Kara Pound - St. Augustine Record - 2012-07-26

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 2:32 PM

Interview with Chris Squire of English rock band Yes

Band to play with special guest Procol Harum July 28 in the Amphitheatre

KARA POUND
July 26, 2012

Formed in London in 1968, English rock band Yes is considered a pioneer of the progressive genre, as well as their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art and live stage sets.

Over the past four plus decades, Yes has sold close to 50 million albums worldwide, including 13.5 million certified units in the United States.

The current line-up of the band includes singer Jon Davison, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White and keyboardist Geoff Downes.

Compass caught up with Squire to chat about playing with Procol Harum and the odds of seeing Yes on Broadway.

Compass: You're a few weeks into the tour, how's it been going?

Chris Squire: Everything's coming together. You know it always takes a few shows to get all of the coordination with the production - the sound and the lights - and of course, the music gets better the more shows you do. So, ya, it's going very well.

Compass: Procol Harum is opening for you guys. Have the bands crossed paths in the past?

C.S.: No, this is actually the very first time we've worked with them. In fact, I think it's the first time we've ever been on a bill with them. The audience seems to like them a lot. I've listened to their opening set and it sounds real good.

Compass: Are there any plans for collaboration between the two bands or will you stick to having your own sets?

C.S.: Something like that doesn't usually work out because they sort of have the music they are known for and of course, Yes has very different structure to our music, which is not really jammy music. So we haven't thought about doing anything like that, but you never know. As tours go on sometimes things can develop. The way a stage show like that is structured - the equipment's on and then moved off - anyway, nothing planned at the moment is the short answer.

Compass: You are the only member to be with Yes continuously since 1968. Is it surreal to look back at the different formations the band has taken?

C.S.: Ya, we've had quite a few people come in and out. I think it's 17 different people now that we have our new singer, Jon Davison, who I have to say has come in and is doing a great job. And the Yes fans we've played to so far - mainly on the upper East Coast - are really enjoying his input and what it brings. He's been very well accepted.

Compass: I read that there is a possibility of "Yes on Broadway" in 2013 to celebrate the band's 45th anniversary, what's going on with that?

C.S.: Ya, I don't know how this rumor really got started. It was something that we were discussing as a band that maybe, at some point, to do a history of Yes sort of show and possibly have all of the previous members come in and do bits here and there. But it's kind of a backburner thing. It's not really something that's going to happen this year or next. But it's something that we've been talking about for a while, so don't be surprised if in 2014 something pops up.

Yes will perform with special guest Procol Harum at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 28. Tickets are $75 for seated pit; $55 for the 100 level; $45 for the 200 and 300 level; $35 for obstructed views. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and show starts at 6:30 p.m. Go to staugamphitheatre.com.