CALLING ALL DRAMA QUEENS

[Scott]

HOWE-SQUIRE-WHITE "MORE DRAMA TOUR" SET TO LAUNCH AUGUST 2, WITH LEGENDARY PROG-ROCKERS THE SYN, TO BE PRESENTED BY VH1 CLASSIC

Tour to feature three Yes solo/side projects and special encore set; fans pre-ordering tickets via selected radio websites will receive free compilation CD

While Yes takes a well-earned break from touring this year, following its critically acclaimed 35th anniversary arena tour, three core members—drummer Alan White, guitarist Steve Howe and bassist Chris Squire—combine forces to offer a primer on the past, present and future of progressive rock. The trio hit the road with the "More Drama Tour", beginning August 2 in Seattle, presented by VH1 Classic. Pre-sale tickets will be available on YesWorld.com from June 16-19, with special Fan Club packages, meet-and-greet opportunities and merchandise; on VH1Classic.com and various radio websites from June 20-24; and to the general public on June 25. More dates will be announced as they are added.

The tour features performances by four distinct bands, including the legendary pre-Yes prog-rock pioneers THE SYN, featuring Yes bassist Chris Squire and original vocalist Stephen Nardelli, a group that launched the progressive movement in England with their legendary shows at the Marquee Club in the mid-'60s.

Yes drummer Alan White’s recently formed side project WHITE, featuring keyboardist Geoff Downes, who was a member of the seminal British new wave band the Buggles ("Video Killed The Radio Star") along with partner Trevor Horn when the two joined Yes during the early '80s for the highly successful Drama CD and tour. Downes was also a founding member of the band Asia, where he teamed with legendary Yes guitarist STEVE HOWE, who will perform a set of solo guitar work in between sets by White and The Syn. Steve’s solo guitar performances are a highlight of every Yes show and on this tour, fans will get to hear a full set showcasing his extraordinary talent.

Following the solo and side-project sets, Howe, Squire and White will be joined by Downes to treat the fans to a set of songs that Yes fans have rarely heard performed live. The last time Yes performed these songs live was 25 years ago during its 1980 world tour, which included a still-standing record of consecutive sold-out appearances at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

A free compilation CD, featuring new music from forthcoming full-length projects by The Syn, White, and Steve Howe, will be given away to fans who buy their tickets on participating radio station websites, to be announced shortly.

The Syn was a group formed by Squire and Nardelli, with guitarist John Painter, drummer Martyn Adelman and late keyboardist Andrew Pryce Jackman in 1965. The group’s complex arrangements and orchestral coloring led to the development of progressive rock though its permanent booking at London’s Marquee Club, where they would support groups like The Who, Pink Floyd, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. When Squire met vocalist Jon Anderson just several years later, he formed Yes, launching an amazing 37-year run. Nardelli, who got involved in London’s swinging '60s fashion scene, went on to become a leading figure in the athletic shoe industry.

Squire and Nardelli have remained friends for 40 years, and have formed a partnership to launch a new company, Umbrello Entertainment, which includes a U.K. record label that will be releasing the Syn and White albums as well as a satellite music TV network, THAT-TV.

The flurry of activity comes as Yes prepares a pair of summer releases, including the 35th Anniversary: Songs From Tsongas DVD on Image Entertainment, scheduled to come out in the U.S. August 9. The double DVD, shot at Tsongas Arena in Boston during Yes’ highly acclaimed 35th Anniversary Tour, showcases the band in high definition and a state-of-the-art 5.1 Surround Sound audio track, featuring the reunited classic line-up of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White. The Word Is Live, a box set of Yes live concert performances, is scheduled for release by Rhino Records on August 23.

[Adey]

The bewildering Yes & Squire/White/Howe permutations grow ever more complex it seems.

You seem on top of the latest news Scott. Impressive, given the way and the speed with which things change in Yesworld. It's a thankless task keeping track of these guys..

I remember going to 2 dates on the original Drama tour. Poor old Trevor Horn & Geoff Downes got tough receptions both nights, despite the fact that had they not been there, the same miserable punters wouldn't have had a show.

[Scott]

..........the fact that had they not been there???Please explain...I loved that tour and still am fond of Trevor H.

[Adey]

I meant simply that had Trevor Horn & Geoff Downes not been members of Yes, there would have been no Drama album and no Drama tour..

I was commenting on the shortsightedness of some audience members who failed to appreciate this simple truth, and who used their appearance with the band as an opportunity to slag them off.

[Scott]

Ad,
I see..I must have missed a word or two in reading that post of yours..(note so self..slow down!)
Scott.
ps....the beauty of Kate Bush, and being a SOLO ARTIST, is, well, it's always YOU!

[hurricanehugo]

Tour's off. Go get your refunds.

blessed be.

[Scott]

I was planning on getting tickets at the door....this particular line up was not a majorly important thing to me (with out Jon Anderson), and was to be a pretty heavy duty guitar show experience-I was curious just the same, and for any of you who have ever been to EMP, well, it's a place worth visiting if you have the time...very strange, but fun.