY
About 4 shows of the band as it is now apart from Glen in for Ricky.

Ime getting a CD of the Manchester show from last week.......

[Abitaman]

I have about 20 shows from Equniox to last years. PM for list-ERIC

[RossUK]

Suite. I've been away for a week thats why I havent posted.

re: my pictures.

really good considering I was like a jumping jack rabbit at the front!!!

Got a good one of Tommy close up and JY

Excellent photos with Todd and Larry.

[styxmike]

I got some great photos at Birmingham, exellent ones of Tommy from the front row, also got some AVIs of LG doing lady and TS crystal ball about 6 20 second clips(shite SD card couldn't write fast enough) still great momento

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Ross and Mike, is there anyway you can post the pictures? I enjoy seeing fans pictures of the band, any version of the band.

I'm glad you guys had a great time, I can tell the excitement from your posts.

I'm trying to post a few pictures on here under my posts, but there not showing up.