After 40 years in the music business, it seems likely someone would endure more than a few “Spinal Tap” moments.
If you go
Yes and Peter Frampton
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Details: $30 to $45; wolftrap.org
One of the things that made the first mockumentary originally released way back in 1984 — and what keeps musicians still talking about it — is that it’s so true to life. Just ask Chris Squire, a founding member of Yes, who just did a show in London with Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters and other musician friends. “They told me when you hear us go into the fifth song … we will get you on stage,” Squire said. “I was outside in back and when I tried to get in, someone had locked the door. I was banging on the door, really hammering, and I could hear Taylor on stage announcing me as a special guest and I just couldn’t get in.”
Those kinds of stories have to be some form of educational fodder as Squire — the bassist/vocalist of the progressive rock band — and veteran players Steve Howe and Alan White now tour with Yes-in-waiting players Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick) and Benoit David (who formerly fronted a Yes tribute band).
Life as a long-time, big league rocker also means learning how to whittle down extraordinarily long songs — consider that classic song “Roundabout” that clocks in at a hefty 9 minutes plus — to fit into 90-minute sets while still keeping the fans satisfied.
“I find it a pleasure,” Squire said of playing classic Yes tunes. “Since we have the new lineup it is especially a really good feeling to be on stage. The last thing I have felt is stale.”
Pittsburgh-area critics noted in reviews of that area’s recent Yes/Peter Frampton concert that all the musicians seemed exceedingly fresh and energetic. Guitarist extraordinaire Steve Howe drew special praise from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s David R. Stampone for his “his dexterous chording and fleet runs … exploring with the improvisational flair of an adventurous jazz guitarist.”
Although some bands consider lineup changes something akin to a deathblow, Squire thinks of them more as a renewal.
“We have had a history of personnel changes over the years and we are used to it,” he said. “I always like — every time we get a new member or members of the band — to try to use it to improve the band even more.”
