KevB Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 Last night in Nottingham. Watching five very talented blokes all pulling in the same direction can be a joy to behold. Set list (as often with these guys) a bit perplexing at times but as they kept saying they put it together before releasing the new album and didn't know which songs would prove popular from it. Oh and Dave Meros seems to have dyed his hair a bit of an odd colour. Enjoyable evening, catch them if you can on one of the remaining [url="http://www.spocksbeard.com/concerts.html"]4 UK dates[/url]. Quote
Truckstop Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 I really should try and see them! Last album I bought was Feel Euphoria which was the first one after Morse left. Sort of coincided with me losing touch with prog a bit as well because I got fed up with Dream Theater getting too heavy for me and sh*tty bands popping up all over the place that were hard to keep track of! Transatlantic, Platypus, OSI etc etc. All terrible. Quote
KevB Posted September 30, 2015 Author Posted September 30, 2015 If you're going to see them on this tour I'd definitely get the latest album (Oblivion Particle) as a lot of the set is from it and also have at least a listen to the previous one. They are also covering some Neal Morse era stuff but I don't want to spoil it for anyone, those desperate to know can look it up on setlist fm. Quote
Graham Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 I've liked what few bits I've heard of these guys, where's the best place to start? Quote
KevB Posted September 30, 2015 Author Posted September 30, 2015 Well there are sort of 3 phases of SB and I'll pick 2 albums from each. There's the version that was dominated by Neal Morse, of which I'd recommend [b]Kindness Of Strangers[/b] and [b]Day For Night[/b]. Then he left and the onstage leader became drummer Nick d'Virgillio and a good representation of that is [b]Feel[/b] [b]Euphoria[/b] and [b]X[/b]. Nick left and currently Ted Leonard fronts the band and they have only done 2 with him singing, [b]Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep[/b] and most recent [b]The Oblivion Particle[/b]. They are all recognisable as the same band despite the personnel changes. Very much influenced by the classic 70's prog acts but not sounding overly dated (to me). Quote
spongebob Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 I always mean to check them out - it's just their name which has always deterred me! Quote
Graham Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 [quote name='KevB' timestamp='1443617532' post='2876265'] Very much influenced by the classic 70's prog acts but not sounding overly dated (to me). [/quote] I was listening to Feel Euphoria at work earlier and that sounds like a good description, Porcupine Tree is probably the closest reference point I'm familiar with. Quote
Woodinblack Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 I should be seeing them on friday (assuming I am not still Ill), so I guess I better get a listen to the latest album quickly! Quote
Cameronj279 Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 What time roughly were they on? I'm working till 8pm tomorrow but my works pretty damn close (maybe 4 minutes walk) from the venue. Would quite fancy going. Quote
bootleg Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 Seen these guys a couple of times, great performers, and turned down lift to Leamington Spa this evening for some reason!!! My loss. Dave is a great guy. Always happy to chat afterwards. Quote
KevB Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1443652186' post='2876701'] What time roughly were they on? I'm working till 8pm tomorrow but my works pretty damn close (maybe 4 minutes walk) from the venue. Would quite fancy going. [/quote] In my case it was an early show because it's a University city and venues want to make money twice over in same night so shove bands on stupidly early, get em out then get a load of students in for rest of night - kerching. Stage times at rescue rooms were roughly band 1(sorry cant recall name) - 6:00 Synaesthesia - 6:45 Spocks Beard - 8:00-10:00 Quote
odysseus Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I thought it was game over after Neal Morse left, so I lost interest... then I happened upon some live footage with Nick up front, and I was blown away. Going to check out some recent studio stuff next! Quote
Conan Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Top band! But then I would say that wouldn't I? May they live long and prosper P.S. If you like the Beard, have a listen to Karmakanic... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lhyJVEtiN4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lhyJVEtiN4[/url] Edited October 1, 2015 by Conan Quote
KevB Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 I have to say in retrospect they look more of a 'proper band' again after DV leaving, it was almost getting like the other four were his backing band. I wondered if it was the end when I saw them at High Voltage in 2011, Ted Leonard coming in at short notice and barely time to get into it, looked uneasy and it spread to the others a bit. Neal Morse coming on as a guest steadied things for that show. Then I saw them in Sheffield on the last tour and Leonard had really grown into the part and looked so much more comfortable, a much better singer than I'd credited him with before. End of the day it's modern prog influenced by classic70's prog, take it or leave it. All excellent players though. Quote
HMX Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Only really listened to two albums: Snow - which was fantastic - and eponymous - which was... okay-ish. I'd go see them but I don't know tonnes. Either way, Dave Meros' tone and playing is boss. Quote
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