02-09-2014 Spock's Beard - Tempelores Magazine

Supports: The SixxoS; Venue: Boerderij, Zoetermeer (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Spock’s Beard and The SixxiS are scheduled for tonight in de Boederij in Zoetermeer (NL).

Right when the doors open there is quite a queue for these two acts. And while waiting for the event to happen it appears that th4e place is quite full of fans who have seen the band a whole lot of times. One of them confides in seeing more than half of the previous tour and has plans to see a whole lot of the current one too. What about The SixxiS, we ask. It seems like the band is less known here, but yet opens the curiosity of many enough to come out early.

It is not the first time for the SixxiS here in Zoetermeer. In the rare occasion they share some words with the audience they tell that they are happy to be back, which on an audience reply is welcomed with a polite applause. The band is perhaps not too lucky tonight, the sound is not really ideal especially the vocals sometimes fade away in between instruments simply the volume is a bit too low. Slowly during the set it seem to come out a bit better and luckily the band has enough ammo to entertain the audience with as they are about to release their brand new album “Hollow Shrine”.
Of this release they played a couple songs like for example “Long Ago” and “Opportune Time” of which the last one impresses most.
An interesting set of the somewhat timid Americans. Perhaps not the best due to these sound issues but the band could showcase themselves quite well.
the sixxis

Spock's Beard Spock’s Beard is a bit more outgoing as a band. Filled with different personalities, or rather say ‘Characters’ they brought a name up. The band has lost their main writer twice and seems to go steady for a couple years as is. The characters of the band are making the whole entertaining. Very welcome as they have the typical prog length of songs, which go into complexity and this show element keeps it all a bit lighter here and there. Take for example Ryo Okumoto, who plays the keys and lives it quite in his own world, yet here and there has this little connection with the audience. That playfulness makes him popular. Some people have their whole focus on him.
Of course he is not alone in his acts. Vocalist Ted has his show going and then there is Alan Morse on guitars who seems so timid at first but breaks out during the show.
Al together they create an intriguing prog show that makes you want to see completely till the end.