Bands that are like Styx or Kansas?
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Forum Description: Discuss bands and albums classified as Proto-Prog and Prog-Related
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=121091
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Topic: Bands that are like Styx or Kansas?
Posted By: Iacób
Subject: Bands that are like Styx or Kansas?
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 11:40
| As the titles says, do any of you guys know of any bands that sound like Styx from 1972 to 1978, or like Kansas's first five albums. |
Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 11:54
| How about Journey, Toto, REO Speedwagon or Foreigner? |
Posted By: Iacób
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 11:58
| Well, no I looking for Prog Bands that had a similar sound. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 12:29
|
well, you might enjoy Enchant. |
Posted By: Iacób
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 12:37
| Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to go try them out sometime. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 14:08
| The American band Ambrosia might appeal to you if you like Styx and Kansas. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 14:26
|
There are songs by Swiss-Italian group Clepsydra that sound Styx-ish, chiefly in the style of the vocalist being at times like Dennis de Young This would be Styx best song if they had done it  |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 14:54
|
Well...though some might disagree , I would try some of the Neo Prog bands if I were you. They are more sophisticated but not by much at times. Marillion (Hogarth era), IQ, Arena, Pendragon, etc... This might be 'heavier' but is it really..? ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 15:19
|
Maybe, Saga fits the bill. They are kind of a Prog/AOR type band. ------------- 
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 15:27
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You might well like Utopia. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 15:29
| I felt that Spock's Beard's last album, Noise Floor, was a really good Prog/AOR mix. Made me think of Kansas. Current lead vocalist Ted Leonard is also lead vocalist of Enchant. Flying Colors might be another band to look at. Guitarist Steve Morse was in Kansas for a couple of albums in the 80s. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 15:54
|
I agree with RushFan4 - Saga are very similar in style to Styx. My favourite Saga song is "Careful Where You Step" |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 16:40
probably my fave too...but "Don't Be Late" or "It's Time" are close
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Psychedelic Paul wrote:Posted By: Iacób
Date Posted: October 01 2019 at 21:06
| Sorry for the late reply, I just wanted to say thanks guys for introducing me to all these great bands. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 01:17
|
Another vote for Saga. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 02:24
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It Bites are also a good choise very varried heavy artsy and powerful. -------------  
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Posted By: gr8dane
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 04:53
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Zon - Astral Projector. Total Styx clone. ------------- Shake & bake. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 19:37
|
Canadian 70s rock band Rose. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 20:03
|
Now I don't think Poor Genetic Material sounds especially like Saga, but in this, perhaps my favourite song by them, Phil Griffiths sounds alot like the Saga vocalist. BTW, Phil is the son of Martin Griffiths the vocalist of the legendary Beggars Opera, and he inherited a great voice. The first part of the song may sound like a rather ordinary rocker, but it transforms itself into something sublime and caused me to re-evaluate the whole piece edit: just realized the thread is about Styx not Saga...oops
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Posted By: Iacób
Date Posted: October 02 2019 at 21:17
| Thanks for all the suggestions guys, and that Poor Genetic Material song was pretty cool. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 09:12
glad you liked it. They have a lot of great songs and having such a superb vocalist doesn't hurt
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Posted By: TheH
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 10:29
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Posted By: TheH
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 10:36
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 15:13
|
I had forgotten about Bloodrock.....and I am surprised they are not on PA as prog related....at times a very basic Kansas or Styx like sound especially the later ones. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 18:55
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Should make mention of the song "Last Chance" by Shooting Star.
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Posted By: Jaketejas
Date Posted: October 03 2019 at 21:56
| The end of Atalantia by Aquacadia reminds me of Styx. |
Posted By: PhideauxFan
Date Posted: October 04 2019 at 07:20
| From USA: Cryptic Vision and Salem Hill. |
Posted By: TheH
Date Posted: October 04 2019 at 09:10
|
Swedish copycats of Kansas Very Kansas at the begining then more Styx From Poland |
Posted By: TheH
Date Posted: October 04 2019 at 09:14
Yes the Warren Ham led Bloodrock sounded very much like Kansas. And Ham was one of the candidates for replacing Steve Walsh and of course toured with Kansas.
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Posted By: TCat
Date Posted: October 04 2019 at 10:17
Actually, I agree with this, except I would only concentrate on Ambrosia's first two albums. Their debut album fits right in with the Styx and Kansas style, heavy prog. And it was also produced by Alan Parsons, so there is that. Speaking of Alan Parsons Project, "Tales of Mystery and Imagination", their first album, is quite excellent. You might also like a few of the Triumverat albums, though they are more like Emerson, Lake and Palmer. If you like the violin in Kansas, try out UK, which is more along the line of King Crimson or Yes, but the violin is outstanding. Head East "Flat as a Pancake", Blue Oyster Cult "Spectres" and "Veteran of the Psychic Wars", Supertramp "Crime of the Century" ------------- https://ibb.co/8x0xjR0" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: October 06 2019 at 06:19
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: October 06 2019 at 11:37
Ham's great. He then left with Kerry Livgren to play in A.D. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 06 2019 at 12:59
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Smurph
Date Posted: October 06 2019 at 17:06
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Yezda Urfa is like a freak on crack version of Kansas Cathedral "Stained Glass Stories" reminds me of Kansas tbh ------------- http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/ wtf |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 07 2019 at 12:54
|
Any of the early Spocks Beard would fill the bill....as was already mentioned... Kindness of Strangers, Day For Night, and V. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: October 07 2019 at 14:05
| Agree with Enchant and Ted Leonard-era Spock's Beard. |
Posted By: gr8dane
Date Posted: October 07 2019 at 16:11
|
Just remembered .Trillion,first album, like Styx. Both from Chicago. ------------- Shake & bake. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 20 2019 at 16:53
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Hey man, those two bands definitely got me into prog along with genesis. Definitely listen to Utopia and Starcastle if you like them. First album by each of them is great. Starcastles second I think is their best.
Also, I-Robot by Alan Parsons is fantastic Check out Remember the Future by Nektar
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 20 2019 at 20:35
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THere's a somewhat obscure mid western AORish semi prog band called Shooting Star who were a bit similar to Kansas. In fact one of their later singers is now the lead singer for Kansas.
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Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: October 20 2019 at 21:17
I posted this video toward the top of this page. 
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: October 22 2019 at 08:33
| The Neal Morse Band |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 09:02
Sorry but there are no awards for posting things on here first.
 |
Posted By: jctcom
Date Posted: April 03 2021 at 21:07
|
This thread is pretty old but I just had to add a fairly obscure band call Ice Age https://www.discogs.com/artist/393540-Ice-Age The vocals are as close to Dennis DeYoung as I have heard though the music is a bit heavier. Probably more along the lines of what styx would have become had Dennis DeYoung stayed and Tommy Shaw had more input into the music. Unfortunately they only release the 2 albums. Great band though! They supposedly morphed into a band called "Soulfractured" but I have never found any releases by them. Carl ------------- Progressive Rock and Sci-Fi are the staples of life. (At least of mine anyways.) |
Posted By: freudiana
Date Posted: April 03 2021 at 22:57
| Symphony X and Druckfarben sound a little like Kansas |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: April 04 2021 at 06:21
|
Dream Theater to me has always had a lot in common with Kansas. If you replaced the violin on Magnum Opus with some Jordan Rudess keyboard tone I think it could almost pass as a very proggy Dream Theater song. ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: April 06 2021 at 11:57
|
Evership- Two albums from the past 6 years or so. They are pretty much exactly what you are looking for. Surprise- Assault on Merryland A one and done album from around 1978. Of course it's on youtube. Also, there was a band from Sweden from the late 90's who had violin and were a bit like Kansas called Zello. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 06 2021 at 14:43
|
When I hear Journey and Boston it makes me want to play Kansas.....not recommending those other two bands btw... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 06 2021 at 15:00
They're good recommendations. I have several albums by all three of those bands you mentioned. You could also try the Canadian band Saga too, especially if you're over fifty.
 |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: April 06 2021 at 19:34
My guess would be you can enjoy Saga regardless of what age you are. After all if a lot of the kiddies can listen to Rush then why not Saga too? Otherwise I have to wait one more week to listen to Saga because that's when I turn 51.
 |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 07 2021 at 09:37
Boston had some nice rock dynamics at times but in the and was too 'formulaic' for me....Journey was a big disappointment for a band that had Rolie, Schon and Dunbar in the beginning....again made to be top 40 rock as Foreigner was also. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: earlyprog
Date Posted: April 24 2021 at 11:48
|
This guy pretty much sounds like STYX New track from Dennis DeYoung |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 24 2021 at 12:45
Gee.....what a surprise. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: April 24 2021 at 13:24
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Bands that are like Styx or Kansas should be consigned to the eighth circle of Hell. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 26 2021 at 08:14
And a sound proofed circle at that with no electrical outlets. ------------- 
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: April 26 2021 at 08:55
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Nobody mentioned Magnum yet? Especially their first albums are quite good and I think you will hear some Styx in them... ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: April 27 2021 at 07:53
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A band that sounds like Styx or Kansas is a reflection of a reflection of a reflection of a reflection. ------------- I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there..... |
Posted By: A Crimson Mellotron
Date Posted: April 27 2021 at 08:23
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Might seem very distant to some but I hear a little Steely Dan in both Kansas and Styx, with SD being a better band than both, of course. |
Posted By: earlyprog
Date Posted: June 24 2021 at 15:49
Holy moly, that new STYX release  
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: June 24 2021 at 23:59
really? I can dig some classic Styx, but their later day work doesn't do it for me.
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Posted By: earlyprog
Date Posted: June 25 2021 at 06:10
Yes, really. 'Crash of the Crown' has many of the traits of classic STYX: great synth work, lots of chorus and great songwriting. If you like their 70's and early 80's output you should be pleased.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: June 25 2021 at 07:17
I'm gonna listen, just out of curiosity.
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Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: June 25 2021 at 07:27
|
I wrote a pretty beefy review for it ^ hope you find something to enjoy in there. Though I don't always like to admit it, I have a lot of love for Styx in me. As for Kansas, i'm shameless about my love for them. In fact, I will make it known whenever I can If you wanna just sample the new record, I think the best songs are A Monster, Crash of the Crown, Coming Out the Other Side, Common Ground, Our Wonderful Lives, Sound the Alarm and Stream
------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: June 25 2021 at 10:43
Doug: I read your big review and really enjoyed it, but you never mention what the album's concept is...what are they singing about this time? P.S.: I loved The Mission (2017)!
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: June 25 2021 at 11:43
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^^ Your review makes me indeed curious enough to give that new album a listen. Thanks. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Boojieboy
Date Posted: September 28 2021 at 08:59
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For Kansas: Dixie Dregs, Fireballet (first album) For Styx: maybe Starcastle Big vote for the first, but not the second Recommended Kansas - Masque Recommended Styx - Equinox
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Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: September 28 2021 at 09:45
Very nice review. Styx was one of the first bands I got into as a middle-schooler, the albums from Crystal Ball to Paradise Theater. Lost me with Killroy was Here. I liked the Mission (and a couple of songs from Cyclorama), but going through the first half so far of Crash the Crown, they really hit the mark of taking the past and keeping it fresh after all these years. |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: September 28 2021 at 10:07
Crash of the Crown is a fantastic album, and yes it's very retro but with a new sound. We just saw them live last week and they were awesome!! REO Speedwagon was the opener and they killed it also, it was a great show. Kevin Cronin still sounds very good.... -------------   
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Posted By: koogles
Date Posted: February 05 2023 at 06:34
| Can't believe no one mentioned Prism. Probably the closest to Styx of any band mentioned here. Songs like "Flyin", "See Forever Eyes" and "Take Me Away" are pure 70's Styx. |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: February 05 2023 at 07:33
Good call!
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: February 07 2023 at 19:46
| I can't believe no one besides me mentioned Evership. |