A Note from Gowan - May 12, 2010

Dear Witnesses,

The long and pleasant journey from A to B hit a beautiful milestone on May 7 and 8 in Niagara Falls. To celebrate 25 years of Strange Animal properly required an audience with a personal connection to the music. Some of you have been intimately acquainted with it since January of 1985 and others have come along in more recent times, which means it has connected us in the greatest of ways: through music.

These Gowan shows were done to rediscover the epic stagings we mounted in the past and bring them vibrantly into the present day. It was an emotionally charged task and one that I'm thrilled we all accomplished.

My gratitude goes out to everyone involved. From internet cyber-curious-types to live audience.

And of course to the band :

Todd Sucherman - the drummer I've played alongside in Styx for the past 11 years.

Todd's wife Taylor Mills- an accomplished solo artist and singer from the Brian Wilson band.

Peter Nunn on keyboards, another musical partner in crime from the 80's.

And the "new blood" of Danny J on guitar.

I loved every moment of performing these songs again, and adding the new "Tittenhurst Park (I Met The Spirit There)" into the mix gave the Return Of The Strange Animal some historical perspective.

Thanks to all for summoning the Ominous Spiritus.

GOWAN