This is Part 1 of my review of the Tesla/Styx and Def Leppard concert at USANA Ampitheatre on September 29th, 2015. The second part will be devoted to the Def Leppard portion of the concert. That will be coming soon hopefully.
Tesla is a band that has been around for 28 years. Currently their lineup is Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat, both of which are multi-instrumentalists and have been with the band since 1981. Jeff Keith is the lead singer, the man with very distinctive vocals, who has been with the band since 1984. Another multi-instrumentalist is Troy Luccketta, he also has been with the band since 1984. Last but not least is Dave Rude, who has been with the band since 2006. (Thanks to Wikipedia)
On a near perfect evening in lovely Salt Lake Tesla roared on to the stage first and reeled off 8 songs. They started off the show with:
"Rock Me To The Top":
"Ez Come Ez Go":
"Hang Tough":
"Heaven's Trail (No Way Out"):
"Signs":
"Love Song":
"Little Suzi":
"Modern Day Cowboy":
Tesla was very good live, they kicked some butt. Although they are playing all their greatest hits, they feel a bit more fresh than does Styx. Tesla wasn't as big as the other two bands on this tour, their songs weren't ever played as much, thus they are a bit more fresh. But Tesla has at least 6 or 7 solid songs. I was a bit disappointed they didn't play "Edison's Medicine (Man Out Of Time)" as I think that's one of their catchiest songs. But that's a minor complaint as I liked all the songs they played.
Styx has been together forever- or at least it seems that way- and they are currently touring with:
- James "J.Y." Young – guitar, backing and lead vocals, additional keyboards(1972-1984, 1989-1992, 1995-present)
- Tommy Shaw – guitar, lead and backing vocals, mandolin, autoharp (1975-1984, 1995-present)
- Todd Sucherman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1995–present)
- Lawrence Gowan – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, additional guitar (1999–present)
- Ricky Phillips – bass, backing vocals, additional guitar (2003–present)
For better or for worse, Tommy Shaw seems to be the man pulling the strings. Styx still sounds good live, both the singing and the musicianship are first rate. But when your most recently played song is from 1981, it's hard to sound fresh. Styx needs to go back into the studio and produce several new songs. (One of my biggest disappointments with Def Leppard's set is that they have new music and they didn't play any of those songs- they should have at least played the lead single "Let's Go".)
After a reasonable break Styx took the stage, they played a total of 9 of their own songs. They also let Lawrence Gowan have a brief time in the spotlight for the 3 covers. After "Come Sail Away", they left the stage, awaiting the encore. After 8 songs looking for an encore is incredibly lame.
"Grand Illusion": (Dennis DeYoung, 1977)
"Too Much Time On My Hands": (Tommy Shaw, 1981)
"Fooling Yourself": (Tommy Shaw, 1977)
"Miss America": (James Young, 1977)
"Lady" (Dennis DeYoung, 1973)
"Blue Collar Man": (Tommy Shaw, 1978)
"Rocket Man"/ "Bohemian Rhapsody"/ "Sittin' On The Dock":
"Come Sail Away": (Dennis DeYoung, 1977)
"Rockin' The Paradise" (Dennis DeYoung/ Tommy Shaw, 1981)
"Renegade": (Tommy Shaw, 1978)
With websites like setlist.fm around, there aren't many surprises any more with what a band's setlist is. There are two options, just keep the same setlist show after show or mix it up. All 3 bands that played tonight went with playing the same setlist as their previous concert and Styx was the closest to their previous setlist.
While watching Styx last night, I wondered why they acted like they hadn't made "Kilroy Was Here" or almost as equally criminal they didn't acknowledge "Cyclorama". Obviously this band had been plagued with personality issues and dare I say ego issues. That being the case, they still played 4 of the songs that Dennis DeYoung had a hand writing in. So they aren't ignoring DeYoung's part in their history, but for some reason they clearly are ignoring "Kilroy Was Here". Since Styx is on the oldies circuit, is 1983's "Kilroy Was Here" too new? I mean it's only 32 years old.
Although Styx have 15 studio albums, they only played songs from 4 of those CD. Besides those two previously mentioned CDs, no love was given too "Equinox", "Crystal Ball" or "Cornerstore"- all of which feature some of Styx's more enduring songs. All 9 original Styx songs were played nearly perfectly- almost too well. Technically proficient, but all almost by the numbers and rote. It seemed like they picked what songs to play based on trying to making everyone happy.
I get that they only had a set number of minutes/ songs. But instead of playing extended versions of their songs, couldn't they have played MORE of their songs. I urge Styx to broaden their setlist, even when they're not the headliner. Even the greatest song ever written eventually will grow old. I know this idea is crazy, but maybe play completely different songs for their next concert. Who wants to be predictable anyway.
Doesn't Styx get sick of playing the same songs every night, why only acknowledge one-fifth of their legacy? Since they ignored that part of their legacy, I'm going to post several of their great songs that they DIDN'T play last night.
The next 3 songs are from 1975's "Equinox", "Light Up":
"Lorelei":
"Suite Madame Blue":
This song is from 1976's "Crystal Ball":
"Crystal Ball":
This song is from 1979's "Cornerstone":
"Babe":
These 4 great songs are from 1983's "Kilroy Was Here":
"Mr. Roboto":
"Don't Let It End":
"Heavy Metal Poisoning":
"Double Life":
These 4 songs are from 2003's "Cyclorama":
One of my all-time favorite Styx songs "Together":
"Waiting For Our Time":
"More Love For The Money":
"One With Everything":
Then three great songs from the excellent "Paradise Theater":
"The Best of Times":
"Lonely People":
"Lonely People":
"Snowblind":
Both Tesla and Styx still put on a great show, I would just urge to mix in some fresher material. Maybe play a couple of covers. One of my all-time favorite concerts is their "Kilroy Was Here" tour. I would suggest both Styx and Tesla head back into the studio and write some new music. Neither band will ever be on the cover of Rolling Stone, but they can at least both be more relevant. I know there's a lot of money to be made in the oldies circuit, but didn't you guys start your bands for reasons besides money.
Keep on rocking.
themusicaddict
Keep on rocking.
themusicaddict