"Journey spiraling downward for the past two years"

[perryfaithful]

http://www.shipwreckislandstudios.com/

 » So by now maybe you've heard, then again maybe you haven't. A music fan has been listening to bootlegged Journey material from their new 2006 tour. While doing so this person noticed the material sounded extremely similar to Journey's 2001 Live DVD. The fan then listed to the audio from the DVD and matched it with the current live bootlegs only to find out the lead vocals are identical. Identical as in Journey is playing the lead singer's vocals over the PA during the live show as the lead singer mimic's the material. True? Not True? Well it doesn't come as a shock to us here if this indeed turns out to be true simply because we've seen Journey spiraling downward for the past 2 years.

We waited on posting information as well as our view on the situation because we were hoping that it would just be dropped and go away. But as we've been told, things are going to get heated starting next week. After tons of emails coming to both myself and Jere we decided best to address this before anything else comes out about what's going on within the band Journey. First off we aren't going to reply to anyone's email about this situation because 1. there's a lot of you asking the same questions and 2. the answers will be laid out below as far as what we know.

So the big question is: Do we know anything about the current issues that are floating around stating that lead singer "Steve Augeri" has been lip-syncing material live in concert?

     - Answer: In a matter of speaking yes we have some additional information that others are looking into. What exactly would that be? Well first of all we want you to make up your own mind, if you think there's nothing wrong with someone lip-syncing material during a "Concert" then that's good for you. Same goes the other way if you feel that it's wrong to lip-sync during a concert. Either way we aren't holding anything against anyone except when it comes to the band. Our information is slightly different then the other sites out there because it's the things we've seen in the past few years as far as what the band has been up to, when they tour, when they release albums and when they lie to their fans. We'll give a better answer to the big question above last.



So that brings us to our information, it's based in a series of questions for you the fans and then our point of view will be added to the ending.

1. Concert's were filmed for DVD releases, yet the band still hasn't released a new lineup DVD since 2001's Vegas disc why? - According to band member interviews given the past couple years they all seem to say there's lack of "Useable Footage" even Schon himself on Rockline last year mentioned this.

    - Our Point Of View: Lack of useable footage? Seriously there's only 2 ways that could be, one is that they had extremely bad cameramen with bad angles and the lighting was junk. Or two the audio mix was extremely bad that even if the video looked good it wasn't useable unless they dubbed the audio in. Oh wait, but didn't they do that on VH1 Classics with Faith In The Heartland? Why yes they did. If you ever watch Vh1 Classics sometimes they show footage from live events, well there's a video of Journey live singing Faith In The Heartland though it's been overdubbed with the studio track and then filtered over with the live crowd in spots. I was disappointed when I saw that video a few months back. Of course the 3rd mystery reason which is a bit farfetched is the fact that maybe they can't release a new dvd because of the whole Perry situation. But that brings up another interesting point.

2. If in theory (as no one knows for sure) Perry controls what the band releases and there's been talk of how the band can't release another DVD with classic songs or even rerecord material then why can shows like American Idol and other bands rerecord Journey classics? - According to some backtalk members as well as mods Perry owns rights to the material and therefore the band can not rerecord things without his permission.

    - Our Point Of View: I've been saying that exact question for the past couple years, funny how other bands as well as American Idol can get the rights to rerecord or perform the material but the guys who helped write the material can't get access to make a DVD or even rerecord material if they so choose to if in fact the whole Perry is holding them back theory is true, which I doubt. The way I see it, it's a lack of vision from Neal Schon. He's said he'd like to be a household name so how does he do it? Well he tried to get a band together with Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani which would have turned many heads and actually was a great idea. But then because Sammy went off to do the Van Halen thing Schon didn't want to wait around thus bring Soul SirkUS into the mix which was a good idea when it started. Schon had a power punched lineup but then it all went to nothing after many many issues, which we are not getting into again on this site - we are over and done with all that. So Schon didn't become a household name, so what did Journey do next? They quickly released Generations which wasn't a great disc and lacked the power punched Journey sound that even Arrival had. Generations like GNR's Use Your Illusions discs is the good, the bad and the ugly of Journey. But wait there's a chance to save the material by touring with Def Leppard this summer? Look I'm all for promoting a product that's what we try and do on the site, give you our point of view on what's being released and then you make the decision to take our advice and purchase the disc or not. But what Journey is doing this summer just doesn't make sense your promoting an album that was released over a year ago not to mention their going to be on Rockline next month no doubt to talk about the tour the ending of Soul SirkUS for the most part anyways and of course their album Generations. Which now leads to our 3rd and final question.

2. Does Steve Augeri lip-syncing his material during concerts? - Well for the past few years there's always been mentions of Augeri losing his voice weather it was him being sick or fan reports saying he didn't sound quite right during a stretch of shows.

    - Our Point Of View: You know I wouldn't put it past Journey to use technology to better their concerts. I read some others talking about this subject and how some really didn't care weather Augeri was doing this or not because it's a show like a movie you pay to see something and you take away what you like. I like how that was put forth I think that's a great way to look at this situation. Take away from it what you'd like if you think a concert is like a movie and you pay to be entertained for a few hours and that's all then you shouldn't care how the concert is being performed. Oh but if your a music buff and you dish out a ton of money to sit next to the stage and take in the view of your favorite band or bands and you see them pulling a lip-sync concert you know you wouldn't be happy at all. It's like seeing your favorite superhero come to live only to find out they really don't have super powers. So to sum it all up do we think this is taking place, yes we do, do we care? Yes we do. Why? Because it's wrong, it's one thing to tell fans that your lead singer lost his voice or that he's sick or a true reason but to hide what's going on and lead people on just to make money, I've lost respect for the band the past couple years. Simply because it's not about the music it's about the dollar signs and controlling something that isn't controllable and that's true music fans. True music fans certainly don't sit down and take things up the rear, they fight to know the truth. This is why this information is coming out, true fans are tired of the lies and shelling out cash to see the same show over and over again. They want more, new material that sounds like the original band and bring back those memories of when it was all about the music. So will I buy Journey albums? Yes I will because I still feel the band is strong but like I mentioned about they lack vision and maybe if this all comes out in the open the band can finally move on and get back to what's really important, the music.

So to close this subject we've decided to go ahead and post the blog from the person who brought this all into the open. We will say there's a lot of fowl language on this blog so use your judgment if your a child, please!! There were sound clips available but their being deleted pretty quickly either by fans of Journey or their management. If someone posts this link on Back Talk (Journey's Official Forums) it will be deleted without warning. We are not siding with anyone on this matter, I want to make that clear. We posted our point of view on what has gone on the past 2 years and how we've seen the band spiral downward. You make your own choice as to what you want to believe. We still love this band truly hope that Steve Augeri if there is a vocal issue that he gets some down time, rest would be a good thing.

[heardonthestreet]

That was very well written. Provocative without being damning

Thanks PF! The author seems to have covered everything that is being discussed here.

[Red13JoePa]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

[NealIsGod]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

I guess you have to be dickhead of the year to get banned.

[PROPERRY]

Thanks for posting that here Perryfaithful, it is good to hear from others what their thoughts are on this topic. That was a real good read!


And I would think that since this topic is already out & being discussed everywhere else, it should be OK to talk about it here on Journey's music board.

Lori

[Red13JoePa]

Thanks for posting that here Perryfaithful, it is good to hear from others what their thoughts are on this topic. That was a real good read!


And I would think that since this topic is already out & being discussed everywhere else, it should be OK to talk about it here on Journey's music board.

Lori

You would think that, and you may be right since Andrew did not say it could not be talked about in existing threads.
What he asked is that new threads not be started devoted to it.

[Argus]

Two guys from the Mid-west running a site post their own spin.. big deal I'm going out on a limb and say that folks of the fringe press who once had access to bands will now not be given the time of day by most.

[Rockindeano]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

Oh wahhhh, wahhhhh.

[PROPERRY]

Two guys from the Mid-west running a site post their own spin.. big deal I'm going out on a limb and say that folks of the fringe press who once had access to bands will now not be given the time of day by most.

Well that may be true Ace, about Journey not giving the the press the time of day.... but what Journey should REALLY be concerned about is IF their fans stop giving THEM the time of day!

Lori

[Rockindeano]

There's a reason Journey won't give the press the time of day.

Would you give somebody the time of day, when you are Journey today? Hell no you wouldn't.

[NealIsGod]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

Oh wahhhh, wahhhhh.

That's funny, you sound just like the baby on the blog crying for all his money he spent on Journey back.

[Pit]

There's a reason Journey won't give the press the time of day.

Would you give somebody the time of day, when you are Journey today? Hell no you wouldn't.

JOURNEY would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of our European fans for the reaction we received on our recent trip. The welcoming response from our fans was totally unexpected, and goes to prove what we’ve said and known all along .. that JOURNEY fans are the greatest fans in the world. We want you all to know that we were totally blown away by your tremendous and positive response to our shows and songs, and that we had no idea how much you have missed seeing us, but even more so, how much we’ve missed seeing you and visiting your great countries. We promise to return and do a more extensive tour. Journey to Europe in 2006 was a Rockin' Time and we're coming back so stay tuned to this site!

With warmest & heartfelt thanks, Neal, Jon, Ross, Steve, & Deen


I'm press, and they give me time of day. Sorry about that streaming problem Mr Ohrilch. That 'old sound guy' and no illegal audio streams put a big monkey wrench in the 'big monkeys' plans at a very bad time huh Spanky? Is it Shock the monkey? Or is it Spanky the monkey?

Pit

[Liz22562]

ok, so you've started a new thread posting the same old subject.

Your point has always been that Journey sucks and you don't like Journey and Journey sucks because Steve Perry isn't in Journey, over and over and over again.

So what exactly is your point?

[Andrew]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

It's ok Red. At this point I'll just ask that persnal abuse cease and let's ride this out.

[perryfaithful]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

It's ok Red. At this point I'll just ask that persnal abuse cease and let's ride this out.

[Red13JoePa]

Another flagrant defiance of the owner's request that threads devoted to this topic cease.

It's ok Red. At this point I'll just ask that persnal abuse cease and let's ride this out.

You love it, doncha you bastard PF Yea, great, in my face. My post was before he lifted his embargo on it. Nobody's convincing me Augeri's doing anything but singing.
Thanks for throwing me under the bus, too, Andrew. Last time I "kiss your ass."

[Andrew]

Thanks Red, appreciate the post. Next bus departing shortly

[jrnyman28]

Two guys from the Mid-west running a site post their own spin.. big deal I'm going out on a limb and say that folks of the fringe press who once had access to bands will now not be given the time of day by most.

It IS going to be a big dael. Because the more "fringe press' sites mention this, the more likely it will get picked up by the "real" press. Sorry, but this is grass-roots but I see it catching like wild-fire....