.Stay in your own Mason Lane

Santa Rosa’s Own Will Evankovich on joining Styx

Of the 99.99% of local bands that aspire to be touring national and international acts playing arenas and amphitheaters, only the remaining 0.01% make it through to the big leagues of rock and roll stardom.

While many amazing bands from Sonoma County were destined to break away from the Santa Rosa music scene, one band continually pushed the envelope into uncharted musical territories. 

If you went to nightclubs in Sonoma County during the ’90s, chances are you saw the band Mason Lane. Along with other name acts that headlined shows in the area, such as Disciples Of Ed, Victims Family, Grand Junction, and The Louies, the band was a strong headliner who drew countless musicians to its often packed shows. 

Unlike much of their contemporaries, Mason Lane — Paul Spina (drums), Joe Shaughnessy (bass), Jason Thwaites (guitar), and Will Evankovich (vocals, guitar) — drew from a mixed bag of influences as evidenced by their frenetic music and well-executed live shows. However, it was ultimately frontman Will Evankovich who recently won a lottery of sorts when he was asked to join classic rock pioneers Styx.

Those who had the great fortune of catching the FM radio giants at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord (also their only Northern California show) a week or so ago with Foreigner and John Waite were treated to an earful and then some. With a set list covering several decades, Styx fans were treated to the band’s biggest hits such as “Lady,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Come Sail Away,” “The Best Of Times,” and Mr. Roboto” in addition to the newer “Crash Of The Crown” and some awe-inspiring ‘Grand Illusion’ album cuts. 

For those not in the know, the band played a Monday makeup show for their previously scheduled Saturday gig, which was canceled due to numerous electrical malfunctions during an especially trying heatwave. Rather than outright canceling, Styx made good with their followers and returned just days later and drove through the night from Bend, Oregon, to give the fans exactly what they wanted: A real rock show replete with all the bells and whistles. 

And while all eyes were glued to core members Tommy Shaw (vocals/guitar) and James “JY” Young (vocals/guitar) along with ace drummer Todd Sucherman, it was obvious their second guitarist, Will Evankovich, could sing and hang with the best of them even though much younger. Rounding out the band was the newest member, Terry Gowan (bass), and longtime road dog, Lawrence Gowan (keys/guitars). 

We caught up with Will, who had just returned home to Nashville mere days after their Concord show. 

Bohemian: When did you originally join the band, and how? How long did it take for you to join Styx full-time after that?

Will Evankovich: I began working with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades in early 2007 to tour and support Shaw Blade’s “Influence” album. I worked on and off for many more years with that ensemble. I eventually formed a writing partnership with Tommy Shaw and, in 2010, I produced his solo bluegrass record “The Great Divide.” That is also when we began writing songs that would end up being part of Styx’s “The Mission” (2017)release. It was a concept album about a journey to space and was the band’s first release in 14 years. As I produced and co-wrote the record, I forged a relationship with the rest of the Styx guys. I worked concurrently with The Guess Who as a vocalist and lead guitar player for seven years. Additionally, I co-produced and co-wrote a record with them titled “The Future Is What It Used To Be” (2018). Styx and I continued to write another record dubbed “The Crash of the Crown,” which debuted at number one on Billboard’s top rock albums of 2021. Post-pandemic, and with the return of Styx touring looming, they finally offered me a full-time position as a guitarist, backing vocalist, and music director. I’ve officially been with Styx for over three years.

Bohemian: How many shows have you been playing for a year now? Is a new Styx record forthcoming? 

Will Evankovich: Since I joined Styx, we have averaged about 100 shows a year. We have a vast collection of songs we have been working on and are closing in on officially recording the new album sometime at the end of this year. No working title as of yet.

Bohemian: Are there any other projects you are working on as a producer or musician?

Will Evankovich: Ironically, there is an American Drag album just about finished, we are just waiting on the right time to release it. Also, I occasionally get together with the Mason Lane guys as they are some of my best friends. We have a handful of pieces we never recorded and even some new things we would like to release someday for the sheer prog rock of it!