Progressive Palaver

Episode 153 – Styx & Kansas Part 6, 1979 – Monolith and Cornerstone

On this episode Joe isn’t quite sure what year it is, but the group soldiers on to cover both Monolith and Cornerstone. Both these albums stand out for their memorable packaging. Monolith’s epic artwork and the innovative design of the Cornerstone album cover certainly stand the test of time. As for what’s inside, the group has varied reactions to both these records. No one really seems to buy in to Joe’s opinion that Cornerstone is a masterpiece for the ages…

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Know Return-Fooling Ourselves, Part 2

In this special episode, we finish our conversation with members of the dual tribute bands Know Return and Fooling Ourselves, Howard Whitman and Dave Boardman. During this episode, Dave and Howard provide some insights to how they approach the task of recreating both these bands as well as sharing some of their influences.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Know Return-Fooling Ourselves, Part 1

For this special episode, we get to meet two of the driving members of the dual tribute bands Know Return and Fooling Ourselves. Howard Whitman and Dave Boardman share their experiences paying tribute to two of prog’s greatest bands, Kansas and Styx, AT THE SAME TIME! During this first part of a two part episode, Dave and Howard provide some insights to how they approach the task of recreating both these bands as well as sharing some of their influences.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 152 – Styx & Kansas Part 5, 1978 – Pieces of Eight

The year 1978 brings us just one offering from Styx, Pieces of Eight. This album was well known for it’s monster single Renegade (go Tommy Shaw!!), but the conversation gets a lot deeper. In this episode, the group sifts through often contradictory views of this offering. There should be something for everyone here.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 151 – Styx & Kansas Part 4, 1977 – The Grand Illusion and Point of Know Return

The year of 1977 is a huge one in the Styx / Kansas timeline. Point of Know Return is the album that sent Kansas into the stratosphere. With the title track and the timeless Dust In the Wind, Point of Know Return is truly a classic album that you should listen to before you die. The Grand Illusion shows Styx as a band finally showing some of the focus that will define them for the next several years. Another great title track opens the record. Come Sail Away showcases Dennis DeYoung while Fooling Yourself is a Tommy Shaw gem. Songs like Castle Walls have enough hobbit shit to establish Styx’s prog cred. This is a great year!

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS33 – King’s X in Houston, May 2023

Joe gets a chance to share his experience seeing King’s X for a second time as they toured to promote Three Sides of One. This show was in Houston in the spring of 2023. From the venue and the opening acts, it was a show to remember. Watching from the pit, Joe got to experience the full glory of King’s X as they tore through their standard set. Luckily the sound was MUCH better than the last time Joe saw them in Dallas.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Brian Heaton and Brian Naron on Roads to Madness

Progressive Palaver are thrilled to welcome back authors Brian Heaton and Brian Naron to discuss their new book Roads to Madness: The Touring History of Queensrÿche (1981 – 1997). Following on the heels of their first book Building an Empire, Roads provides a comprehensive look at all the tours for the original band lineup. Brian and Brian give us a peak into their process and how this magnificent tome came into being. This is a rare opportunity to hear from these two exceptionally insightful authors. We even manage to spend a little time getting some additional insider information from them on our series of Queensrÿche episodes!

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 150 – Styx & Kansas Part 3, 1976 – Crystal Ball and Leftoverture

In this episode, the group covers 1976 in the combo Styx / Kansas timeline. Crystal Ball sees the introduction of Tommy Shaw to the Styx lineup. Some of the results are immediately remarkable and some of the results are as uneven as the rest of the catalog to this point. Crystal Ball shows a band that is still working to perfect their formula. Leftoverture, on the other hand, is an album for the ages. Kansas were able to craft a timeless classic from a potentially devastating set of circumstances. Leftoverture was the album that broke Kansas as stars and the songs hold up. Enjoy our conversation on these two enjoyable albums from 1976.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 149 – Styx & Kansas Part 2, 1975 – Song for America, Masque, and Equinox

In this episode, the group covers 1975 in our combined Kansas and Styx timeline with three strong albums. Song for America, the sophomore effort from Kansas, shows a band that is racing ahead in their development behind the strength of the title track and Lamplight Symphony. Masque, Kansas’ third record later that year, is another step toward their breakthrough success in 1976. Masque has some of the flaws you would expect from an album produced so quickly after its predecessor, but is a great listen nonetheless. Styx’s Equinox is the last album Styx will make before the addition of Tommy Shaw and shows a band still searching for their true identity. The Styx sound is here, but there is still something missing. 1975 was an important year for both of these bands, setting them up for their huge successes.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 148 – Styx - Kansas Part 1, Preamble and 1972 to 1974

In the start of our new combined segment on Styx and Kansas, we explore how we all got into these bands. Our plan is to cover these bands on a year by year basis, to the extent we are able. Family stories abound as we discuss our earliest experiences with these two American stalwarts. We then continue on to a brief, unfocused discussion about the first three Styx albums in the catalog. There are some moments here as Styx try to discover the magic that they will eventually have.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt