STYX TOUR 2023

Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers STYX—Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo--are rested, healthy, and back on the road, but they’ve finally got a new album to promote along the way. Their highly anticipated 17th “masterpiece” new album, CRASH OF THE CROWN, was released June 18, 2021 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which is available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms. Fans can order it here and at Styxworld.com.

Shortly before CRASH OF THE CROWN came out, they released new music on THE SAME STARDUST EP as part of Record Store Day (Saturday, June 12, 2021). Available on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, featuring two brand-new songs on side one (“The Same Stardust” and “Age of Entropia”), as well as five live performances on side two of some of STYX’s classic hits previously heard during their “STYX Fix” livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including “Mr. Roboto,” “Man In The Wilderness,” “Miss America,” “Radio Silence,” and “Renegade.” Starting September 17, 2021, it was made available worldwide on all digital platforms.

They’re performing in Bensalem, PA on Friday, May 5 at the XCite Center at Parx Casino and in New Brunswick, NJ on Sunday, May 7 at the State Theatre New Jersey.

The album’s first song to be released, “Crash of the Crown,” breaks some brave new world ground for STYX. Actually, it’s the first cut in the band’s storied canon to feature three lead vocalists, seeing how it has James “JY” Young unleashed at the starting gate, Tommy Shaw heading up the heroic stacked-vocal middle section, and Lawrence Gowan leading the vocal charge for the final verse. “I’m always looking for the one different thing we can do and still have it be STYX,” the ever-ebullient Gowan notes, “and that’s the song I’m most proud of. The beauty of it is that it’s the culmination of all our talents crammed together into one song, ABBEY ROAD-style. I also got to use some gear I never thought I’d have the chance to play on a STYX record like Tommy’s Hammond B3 organ, my Minimoog, and my Mellotron.”

Efforts to record CRASH OF THE CROWN began in earnest at Shaw’s home studio in Nashville during the fall of 2019, with Gowan — STYX’s criminally minded showman extraordinaire and keyboardist/vocalist since 1999 — in the room together with Shaw and the album’s producer, Will Evankovich, as he conjured up the album’s first song to be recorded, with cosmetic flourishes that reign over the insistent, yearning call for togetherness, “Common Ground.” But the global pandemic that inevitably transformed the way we all wound up living in 2020 changed the course for how many of the band’s home-and-away recording sessions ultimately had to set socially distanced sail. Safety precautions took precedent for all involved STYX bandmembers and production compatriots with much diligent quarantining and testing required before any one of them could travel to Shaw’s tranquility homebase to spread the uniquely ingrained STYX stardust that’s been duly sprinkled across the album’s cosmically chosen 15 tracks.

Of all those who made the trek to Nashville, original STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo — who, along with his late twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, formed the initial nucleus of STYX when they began jamming together in their basement on the south side of Chicago in 1961 — is hands down the most effusive about the experience. “I’m constantly amazed at how Tommy’s songwriting continues to connect with the social consciousness that spans across generations,” marvels Chuck, who plays on “Our Wonderful Lives” and “Lost at Sea,” Lawrence’s all-too-brief aquatic fever dream. “Both he and Will have been able to tap into the core elements of the human condition, which is something that’s not going to change that much in 50 years — or even 500 years. That’s why STYX remains relevant after all this time, because we’re part of the human condition.”

Whether it’s the heady rush of the groundwork-laying opening track “The Fight of Our Lives,” the wistfully observational treatise of “Reveries,” the cautionary extended hand of comfort and redemption that frames “Hold Back the Darkness,” the undeniable uplift of “Our Wonderful Lives” (a beautiful sentiment further embellished by a most welcome, first-ever appearance by a banjo on a STYX album!), or the elegiac clarion call for shared grace in “To Those,” CRASH OF THE CROWN is music that is both concurrently of its time and truly timeless all at once. Although the official release date for this landmark album may be time-stamped as 2021, the omnisciently observational content of CRASH OF THE CROWN readily brings to mind an amalgamation of historical events that occurred in 1066, 1455, 1775, 1861, 1941, and even 2001 without citing any of them by name — Winston Churchill’s prescient wartime observations that permeate the pervasive pleas of “Save Us From Ourselves” notwithstanding. In essence, CRASH OF THE CROWN (or COTC, for short) is a modern-day sonic chronograph of the endless regenerative cycle of the rise and fall — and rise again — of our shared human experience.

“We’ve never been a protest band. We’re more like a gospel caravan trying to send out positive messages wherever we go,” observes CRASH OF THE CROWN co-creator and overall visionary Tommy Shaw, who joined STYX in December 1975 as a guitarist/vocalist and instantly became one of the band’s most important songwriters. “In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything’s going to be alright. That’s a very important part of how we do what we do.”

CRASH OF THE CROWN is the follow-up to STYX’s 16th studio album, THE MISSION (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called “a masterpiece”) which was released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of THE MISSION was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

Most recently, STYX has teamed up with Voodoo Brewing Co. to bring fans their latest creation, Oh Mama, a Traditional Golden American Lager. Sold as a four-pack of 16 oz. cans or as 50 liter kegs, Oh Mama is currently available at Voodoo’s corporate pubs and franchised locations, online for Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C home delivery, Tavour via their app (using the code “renegade”) for other states throughout the U.S., and in the greater Erie, PA (Allegheny Beverage) and Pittsburgh, PA (Vecenie’s) areas. Folks can be on the lookout for it at their favorite watering hole or grocery store (including Giant Eagle where it’s already available) and they can request it at a bar near them.

At each tour stop, as they have been in the past years, Rock to the Rescue—spearheaded by Tommy Shaw’s daughter, Hannah and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by the band, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country—will continue to research local nonprofit organizations and pick one to see if they are interested in volunteering to help the band sell $10 tickets for a drawing to win a signed STYX guitar at the shows. They give these organizations a percentage of the sales as their way of supporting their cause and thanking them for supporting the band’s cause.

Rock To The Rescue was founded on the principle that our communities are stronger when we work together in mutual aid. Having played thousands of shows in the last 15 years, STYX has been strongly connected with communities across the country. With local fans and community members making an effort to join in support of STYX, it is important to the band to actively participate in these communities as well. What makes Rock to the Rescue unique is that they work on a grassroots level with small groups, giving real support to real individuals who are creating positive changes in their communities. Rock to the Rescue is building initiatives in the areas of music education, health and well-being, disaster relief and aid, and animal welfare and rescue.

Rock to the Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of STYX singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon singer/keyboardist/guitarist Kevin Cronin. The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as Bad Company, Journey, Survivor, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others to be part of “Volunteers For America” concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City.

In 2014, Rock To The Rescue raised $10,000 for the Philadelphia Fire Department Local #22 Widows Fund at the “Soundtrack of Summer” show (with Foreigner and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder) in Camden, NJ on July 3, as a thank you to the local fire department for cooling down STYX’s burning crew bus the day before. And in 2013, Rock To The Rescue hosted a sold-out concert with STYX, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Survivor, Richard Marx and Larry The Cable Guy, in Bloomington, IL at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum that raised $450,000 for victims of the horrible storms in Illinois. Also in 2013, Rock To The Rescue presented the Boston One Fund with a check for $108,000 for victims of the Boston marathon bombings as a result of funds raised during the “The Midwest Rock ‘N Roll Express” tour with STYX, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent.

On November 19, 2015, Rock To The Rescue donated $25,000 to The Sweet Stuff Foundation to help victims of the Paris terrorist attacks. In honor of the musicians and crew who lost their lives in the attack at The Bataclan music venue in Paris where Eagles of Death Metal were performing, from that date through December 31, 2015, Sweet Stuff dedicated all money received directly to the surviving families of those who passed away, including that of the band’s merchandise manager, Nick Alexander. The Sweet Stuff Foundation was founded by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, who is also a key recording member of Eagles of Death Metal.

MBW: Where were you born ???

JG: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina (of Paraguayan parents)

MBW: Tell us about your childhood ???

JG: As I have just mentioned, I was born in Argentina, but I am from Paraguayan parents. I grew up in the interior of Paraguay. I had a very happy childhood. I was overprotected by a large family (that was a matriarchy of powerful women). I was a very introverted child with a vivid imagination. I took the great and beautiful cultural vivacity of my city and its people and began to create my own magical world. The Guaraní language (pre-Hispanic, today the official language in Paraguay as well as Spanish). I was inspired and captivated by a rich accumulation of custom and tradition.

MBW: When did you come to America ???

JG: I came to the United States in the year 2002.

MBW: What do you think of America ???

JG: I believe that America is a formidable country where dreams truly come true. Its cultural diversity makes it incredible. The cities that I have known have taken my breath away, like San Francisco and Los Angeles. New York, the city where I live, has so much personality. There is nothing missing here in New York City. It has great museums, cultural activities, the opera, omg I love it here. I am happy that I chose the right city.

MBW: What was the 1st thing that sparked your interest in fashion ???

JG: I definitely must go back to my childhood to answer that question. My mother had a very varied clothing store where I started playing with this. At home she had my aunt who was a dressmaker with whom I spent a lot of time watching how she made those evening gowns. I think that the two of them influenced my interest in fashion. Aside from that my mother was a very beautiful and very elegant woman. I remember that I accompanied her to the dressmakers, and I was enthralled to see her standing on a platform trying on a dress full of pins, ha ha ha. Haute couture right in front of my eyes as a young child.

MBW: Who are your top 5 favorite designers ???

JG: 1 - John Galliano

2 - Cristobal Balenciaga

3 - Rei Kawakubo

4 - Lee Alexander McQueen

5 - Viktor & Rolf https://www.facebook.com/groups/714310715631064/ ?ref=share_group_link

Giving this list must be the hardest part of this interview.

MBW: What do you admire the most about your 1st favorite designer?

JG: John Galliano is a living master. He has taken our breath away in every collection he designed for Dior. I am fascinated by his historical references, his inspiring muses, his deconstructions and the respect he has for ancient and artisan sewing techniques. He is the King of Dreams from his uniquely studied pattern to his own personal “little black book” treasure trove of embellishment extraordinaire and beyond. Analyzing his current work at Maison Margiela are design classes for those who need to know where to go on the path of fashion.

I think John Galliano brings together the perfect combination of everything I like and value in fashion (theatricality, humor, and how he handles camp in many cases). All this without ever neglecting elegance.

MBW: Tell us about Madame Kusune ???

JG: Kusuné is in Guarani. Kusú: ashes - Né: fetid (Lady of the fetid ashes) a surreal thought, with humor, that’s how I see it. A reflection where there is room for criticism of both fashion and ourselves. Like all things of Life has its good side. It also has a side that lends itself to thinking (its ephemeral, capricious nature, and taking into account that fashion is not just clothes. There is all that social behavior that revolves around beauty. For example, the current obsession with botox, eyelashes, giant extensions, filters in the photos are fashion. At this point it should be noted that sometimes fashion is imposed by people, not only by designers.

My interest in creating MK was for it to be an open place for fashion criticism in every sense. Its focus point to be Avant-Garde, Fantastic Fashion. Not only from the established masters but also from new talents such as Graduates from Fashion Schools. The group is quite open in styles and to all eras. All I ask is that they don’t show boring clothes, lol.

This group has a good number of people who show how much we love fashion and of course has members ranging from just curious people to people very involved in fashion (in the fashion business) either currently or in the past. You can get a big surprise with the people you have in the group. There are several famous models from the 80’s who sometimes give their opinion on something!

MK is a group that connects me with the world of fashion. Through it I dream again of my great passion, which I left behind for many years working in other fields. I have also made valuable friends. Many Very Important People around the world. MK has also proven to be useful in the creative career of fashion design students.

This was sent to me yesterday by a design professor and I share it: “The students of the REACADEMY of make-up in Rome and Naples, Italy, are really thrilled with Madame Kusune’s Facebook group! During the costume workshop hours which I (Daniel Verola) direct, my students constantly visit this group’s page seeking inspiration for their costume designs.” I am always having this type of comment that fills me with satisfaction.

I started MK with a few friends and now it has almost 90k members, it’s amazing!!

MBW: Tell us about Gini Styles?

JG: Gini Styles is a Facebook page where I collect what I personally like from the collections that are appearing. At some point I have thought about the possibility of taking my design career to the level of what is fashion adviser or fashion styling. In this selection, I give priority to the wearable, which I believe has value as a contemporary piece, even if it is from past or vintage collections.

MBW: What do you think about the Met Gala ???

JG: I think the Met Gala is the biggest fashion event in the world. The most anticipated. The curation that each Met Gala show has is incredible and all within the framework of the Met Museum, which is definitely one of the most important museums in the world, since I live in New York.

MBW: Who do you consider to be the most stylish female celebrity ???

JG: Dita Von Teese is, all the way, by far, my really favorite.

MBW: Who do you consider to be the most stylish male celebrity ???

JG: I think the most stylish man I have ever met is You Marlowe. I adore your style, and everything looks fabulous on you!

And after you is Timothée Chalamet.

Note: I think that with these last two questions, Marlowe expects me to clarify how I like to see a woman and a man dressed up: An elegant woman, very well cared for in all aspects, her house, her hair, her perfume and her ways, all very significant. In men I like that he breaks the rules. I like the avant-garde man with certain (stylistic) oversights.

MBW: I honestly need to say that I am beyond flattered, Jsus ... Thank You Royally, Sir !!! ... While on the subject and pointing out the distinction of such, and whether “...you got or you don’t ...”, might I venture to ask your highly qualified opinion of what value you give to fashion ???

JG: The role of fashion in the world is so important that there is even a Philosophy of Fashion, Psychology of Fashion and Sociology of Fashion. They study human behavior through it. Since fashion accompanies us historically, it shows part of our evolution, transformations, changes in thoughts, as well as social and economic problems are reflected in it. It is truly important. Just as we can delve into history or art history, we can also do so in the history of fashion. In the present I am encouraged to say that fashion is a system of social and personal communication and expression.

MBW: What makes a person a Fashionista ???

JG: I think I understand that a fashionista is a person obsessed with trends and brands and they make this an important part of their lifestyle. People closely linked to social networks, pop music artists, influencers and millionaires. There are many ways to approach fashion and in no way could I suggest that taking it as an obsession is the best way, much less the most intelligent.

MBW: Aside from stylish clothes what makes one celebrity more attractive than another ???

JG: I think that it happens not only among celebrities, and it is that the intellectual preparation that a person has apart from their natural elegance, manners and tastes will always make a big difference. Knowing yourself and knowing fashion and what you want to say with it is essential. For some look more attractive or interesting than others.

On the other hand, I highly value artists who take risks and, beyond looking attractive, lend themselves to some very conceptual creations. Who can forget Björk in a Swan outfit with an egg as a bag at the 2001 Oscars? Or recently the commotion caused by the outfits of Sam Smith and Doja Cat. Very interesting conceptually. In other styles I remember that Cardi B looked incredible in a vintage creation by Therry Mugler at the 2019 Grammy Award. Cher dressed by Bob Mackie at the 1986 Oscars.

Billy Porter, Timothée Chalamet, Harry Styles, the latter within the gender fluidity style.

MBW: Describe Couture ???

JG: COUTURE is a sacred institution of fashion. Until today that name is jealously guarded by the few designers in the world who demonstrate the highest quality standards in their collections. The Chambré Syndicale de la Haute Couture de Paris is defined as a regulatory commission that determines which fashion houses are eligible to be considered Haute Couture, manages an exclusive list of these designers and decides who has the right to use that name Haute Couture. Some of the requirements that a firm or designer must meet is the minimum use of sewing machines, most of the garments have to be sewn by hand, a minimum of hours of work and embroidery, the high quality of the fabrics. These are unique garments where the designer shows the art of fashion through his concepts. Nowadays, museums around the world have become showcases to show these jewels that need care in their storage as well as special temperatures, generally from the collections. The most commercial collections come from the Haute Couture firms, it should be noted that the misuse of the Couture denomination by clothing manufacturers is commonly seen and you can even find catalog garments with this title to attract customers since it is definitely synonymous with Glamour.

MBW: We totally adore you and your wonderfully thriving beehive of fashion. Where do you intend to take us with this in the very near future ???

JG: I am more prepared than ever to assume responsibility, if this arises, from being able to work within a fashion company, where I can contribute with my taste. The good thing about the artistic professions is that it gives you the possibility of working all your life. A creator never stop. But if this opportunity does not present itself in the field of fashion, my plan B is no less despicable and has to do with continuing to work in art through the culture of my country of origin, with which I totally identify. Paraguay, after all I have the great honor of having been honored as cultural ambassador of my city in Paraguay called Eusebio Ayal - Barrero Grande! The City of Chipá, the most exquisite bread in the world!

MBW: I support you, wholeheartedly, in your magnificent quest. I find such joy in each and every presentation you deliver. And now, Dear Jsus, we come to my favorite question … If I could grant you three wishes, what would they be?

JG: 1 - Give me a sewing workshop with magnificent workers who make my designs come true!

2 - Give me freedom of expression to create

3 - Give me an indefinite fly tickets to continue learning about this wonderful world (hotels included please, lol) the best thing in life is the world and its people, the metaverse is interesting but nothing compares to traveling for real!

Madame Kusuné | Facebook

Madame Kusuné is a group dedicated to Fashion and everything related to it: Photography, Art, Movie, Fashion History, from past to present. (The More Unique, Artistic and Fantastic, The Better ) Personal postings, as well as personal projects or business are not allowed. Please credit each post you show. Thank you!

Madame Kusuné es un grupo dedicado a la moda y todo lo relacionado con ella: Fotografía, Arte, Cine, Historia de la moda, de pasado a presente. (Cuanto Más Unico, Artístico y Fantástico, Mejor ) No se permiten los posteos personales, o de proyectos o negocios personales. Por favor, acredite cada post que muestre.

I wanted to take advantage of this interview not only to talk about fashion, which is a pleasure for me, but I also want to illustrate it and I have worked on two fashion collections for it through digital techniques and experimenting with technological advances.

My inspiring Muse is the fascinating as well as controversial Madame Eliza Alicia Lynch she was the Irish mistress-wife of president of Paraguay Francisco Solano López, considered a Paraguayan national hero, since she decided to accompany Mariscal López fighting in the bloody battles of the war called “The Triple Alliance” These two collections are dedicated to his memory and to his glamorous contribution of European fashions and customs to Paraguay around 1850. My recommended material to learn more about its incredible story is the book “News from Paraguay” by LILY Took.

The first is a young collection with Victorian touches in a retro-futuristic line that I call Future Lady Eliza and the second with similar references but including more romanticism I have called this collection Madame L The collections as well as more of my art can be seen on my website JGini.com

My inspiring Muse is the fascinating as well as controversial Madame Eliza Alicia Lynch