:: The Shattered Room ::

I've searched but couldn't find a topic about them.
Could be that I didn't search good enough, 'cos I looked at the first three pages. ;D

Anyway.
I was listening to this band again today.
What do you guys think of their latest album "Spock's Beard".

I think it's wonderful. One of the best of 2006.
But what's with this John Boegehold guy, I mean he IS Spock's Beard man...
He writes lyrics, plays guitar and keyboards, does backing vocals, he composes music, comes with ideas, is handling the website etc etc...

And after reading this interview with Alan Morse, I'd almost say that I prefer this John fellow instead of Alan.
Alan doesn't know anything of the writing proces, what's he doing in the band?
http://www.prog4you.com/Band_Interview-07/Spock's_Beard.htm

Question 1
Answer: I don't know.

Question 2
Answer: Gee, I wouldn't know.

Question 3
Answer: Hahahahaha hehehehehehe hohohohohoho funny hehehehehe I don't know.

Question 4
Answer: You should ask John Boegehold, he knows all.

Question 5
Answer: Funny you mention that, well, actually, I don't know, y'know.

Question 6
Answer: Could be, but what do I know.

Question 7
Answer: I didn't think of that. It's a possibility, I'll ask John Boegehold.


etc. etc. etc.

Very frustrating to see...
Ah well, the album is a total succes, I like it very much! One of the best additions to my cd collection.


-Paco

Maybe John is actually Alan.

Or maybe it's Neal. In disguise.

Or maybe he's the Judas, leading Spock's toward their demise  ;D

No, I'v actually seen pictures of this John Boegehold. He's a cozy looking fellow with a round head (in Danish, we'd say a "hyggeonkel"), and he obviously doesn't mind puttering around in the background (prob drinking all the beers - a good job for our John too) while the other guys take the kudos.

It seems to me that Spock's, now that their previous (prob not easy) leader Neal has left, really is a gang of good friends, who work up things together.

Whatever their dynamics, their latest album is a smasher.

Nicky.

Take a look at booklets of all the old albums. John Boegehold is mentioned in almost everyone of them. You can say he has become the 'fifth' member but when Neal was still in Spock he was present as well. I think he has always been a part of Spock but usually in the background.
But after Neal left the others needed more help to show the world that Spock wasn't just Neal but there were five members in it.

That resulted in Feel Euphoria. I still feel that if they had taken their time on that it would have become a good and decent album.  :-\

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2007-10-26, 09:52:37
(prob drinking all the beers - a good job for our John too)

[angry mode] Oi! Are you trying to imply that I'm a [/angry mode].............[realization mode] I've not got an argument have I [/realization mode]


**johninblack goes and hides in the corner after realizing that all his 'friends' thinks he's an alcoholic**

 :o

Quote from: maddox on Fri, 2007-10-26, 10:02:53
But after Neal left the others needed more help to show the world that Spock wasn't just Neal but there were five members in it.

See, I actually find that Spocks has become much better after Neal left, particularly their latest self-titled album, which, as I mentioned earlier, is a smasher; but I also like Octane a lot.

I bought the whole back-catalog on the basis of these two albums. However, I must say that I'm somewhat disappointed with the albums from the Neal-period.

I'd really like to like'm, as Neal is a good Christian very much in the Lutheran vein (I'm Lutheran), and I find his lyrics interesting, but somehow the music just doesnt rock properly for me; too much hammond, too much early Yes, too little real melody.

Well, I know that I'm stepping on toes here, but that's just the way I experience Spocks music. I'd like to hear you guys' take on this matter, and I'd appreciate if you'd list some of your fave passages in the Spocks catalog.


From Wikipedia - Spock's Beard: "The name refers to a slang expression used mostly by Star Trek fans to indicate a concept that's so outlandish as to belong to another, warped universe. The term originates with the episode 'Mirror, Mirror' of the Star Trek original series, where four Enterprise officers are exchanged with their counterparts in an alternate universe; the alternate version of Spock has a goatee."

Nicky.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Tue, 2008-05-20, 16:44:07
See, I actually find that Spocks has become much better after Neal left, particularly their latest self-titled album, which, as I mentioned earlier, is a smasher; but I also like Octane a lot.

That's pretty much my personal taste in Spocks, too.  I haven't a bad word to say about the earlier stuff, I hasten to add, indeed that's what got me into the band in the first place.  But they seem to have been giving 110% since the line-up change, with even more spectacular results than ever before.  To my ears, Octane is without question my favourite ever Spocks release.  And then there's Feel Euphoria which I've only recently bought and I can't stop pressing play 'just one more time' at the moment  *horns*

Quote from: Nicky007 on Tue, 2008-05-20, 16:44:07
See, I actually find that Spocks has become much better after Neal left, particularly their latest self-titled album, which, as I mentioned earlier, is a smasher; but I also like Octane a lot.

I agree. Thei're latest, self-titled album is indeed rather good.
However i think it's far better than the two previous albums with Nick on vocals. I honestly believe that if they made Feel Euphoria without the epic and the song Feel Euphoria itself and with the awesome suite A Flash Before My Eyes (without Surfing  ;D) of Octane than it would be one of the better Spock's albums that could easily match with albums like The Light, The Kindness Of Strangers and Snow.
Sadly those two first albums of Nick are destined to stay in the average.

QuoteI'd really like to like'm, as Neal is a good Christian very much in the Lutheran vein (I'm Lutheran), and I find his lyrics interesting, but somehow the music just doesnt rock properly for me; too much hammond, too much early Yes, too little real melody.

I think you should listen again.  ;)
What do you mean with the early Yes-thingy?  ???
You can compare Spock with bands like Camel, Gentle Giant or (early) Genesis but Yes is for i'm concerned a different league.

QuoteWell, I know that I'm stepping on toes here,

Though they're rather long, you're not hurting me at all.  ;D

Quotebut that's just the way I experience Spocks music. I'd like to hear you guys' take on this matter, and I'd appreciate if you'd list some of your fave passages in the Spocks catalog.

Great things can be heard in either The Light (the song itself is awesome as well is The Water), The Kindness Of Stranger (Strange World is a real rocker and the epic Flow is huge especially the guitar work of Alan, and then you have Harm's Way), V ( you really should re-listen At The End Of The Day because it's amazing and The Great Nothing is also quite good though not their best Epic) and the entire Snow has really nice treats for the good prog listener. Agree, it looks like Testimony Prt I but the album is soo good. One of my fav. concept albums of all time.

QuoteFrom Wikipedia - Spock's Beard: "The name refers to a slang expression used mostly by Star Trek fans to indicate a concept that's so outlandish as to belong to another, warped universe. The term originates with the episode 'Mirror, Mirror' of the Star Trek original series, where four Enterprise officers are exchanged with their counterparts in an alternate universe; the alternate version of Spock has a goatee."

Nicky.

Thank you for this wisdom, Wiki-Nicky.  ;D

Thanks, Mad. I'm movin backwards, so soon I'l give FE and Snow some deep listens.

I must say that I'm deeply impressed by Octane. This album has become one of my alltime faves.

And I think that Nick sings tremendously on Octane and SB. He has such a warm, beautiful and expressive way of singing. And his drumming - phew, awesome !

What I meant with early Yes is that the're a lot of ideas whirling about, but it doesnt get tight enough to really rock.

Prog rock is really about getting your energies together, so that you can cut like a laser light into new territory. That's what raises contemporary SB above the thousands of other rock groups with excellent musicians.

And with John Boegehohohold in the mix, they must be having a lot'o laughs  ;)

Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2008-05-21, 13:33:01
Though they're rather long, you're not hurting me at all.  ;D

I was actually thinking mainly of Paco, but although I'm really trampling on his toes, he doesnt seem to be able to get his eyes off his holes (on his cd's (i.a.))  ;D

Nicky.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2008-05-21, 16:47:43I was actually thinking mainly of Paco, but although I'm really trampling on his toes, he doesnt seem to be able to get his eyes off his holes (on his cd's (i.a.))  ;D

Well, I'm not a real Spock's fan... I only have SB, Octane, Snow and V.
And if I have to rate these four it would be:

1. SB
2. Octane/Snow
3. ...
4. V

Spock's Beard is still something I need to dive into. But I think that I'll rather buy Feel Euphoria than Day For Night for example...

We'll see...


-Paco

Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2008-05-21, 13:33:01
One of my fav. concept albums of all time.

Yup, Snow is in my top 101 :)

It's about time I join in on the discussion...... 8)

I'm not really that familiar with Spock's Beard. I have been to one concert of them but honestly I only went for The Urbane, who where the support-act. I really don't remember much from Spock's Beard's gig apart from the fact that I left before the end... :-\

However, I have heard one album of theirs, Octane, and I really enjoy it from time to time. Songs on that album that I can listen to anytime/anyday are 'Ballet Of The Impact' and 'She Is Everything'. Such wondeful songs...

Basically those are my only 'encounters' with them. After reading this topic I guess I've got some catching up to do!

Tom

Quote from: The Butterfly Man on Fri, 2008-05-23, 12:12:49
After reading this topic I guess I've got some catching up to do!

That's for sure, Tom  8)

And what's also interesting:

Snow               (2002)         Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence  (2002)
Feel Euphoria   (2003)         Train of Thought                          (2003)
Octane            (2005)         Octavarium                                  (2005)
Spock's Beard  (2006)         Systematic Chaos                        (2007)

Nuff said.

Nicky.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2008-05-23, 15:27:50
And what's also interesting:

Snow               (2002)         Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence  (2002)
Feel Euphoria   (2003)         Train of Thought                          (2003)
Octane            (2005)         Octavarium                                  (2005)
Spock's Beard  (2006)         Systematic Chaos                        (2007)

Nuff said.

And why do you think that's so interesting? Apart from both bands' eighth album coming out in the same year with a title that has something to do with the number eight I can't see what's so special about that. But maybe you can expand on that! ;D

Tom

Well, Tom, there might be some things that are more interesting like: Why did God create this earth and put us on it ?  - but this comes close  ;D

Nicky.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2008-05-23, 15:42:58
Well, Tom, there might be some things that are more interesting like: Why did God create this earth and put us on it ?  - but this comes close  ;D

Okay......

So Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band. Arena is also a progressive rock band. I think that's quite interesting!

You see, I'm a fast learner! ;D

No but serious, I think I'm gonna buy Spock's most recent album tomorrow! So I'll let you know what I think of it during the weekend.

Tom

Quote from: The Butterfly Man on Fri, 2008-05-23, 15:49:01
You see, I'm a fast learner! ;D

No but serious, I think I'm gonna buy Spock's most recent album tomorrow! So I'll let you know what I think of it during the weekend.

And a fast buyer, must say.

Nice to have you joinin the Arena Spocks Fan club - or was it the other way around ?  ;D

And lookin forward to hearin your take.

Nicky.

Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2008-05-23, 15:53:51
And a fast buyer, must say.

Yeah but I have listened to some samples and I like what I hear. So why not? And, more important, I can afford to buy an album every once in a while. And it's been a while since I bought my last album. Almost a week!!! :o ;)

Tom

The one album you guys really need to listen is The Beard Is Out There.
It's an official bootleg so to say from their first appearance at the Nearfest show and includes all songs of The Light and Thoughts prt I.

A great album indeed.

(http://www.glitterhouse.com/img/covers/spocksbeardlive.jpg)

Just noticed that Frost* are supporting Spock's Beard on some of the forthcoming tour dates (http://www.spocksbeard.com/) - now that's a combination that's difficult to resist!  *horns*

Unfortunately this would involve travel and hotel expenses, but I'm giving it careful thought...  8)

Quote from: Steve Jones on Mon, 2008-05-26, 19:09:44
Just noticed that Frost* are supporting Spock's Beard on some of the forthcoming tour dates (http://www.spocksbeard.com/) - now that's a combination that's difficult to resist!  *horns*

I didn't resist, got tickets for Islington *horns*

Just a reminder that the new Live CD and DVD are out today (June 13) or Monday (June 16) depending on exactly where you live.

Quote from: johninblack on Fri, 2008-05-30, 14:24:18
I didn't resist, got tickets for Islington *horns*

Me too  ;D

Yes I read the review mentioned above and winced everytime Alan gave an answer. I guess it goes to prove that some musicians can communicate much better when they keep their mouths closed and their fingers moving.

Actually, my wife says more or less the same thing.  ;)

Quote from: tinyfish on Wed, 2008-06-18, 12:49:17Yes I read the review mentioned above and winced everytime Alan gave an answer. I guess it goes to prove that some musicians can communicate much better when they keep their mouths closed and their fingers moving.

Absolutely. They should have interviewed John Boegehold. That would make for an interesting read.

Quote from: tinyfish on Wed, 2008-06-18, 12:49:17Actually, my wife says more or less the same thing.  ;)

And that's too much information...


-Paco

Sad news for the Mighty Beard fans;

Quote from: http://www.ndvmusic.com/It is very hard for me to write this, but as all good things come to an end at sometime or another, unfortunately I have to tell you all that my time with Spock's Beard has come to a close.

As you may or may not know, for almost 2 years now I have been working for Cirque Du Soleil on the touring show TOTEM. Traveling a bit of the globe with my family on an adventure that has been great, but also very tough. Great because I am finally able to fully support my family with this very unstable life I chose as a musician, but also very tough because this job has made it hard to do other things and the main thing is Spock's Beard.

For the first time in 20 years I had to miss shows when the band played a few festivals this past summer. Needless to say it was very, very strange not being there. I have been trying to land a permanent resident show for next year which would leave me a little more time to tour with SB but that has not happened yet and I don't know when exactly that will happen. I recently signed for another year with Cirque because I cannot just get up and quit until something else can takes its place. I am sure you all understand that I have to take care of my main responsibility and that is my family. Spock's Beard has never been the main money maker for me, or any of the other guys in the band. We have always had to do other things to supplement our incomes and for me now the other thing just happens to be Cirque.

The Spock's guys want to keep moving forward and it is just Murphy's Law for SB that everyone else is totally available to tour at the moment and I am not. For many years, I was available for anything but we couldn't tour as much as we wanted because of other schedules. Now with my job it doesn't look like I am going to be available anytime soon. I totally understand where the guys are coming from, wanting to tour and make new albums and I have too much respect for them and SB to say that they cannot keep going without me. The guys are eager to keep the ball rolling, and as hard as that is to imagine without me I give them my blessing fully and wish them nothing but the best in whatever they do.

I have had the best time and have made some of the best music of my career with Dave, Al, Ryo, and Neal and will take those memories with me for the rest of my life.

This is not to say that I will never play with the guys again. If all of the stars align in future and I can do something I surely will but for now the guys will be going on without me and I humbly ask all of you SB fans that have been nothing short of amazing, to keep the flame burning for them.

I was afraid that something like this would happen. :(
When I heard that Nick was going to tour with Cirque de Soleil and that Spock's Beard would play a few shows without Nick...

It doesn't surprise me, but it sure does make me sad.  :-\ :(

Quote from: maddox on Fri, 2011-11-18, 23:32:53
It doesn't surprise me, but it sure does make me sad.  :-\ :(

Right, Mad, I too have spent many wonderful moments with the Mighty Beard  *horns* :(

Nicky.

News about the replacements;

Quote from: Spock's Beard site
Announcing – Spock's Beard has a new recording and touring lineup!

To keep bringing you the finest Prog Rock, we've brought on board the amazing vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard (Enchant, Thought Chamber) and Jimmy Keegan (Santana, John Waite), who's been our tour drummer for close to 10 years now. If you know these guys, you know they're world class. They bring exciting new energy and creativity to the party.

We regret that Nick D'Virgilio, a founding member of the band, good friend and incredible talent is unable to continue with us due to his other commitments. Please continue to support him, check out his new solo CD "Pieces," go see him with Cirque du Soleil and follow whatever other madness he's up to. He's awesome. We wish him the best of luck and the success he deserves. We wouldn't be here without NDV!

Look for a new live Spock's Beard DVD and extensive European tour in early 2012, followed by our 11th studio release sometime in the summer. We're energized and excited, and will be posting updates and sound samples as we progress.

Thank you for continuing to support us through the years and changes. We stay committed to bringing you the finest in Prog Rock and taking it into the future.

I guess that this might be the end for Enchant then.
Really liked their albums but since Tug of War was the last album and it has been released almost six years ago, I can't imagine that Ted can cope with both bands.
Jimmy Keegan was obvious, why search for a new drummer when you already have toured with Jimmy for the last ten years?

I am curious to see what Spock's Beard will be like with Ted on vocals.

For some reason this news passed me by. ???

NDV is a really great drummer! And his voice is also *horns*!
Too  bad he is not amongg the spocks anymore. :'(

Quote from: maddox on Tue, 2011-11-22, 11:59:53
Jimmy Keegan was obvious, why search for a new drummer when you already have toured with Jimmy for the last ten years?

Not so obvious.
Remember Genesis? Chester Tompson was the tour co-drummer for years! Even when Phil Collins was still in the band. But when Phil left the band, they didn't go with Chester, but with Nir Z and... yes... Nick D'Virgilio.

Strange.

Quote from: maddox on Tue, 2011-11-22, 11:59:53
I am curious to see what Spock's Beard will be like with Ted on vocals.

Yes me too. Ted is a really good singer! But I've never really delved deep into Enchant.

Quote from: PH on Tue, 2011-11-22, 19:44:15

Not so obvious.
Remember Genesis?

I do actually.
I even have a name for the new Spock's Beard album: And Then There were Five (again).  ;D

QuoteChester Tompson was the tour co-drummer for years! Even when Phil Collins was still in the band. But when Phil left the band, they didn't go with Chester, but with Nir Z and... yes... Nick D'Virgilio.

True, but that was only because Chester declined the band's offer to become a full-time member instead of a touring drummer.
The band asked him, he refused, and thus he ended his Genesis-partnership until they reunite in 2007, with Phil. ;)

I honestly believe that money was an issue for Chester.

Quote from: PH on Tue, 2011-11-22, 19:44:15
But I've never really delved deep into Enchant.

I have delved into them, have 3 cd's with them, like them, but not at pantheon level  :)

Otoh Thought Chamber's Angular Perceptions is fabulous, and Ted sings superbly on this one  *horns*

I'd say that Spock's Beard should be very satisfied with having gained him as their singer  8)

Nicky.

I always see change in a band as a time of sadness, uncertainty, but more importantly opportunity.

Nick's message is pretty well reasoned. As an Amateur musician myself, music will never put food on my table or pay my mortgage, and it probably never would now, so my band life certainly comes after family life! Coming to music late in life, I think I missed my true vocation, but I could well have been one of those dreamers who never made it and got bitter about it, so maybe coming late and being realistic is no bad thing! Having a good job means I play for enjoyment and giving pleasure to people who see our gigs.

Anyway, I digress! Nick's reasoning about the logic of the options he had makes perfect sense, even if means the split has to happen, and with Spock's Beard the changes have been amicable with respect on all sides. So I look forward to seeing what they offer next. I was one of the subscribers for the last album and was well rewarded. X was the best album they had done for years.

I was lucky enough to see the tour where they were supported by FROST* (mentioned above) and they were awesome.

Long live the Mighy Beard!

Quote from: dacook on Thu, 2011-11-24, 20:03:42

I was lucky enough to see the tour where they were supported by FROST* (mentioned above) and they were awesome.

I've saw them twice in the past, once with Neal and once with Nick on vox.
I must say that the Neal-concert was way better and that was partly because of the disappointing album Feel Euphoria, which was just released when I saw them in Utrecht.

But just watch the DVD's they've made and you know how good they were/are.

QuoteLong live the Mighy Beard!

8)