Styx – The Mission

By starrymag | July 8, 2019

By: Donna Sgro

 

 

Q) You have been in Styx nearly 14 years, at this point. I want to know how big a Styx fan were you before you joined the band and if that makes it special to do these two classic Styx albums, The Grand Illusion and Pieces of 8, in their entirety? 

 

A) It actually has been now 20 years I have been in the band in total. Funny thing is I have admired them for probably longer than that. Since being in the band it’s been pretty damn amazing as we have had four shows that have been sold out and heading into the states now. And to see after all of these years the fans singing the words to our songs is the best feeling ever since these two albums and even previous it’s pretty awesome to see that after all of these years fans still come back for that classic rock band feeling. It’s a total blessing to be a part of these two projects and more to come.

 

 

Q) There’s a reissue in 5.1 surround sound of The Mission. How do you feel about the response you’ve been getting to the album?  

 

A) After 40 years since the band has been together it’s like nothing has changed. After all this time it’s been pretty amazing to hear what technology has put to and updated after all of these years what used to be a simple record or a cassette tape has improved so much. I think with the continued sound fans will always come back to the band as they have done since the inception of the music.

 

 

Q) What makes this album the most challenging and ambitious album for Styx?

 

A) Pretty much keeping up with the new age of technology, coming up with the sound and coming out with new music collaborating with the rest of the band members is what continues to keep the sound alive and going. And it hasn’t stopped us yet. It really is a miracle and truly is a blessing

 

 

Q) The first single is “Gone Gone Gone.” What made you select it as the starter single for the album?  

 

A) Really all of the guys sat in the studio for a couple sessions overlooking and really wanted to come up with a song that would remind the fans of just what we’re about but bring back that old school rocker vibe. I think with this one we hit it out of the park big.

 

 

Q) The Mission has Styx sounding youthful and so full of life.  This is definitely not a phoned-in nostalgic It’s progressive yet the songs are all pretty short.  Was this an orchestrated plot to keep the album accessible while appeasing the progressive fans?

 

A) Pretty much just as I stated earlier, we wanted to keep up the feel of what the fans have known for us to sound like and I think it continues with the new generation also.

 

 

Q) After all this time in the industry, how much of a hand does the band have in the production of your music?

 

A) We all have equal hands in the process. Pretty much all of us have a say and that continues for each of the process.

 

 

Q) What do you think it is about Styx’s music that is so easy for everyone to listen to and after 40 years still stay as a fan favorite?

 

A) Great question. I think after all of this time, as I’ve mentioned before, what keeps it going is the music is passed down from one generation to the next and I think like anything music is such a vessel for healing for people that I think after 40 years the fans can tell you that one of if not more than one of our songs have had some special meaning or has gotten them through some of event in their lives. And I think as the years pass on it will continue to be that.

 

 

Q) With the 40th anniversary of Grand Illusion. What is it about this album that you think still stands out to listeners?

 

A) That same eclectic rock band sound.

 

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes them so special to you?  

 

A) England to top it off as I’m from there. I love to see hometown family friends and eat food, even my mom’s. [laughs] The fans are awesome as anywhere else. It’s an amazing feeling to be back there along with probably my second would probably be Sweden or Australia. I love to travel and I love to see old and new generations.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of Styx?

 

A) Keep rocking keep smiling because all of you the fans are why we are here.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Lawrence Gowan