Domo arigato: Styx embraces the return of ‘Mr. Roboto’ at USANA Amphitheatre
Styx guitarists James Young, left, and Tommy Shaw jam together at the front of the stage during a 2018 concert in Salt Lake City.
James Young of Styx performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw leans back and lets out a scream while playing a solo during a concert at USANA Amphitheatre on June 4.
Tommy Shaw of Styx performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Tommy Shaw of Styx performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Ricky Phillips, bassist for Styx, performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Lawrence Gowan, keyboardist and vocalist of Styx, plays some backward piano Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Tommy Shaw of Styx performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Jeff Keith, left, and Frank Hannon of Tesla perform Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Jeff Keith of Tesla performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre. Tesla opened the concert, followed by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Styx.
Jeff Keith of Tesla performs Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
James Young of Styx smiles at the audience Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Lawrence Gowan of Styx plays a backwards keyboard on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx's Tommy Shaw fires off a solo on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx guitarist James Young performs on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
James Young, left, and Ricky Phillips perform on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx drummer Todd Sucherman performs on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx guitarist James Young plays during "The Grand Illusion" on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Styx's Tommy Shaw plays during "The Grand Illusion" on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon of Tesla perform Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Tesla guitarist Dave Rude performs on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
From left, Tesla's Dave Rude, Brian Wheat and Frank Hannon perform on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Tesla's Frank Hannon plays Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
Tesla's Frank Hannon performs on Monday at USANA Amphitheatre.
It’s no secret (secret, secret) that “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto” is just one of those pop culture lyrical phrases pretty much everyone knows.
But for Styx, the rock band that recorded the hit single in 1983, you might say that “Mr. Roboto” is a song whose circumstances went beyond its control. How else to describe a No. 3 tune that was pointedly ignored in a live setting ever since?
Four shows into its summer triple bill with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Tesla — including Monday’s appearance at USANA Amphitheatre in Salt Lake City — the big surprise in Styx’s headlining set, however, has been the embracing of “Mr. Roboto,” as the band is using it to kick off the encore segment each night.
Judging by the band’s spirited rendition and the crowd’s acceptance of it on Monday, it’s a song whose time has finally come.
According to guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, prior to its recent inclusion, the full band had never performed the song live before (as it was sung to a backing track on the original “Kilroy Was Here” tour in 1983). As such, it was a case of everyone learning it from scratch over the past three months while gearing up for the tour.
What emerged was the current version, a faithful, but somewhat rocked-up rendition that features some keyboard parts being played or doubled on guitars by Shaw and James Young, as well as the added muscle of the band’s rhythm section of drummer extraordinaire Todd Sucherman and bassist Ricky Phillips. Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan also delivered a captivating lead vocal.
“It’s not quite as techno,” Shaw said backstage following the show of the new arrangement for “Mr. Roboto.” “We put a little ‘stank’ on it, because it can take it.
“It fits perfectly with the rest of our songs,” Shaw said.
Indeed it did. Styx’s set has seen a slight overhaul over the course of the past year as the required hits have been augmented by material from the band’s latest studio album, “The Mission.” In addition to the album-opening “Overture,” which was played on tape as the group’s walk-on music, there were four other “Mission” songs spread throughout Monday’s show.
Of “The Mission” tunes, the blistering “Gone Gone Gone” opened the set and “Radio Silence” and “The Outpost” appeared in the middle. Shaw’s plaintive lead vocal and lead guitar powered “Radio Silence,” which also featured stellar lighting and visual effects paired perfectly with the song’s content. “The Outpost,” with Gowan handling lead vocals, boasts an amazingly catchy chorus and is a great addition to the live repertoire.
“Rockin’ the Paradise,” which relinquished its typical encore slot to “Mr. Roboto,” made a strong statement six songs in — and serves as an adrenalized addition no matter where it appears in the set.
Original bassist Chuck Panozzo, who performs as his health allows, was on hand for his standard three numbers — “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade.” It’s always good to see him in the house.
Other highlights included “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights),” “The Grand Illusion,” “Miss America” and “Too Much Time on My Hands.”
As for “Mr. Roboto,” the band certainly appeared to have fun taking it for a spin on Monday. So much so that fans can probably look for it to remain in rotation in subsequent tours.
“I have a feeling this song will remain in our set list for a long time,” Shaw said.
Domo arigato.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts held down the middle slot Monday, powering through 17 straightforward rockers in a 65-minute set. She opened with “Bad Reputation,” which pretty much serves as a mission statement for the 59-year-old member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jett pulled material from all parts of her career, from the very first song she ever wrote (“You Drive Me Wild”) to her most recent effort, “Fresh Start,” a tune that was penned for her documentary “Bad Reputation,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
During “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah),” Jett took a tumble onstage. She had been walking backward before inadvertently tripping over a stage monitor. The fall momentarily knocked her guitar out of commission, and a stagehand quickly brought a backup as the band played on through a middle breakdown segment. After strapping on her new guitar, Jett noted her mishap to the audience.
“That’s called not having eyes in the back of your head,” she said.
Live rock ‘n’ roll at its best.
Other set highlights included “Light of Day,” “Love is All Round” (yes, that’s the ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ theme song), “I Love Rock and Roll,” “Crimson and Clover,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and the set-closing “Everyday People.”
Tesla opened the show with a strong 50-minute set. The rock band from Sacramento has probably never fully received its full due, despite scoring several hits. Tesla is a great live band, and continues to be so.
Jeff Keith’s raspy vocals are truly unique, and dude must have the whitest smile on the rock concert circuit. Frank Hannon and Dave Rude provided an excellent one-two punch on guitars with Brian Wheat (bass) and Troy Luccketta (drums) holding down the rhythm section.
Set highlights included “Hang Tough,” “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out),” “What You Give,” “Love Song” and “Modern Day Cowboy.” Tesla often finds itself in the third slot on these summer tours — it would be nice to see the band somehow get more time on stage.
STYX
At USANA Amphitheatre
June 4, 2018
Overture (on tape)
Gone Gone Gone
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
The Grand Illusion
Lady
Light Up
Rockin’ the Paradise
Radio Silence
Miss America
The Outpost
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Too Much Time on My Hands
Khedive (Lawrence Gowan piano solo)
Come Sail Away
Encore
Mr. Roboto
Renegade
Performance time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS
Bad Reputation
Cherry Bomb
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
Victim of Circumstance
Soulmates to Strangers
You Drive Me Wild
Light of Day
Fake Friends
Love is Pain
100 Feet Away
Fresh Start
Love is All Around
I Love Rock and Roll
Crimson and Clover
I Hate Myself For Loving You
Encore
Wild One
Everyday People
Performance time: 1 hour, five minutes
TESLA
I Wanna Live
Hang Tough
Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)
What You Give
Signs
Love Song
Little Suzi
Modern Day Cowboy
Performance time: 50 minutes