Where I'm at right now...

[Andrew]

Posted in reply to another post in another thread. But I may as well state it again in a new thread, as it comes form the heart and sums up where I'm at right now...still disappointed I guess...



Here's my problem. I was with the band in October 06. Not much more than 6 months ago. The electricity was in the air....the fans were excited....ALL the band spoke of Jeff as a crusader, a champion.
My interviews and write up portrayed the energy and excitement....I even talked at length with Mr. Schon's step dad, who himself was excited beyond belief and was suggesting the band hadn't had this much energy since Perry led 80s.

Then months later it is all over, with Mr. Soto delivered the news by a singer for another popular 80s rock band in SWEDEN no less. No face to face 'sorry it isn't going to work out'...no airing of differences to see whether a bridge could be built, no second chance for a singer who bailed the band out of some deep shit only months earlier.

Everyone that jumped on board this new line-up are left hanging in the wind...the press that gave the band some of their best reviews in years are left looking like tools for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities.

And me...I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Journey and this site have been side by side for years. I love this band. I loved the members. I allow fans a place to speak their minds and at times get crucified for doing so...is it all worth it?
Where do I go from here with this band that I thought I understood?

So many questions, yet so few answers.

[bluejeangirl76]

Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Not useless and certainly not irrelevant. You did the best possible job with what you had and with what you were told at the the time. Your feature was awesome. Not that I wouldn't feel that same way if I had done all that, though. The whole thing is unbelievable and sad and wrrrrronnnng.

The situation is sad and the was it was handled - pardon me, I mean NOT handled - is even sadder.
I think disappointed pretty much sums it up for everyone at this point.

[SunshineTwilight]

Andrew,

Just remember there is more to this site than just Journey!! We appreciate all the hard work you put into this site and in representing all the other artists you have on board! Don't let one rotten egg (or 4) smell up the whole carton!

~Pam~

[Andrew]

Just remember there is more to this site than just Journey!!

Oh yeah, that is surely true. So many great artists out there...

[LucyFurr]

I'm sort of at a loss as well. You put hard work, long hours, countless interviews together. We bugged the crap out of you to give us a taste of what was "to come". They built up the hiring of JSS to you, the fans, JSS and his family and his friends in the rock industry.

This Journey forum is soured now because of how they treated you, us, and Jeff. The thought of going on "another" ride with Journey just tires me out. There is talk of Perry coming back. Even if he did, I still wouldn't go, as much as I love Perry. I would lose respect for him for choosing to be a part of a band that hurt someone (actually two someone's) so deeply.

I respect your efforts on this forum, your dedication to this band for all of these years. This is still your place.

[YoungJRNYfan]

I'm sort of at a loss as well. You put hard work, long hours, countless interviews together. We bugged the crap out of you to give us a taste of what was "to come". They built up the hiring of JSS to you, the fans, JSS and his family and his friends in the rock industry.

This Journey forum is soured now because of how they treated you, us, and Jeff. The thought of going on "another" ride with Journey just tires me out. There is talk of Perry coming back. Even if he did, I still wouldn't go, as much as I love Perry. I would lose respect for him for choosing to be a part of a band that hurt someone (actually two someone's) so deeply.

I respect your efforts on this forum, your dedication to this band for all of these years. This is still your place.

"This Journey forum is soured now because of how they treated you, us, and Jeff."

Too bad they don't give a shit....

Drew, this site kicks ass and you're the god behind it. You should be and I know you are proud of what you give us. We all appreciate your work.

Rock on, brother

[Rockindeano]

..is it all worth it?

No. Not for this band. I understand the pressure to keep the communication with Journey open, however, if this was my site, there would be no more Journey board. They do not deserve one. Sorry Neal. I just can't go along with this one dude, and I still hate Friga.

Where do I go from here with this band that I thought I understood?

You do what I am doing. Walk away. I am doing so Sunday.

[MRMUSIC413]

Andrew-

I know exactly where you're coming from... I've had a couple of similar experiences with major bands
that had friends on board in the late 80's and early 90's. When it goes down like this, it's human nature
to get pissed off and sides are taken. What can you do ? (And I know how it can cost you as an individual
with time, money,and frustration as well as the disappointment and hurt you see your friends go through.)

Do yourself a major favor... distance yourself from the politics/business side of it - and try to allow yourself to
enjoy the music you grew up loving, but at the same time consider the 'business part' a MAJOR lesson learned.

(Take this from an 'old rock scribe' in his mid 40's-LOL- who's seen it happen on a few occasions...and feel free to PM
me if you need any pointers.)

Cheers

[Little Lenny]

Posted in reply to another post in another thread. But I may as well state it again in a new thread, as it comes form the heart and sums up where I'm at right now...still disappointed I guess...



Here's my problem. I was with the band in October 06. Not much more than 6 months ago. The electricity was in the air....the fans were excited....ALL the band spoke of Jeff as a crusader, a champion.
My interviews and write up portrayed the energy and excitement....I even talked at length with Mr. Schon's step dad, who himself was excited beyond belief and was suggesting the band hadn't had this much energy since Perry led 80s.

Then months later it is all over, with Mr. Soto delivered the news by a singer for another popular 80s rock band in SWEDEN no less. No face to face 'sorry it isn't going to work out'...no airing of differences to see whether a bridge could be built, no second chance for a singer who bailed the band out of some deep shit only months earlier.

Everyone that jumped on board this new line-up are left hanging in the wind...the press that gave the band some of their best reviews in years are left looking like tools for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities.

And me...I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Journey and this site have been side by side for years. I love this band. I loved the members. I allow fans a place to speak their minds and at times get crucified for doing so...is it all worth it?
Where do I go from here with this band that I thought I understood?

So many questions, yet so few answers.

Well this kind of supports something I said yesterday along the same lines, that they have pulled the wool over everyone's eyes.
The impact that has been created by the way in which they have just got rid of Jeff, on analysis, shows how excited everyone was about the prospect of a 'revamp' for Journey. Your work has not been in vain, or irrelevant.
Because even though Jeff has been bascially DUMPED,, lets face it , that is about the top and bottom of it, you have captured that, and it can be kept for posterity, and as a reminder that this is not how bands/management should conduct their business dealings. Moreover, how they should treat someone who they announced to the world is their new front man. This proves that they did pull the wool over everyone's eyes In my opinion.
Also in my opinion, because I'm new to this particular forum, but my partner isn't, I would say for these reasons you have done a very rellevant Job .

[Andrew]

Drew, this site kicks ass and you're the god behind it. You should be and I know you are proud of what you give us. We all appreciate your work.

I know...thanks, I always appreciate the good vibes. I just thought that I would type out a few thoughts given that lots of folks want to hear what I think about all this.

I want to put the negativity of the last week to bed and instead concentrate on a little event in October

[AlienC]

Just remember there is more to this site than just Journey!!

Oh yeah, that is surely true. So many great artists out there...

And some of them are great people as well. You can tell, some more quickly than others I'm afraid.
They are the steady sort, not extreme except when on stage or in character, and certainly not someone who, whilst in a drunken stupor, would frighten the children seeking an autograph . Stereotypes are not exaggerations.

This band is now a caricature of itself. Exactly what SP was afraid of. I really didn't think they were capable of this, but after what they did to Augeri, I'm not surprised.

No wonder Herbie hated "Spinal Tap", it's a freaking synonym for what this has become.
All we need now is a wife / girl friend to want to play tambourine and sing "Background".


What they did to you is in no way is a reflection on you or this site.

Just think, you join an illustrious list of "disenfranchised, disgruntled, dispatched, disarmed, dismounted deportee's"
"Wear it proudly, man!"

[chynablue]

I haven't posted too much on the subject, but I will say Andrew that your post is both moving and eloquent. I'm glad we still at least have this place to come to where we can mourn this together (and scratch our heads). E

[joybringer1]

Fantastic post, Andrew, I applaud you. All the work you put into the big Journey feature was anything but in vain because that feature is the most comprehensive documentation of just how excited the band were about having Jeff on board. If there was no documentary evidence such as that, and things like the Fireworks interview, it would be easy for the band to try to rewrite history and pretend that they were never really that keen on Jeff as a frontman, he was just helping them out of a tight situation, blah blah blah. Your reportage and the interviews means they can never do that.

[rdekker]

Well Andrew, I think the band was sincere in their reactions back in october. I just think management has more weight in this matter than we all think, eevn outweighing Neal. IMO if Neal was sincere in october and he has been overruled by other in this matter he needs to call it quits. Continue being one of the best guitarists ever and stop the Journey.

[conversationpc]

Well Andrew, I think the band was sincere in their reactions back in october. I just think management has more weight in this matter than we all think, eevn outweighing Neal. IMO if Neal was sincere in october and he has been overruled by other in this matter he needs to call it quits. Continue being one of the best guitarists ever and stop the Journey.

JSS and his bud Marcel Jacob indicated that it was Neal who was the one who was mainly dissatisfied.

[Saint John]

Is it all worth it? Absolutely. Knowing the truth about these guys has been a breath of fresh air. Helps me understand why Perry will not return to Journey. Gives me closure. Answers a lot of previously unanswered questions. Also, and most importantly, it led me to Jeff. One of "the good guys" like Andrew said. Good to know there are a few left. When the dust settles, Jeff will better off, and Journey will continue with a bit more of a tarnished image. In the end, all parties will move forward. Jeff needs to continue to stay as silent as possible and let us do the dirty work. Believe me, it'll our pleasure.

[Pelata]

I agree Andrew...this is a major bummer all around.

I remember all the "work" we fans put into getting the masses to give Augeri a chance. All for nothing. I remember fans walking around War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro NC in November of 1998 muttering "I should demand my money back!" and "If I had known Steve Perry wasn't with them, I never would have driven 3 hours!" (For those who missed the "Vacation's Over" tour, there was a big sign over the merch booth about how Perry wasn't there). Of course, after the 2.5 hour show, they ALL walked out singing a different tune! "That guy was awesome!" and "I didn't even miss Perry!!" was what I heard leaving the arena. So what happens 8 years on? Augeri gets sick and, rather than simply keep JSS as a fill-in and wait on Augeri to mend (which by all accounts, he has), they fire him and enlist JSS. Again, all the ground work with Augeri, all for nothing...and part of the reason it's all for nothing is...

...enter JSS. They embark on arguably THE most successful US Tour since 1998's reformation...critics & fans all over are raving (save for a few "Perry only's")...the tour goes on for upwards of 6 months...all capitalizing on and expanding on the momentum Augeri helped build! Had F&F had any sense of loyalty and/or common sense, they would have THANKED JSS for helping out & brought back Augeri in January...BUT, they decide to drop the dude who worked his ass off for 8 years (even facing the public humiliation of lip-synching, every real singer's worst nightmare) to keep the new guy thinking "NOW we're back!" Lame. You were already back. I have a feeling that, had Augeri NOT been sick and been in peak vocal condition, the tour would have done just as well. Not slighting JSS at all...I LOVE the guy's music & voice! My wife LOVED him at the Charlotte NC show (which I missed...which I will ALWAYS regret now)...but Augeri had helped lay a LOT of ground work prior to his illness.

So, the critics & fans LOVE JSS...and they drop Augeri & announce JSS as "permanent" lead singer..."Thank you Steve Augeri...you were awesome...blah blah blah...but we really feel reborn now..." ad nauseum.

So, as much as they were gushing over JSS in interviews (especially Schon), HE will obviously be Journey's LAST lead singer, right? They're going to make the best music of thier career, right? Wrong. Lame.

All of Augeri's work? For nothing.

All of JSS' work? For nothing.

All the FANS work (supporting the band, telling unbelievers how awesome the new line-up was, helping win converts)? For nothing.

For NOTHING other than continuing to line the pockets of men who could give 2 shits about their fans...who could care less who they step on as long as THEY get to keep playing for money (they'll say "playing for the fans", but would they play for free?)...who could care less who helps carry on their "legacy" (as Cain called it) as long as the checks roll in...lame.

I'm all for ANY band doing what they want musically, making changes that benefit everyone involved, and risk the good graces of a few fans for the sake of art. All bands have every right to make the music they want to make and, IMO, owe the fans only gratitude...nothing more.

BUT - When a band continuously steps on lead singers (stepped on RF for SP, stepped on SP for SA, stepped on SA for JSS, stepped on JSS for Jeremey(?)...) all for the sake of keeping their cash-flow healthy? IMO, they can piss off.

Done.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

Posted in reply to another post in another thread. But I may as well state it again in a new thread, as it comes form the heart and sums up where I'm at right now...still disappointed I guess...

I read this in the other thread and thought, "He ought to start a thread with this."

While I came here maybe late in the game I appreciate what this forum is all about. I appreciated BT, too. Some things about both forums I don't appreciate but I've learned in life that you have to take the good with the bad.

I'm not sure about JOURNEY, though. I don't know that I can take any more good or bad.

When I think of all the time I've spent yammering about JOURNEY online - showing them support and giving them Back Talk - I think now I'd like to have all of that time back!

I think I'll always be a fan of the music BUT I can't bring myself to participate online anymore. This is my last post. Another journey is calling...

Thanks for not banning me, Andrew when I know your finger was probably on the trigger a couple times. You're a good guy and I wish you well.

I've enjoyed every minute and everyone here. I know I'm a little weird (supernatural, dammit!) and most people find me annoying but I hope I haven't offended anyone. If I have please accept my apologies. You're all great people with a real passion and commitment - a fire if you will about something you love. You're infectuous and a real blast! I don't know that JOURNEY deserves such passionate and commited fans when they're unwilling or incapable of appreciating you. I was going to say "us" but I'm just not passionate or commited anymore.

The best to all!

[Eric]

Andrew...

Have you called Schon and Cain?

[Fire99]

Hi Andrew (and everyone),

I've not posted a great deal on your forums but i thought i'd break silence on this one.
Firstly i came across your melodicrock.com website not being a fan of Journey but of a number of other bands / artists. Infact i have to be honest i'd never heard of Jeff Scott Soto before visiting your site.. (Yes sorry everyone..Runs for cover.. haha)
Infact your site has opened up a huge number of artists to me with your reviews and news features.

I have noticed your dedication in following Journey and running indepth features on them and can see that in an industry which can so easily be lead by money and greed, you seem to have a real honest passion for what counts.. The Music.. And i can really empathise with you feeling pretty cheated by all accounts because you are passionate about what you do.

What i'm getting at is basically, Keep the Faith!! Not in Journey but in what you love...The music. You seem very respected in the music industry by both artists and fans alike. So perhaps the chapter with Journey may be coming to an end. Sadly, as im sure you know, thats the Music Biz for you. People are people. Some are good, some are bad and some change from one to the other for no apparent reason. But as a certain Queen song goes, 'The Show Must Go On!!'
You have a superb gig coming up later this year with some amazing artists which you seriously must be extremely proud of bringing it to frutrition.
No doubt eventually the facts will gradually makes themselves heard through the mass noise of the Journey Spin Machine and we will eventually find out how this sorry saga came to happen but MelodicRock.com i feel is above that and has the integrity to display the facts as and when they come out for us music fans to draw our own opinions.
And of course through it all Melodicrock.com will continue to serve us music 'bods' with lots of exciting news, reviews and interviews of the good, bad and downright bananas Rock artists which are filling the airwaves!!

Dont let the bad dent your faith.. I for one think you're doing an awesome job!!!

cheers,

Nik

[Andrew]

Andrew...

Have you called Schon and Cain?

No. I have talked to management though.

[Lady Luck]

I haven't posted too much on the subject, but I will say Andrew that your post is both moving and eloquent. I'm glad we still at least have this place to come to where we can mourn this together (and scratch our heads). E

Yes, great post Andrew! I think we'll be scratching our heads for a very long time.

[conversationpc]

Journey and this site have been side by side for years. I love this band. I loved the members.

I can still enjoy the music, though even that is diminished, but the word above in bold says it all for me.

[Eric]

Andrew...

Have you called Schon and Cain?

No. I have talked to management though.

Did it make you feel better, worse....the same?

[Andrew]

Hi Andrew (and everyone),

I've not posted a great deal on your forums but i thought i'd break silence on this one.
Firstly i came across your melodicrock.com website not being a fan of Journey but of a number of other bands / artists. Infact i have to be honest i'd never heard of Jeff Scott Soto before visiting your site.. (Yes sorry everyone..Runs for cover.. haha)
Infact your site has opened up a huge number of artists to me with your reviews and news features.

Thanks Nik, I remain as enthusiastic about music and things in general as always - cheers for the support.

[Pelata]

Andrew - You should black out Journey...make 'em work for promo...LOL!

[Andrew]

Andrew...

Have you called Schon and Cain?

No. I have talked to management though.

Did it make you feel better, worse....the same?

Nothing short of JSS returning to the band would make me feel better...but that's life sometimes. Doesn't always go the way you'd like or expect.

[Moon Beam]

I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

That's the saddest thing of all, the work, support and love
put into this band by you and a few others.

Your work is never irrelevant to us Andrew, never, no matter what
the outcome is.
I'm with you on focusing your skills towards other bands and
the October Melodic-Fest, gonna be one hell of a time it is indeed Sir!

[TRAGChick]

Y'know, I was talking on the phone yesterday to a fellow MelRocker, and when it came to Journey, we were both like:

"........................................"

Completely speechless.

I never thought Journey would go down in flames like this. Heartbreaking.

...and I guess that's a MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT - compared to how you must be feeling.

I feel for ya, Bro....

[Red13JoePa]

Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Not useless and certainly not irrelevant.

Agreed. That feature's a timecapsule of a high water mark in band history, regardless of ensuing events.