Away Team

Git er done…. Oh wait this is a different kind of Blue Collar Man.  The kind whose hard work and determination gained him multi-platinum status as a solo artist, yet still made the gamble of a lifetime 14 years ago by joining the legendary STYX.  A gamble that was sure to pay off, as the frontman in the longest running line-up ever for STYX, Lawrence Gowan is living the dream that even the most successful musicians still dream about.  Recently, I caught up with Lawrence during a tour stop in San Antonio, TX (just like the famous song), where we spoke about everything from Chuck Panozzo to Children of Bodom.  Oh, and don’t worry about having to actually read this time around, just click the play button below, sit back with a frosty one, and enjoy…

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For more info on STYX, including Tour Dates visit the band’s official website here.   Special thanks go out to Lawrence Gowan for so graciously giving me his time, and to Amanda Cagan at ABC PR for making it all happen.

Legendary rockers STYX–Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan, Ricky Phillips and Todd Sucherman— will be invading the TV airwaves throughout the month of January, perfectly timed with the upcoming DVD release, Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live, coming January 31.

It all starts Wednesday, January 11 with a performance on “The Rosie Show,” which will air at 7pm ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. For the performance of “Come Sail Away,” host Rosie O’Donnell accompanied the band on her own drum kit. The band’s classic episode of VH1’s “Behind The Music” has been updated—now called “Behind The Music Remastered”–and will be airing on Saturday, January 14 at 9pm ET/PT on VH1 Classic. Next up: NBC will air “Improve-Ice Starring STYX” on Sunday, January 15 at 4pm ET/PT, which was filmed in Greenville, SC at the Bi-Lo Center and features champion figure skaters Johnny Weir, Michael Weiss, Nancy Kerrigan, Jeremy Abbott, Ryan Bradley, Sasha Cohen, Nicole Bobek and Mirai Nagasu performing to various STYX classics. All of their routines were choreographed the day of the show. The HDNet channel will re-broadcast the 2006 concert special, “One with Everything – Styx & The Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland,” on Sunday, January 22 at 9pm ET/PT. STYX joined forces with Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra–a 171-piece orchestra and choir composed of students aged 13-19–to perform various STYX classics. Fans should also check local listings for all of the programs.

On the DVD front, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time. The 20-song, two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all STYX fans. Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.

Meanwhile, STYX’s entire career has recently been encapsulated within the 16 tracks of REGENERATION, VOLUME I & II, which was released October 4 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. In addition to 13 STYX classics and the new song, “Difference In The World,” the collection also includes interpretations of “High Enough” and “Coming Of Age,” originally recorded by Damn Yankees, which featured Tommy Shaw, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone.

In touring news, the band’s schedule hasn’t slowed down since their summer tour with Yes last year. Check out STYX at any of the following stops, with more to be added in the coming weeks:

STYX tour dates:
Fri 1/13 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
Sat 1/14 Ft. Worth, TX Billy Bob’s
Wed 1/25 Anaheim, CA The Grove
Thu 1/26 Santa Ynez, CA Chumash Casino
Fri 1/27 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino
Sat 1/28 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Casino
Wed 2/1 Wenatchee, WA Town Toyota Center
Fri 2/3 Tacoma, WA Emerald Queen Casino
Sat 2/4 Coquitlam, BC. Red Robinson Show Theatre
Fri 2/10 Las Vegas, NV Green Valley Ranch/Grand Events Center
Sat 2/11 Wendover, NV Peppermill Concert Hall
Fri 3/2 Mt. Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Fri 3/9 Miami, FL Magic City Casino Amphitheater
Sat 3/10 Silver Springs, FL Twin Oaks Amphitheatre









For more STYX click here.

Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977′s The Grand Illusion and 1978′s Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.

This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.

Selling millions of records worldwide since their 1972 Chicago inception, Styx have branded themselves as one of the greatest American progressive rock bands. The current line-up consists of James “J.Y.” Young (vocals, guitars, keyboards); Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars); Todd Sucherman (drums); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar).

Track Listing:
Intro/1978
The Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Superstars
Come Sail Away
Miss America
Man In The Wilderness
Castle Walls
The Grand Finale
Great White Hope
I’m Okay
Sing For The Day
The Message
Lords Of The Ring
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Queen Of Spades
Renegade
Keyboard Interlude
Pieces Of Eight
Aku-Aku

To purchase STYX: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live click here.
For more STYX click here.

Styx will have its entire career encapsulated within the 16 tracks of Regeneration, Volume I & II on a double-disc to be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on October 4.

With over 30 million records sold in North America alone, Styx is one of the most beloved rock bands on the planet. Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Chuck Panozzo, Lawrence Gowan, Ricky Phillips and Todd Sucherman have been together longer than any other lineup in the band’s 40-year existence.

In addition to thirteen Styx classics and a brand new song “Difference In The World,” Regeneration, Volume I & II also includes interpretations of “High Enough,” and “Coming Of Age,” originally recorded by Damn Yankees, which featured Shaw, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone.” The band had originally re-recorded these acclaimed anthems to sell only at their live shows, as they continued to tour the globe and introduce a new generation of fans to their chart-topping hits. Now, for the first time, this music is being made commercially available.

Track Listing:
DISC 1
The Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Lorelei
Sing For The Day,
Crystal Ball
Come Sail Away
Difference In The World

DISC 2
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Miss America
Renegade
Queen Of Spades
Boat on The River
Too Much Time On My Hands
Snowblind
Coming Of Age
High Enough









For more STYX click here.

Multi-platinum rock band STYX joins forces with the world’s most quintessential prog-rock band YES for a summer tour extravaganza. These two monster rock bands will embark on the 22-city “Progressive U.S. Tour” starting July 4th and concluding August 3rd in Mountain View, CA. Tickets will go on sale starting the weekend of April 8th.

STYX–Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo—has an unmistakable sound all their own, and they continue to prove that they’re one of the hardest working bands in the music world thanks to a vigorous tour schedule that keeps them constantly on the road all across the globe.

YES – The Legendary, Grammy® Award winning prog-rock band that has defined many a generation — will be on tour in support of their new album FLY FROM HERE on Frontiers Records releasing July 12th.

YES features a lineup of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Alan White, and lead singer Benoit David. YES will be reuniting with keyboard player Geoff Downes for this tour.

“When I first heard YES, I knew that the music world was forever changed,” says STYX singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw. “They took progressive rock to a place that had never been expressed in such an impressive yet accessible way. Who among you didn’t make it a point to learn the acoustic guitar intro to ‘Roundabout?’ We’re very excited to tour with them for the very first time.”

“We are excited to have STYX on tour with us. I consider them to be in the vein of YES and the cutting edge of prog-rock in America,” says YES founder/bassist Chris Squire.

STYX is currently putting the finishing touches on REGENERATION, VOLUME 2, the follow-up to 2010’s seven-song EP, REGENERATION, VOLUME 1, which contains six newly re-recorded classics–”Come Sail Away,” “Crystal Ball,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Lorelei,” “The Grand Illusion” and “Sing For The Day”—and a brand new track, “Difference In The World.” The track listing for REGENERATION, VOLUME 2 is: “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Queen of Spades,” “Coming Of Age” (Damn Yankees), “High Enough” (Damn Yankees), “Snowblind,” “Miss America.” Both volumes will be available for sale at every stop along the tour route.

**Additional dates including details of July 4th kick-off to be announced.**

Tuesday, July 5 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ+
Thursday, July 7 CMAC Performing Arts Center Canandaigua, NY+
Friday, July 8 MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Mashantucket, CT*
Saturday, July 9 Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH*
Monday, July 11 Nikon @ Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, NY+
Tuesday, July 12 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Bethel, NY+
Thursday, July 14 Verizon Wireless Amp at Encore Park Alpharetta, GA*
Friday, July 15 Amphitheater at the Wharf Orange Beach, AL+
Saturday, July 16 The Woods at Fontanel Nashville, TN*
Monday, July 18 Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO*
Tuesday, July 19 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville, IN*
Wednesday, July 20 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI+
Friday, July 22 Winstar Casino Thackerville, OK+
Saturday, July 23 Zoo Amphitheatre Oklahoma City, OK*
Sunday, July 24 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Maryland Heights, MO*
Tuesday, July 26 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO*
Thursday, July 28 Eagle River Pavilion Boise, ID*
Friday, July 29 Chateau Ste. Michelle Woodinville, WA+
Saturday, July 30 Maryhill Winery Goldendale, WA+
Tuesday, August 2 Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA+
Wednesday, August 3 Shoreline Amphitheater Mountain View, CA*

* Denotes STYX closes
+ Denotes YES closes














For more STYX click here.
For more YES click here.

STYX - Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo—are getting ready to head out on the U.S. concert trail again this year. However, for this round of dates, the band has an extra-special treat planned – it won’t be a typical STYX show. Along with the classic hits, the band will be performing 1977′s THE GRAND ILLUSION and 1978′s PIECES OF EIGHT in their entirety. Both albums spawned such hit singles and Classic Rock radio standards as “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).”

And as icing on the cake, a seven-song EP, entitled REGENERATION, VOLUME 1, containing six newly re-recorded classics–”Come Sail Away,” “Crystal Ball,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Lorelei,” “The Grand Illusion” and “Sing For The Day”—and a brand new track, “Difference In The World,” will be available for sale at every stop along “The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight” October/November tour route.

“This is the most unique STYX concert ever,” says singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw. “It’s a hybrid experience of enjoying the artistry of the vinyl album and the energy and of our live performance. Some songs have never been performed live!”

Spawned from a suburban Chicago basement in the early ‘70s, STYX would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late ’70s and early ’80s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads. Over the course of their 38-year career they’ve released 15 studio albums, 6 best-of compilations and 4 live albums, garnering 8 Top Ten singles. STYX has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

On the touring front, STYX has performed more shows since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super-Bowl appearances, Pollstar box office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company, Foreigner (to name a few), two more studio albums and no end in sight, STYX continues to conquer the planet, one venue at a time.

Check out the “The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight” at any of the following stops:
Thu 10/14 Evansville, IN The Centre (on-sale 8/13)
Fri 10/15 Merrillville, IN Star Plaza Theatre (on-sale 8/14)
Sat 10/16 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre (on-sale /14)
Sun 10/17 Columbus, OH The Palace Theatre (on-sale 8/13)
Tue 10/19 Chattanooga, TN Tivoli Theatre (on-sale 8/20)
Thu 10/21 Melbourne, FL King Center (on-sale 8/20)
Fri 10/22 Ft. Myers, FL Barbara B. Mann Perf Arts Hall (on-sale 8/20)
Sat 10/23 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall (on-sale 8/20)
Mon 10/25 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center (on-sale 8/20)
Wed 10/27 Washington, DC Warner Theatre (on-sale 9/10)
Thu 10/28 New York, NY Beacon Theatre (on-sale 8/6)
Fri 10/29 Baltimore, MD Hippodrome Theatre (on-sale 8/20)
Sat 10/30 Albany, NY Palace Theatre Albany (on-sale 8/19)
Tue 11/2 Bangor, ME Bangor Auditorium (on-sale 8/27)
Wed 11/3 Lowell, MA Lowell Memorial Auditorium (on-sale 8/20)
Fri 11/5 Erie, PA Warner Theatre Erie (on-sale 8/27)
Sat 11/6 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theatre (on-sale 8/27)
Sun 11/7 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace (on-sale 8/27)
Tue 11/9 Memphis, TN The Orpheum Theatre (on-sale 8/27)
Thu 11/11 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium (on-sale 8/27)
Fri 11/12 Biloxi, MS Hard Rock Casino & Resort (on-sale TBA)
Sat 11/13 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Center (on-sale 8/27)

For more STYX click here.