Spock's Beard Euro Tour 2010 dates (EDITED 12:45 PM)

This is from the official Spock’s Beard website: http://www.spocksbeard.com

SB EUROPE TOUR IN SEPTEMBER

There are a couple spots on the tour that may change, but since this schedule has been posted all over the internet already, we might as well post it too. ;-) If there are any changes to this schedule we'll make the necessary corrections and re-post. We are touring with Enochian Theory. If you aren't familiar with them, check 'em out, they are a really cool band.

15 Wed - Netherlands - Zoetermeer - De Boerderij
16 Thu - France - Paris - La Scene Bastille
17 Fri - Germany - Rüsselsheim - Das Rind
18 Sat - Germany - Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
19 Sun - Germany - Bochum - Zeche
20 Mon - TBA
21 Tue - Switzerland - Pratteln - Z7
22 Wed - Germany - Nürnberg - Hirsch
23 Thu - Germany - Karlsruhe - Substage
24 Fri - TBA
25 Sat - Poland - Knurowie - Centrum Kultury
26 Sun - Poland - Opole - Filharmonia Opolska
27 Mon - Hungary - Budapest - Ship A-38
28 Tue - Slovakia - Bratislava - Majestic Music Club


ALSO:

CalProg Presents: Spock's Beard

Long time proggers Spock's Beard have recently released their 10th studio album, appropriately titled "X". This album has been critically acclaimed as their best "post-Neal" work, and by some as their best work period. They are about to launch a substantial European tour in support of it, but due to economic factors were not planning any shows in the US. CalProg could not let that happen, so we are honored to announce that they will launch this momentous tour from our stage in Downey. They are originally from the LA area, and we are hoping that local fans will avail themselves of this rare opportunity to see these guys at the top of their game. Here's the facts:

Spock's Beard - X Tour
Sunday Sept. 12, 2010 @ 8pm
Downey Civic Theater (http://www.calprog.com/downey_civic_theater.htm)

Tickets go on Sale Saturday July 17 @ 7am
Available only at http://www.calprog.com/
All Seats Reserved - $55
Credit Card or Paypal

K2 signs distribution deal with UME

Critically acclaimed progressive rock act K2 has signed a major distribution deal with Umbrello Music Entertainment. The agreement covers both digital downloads and physical CD distribution worldwide. Included in the deal are the album Book of the Dead, a DVD and their upcoming disc, (working title: Black Garden). This deal is just the latest in a series for Umbrello (a label that is quickly becoming both a progressive rock establishment and a leader in digital and video technologies).

K2 was formed by Ken Jaquess in 2001. Beginning with guitar lessons at age 11, and switching to bass at 13, Jaquess found a desire early on to play unconventional music, far from the path of commercial, radio pop. That desire led him to perform with Newcross (Rain of Thought), Dresden and Atlantis before ultimately creating K2 (K Squared).

Book of the Dead was originally released in April of 2005 and received worldwide acclaim, even being heralded as a top 10 release by many critics. Jaquess was joined by drummer Doug Sanborn along with Spock's Beard keyboardist Ryo Okumoto, vocalist Shaun Guerin, violinist Yvette Devereaux, guitarist John Miner and guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Holdsworth, who was once named by Eddie Van Halen as the best guitarist in the world, is well known for his work in the progressive rock supergroup UK, but has also made a name for himself in fusion. He is a true musicians' musician.

In response to live gig requests, Jaquess assembled a new line-up to hit the road. Sanborn, Okumoto and Jaquess teamed up with Atlantis guitarist Karl Johnson and vocalist Josh Gleason of The Waiting Room. In January 2006, K2 performed their first gig in Hollywood. The entire Book of the Dead album was performed, along with a few surprises and was filmed live in widescreen. The DVD includes a bonus live video performance from their summer 2006 tour, as well as behind the scenes footage of rehearsals and a photo gallery. This long awaited item will finally see the light of day!

Jaquess is currently working on the new K2 album, which will also be released through Umbrello in early 2009. This deal will allow worldwide distribution of long anticipated material from this vital progressive rock outfit.

REVIEW: Spock's Beard Live (DVD/CD)

Spock's Beard has a pretty extensive live discography, when you think about it...

Official Live Bootleg/The Beard is Out There (1996)
Live at the Whisky and NEARfest (1999)
Don't Try This at Home (April 2000)
Don't Try This @ Home Either (2000) (From the Vaults, Series 3)
There and Here (2000) (From the Vaults, Series 4)
Gluttons for Punishment (2005)

Following on the heels of this lengthy list of live progressive goodness, the band has released yet another double live CD, partnered on DVD this time, under the pithy title Live. At least it does what it says on the label, eh?

As this album was recorded on the tour for the group's most recent studio release (the eponymous Spock's Beard), the setlist relies heavily on that album. Fully 6 of 11 tracks from that album are performed here, including the 4-part epic "As Far as the Mind Can See" (I count that 4-part composition as a single song, even though it is indexed as 4 individual tracks for ease of playback). Nick D'Virgilio and company did a great job selecting tracks to play from the new album, selecting the stronger compositions and playing them with passion. Highlights include the powerhouse show opener "On A Perfect Day," the m oody and eerie "Rearranged," and the elegiac "The Slow Crash Landing Man," filled with great keyboard tones (including some epic organ patches) and wonderful singing courtest of D'Virgilio.

Fans of the band's earlier work when Neal Morse was still a member need not be disappointed that the early work has been ignored; several Neal-era songs are also covered here. The closing medley of "The Water" and "Go The Way You Go" is an appropriate way to close out the show, and the vocal interplay on "Thoughts (Part 2)" is as solid as ever, even without Neal's voice as part of the mix.

The band is playing a swell as ever; this show seems to have been particularly strong, without some of the hijinks and insanity that seem to follow the band from time to time. This seems a group with a purpose, putting on the show of their lives, rather than an average night out at a club or venue. It is possible that the show was edited to excise things like lengthy asides and/or jokes, but I don't necessarily see evidence of that.

Unlike the previous Gluttons for Punishment release, Spock's Beard has also seen fit to offer this show up on DVD. Dolby 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 soundtracks are pretty standard, of course, and the show is nicely shot in 16:9 widescreen (no notes on letterboxed or anamorphic on the case). Lighting is decent, and camera angles are used to reasonably good effect. I wish shots would develop a little longer, but at the very least individual shots are given a few seconds before cuts in most cases. Quick intercuts work well when there's something exciting happening (the opening of "In The Mouth of Madness" is a good example of where quick camera cuts work well), but in general, cameras should linger. Sound quality for both the DVD and CD releases is very good, not leading to listener fatigue.

Fans of Spock's Beard will already have this, so I would be preaching to the converted. New listeners not familiar with the group may find this a good way to stick their toes in the water, as Spock's Beard invests their songs with great energy live, making these perhaps definitive versions to listen to.

Intro
On A Perfect Day
In The Mouth of Madness
Crack the Big Sky
The Slow Crash Landing Man
Return to Whatever
Surfing Down the Avalanche
Thoughts (Part 2)
Drum solo
Skeletons At The Feast
Walking On The Wind
Hereafter (Ryo solo)
As Far As The Mind Can See (Dreaming In The Age Of Answers, Here's A Man,They Know We Know, Stream Of Unconsciousness)
Rearranged
The Water/Go The Way You Go

Spock's Beard - autographed booklets available on Live pre-order

Los Angeles-based progressive rockers SPOCK'S BEARD will release a concert DVD, simply entitled "Live", this summer via InsideOut Music. The footage was shot by D'iMages on May 25, 2007 at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.

If you pre-Order either of the upcoming Spock's Beard releases, Live (2-CD) or Live DVD and get a limited autographed booklet with purchase! Go the Newbury Comics website by clicking here.


The group's setlist was as follows:

01. On A Perfect Day
02. In The Mouth Of Madness
03. Crack The Big Sky
04. The Slow Crash Landing Man
05. Surfing Down The Avalanche
06. Return To Whatever
07. Thoughts 2
08. Drum Duel
09. Skeletons At The Feast
10. Walking On The Wind
11. Hereafter
12. As Far As The Mind Can See Pt. 1 - Dreaming In The Age Of Answers
13. As Far As The Mind Can See Pt. 2 - Here's A Man
14. As Far As The Mind Can See Pt. 3 - They Know We Know
15. As Far As The Mind Can See Pt. 4 - Stream Of Unconsciousness
16. Rearranged
17. Encore: The Water/Go The Way You Go

View a trailer for the DVD here.

Spock's Beard 2008 Euro tour dates

Spock's Beard kick off their latest batch of European concerts later this month with dates in Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. The band will also appear at the first Three River's Prog Festival in August...

26.06.2008: Germany-Ulm/Ulmer Zelt
27.06.2008: Germany-Netzschkau/III. Art-Rock-Festival
28.06.2008: Germany-Bochum/Zeche Open Air
29.06.2008: Netherlands-Zoetermeer/Boerderij*
30.06.2008: Switzerland-Pratteln/Z7
02.07.2008: Great Britain-Cardiff/Point*
03.07.2008: Great Britain-London/Carling Academy Islington*
04.07.2008: Great Britain-Manchester/Academy*
05.07.2008: Great Britain-Leeds/Rios*
06.07.2008: Scotland-Glasgow/The Arches*
07.07.2008: Great Britain-Wolverhampton/The Robin 2
23.08.2008: United States-Pittsburgh/The Three Rivers Prog Festival

Dates marked with an asterisk will feature Frost*.

Speaking of Spock's Beard's new DVD...

...the band and InsideOut Music are having a contest with some pretty brill prizes. Check it out:

Eden Electronics, Seymour Duncan, and Vic Firth along with SPV and InsideOut America present the Get “Live” with Spock’s Beard.


-To enter, send an email to freeman@spvmarketing.com. In the email, please include your mailing address. We will then send you a package with Spock’s Beard Post Cards and Magnets.

-The object of the contest is for fans to distribute all of these postcards and magnets that promote the release of the DVD and CD, in the most creative ways possible. Entrants are asked to submit pictures of their creative promotion to the SPV USA office. This can be emailed as a digital photograph to Freeman@SPVMarketing.com, or it can be submitted as a hard copy, to our snail mail address:

SPV USA
68 White St 287
Red Bank, NJ 07701

The first 25 people to enter will receive:
A set of Nick D’Virgilio Signature Drumsticks Courtesy of Vic Firth

The grand prize winner, who will receive:
WTX-260 Bass-Head, courtesy of Eden/US Electronics and an autographed copy of the Spock’s Beard “Live” DVD or CD

The second place winner will receive:
A set of Jazz Bass SJB-1 pick-ups, courtesy of Seymour Duncan and an autographed copy of the Spock’s Beard “Live” DVD or CD

Three runners up will receive:
An autographed copy of the Spock’s Beard “Live” DVD or CD


-The SPV/InsideOut staff will determine who was the most creative with their promotional techniques.
-Entrants acknowledge participation at own risk. Observe all local, state, and federal laws. SPV and its affiliated members assume no liability in conjunction with improper display of promotional materials. All entry photos become property of SPV. Contest winner chosen at sole discretion of SPV. Entries must be received by noon on July 31, 2008, and the winner will be announced on August 1, 2008.

Opeth, Spock's Beard and Neal Morse updates

OPETH have announced their Fall 2008 UK tour dates:

Nov 17 - ABC, Glasgow
Nov 18 - St Vicars, Dublin, Ireland
Nov 19 - Academy, Birmingham
Nov 20 - Shepards Bush Empire, London
Nov 21 - Academy, Bristol
Nov 22 - Rock City, Nottingham
Nov 23 - Academy, Manchester



NEAL MORSE has announced the release of his new DVD, Sola Scriptura & Beyond, to be released on 15 July on the InsideOut label. The concert covers the ? and Sola Scriptura albums, along with selected tracks from One, Testimony, Spock's Beard and Transatlantic. Tracklisting is as follows:

DISC ONE:
1 The Creation
2 The Good Don't Last/Open Wide The Flood Gates
3 The Door
4 The Conflict/The Conclusion
5 Question Mark Medley
6 Testimedley
7 We All Need Some Light
8 Wind At My Back

DISC TWO:
1 Behind The Scenes
2 Bridge Across Forever (acoustic)
3 Question Mark Live at Columbia Park, Berlin 2006 (Full concert)



Finally, the new Spock's Beard DVD release, SB Live, is imminent. My promo copy has arrived, so you should expect some thoughts and a review soon. Many thanks and bouquets of Martian Fire Flowers to Jon Freeman at SPV for getting this blogger/reviewer taken care of...

Spock's Beard live release info

The long-awaited Spock's Beard live DVD and 2 CD set are now available for pre-order...

Release dates are Germany, Austria & Switzerland on June 13, the remainder of Europe on June 16 and North America on June 24, 2008.

Recorded live in Holland in 2007, it Includes:

On A Perfect Day
Mouth of Madness
Crack the Big Sky
The Slow Crash Landing Man
Return to Whatever
Surfing Down the Avalanche
Thoughts (Part 2)
Drum solo
Skeletons At The Feast
Walking On The Wind
Hereafter (Ryo solo)
As Far As The Mind Can See (Dreaming In The Age Of Answers, Here's A Man,They Know We Know, Stream Of Unconsciousness) Rearranged
The Water / Go The Way You Go medley.

The DVD and CD set contain the same songs. Check out the trailer:

I think we need to start seeing other people...

Quite the provocative title, no?

I don't want to pretend that I am some all knowing sage when it comes to progressive music. I've listened to a lot...this is true. And I tend to be all over the map...I'll go from zeuhl to neo to prog metal to RiO to Canterbury without so much as a blink of the eye. For me, music is music, and music I like is music I like. I try not to look at things...well, I do look at them deeper than that, but at the most elemental levels, it all boils down to that spark...the frisson that occurs when a band and a listener connect on some deeper level.

The problem occurs when that connection begins to wear out.

And it happens.

Often.

And when it happens, I am left wondering if there is actually fault to be laid. Have I grown to expect too much of a band, and they no longer meet expectations that perhaps they cannot in good faith ever meet? Or has the band moved past me...or me past the band?

I look at a band like The Flower Kings, perhaps the most currently in vogue band to bad mouth. For me, and despite the protestations of their most fervent fans, they have not released an album which has enthused and thrilled (OK, perhaps overkill there, but go with me on this) since Unfold the Future in 2003...and even there, only in part. Listening to them live, they certainly have the skills to pull off their compositions, and they play well live. But the material, for this listener, seems mired in a tried and true method, based around 20 minute epics on every album and a sound that has become trademark. Have I grown to a point where the familiar no longer exerts pull...or has the band become static?

I think it's really a combination of the two...and at the same time, one of us has changed, and the other hasn't.

Should I expect a band to follow my tastes? Not necessarily. At the same time, while I certainly want them to remain true to their muses (or muse, if it is a single band member who exerts the most influence on the band's oeuvre), growth...progress...progression...occurs when a band pushed beyond the familiar.

There are a number of bands I could say the same thing for. As an example, I find it odd that the release of a new Dream Theater album finds me suddenly realising that their previous release wasn't quite so bad, really. Spock's Beard is a band that has changed their sound radically, in much the same way Genesis did with the departure of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett...and while I am glad they are staking out a new sonic arena in which to work, I find it generally of less interest to me these days. At the same time, I see a band like Marillion, who seems perfectly capable of releasing a brilliant album (Marbles) followed by utter dross (Somewhere Else), and doing so repeatedly. I'm sure each of these bands are following their muse...and more and more frequently, I am finding myself unwilling to follow.

There's more to explore here...but that will have to wait for another post, and another time.



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