Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes responds to negative fan reviews

Legendary British progressive rock band Yes kicked off its summer tour with Styx on Monday, and keyboardist Geoff Downes is not happy with some of the group's fans, who have posted some very unflattering reviews of the first few shows online. "I’ll not be taking any sh*t from any of you dissers!" he posted on his blog yesterday.

"I have seen Yes 18 times inclusive of tonight's show, and this was by far THE WORST Yes concert I have ever been to in my life," one fan posted to Progressive Ears. "In fact, It's the only Yes concert I walked away from feeling ripped off both musically and financially. They should be ASHAMED of themselves!"

That same fan singled out Downes, saying, " . . . and forget about Geoff Downes, who had sheet music all over the place...which is fine, especially since you want to get the parts right first and add your touches and flourishes later. He was horrid... absolutely horrid...and keep in mind now he is the ONLY reason I attended this bastardization of a Yesshow. He actually stood there arms crossed just staring off into into space or holding down ONE chord for a long time. Maybe TWO chords. until his part came up got keys going...and when it was over that was that. Horrid."

The band's latest album is Fly From Here, its first new studio recording with vocalist Benoit David, who replaced longtime Yes front man Jon Anderson in 2008. Downes has returned to Yes for the first time since Drama in 1980, replacing Oliver Wakeman, whose father is legendary Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

Many fans were expecting to be critical of Benoit David, but surprisingly, most of the negativity from the hardcore Yes fans seems to be directed at Downes, bassist and founding member Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White, while David and guitarist Steve Howe have earned primarily positive comments.

Downes responded by posting the following at Yesworld.com:

OK, first things first. We’ve done 2 shows so far, and generally the vibe has been good. There are always a few teething problems at the beginning of a tour, but we’re hoping to get these ironed out pretty quickly as the tour progresses. I’m really looking forward to getting into full gear, and presenting some great shows to the fans in due course.

Now….I’ve noticed a few unsavoury reviews of the first few shows, (yes I read everything on these boards – believe me!) and I have a few words to say to these over-critical Muppets, who in fact think they know more about how Yes should be than the band. In fact, I shall call them The “Yuppets” from now on! Ya know, I don’t come along to their workplace and bug them about doing their job, right? Just coz they spent a few lousy bucks on a CD which they moan about the price…go figure! Most of them moan about the price of the beer and hotdogs. Ya know, WTF has that got to do with Yes?

Well…it’s so easy to sit behind their little laptops and post negativity, so I’ll be watching these Yuppets very closely, and giving that lot back as good as they can give – and more. To me, it’s just like a sports team – the fans always know better what team to pick, who’s playing well/crap, who should be substituted bla bla bla. But you know what? It makes me laugh! It’s feckin hilarious! So I’m keeping my watchful eye on these tour reviews on Yesworld and will of course respond with dignity and hopefully some humour. But beware…I’ll not be taking any sh*t from any of you dissers! If you call me a t**t, you’ll get it back double!

On the positive note, the feeling in the camp is actually all very promising right now, and collectively we feel we are in a building mode. It’ going to take time, but I think the end result will be magnificent. ‘Fly From Here’s had a fantastic response so far worldwide and it’s a real achievement to get the midweek album chart position in the UK at No. 18. This is first time since the “Onion” (;-) as RW calls it) album in 1991. Let’s hope that gets parallelled in the US.

That touched off a whole new thread as fans weighed in on either side of the argument, some defending Downes and the current Yes lineup, and some calling him on the carpet for his post.

"I actually side with Geoff here. It's become tiring hearing people complain about Yes; how they fired Jon, carried on with a tribute singer, and fired Oliver. Cry me a river!!" one fan said. "I think that the people who said that Yes is just breaking in the new lineup are right on the money. Remember when people were saying how bad Benoit sucked? Now, he is growing on some people. I'm sure in time that Yes will be in good form again."

"Let's assume that Yes does in fact sound like ass, as some are reporting," another fan countered. "The time for 'breaking in the new lineup' should happen in rehearsal, not in front of paying audiences."

Matthew Becker of Melodic Rock Concerts was much kinder in his assessment. "The great Geoff Downes has returned, and it made opening song 'Tempus Fugit' all the more entertaining (he co-wrote it, you see). Downes is a Yes alum from a brief period in 1980-81, but more commonly known as the permanent keyboardist for the spinoff Asia. Still with us? Good.

"One of the main highlights of any Yes concert is without a doubt the killer jam that never fails to erupt as the show closes with 'Starship Trooper.' It’s a deceiving little song that starts out slow but kicks the moment Squire grabs his bass and gives it the deepest thundering boom he can muster. According to the WMGK DJs, the stage was shaking as those notes were echoed through. And oh yes – Downes broke out his keytar to kick it into full gear. It must have been nice to break out of that keyboard cage."

The Yes/Styx Progressive U.S. Tour runs through August 3.

Tour dates for the Styx/Yes "Progressive U.S." Tour:

Tuesday, July 5 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ+

Thursday, July 7 CMAC Performing Arts Center Canandaigua, NY+

Friday, July 8 MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Mashantucket, CT*

Saturday, July 9 Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH*

Monday, July 11 Nikon @ Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, NY+

Tuesday, July 12 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Bethel, NY+

Thursday, July 14 Verizon Wireless Amp at Encore Park Alpharetta, GA*

Friday, July 15 Amphitheater at the Wharf Orange Beach, AL+

Saturday, July 16 The Woods at Fontanel Nashville, TN*

Monday, July 18 Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO*