STYX Gives The Inside Scoop On Their New Album "The Mission" [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Tommy Shaw, James Young, and Lawrence Gowan of STYX stopped by to talk with Bob & Coe on 101KGB "San Diego's Classic Rock Radio Station" about their new album "The Mission" and the influences they had while creating it.
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• STYX Gives The Inside ...

[@SilasHemmingway]

Is it just me or does Tommy look better now than how he did in the 70's? Like a fine wine, that man.

[@ruffcutz4112]

Art Vandelay it’s not just you he’s definitely that fine wine ... Chardonnay hair :) Robyn Ruff ❤️

[@trackstarwillie2129]

def just you.

[@crusheverything4449]

More importantly, he can still sing the same as ever, in the original keys, and never wusses out on a high note. His guitar playing is better than ever and he can still write the living shit out of a song. Not bad for an old, grizzled rocker, eh? Ahh, who am I kidding - he’s still cute, too! 😆

[@SilasHemmingway]

@@crusheverything4449I'm simply amazed at how his voice has held up!

[@Guitargasm1000]

Tommy is so down to earth

[@stevetobin7495]

Never played styx in my life but have had the mission on heavy rotation..simply brilliant

[@Flyit37075]

Congrats to Stxy, this album is the real deal, like pieces of eight, and early, work. , early Styx production, musicality , outstanding. tight harmony , guitar rocks , modal changes.. killer.. I wish DDY was leading the vocal, the tamber of his voice is just magical. . The album does rival early material..

[@avocatdenis]

LG is way better than DDY, especially because he has his ego in check.

[@crusheverything4449]

avocatdenis - Gowan is not the singer Dennis is. Not even close! And DDY still has it, too, as evidenced by his latest record, 26 East, Vol. 1.

[@stevengrant8668]

Yes, Dennis still has his voice. That's not in question. That wasn't ever the issue. Dennis feeling he should be in control of all aspects of writing, sequencing, producing, and management were the issues that broke the classic lineup apart. He wouldn't tour, to promote the 1999 album, so they voted him out. Gowan has been with Styx longer, now, and has more life and energy than Dennis: when he's onstage. " Caaaaarry on..."

[@TommyShawAwesome]

That was so cool! I loved them playing with Alexa! And JY talking in, like, Dutch to it was great. Lol.

[@katmckool]

Kudos to these guys! I will admit that I am more of a Dennis DeYoung fan and didn't like the later stuff after he left UNTIL NOW! This album is fantastic! It sounds like "The Grand Illusion" and "Equinox" meets Pink Floyd and Yes! Love it!

[@kurtmorr]

what I like about this album is that there's no slamming and disrespecting Dennis DeYoung like there was all over Cyclorama. Also a great tribute to Queen towards the end.

[@cynthiatierney18]

Yes!!! Sit and listen to the whole thing :)

[@dawnpatrol700]

I'm an old school Styx guy, but I have to admit THE MISSION is the best album they EVER did. Rarely does an old band put out their best album 50 years in. Equinox was my favorite for decades and I thought it would remain that way.

[@KarenL8426]

When they start talking to Alexa, my Alexa started playing Renegade. Hysterical!

[@chuckfan1]

What ever happened to "journalists" or media, who know how to interview? Not sure how the rest of the interview turned out, cause I clicked off after about 3 minutes. The jocks, or whatever they are calling themselves now, wouldn't shut up. Geez, ask a question, make it short and concise and to the point, and then be quiet and get of the way. Good grief, they just kept yammering and not really letting the guys in Styx respond. Yeah, it's a causal setting but man, ask a question, or make a statement, and shut up. Let the guest/s talk. The old saying is true....Less Is More..

[@douglasernst9477]

Ok that was cool

[@paulwojnilowicz5265]

Not a word about Dennis deyoung? Tommy I won't come to a Styx concert till it features dd!!!!!!!!

[@greggwallacefi9422]

Ok so who is the woman and how is she connected to the band

[@buzzlightyear6796]

Half penny two penny, back of the que, yes mr. poorman this means you.

[@diceytrust2768]

buzz lightyear ~ One of my favorites from the *Paradise Theatre* Lp., and from JY's music in Styx.

[@ibrudejude]

Hey Tommy Shaw never met you. I was bestdriend with Jeanne Marie Mason in the 70's through the 90's. Been trying to contact her since 1992. Tell her that Judy Travis will always love her.

[@conrodius259]

Although they don't have DeYoung, they still sound great!

[@jimmyharris9561]

Im a soloist to alternative blues with a twist

[@paulwojnilowicz5265]

Like at 23 mins. Ddy just walks in !?

[@paulwojnilowicz5265]

And be sneaky about it! Like an ambush! Just to see what happens?

[@paulwojnilowicz5265]

Why don't these vdj cause a reunion of Styx an Dennis deyoung?

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Styx without DDY is like AC/DC without Bonn Scott. Like Lynyrd Skynyrd without Ronnie Van Zant. Like Journey without Steve Perry. Like Van Halen without David Lee Roth. They're still good, but not the same and not as good. It's such a tragedy that the greats always seem to end in lawsuits with the exceptions of those who died.

[@stevengrant8668]

Styx history is FULL of replacements, and " carrying on". Chuck was out for a bit, and a guy named Tom Nardini replaced him, until he came back and took bass. When Nardini left, JY replaced him, and Curulewski was added. When Dennis told Curulewski to " Get lost" because he was tired of Dennis micromanaging him, Tommy was added. When Tommy got tired of Robotic opera's about DeYoung's alter ego, and the way he ran everything, and left: De Young hired Glen Burtnik to " play him on stage". When John Pannozzo got sick, and couldn't make the reunion tour, later passing? Todd was hired to replace him. When Dennis couldn't/ wouldn't tour to sell the Brave New World album, the group replaced him with Gowan, who had previously opened for Styx. When Chuck got too ill to play full time, they rehired Glen Burtnik to replace him, this time. When Glen stepped down, Ricky Phillips, whose friends knew Tommy, replaced him. When their long time producer died, and having Will around since Shawblades and Tommy's bluegrass album, Will became the Utility member/ in band producer, to enhance and support the group. All replacements, but all parts of Styx history and legacy. Styx: never, ever a one man band.

[@PatBarPREP]

Nice fucking camera work. Pardon me while I go take my vertigo medication. 😜😜😜

[@joelabriola6289]

What happened to JY'S Face?! His boyfriend must be pissed.

[@elliothass7000]

Paradise Theatre did not have any of the later theatrical sound that Dennis used. No Styx album had that.

[@BrianLutgen-Scoonover]

After all the was said on the behind the music episode, you guys aren’t allowed to do a concept album with the word “mothership” in the lyrics. Music is GREAT but the lyrics are ridiculously stupid. Sorry guys you are hypocrites, not only playing Mr Roboto live but a concept album about Mars???

[@kathyredditt9228]

Dennis Deyoung was not Styx!!!! To say that your not a real fan are you haven't been there from day one. I've been a fan for a long time.Their not a fly by night radio band.

[@2AChef-n-BBQ]

Kathy Redditt Actually Dennis was STYX....he started the band with the Ponozzo brothers, wrote better than 70% of the music.

[@diceytrust2768]

Unfortunately, many fans think DDY was the end all, be all of Styx. But I totally disagree with that. Tommy is a better lyricist then Dennis. And even JY has some better tracks then DeYoung. Writing syrupy love ballads on every album does not make someone a good song writer. Styx was so much better then Dennis would allow them to be. And I am happy they have continued on.

[@peaceforeverybody5433]

Deborah, you so wrong as wrong you can be...if you wanna hard rock, or any different music from Styx, listen to a hard rock band. Avoid syrupy songs written by one of the best in the music industry and everybody's gonna be happy. As much as I admire Tommy, he was wrong as much, as was wrong Roger Waters. Both of them, because of their own ego, have destroyed bands, that were on the best track to deliver many more great songs for us and generations to come. One of the great songs by STYX, always being a thorn in eyes of DDY critics, was Mr.Roboto. I never really understood why, it was a great song describing someones perception of an era to come. So you know what..listen to it now, Deborah, and tell me if it was a song that came out way before nowadays reality, or not. Did you have a vision like that back then? I dont get this stupidity. I never really cared for say AC/DC or Zeppelin for that matter, never cared for Rolling Stones and disliked many bands my friends and the generation back then had, or have admired. Take Kiss for example..their best song had lyrics a 10 years old mentally challenged would written better, yet, the world was crazy about them. I never really made a bad comment or tried to talk about them bad...just didnt care to listen to their albums. So, hell , people... have a bit of respect for others and leave them their favorite melody without your negative and, very often, totally out of touch, comments. Listen to whatever you like, and most importantly, do not try to judge something, than nobody can have a better knowledge of, that the members of the band themselves.

[@tracyhickman4364]

Sorry. just like Steve and Journey, Dennis was a founding voice with Styx. Tommy certainly is the music msn along with James. But to me the whole band was Styx. They were together. in their best 70s? when im 90, if in alive, I'll be listening. Old or New

[@crusheverything4449]

Peace for Everybody - A take, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

[@hermanhelmich]

Better than DdY

[@PVPSYCHOS]

I thought that this album sounded like 2nd rate Kansas or Boston as opposed to classic Styx. IMO, what JY (an adequate guitarist at best) & Tommy did to DDY is unforgivable. Remember: neither JY or Tommy is an ORIGINAL member

[@crusheverything4449]

Another DDY sycophant - just what we all need.

[@stevengrant8668]

Chuck is. Chuck voted to fire Dennis, when he wouldn't tour to support " Brave New World". Get your facts straight.

[@captainamerica9028]

Ya think ya might wanna reform the Styx band and get Dennis De Young back in the band? This is not Styx

[@kingtrance6826]

Yes this is Styx. Do you think you might want to finally get over it? It's been over 20 years since he's been in the band. Styx just released their brand new recording "The Mission." Their best since "Pieces of Eight."

[@diceytrust2768]

Buck Two Agreed about "Pieces Of Eight". You're the only person besides me who says that. Everyone else says "Paradise Theatre", but I disagree. "Paradise... "was when Dennis started with his theatrical crap, which I don't like. This album is phenomenal! Rich harmonies, gorgeous intricate music. And that old Styx sound without Dennis's sickening, syrupy ballads & show tunes. And they sound great without Dennis too. I don't miss him at all. One discrepancy though, it's been 18 years since Styx fired Dennis. It was in 1999 when Styx recorded "Brave New World" with DDY.

[@01artist]

*cool cucumber* getting Dennis back would be a step backwards. No way he could do the new record. You noticed that this is the first new record in 14 years. . .I wonder why. . .

[@crusheverything4449]

Durian Durian - FYI: Tommy’s High Enough was a Top 5, million-selling single for Damn Yankees. So, there’s that.

[@crusheverything4449]

Durian Durian - You’re full of shit, dude. Tommy wrote the vast majority of The Mission with some help from his friend and producer, Will Evankovich. It was not written by outside writers.

[@coolwheelz5190]

Alexa.....proof that "Styx" in the current format, is irrelevant.......fyi.....these guys, whoever they are, are posers.......the members of Styx hated concept albums.......this sounds like a F.....ing concept album.......

[@michaelthompson4689]

Coolwheelz are you kidding me Styx was completely into concept albums with DDY paradise theater killroy was here concept albums new album is amazing.

[@coolwheelz5190]

The concept albums were Dennis's idea......the band members are on record as saying they hated them and that they really hate Killroy Was Here.......

[@crusheverything4449]

Coolwheelz - They never said they hated concept albums. They quite specifically hated Kilroy Was Here. End of story.

[@brendaherzog1453]

CD...right on point. Piss on these clown who are cashing checks on DDY's coattails.

[@hrothgarnogar]

Are you joking? Over half of their hits are Tommy's songs.

[@nunziobusiness1509]

Ricky Phillips... played in the Babys and Bad English. Also played with Coverdale Page... not a slouch.

[@lydiaevans4407]

my mom used to say, " Know when to retire , or you lose your dignity." Does Shaw know this truth? Im saddened (as a 38 yr fan)by this desperate album, The Mission. This is such a complete rip off of every album that the REAL Styx made. I hear Dennis' keyboards on the Overture (except its not Dennis). ... I hear vocals that mimic Castle Walls on Grand Illusion.... "Hundred Million Miles" copies the chords and pace of "Waiting for our Time " from Cyclorama.... I hear Tommy trying to write a concept album... and all he really did is rip off previous albums. As for "gone gone gone" , it is a travesty...Gowan so>> completely steals Dennis' vocal style,

[@jhefty123]

Man, that's too bad. I saw them last night and really fell in love. I really dug the new album and am diving into the old stuff now. Maybe just try to enjoy it for what it is and not try to over think it? From my perspective, it's all new and exciting.

[@hrothgarnogar]

AHAHA you DDY purists are such hypocrites. First you people accuse Styx of not sounding enough like Styx without Dennis, and then you accuse them of sounding TOO much like Styx. Are you kidding me? The Mission is the best Styx album since Grand Illusion.

[@diceytrust2768]

Brian ~ Actually DeYoung hates musical purism. But I get you're point. And yes, no matter what Styx does from here on out, most of the DDY crowd will find fault with it. To them, Dennis was the end all, be all of Styx. For me, Both Tommy & JY are better lyricists then DeYoung. Hearing his syrupy love ballads on every album was boring... And so one note...

[@peaceforeverybody5433]

Would you mind to name all the "syrupy" ballads you talking about in every one of your posts?? You sound like a broken record to be honest...or is it, that Tommy pays you per a word? Or you have wet dreams to pin the guy...geez!

[@Deborahtunes]

What Has Come Between Us, Babe, First Time, The Best Of Times, Don't Let It End, Love At First Sight, Carrie Ann, Ballerina... Off the top of my head, all of these are love ballads from Dennis. And there's more... Typical, you have to get childish in your response...

[@elliothass7000]

Yes, without Dennis they are a shadow of what they were.

[@juicingcornerchris]

not true at all. I always loved Tommy and Jy songs anyway..

[@daverogers5609]

Get over it and get on with your life!

[@elliothass7000]

@@daverogers5609 The album is already forgotten. I have gotten on with my life. It is a good classic rock album but not a good Styx album.

[@elliothass7000]

Tommy looks very old.

[@Videos-tt9pq]

This isn't Styx. James and Lawrence aren't allowed to have their own opinions. Their answers are always "whatever Tommy says". lol

[@Tess1061]

And just like a good little brainwashed DDY follower -- your opinion isn't your own. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@diceytrust2768]

Tess1061 ~ Hi Tess, I see you're out here still kicking some DDY follower butt!...😂😂😂 Keep rocking!👍🎶🎵

[@Tess1061]

Girl, you know it~! Nobody gets away with insulting my favorite band or its precious members.

[@diceytrust2768]

Tess1061 ~ 😂😂😂 They're mine too...Have been for 40+ years now. Today's Styx sounds better they they have since before Dennis went to the bubblegum pop...👍🎵🎶 Have a blessed night...🎶😉🎤 If you're ever on Google+, check out my little community called. 💖Styx ...

[@Tess1061]

I agree completely with you!! PLUS, Gowan has actually been a Styx member longer than DDY, now. haha Also, I don't use Google Plus -- but!! I was curious -- you wouldn't happen to be heading to Biloxi next month to see them, would you? :o