Prog-Watch

This week the Squatch and Diamond Dave L. put the spotlight on a great Dutch band called Knight Area! They trace the history of the band up through their just-released "Hyperdrive" album, and even do a little Q&A with Gerben Klazinga, main composer and keyboardist for the band! This is a good one! (But aren't they all?)

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to the Prog-Watch facebook page. Also, if you like what we are doing, stop by and give us a “like” on Facebook. You can also follow the Squatch on twitter @ProgSquatch.

In Episode 107, the Squatch and co-host Steve Luttig introduced you to the influential UK "neo-prog" band, IQ. In that episode the boys covered the output of the band in the 20th century. In this episode they cover IQ in the 21st century, including material from their latest, the excellent double disc, “The Road Of Bones”! Plus, listener e-mail and new things on the horizon! Don't miss it!

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages. Also, if you like what we are doing, stop by and give us a “like” on Facebook. You can also follow the Squatch on twitter @ProgSquatch.

The D Project is very much the brain child of Stephane Desbiens, founder and leader of Canadian Prog band “Sense.” When moonlighting in the D Project, Desbiens assembles a talented array of regular band mates (including the rhythm section of Matheu and Jean Gosselin) as well as guest “heavy-hitters” such as Sean Filkins (ex Big Big Train), Tomas Bodin (Flower Kings), Martin Orford (IQ) and Fred Schendel (Glass Hammer), to name a few! Join the Squatch and co-host Dave Luttig as they give you an overview of this interesting Prog outfit from the “Great White North”! As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages. Also, if you like what we are doing, stop by and give us a “like” on Facebook. You can also follow the Squatch on twitter @ProgSquatch.

It took Scottish band Comedy Of Errors more than 20 years to get their first album released! But Dave and the Squatch are glad they finally did, and they are sure you will be, too! With their sophisticated sound and their ability to write longer, engaging Prog “epics”, these guys should appeal to all Classic and Neo-Prog fans. And this week, Dave finally gets his wish---the guys play three songs that amount to almost 30 minutes of music! (Dave always says he likes the epics!)

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages. Also, if you like what we are doing, stop by and give us a “like” on Facebook. You can also follow the Squatch on twitter @ProgSquatch.

The brain-child of Dutch guitar virtuoso and composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Ayreon is a band that all Proggers should appreciate! The guest lists on the albums read like a “who's who” of Prog and European heavy rock, which is a testimony to the quality of this stuff! The albums themselves also have themes in sci-fi/fantasy and are often arranged like operas with different singers voicing different characters in the story arc! And the music blends many different genres, from folk, to electronic, to hard rock and heavy metal, all in a manner that can only be described as “Prog”! Did you get all that? You NEED to check out Ayreon---there is so much going on, on so many different levels!

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages. Also, if you like what we are doing, stop by and give us a “like” on Facebook. You can also follow the Squatch on twitter @ProgSquatch.

Prog-Watch Episode 107 – IQ (Part 1):

This week we feature the music of the legendary U.K. band, IQ! Many of the bands we have featured so far on Prog-Watch have listed IQ as an influence, and on this episode you can begin to get an idea why. With a career spanning more than 30 years, IQ was truly one of the first bands to pick up the Prog torch and carry it forward through the dark days of the early 80s, when it seemed like punk and new wave might kill off our favorite musical genre. Along with Marillion, Twelfth Night, Pallas and a few other contemporaries, they were among the first bands to be called “Neo-Prog”. Join the Squatch and his co-host, Steve Luttig, as they look at the 20th century output from this seminal band. And look for another show down the road in which we will examine their 21st century output, because these guys are still at it, and like a fine wine, they have gotten even better with age!

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages.

Prog-Watch Episode 106 – Bigelf:

So, what do you get when you take one part Beatles, one part Uriah Heep, and one part Black Sabbath? Why, BIGELF, of course! With roots in late 60's Psychedelia and early 70's Heavy Prog, Bigelf has a unique sound which could best be described as “heavy retro”. Ethereal vocals float above heavy beds of organ and Mellotron, with muscular guitar work that might remind you of Tony Iommi in places! Join the Squatch and co-host Dave Luttig as they examine this singular and interesting American band.

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages.

Named after a stone circle on Harthill Moor in the UK, Nine Stones Close can take you on an emotional roller coaster ride! The band is very much the brain child of Adrian Jones, a singer and guitarist whose playing may remind you a little of one David Gilmour. Join the Squatch and his co-host Dave Luttig as they take you on a journey that begins on a slow burn and progresses into a pulse-pounding frenzy of ripping guitars. Guitar driven Prog at its finest! Don't miss it!

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages.

All Aboard! Get ready for a great ride this week as the Squatch and his co-host Steve Luttig bring you music from a fantastic UK band called Big Big Train! Winners of the Breakthrough Award at the 2013 Progressive Music Awards held in Kew Gardens in London (hope they were watching out for Giant Hogweeds!) these guys have been making some big noise in their home country, and are one of the best things the Squatch has unearthed in recent years. Aside from a number of great tunes from the band, there are also some interesting tidbits about Ant Phillips of Genesis fame, and Tom Keating, infamous art restorer and forger! Plus, a digression on the Mellotron! Don't miss it!

As always, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages.

This week's band is Moon Safari from Sweden. They have a lighter sound than the band's from the previous two episodes, with a greater emphasis on fantastic vocal harmonies. Also this week: Son-of-Prog-Squatch, Paul Rowsick, takes the co-host's seat and gives a younger man's perspective on the band. Dad and son talk Moon Safari, Prog, and great parent-to-child songs, and send a shout-out to Paul's twin brother, George, who has just re-enlisted in the Army. Once again, the Squatch would like to invite listeners to send questions, comments, and suggestions. (Please keep them polite!) Contact the big guy via e-mail at [email protected] or post to either the Prog-Watch or Prog-Squatch facebook pages.