ROSfest 2005

[VAXman(Admin)]

All of my pix from ROSfest (the good, the bad and the ugly) have been put into web page viewing format and are available at the following URL:

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2005/ROSfest/

/ROSfest page will link you to /Friday, /Saturday and /Sunday pages each
of which, in turn, will link you to the individual acts.

All pictures are-what-they-are directly off of the Compact Flash card of my
Canon EOS-20D. No retouching at all! The only manipulation of images
was to create thumbnails and make them a bit smaller for the web page
downloading.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

I'll post my pix as soon as I can, but I've quickly discovered that Vax is a much better photographer than me, so view his first anyway.

My impressions:

Eyestrings:
Great band, lots of mood and dynamics. One of the better drummers of the festival. Ryan (keyboards/lead singer) was getting over a cold, and his vocals were not as strong as they could be. He still was a capable and dramatic lead man.

Kino:
John Mitchell, guitarist from Arena leads the band with vocals and guitar. Even though he's leading this band, he features his guitar less than Arena does, and that's a shame, as he's very melodic and tasteful. Quality pop with a progressive edge, I liked them but their music wasn't as interesting to me as some of the other great acts, after 60 minutes.

Tiles:
Heavy. Hard rock. Much harder than I typically like, but I enjoyed them a lot. Great arrangements, good musicianship. Lots of people left during their show, which I though was a shame, as I thought their talent level was notable. A notable point of this festival was the quality of the bass players, and Tiles was no exception. The drummer was quite impressive, great chops. Guitarist was quite good. I liked the vocalist, since he was not the stereotypical hard rock/metal vocalist (my generalization), but he lacked a stage presence.

Magenta:
Excellent! A great new band playing music in the classic prog style. Rob Reeves on keys leads the band, writes most of the music, and is a great performer. Good rhythm section. Lead singer Christine is quite good, and the single boys all swooned. Chris Fry on guitar is amazing! I own two of their CDs and like them a lot, but I hadn't understood how good this guy is on guitar. Hoping to get more of their music soon.

Day2
Cryptic Vision:
Ask Rick or Vax.

Man On Fire:
Arguably the least progressive band at the fesival. Yet I enjoyed them immensely. My brother was lukewarm on them, as I think Rick and Vax were. I liked that they had a really unique sound, not derivative of any prog band that you might name. I'd describe them as 80's new wave, with a slight rap/trip-hop influence, also with a strong progressive influence on their arrangements and jams. They had the best light show/multimedia presentation. They played their new album "Habitat" in it's entirety; I'm going to try and get it for the station.

Sylvan:
Tight, very talented. But heavy. And in a way that I personally don't like. Reminded me of Metallica. Maybe Metallica after music lessons.

Tangent:
With all the hype, I thought they'd be great. After fortuitously meeting them in person on Friday, and chatting again Sat nite, my expectations raised greatly. After all that, Tangent still blew me away! Andy Tillison is perhaps the most gracious host of a concert I've ever seen. And he can play keyboards with the best of them. I don't have enough words to praise Krister, Theo, Jonas and Jaime on guitar, woodwinds, bass and percussion. Suffice to say it was one of those technically impressive and emotionally satisfying performances that you remember for a long time.

The logistics were well run, and I look forward to next year's ROSfest...

[VAXman(Admin)]

All pix of each ROSfest act are now ready for viewing. See the introduction to this thread for the details.

[Rick and Roll]

A little late, and probably too late tonight for me, but it's time to brain dump....

Eyestrings - I was one of the fortunate few to see them when they were releasing their debut record, last year. Totally blew me away then, and as most bands do, more riveting in a smaller venue. Tried as much as I could to allow for the sound flowing to the rear (I was in the center about 7 rows back). Also chatted with Alan Rutter (guitarist) the night before and was told about Ryan Parmenter being very ill all week. He sweated through the set, and he was about 40%, in my estimation. That's too bad, they're an incredible show. He's got all the genes from Uncle Matthew.

Had a fun time with them the next day at their CD table. No one was visiting, so I suggested putting up a "Free Beer" sign. This led to stories about Michigan J. Frog and other loony tunes favs. Also had some time with Mat Kennedy, bassist in both Eyestrings and Discipline, about old Discipline shows. That Discipline DVD is still in the works....

The material played from the upcoming sophomore Eyestrings was just flat out great.

Kino - Unlike the seamless way last year's festival ran, there were technical glitches in setting up the band. They came on a bit late and still had to end on time because there was a plane to catch. I really liked John Beck's poppy keys, and a nice job on Swimming In Women. A good thing the set was short, I too was satisfied after an hour. A lot of Rosfest bands are not really prog, and Kino was no exception. But very fun. Cheers to John Mitchell (Arena) for pulling double duty. And Pete Trewavas had a damn good time the whole festival. I still want his tennis shoes!

Tiles - I was very interested in hearing them. I own none of their CD's, and was one of few really watching them. I found them challenging to pay attention to, but worth it. The loudness dulled their awesome musicianship. The lack of stage presence Jim mentioned - I liked that. He didn't jump around like most hard rock vocalists do. This helps me focus on the music. It was worth it, I just wish they had more people watching. Great bass player and drummer. Chatted with the singer right before they were to drive 10 hours home. The life of a progger.

Magenta - I also loved the guitarist. Stellar! I was a bit irritated that the closed the show with the same tune they opened up with. Weak. However, that's a minor point. They were great. I bought their CD's, and especially thought "Children of the Sun" (no not the Billy Thorpe tune ) was outstanding. As most bands chosen both years, Magenta had a spiritual element that was hard to resist. I was disappointed by the apparent laziness of the bassist (a lot of one handed playing). I found out secondhand he was hot (no not that way either). No excuse!

I think the married ones also swooned. I was considering throwing one dollar bills on stage.....then I remembered how cheap I am.

The party Saturday night was as I expected. The one last year featured jam sessions, so I was expecting the same. After seeing bands since 7PM Friday, that's not what I want to hear. After a nice two songs by Steve Katsikas (Little Atlas)...by the way I heard Little Atlas' second CD, Wanderlust and it will get my vote for best CD of 2005! ....Tangent came up and played two improv jams. Great shit. Then Pete T. insisted he play with Jonas. Jonas looked bemused, and wanted to stretch it out, but played within the beat supplied by Pete. A funny line by Tiles members (The Bass of Spades)! I left after that, it was late and I tired of the crowd.

After a great breakfest at a local diner (what waitresses!) I returned to my hotel room finding my roomate asleep at 10:10. He had went to bed at six, I woke up at seven I scolded him and wondered why he was jeapordizing not seeing Cryptic Vision (his fav). We made it just in time....

Cryptic Vision - It was a bit hard for me to find my groove with them. Todd Plant has a powerfully blessed set of pipes, but sings loudly and makes too much use of his Hodgson falsetto. In fact the whole band was loud, which negated the power of the music. After I adjusted, it was great. John Zahner is a GREAT keysman, and Rick Duncan is rock solid on drums. The medley was fantastic. First "The Light", then "Song For America", a bit of "Icarus", "Yours Is No Disgrace" (done amazingly) "Erotomania" (Dream Theater...took about 10 minutes to figure that one out), and "Turn It On Again" (ok listen I liked it!). Todd Plant referred to the medley as "homage to our godfathers of prog". Dream Theater? More like goodfellas The material from their forthcoming record was great.

Man On Fire - even with the talented Steve Katsikas, a bore. I saw them last year at the bar swilling down Guinnesses with vax and liked them better. No use wasting any more space.

Sylvan - I was very ready for them. Chatted with Marco (singer) the day prior, and told him how much I like "Given Used Forgotten" and "Lost". And they were the two opening tunes! Also mentioned how they were billed on the Rosfest website as "having something for the ladies". Marco was amused, and hadn't heard that. I commented it must have been the scruffy European look (lol). Great versions of "Artifical Paradise", "Deep Inside"....and a cool cover of Pink Floyd's "High Hopes". Marco had a lot of energy, and they were very moved by the crowd reaction. Sylvan also played at the party.

Although they are marginally prog, I like them a lot. I do not find them even a wee bit metal. On the title cut of "Artifical" for 3 minutes, and much more so the their latest "X-Rayed", they have been dabbling with rap/thrash type stylings. It is a rap interludes, twin brothers Kay and Volker Sohl still are melodic. Tasteful stuff. These guys can play (even though they dont riff) and Marco is a passionate singer. Interesting that there are twins in the band - they play as a unit.

Tangent - oh man....I think the world of Jonas Reingold. Seen him with the Flower Kings three times (4 later in May) and have chatted with him and Tomas before...but just missed another opportunity Sunday late. More about that in a bit. The show was great! Andy Tillison was super. I'm not flattered by his studio vocals, but he handled all the songs great. He really benefitted from Roine's absence. I think Roine is awesome, but he would have been too much at that show. There was not enough soloing to go around even in 2 hours, so I was happy Krister was there. Reminds me of Chris Guest melded with Stan Whittaker . Tillison can play! Love his setup, although I thought he'd have a coronary stretching and running back and forth. VERY funny guy, too. From his "no bass solo, please" to his ribbing of organizer George Roldan (he's in the program twice, that's not fair" he was a riot.

I wish Theo Travis would have been allowed to solo more. He was smoking at the party jam. And Sam Baine is just plain smoking . The closer, "20th Century Schizoid Man" was unforgettable. Jonas balanced his bass on his chin! Tillison was masterful, and the fast section in the middle was slowed down and it worked beautifully. Great finish.

Like Nearfest 04, I enjoyed the bands less but the meetings with friends and musicians was priceless. Last year's bands (Izz, Salem Hill) were one of a kind. This year was another rousing success.

After coming close to calling it a night at 1:30 AM, I decided to go downstairs to the bar. Damn glad I did. Jim Brennan, who is a very slippery fellow, was entrenched at the end of the bar with the vax family. We had fun. Look forward to seeing him again at Nearfest. There's a ton of us invading the hotel, and it should be totally draining.

The introduction of vax and jim on Friday was priceless. Vax's Jim? Jim who? was one for the ages. I reacted the same way last year when I met vax at Rosfest and Jim at Nearfest. It takes a few seconds to register.

Vax (Brian) and family were welcome companions for three meals and occasional drinks. I even saw vax drink non-Guinness products! I wanted to set Kris (16) up with the pizza place waitress (est 22) but no go. Hell, my wife is 6 yrs older, why not? She would have killed him, though. Brian and Martha were cute with matching cameras. But check out the pics, they're great. Thanks to them for a great time, as was the case last year, and last October.

And the Gentle Giant fan we ate dinner with from NYC ....(vax I forgot his name ).... I hope he joins us for the Giant show....

and to "Frodo", from Norway..who will be at Chippenham...see you there.

[Rick and Roll]

I was noticing your post vax and completely missed the Gary Strater tribute. It was so tasteful. Gary's wife was there and a band member. She was floored. Had a cell phone on, relaying the info to family. The video was awesome!

The guitar signed by all the bands from RF 2004 made it through Progday, Nearfest, another fest, and back to this year's RF, back into the hands of the original winner. He then donated it to the family. What a gesture.

I know little about Starcastle and nothing about Gary Strater. However, it exemplified the compassion that is so often missing from people. I know I'll never forget it.

Now once I get a few hours, I'll look at the pics. Any chance getting a link on the main page?

And vax...signed set lists.....nice.

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
The introduction of vax and jim on Friday was priceless. Vax's Jim? Jim who? was one for the ages. I reacted the same way last year when I met vax at Rosfest and Jim at Nearfest. It takes a few seconds to register.

Sometimes -- OK, more often than not -- I'm a bit dense. I was just coming out of the darkened theater after taking some light readings and I was preoccupied in thought about how to setup the camera to get pix... or perhaps it was just the lack of coherence due to the low levels of Guinness in my system. Whatever the reason, it was finally good to met Jim face to face. Too bad he missed the Cryptic Vision. I'm not as critical as you. CV put on a stellar performance and lots of power. What a great way to start the day. They have the stage presence to be a headliner act IMO.

Vax (Brian) and family were welcome companions for three meals and occasional drinks. I even saw vax drink non-Guinness products! I wanted to set Kris (16) up with the pizza place waitress (est 22) but no go. Hell, my wife is 6 yrs older, why not? She would have killed him, though. Brian and Martha were cute with matching cameras. But check out the pics, they're great. Thanks to them for a great time, as was the case last year, and last October.

Martha said some guy was next to her trying to take a picture and was getting nothing but black and blur. Then he looked at the back of her camera and utterred a casual obscenity.

About my pix... you can all see them. I sold copies of my pictures of Cryptic Vision to the band after showing them to the band on my Powerbook at the upstairs signing after their performance. I would have just given them copies but they insisted. I had to take a road trip in the afternoon to the local K-mart to get DVD-Rs (I forgot to bring along some from home). They wrote a little blurb about my pix presentation when they all signed the setlist I swiped. I scanned it and it is in the /trophies link on the ROSfest pix pages.

I was also approached by others for my pix. The president of ProgRockRecord and I have been exchanging email since I've returned home.

As for the none Guinness product. Yuengling's is the oldest brewer in the US. It's brewery is in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, which is about 20-25 miles from where I was born and raised. I was weaned on Yuengling's -- long before the "micro-brew" popularity of it today. Google for Yuengling... it has an interesting history.

And the Gentle Giant fan we ate dinner with from NYC ....(vax I forgot his name ).... I hope he joins us for the Giant show....

His name is Matt. The other two people were Victor and Janet. Matt, Victor and Janet are friends. Martha and I met them at a NJ Prog House gig several years back and many more since. Victor and Janet went to the recent Marillion Weekend gigs in the UK and relied on us as their "tour guides" to get them about London and succesfully navigate the public transportation system to get out to the gigs in Minehead.

Matt, Vic and Janet enjoyed ROSfest so I guess that George and Tom will have no problem selling them 3 seats for next years event.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by VAXman
They have the stage presence to be a headliner act IMO.



His name is Matt. The other two people were Victor and Janet. Matt, Victor and Janet are friends. Martha and I met them at a NJ Prog House gig several years back and many more since. Victor and Janet went to the recent Marillion Weekend gigs in the UK and relied on us as their "tour guides" to get them about London and succesfully navigate the public transportation system to get out to the gigs in Minehead.

Matt, Vic and Janet enjoyed ROSfest so I guess that George and Tom will have no problem selling them 3 seats for next years event.

Agree withe CV assessment. They have incredible potential.

Thanks for the names. I get talking, dinner gets cold (reason number 52 to eat salads and I was slayed to talk to someone who likes Giant that much. Matt's a great guy, although he's from NYC . Vic, I remembered his name, and Janet was the Queensryche expert. Great company. Hope Matt can join in and chat sometime.

See the Gagliarchives thread for a Gags anecdote....

[VAXman(Admin)]

I was reviewing some of the pix I took at RoSfest and I came across this one of John Jowitt (playing bass with Arena). Priceless...

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2005/ROS.../IMG_0610M.JPG

[Bob Lentil]

Originally posted by VAXman
I was reviewing some of the pix I took at RoSfest and I came across this one of John Jowitt (playing bass with Arena). Priceless...

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2005/ROS.../IMG_0610M.JPG

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw that picture.
http://img10.echo.cx/img10/8118/b00006iu73edit4tu.jpg