Could Yes Invite Spock's Beard to Open Up for Them on Their American Tour This Fall?

[downbyariver]

I read that Spock's Beard has been pretty much inactive the last five years (Though a spin-off group has been releasing albums). Some people speculate this inactivity is in part due to them being unable to find a touring opportunities in the present touring climate.

If that's all it is, I wonder if Yes might be able to get a good deal on taking them along on the rumored Yes fall tour of the United States as a warmup act. Spock's Beard is one of the most critically acclaimed non-metal prog bands that didn't begin until the 90s era. I think they'd sell significantly more tickets and get a significantly better reaction from Yes crowds than something like that time Yes brought along Syd Arthur to the states. I'm not saying adding Spock's Beard would sell a ton of tickets in the abstract, but more than Syd Arthur.

I think they're also all Americans, so there wouldn't be any limitations surrounding work visas and such. Maybe Yes could even sort of double dip and use one or more of them to provide extra harmony vocals or instrumental support during Yes' set after Spock's Beard finishes for the night, if Yes thinks anyone in the group would be helpful in that regard.

This all assumes that Spock's Beard still exists or is waiting on a touring opportunity to reassemble. That may not be the case, obviously.

[Soundwaveseeker]

Interesting idea, not sure if Spocks would be up for it or not. As you say, they have been inactive of late, their last album being pre-pandemic (Noise Floor, 2018), and most of the band have been operating as spin-off Pattern Seeking Animals who have put out three albums since the last Spock's. Pattern Seeking Animals is to Spocks Beard as Arc Of Life is to Yes, I suppose. I'm going to say the timing is off for Spock's Beard, maybe they need a new album to coincide going back to the live stage. Yes could pair up with Pattern Seeking Animals but I'm not sure if PSA has even done much live work at all, they may be just a studio bound project. Yes could possibly always pair up with Neal Morse, as he's always got some sort of album out, and I'm sure Mikle Portnoy would be happy enough to share a stage with Yes again. It wouldn't be Transatlanic though. But the brand Spock's Beard probably would be the best bet for maximum interest. Won't sell mass tickets, but perhaps more than usual when it's an Evening of Yes Music or a show with one opener that less people might know.

Not a bad idea for a US tour to tour with Spock's Beard, but another issue is that's an end of the year jaunt. The ideal scenario would be a summer tour like the Yestival/Royal Affair in which you could have three or so acts of almost equal standing for maximum interest, Yes with Spock's Beard and John Lodge. Or maybe even get Yes paired up with hipper names and do a package thing with noisier people like Haken, Flying Colors etc

Yes with Spock's Beard would be enjoyable to me. It just doesn't seem likely at the moment, as they appear still inactive.

[Drone Decipher]

Ryo Okumoto has been pretty insistent on social media that Spock's Beard is not done whatsoever, and I love the idea of a Spock's Beard and Yes show. Who here is contact with the parties involved? lol

I also wonder what the reason for Spock's Beard's hiatus is. I surmise it could possibly be Pattern-Seeking Animals is keeping so much of the band busy. It could also be the drummer situation. Jimmy Keegan was on The Oblivion Particle but left the band before the last album Noise Floor. Their long time drummer, Nick D'Virgilio, came back but was technically a guest on Noise Floor. I don't know who is the official drummer for Spock's right now but I believe they were sharing a touring drummer with Saga??? Mike Thorne???

Pattern Seeking Animals does perform live - I'm not sure how much, but they've got an interesting situation where one guy composes the keyboard parts and then there are touring keyboardists who can technically execute them.

[TerryTT]

I'm down for it! Love Spock's Beard If they add Alan Parsons we could have Yestival 2.0.

[josuev80]

YesO with YesFJA&BG with no overlapping songs. Alternate who is the opener. I won’t push for any crossover encores.

[Gilly Goodness]

I'm down for it! Love Spock's Beard If they add Alan Parsons we could have Yestival 2.0.

Me too. Re: Alan Parsons for sure. Been lovin' watchin' some recent gig he did with an orchestra in Columbia. As you do 😉




SNOWFLOWER ELDER SAY KARMACHROMATIC

[Gtkgasman]

I’m sure SB could get dates and venues in the US if they chose too. And find a partner if they wanted. There are soooooo many bands playing now, at smaller, small, and larger venues. At least in my neck of the woods. The summer is already packed with all genre’s over the summer - literally something for everyone’s taste.

oh - side note - wondering now if there is a Progstock this year in NJ ? Gotta look.

[Soundchaser413]

That would be cool. I personally find it weird that the Flower Kings never opened up for Yes.

[luvyesmusic]

1. Have ASIA open for Alan Parsons Project tour.

2. YES by themselves with a long intermission.

[Grey Wolf]

This is an idea that has been suggested before on the old site, but I doubt it would ever happen, it's too good of an idea.

BTW, I had never heard of Pattern-Seeking Animals before, I want to check them out. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands, at least their middle period. Haven't heard the last album or two.

[Soundwaveseeker]

I haven't picked up any of the Pattern Seeking Animals either yet, but it's a spinoff project similar to the middle period Spocks and the current Spock's with Ted Leonard. It's pretty much Spock's Beard without Alan Morse and Ryo. That they have three albums already makes it seem like the side band holds more interest for them than the main band, at least for now.

[Soundchaser413]

I have two PSA albums (the last two) but haven't gotten around to listening to them yet. I'm saving them for my summer listening.

I don't think Asia would open for Alan Parsons. If anything it would be the other way around (imo). Anyway, I don't think it's called the Alan Parsons Project anymore. I think he just calls it the Alan Parsons Band. There hasn't been a proper APP album since the 80s.

[Soundwaveseeker]

You really can't have Alan Parsons 'Project' without Eric Woolfson I suppose, since he was half of it, so it's now just Alan Parsons.

[Gilly Goodness]

NO ERIC, NO APP


The new band features some youngish dudes who sing, play sax and rev the crowd up. Was impressed. Check it out.

APP are popular still. Eye in the Sky from the concert has been viewed 43 million times. Columbia. Must be big in South America 😉

Edit. F*CK! Just checked video. Watched by 67 million people. That's Taylor Swift figures 😯



SNOWFLOWER ELDER SAY KARMACHROMATIC

[Soundwaveseeker]

Can't go wrong with some APP. The albums I Robot, Pyramid, Eye In The Sky and Vulture Culture are firm favorites. Saw Parsons Live Project as opener for Yes way back on the OYE summer tour, but haven't seen him live since. Sirius & Eye In The Sky still get some massive play wherever you go. I know he has a new album too. Haven't heard it.