Formed in Los Angeles in 1992,  Neal Morse- the frontman  (incl: lead vocals, keys and acoustic guitar) and his brother Allan (elec. guitar),  thought they would create a band. They  met Nick D'Virgilio (drums), during a musician  jam night. and after bringing in Dave Meros (bass); started a group for an uncommerical project. The last member to join the Beard is Ryo Okumoto (organ, mellotron),  who at his first rehearsal, played their first album in it's entirety- perfectly.

     Spock's Beard  influences include: Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Gentle   Giant and  Genesis.  The individual members have worked with: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Eric Burdon and Tears For Fears.

      Their first  release, the classic-  `The Light' (1995),   gave them a solid foundation and showed  they were a talented progressive band to be  taken seriously.  The `Kindness of Strangers' album was their first to be released nationally. 

    Prior to 1994, Spock's Beard had an offer from a small prog label, but -after months of negotiations- they chose to make the album themselves. The band went into the studio and recorded their debut album "The Light", which many critics have called the best progressive album of the decade.

     After Ryo Okumoto joined `The Beard' (as sometimes the group is called),  in 1995 to play keyboards (mainly organ & mellotron),  `The Official Bootleg' was released, the year later.

    "Beware of Darkness,'  continued in a similar style with their first album but compositions were shorter except for the last track. 1997 brought forth their  third studio album- `The Kindness of Strangers,'  at the end of 1997.

     "Writing this music is so much fun because you can follow the music to wherever it seems to want to go," says Morse "On The Kindness of Strangers, we do have a few shorter tunes along with the epics."

      During August 2000, the band performed as openers for Dream Theater in the second leg of their Metropolis 2000 US tour.

    Neal Morse, who writes most of the  compositions  with  consistently strong  hooks,  obviously showing a pride in his progressive roots. He is also a talented keyboardist,   singer and  is  heavily involved with Transatlantic, a group with members of : Spock's Beard, The  Flower Kings, Marillion and Dream Theater which consistently put out epic pieces has released two CDs and a live album. The latest is: ` Bridge Across Forever,'  which included two tracks over 25 minutes long.

     Spock's Beard is one of the most talented, well-reviewed and well-known of the new Prog bands. Being workaholics, The Beard' have put out almost two dozen  group and solo albums, V,  (2000), being the last. 

     D'Virgilio released  his first solo offering in August 2001- `Karma.'

     Spock's Beard were supposed to  record their 6th studio album  during  September 10-14 of 2001, but Nick  D'Virgilio  became very ill and recording had to be postponed.

    Neal Morse  has  released his second solo album `It's Not Too Late; and  created a Christian music record label-  Latter Rain Records, dedicated to and specializing in Christian music.  Morse adds-  "I certainly hope I don't offend anybody, I just want to make this music available to those who would be touched by it.

     Spock's Beard  double concept album- `Snow,' was released in fall 2002, which  was critically acclaimed, unfortunately, a proposed tour of   the mega-album had to be shelved  after  Neal Morse  resigned from Spock's Beard to pursue a spiritual  direction (which has been growing in himself thae last few years).  The band though devastated by the news, has vowed to continue. Nick  D'Virgilio, who has a fine voice  is slanted to become SB's new lead vocalist. How the band will deal with losing their talented lead composer and multi-talented musician  is an  answer  that will come forth in the not-too-near future.  Best Wishes Neal. We'll miss you.

      The band released a great quality DVD of their  `Day For Night',' tour of the entire show... it also included the `Making of V,' video that was released on video a couple  years back.

`Feel Euphoria,'  is the band's  7th studio album and first without Morse (Neal).  The Beard sounds edgier,  darkeer in spots, but still  retain bits and pieces of  their familiar sound. Missing is Neal's signature  style of playing keys and guitar and of course  his strong voice, but Nick V. fills in well, as does Ryo on all the keys. Allan's guitar work has more emphasis on the disk and might show a hint on where the band is heading.  From the opening metal  rocker, "Onomatopoeia,"  to the 20 min.+ epic- "A Guy Names Sid, "  Spock's  Beard  has showed us they can  create  their own style and ideas  without their mega-talented frontman... Best luck to both.

Discography:

The Light

The Official Live Bootleg

Beware of Darkness

The Kindness of Strangers

From The Vault

Day For Night

Skin [single]

Live At The Whisky and NEARfest

Don't Try This At Home

V

Nick 'n Neal - Two Separate Gorillas

Don't Try This At Home Either!  (live)

All On A Sunday [single]

Snow

Feel Euphoria

Videography:

The Spock's Beard Home Movie

Live At The Whisky

The Making of V

Don't Try this at Home/Making of V   (DVD)