My Stance

[lights1961]

Hello....
I am here because I need to say something about all this. I may not have a 22000 post count or whatever it is, but I was born listening to Journey. I have every album, been to many concerts, and these recent events have made me wish I had a diffrent favorite band.
For starters, in this day and age, there is no reason in gods green earth that it should of took that long for such a short, open ended annoncement.

I get it, everyone thinks that JSS is the next best thing to sliced bread. I really don't see why, but I am not forcing my opinions on anyone. I think he is a good singer, but not Journey singer good. I mean step back and look at the past 30 years!!!! Tell me you think more of this then when you heard When You Love A Woman, after they were gone for the ten years, or you think that there is more magic there than the ending of the 2001 DVD with Augeri serenading the crowd, and them sereneding right back to him. Really??? I think that the band had left us with such a void after Raised on Radio, that now, anything seems better than nothing.

JSS... I don't know man. I have seen the boots, and read the reviews, and I am to be honest, really not impressed. But I will give you the same chance that I gave the man before you and go buy the next Journey release that comes out on CD. If I like it, I will go see you guys, if not, I will wait till the next singer comes around. Oh, and trust me there will be another singer.

Because everything that is bieng said about you right now, by EVERYONE around you, was bieng said eight years ago about Steve Augeri. When you guys dont hit #1, and Neal gets restless in a couple years, you know as well as I do that there gonna do what it takes to try to be that "household name" that he was talking about last year. And that means replacing you, because lets face facts, Neal, Ross and Jon are Journey. You, just like Steve Augeri, are expendable. I really do hope the best for you, and you seem like a cool guy, but buisness is buisness.

I really don't care either way. Steve Augeri WAS the singer of Journey for me. I always thought he was better than Perry, again, my opinion, but I did. I want that SOLO cd so bad. I want him to tour. I am just as excited about it as I am Neals new one. Steve, if you are reading this.... I DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE TO PUT A 2ND MORTGAGE ON YOUR HOUSE, MAKE THAT CD!!!!!!!!!! I dont give a crap who says what, you fronted Journey very successfully for 8 years, which was longer than perry. People kept coming, and coming, and coming to see you. We dranked, danced, and sang along, WITH YOU! I dont care who says what, you will do fine, and your CD is gonna be amazing, and IF you tour, please please please play the Arrival, Red 13, and Generations Material you did with the band. That music is yours, and nobody.... no where, can take that away from you... Just ask Steve Perry.

Neal, Jon, And Ross. What the h*ll? We have spent MILLIONS on you guys for 30 plus years. Are you gonna tell us you could not be more open and honest with us, after all these years of dedication, and calling into the radio stations, buying your merchandise, EVERYTHING we do for you. WE keep you in buisness. If it were not for us where would you be working? What would you be doing? Regular jobs, regular pay at a regular house.... that whole "statement" probably took a whole half hour to write, and your gonna tell us it took 4 plus months to come up with that??? Are we just a bunch of marks to you guys? Just a bunch of walking ticket stubs???? You need to start telling us what the heck is going on. We have been there for it ALL, we deserve to be in the know now. Suprises are fun and all, but so is knowing whats going on with your favorite band. Quite simply: QUIT PLAYING GAMES!

Deen.... Who doesnt love Deen Castronovo???? =) Just keep doing what ya do man.

another idoit.. who thinks they know more than anyone else...

Rick

[AR]

Look, The Augeri JRNY drew very well on their own.

Most people going to concerts have a few beers and do not analyze every fucking note.

Think I'm wrong?

I'm not.

"Augeri Journey" did NOT draw "very well on their own." They drew well because they road the coattails of another era, with a previous singer and THAT incarnation. For your statement to be true they would have had to play ONLY Augeri-era music....which would have drawn several hundred people by the second tour (the first would have sold well because of the name Journey).

The fans wanted Journey. With or without Steve Perry. I am not saying they didn't want to hear the Perry era songs. I am saying that the crowds were willing to accept another vocalist singing them and they were not worried if he was "perfect".

That is soooooooooooooooooo true.

And under the loud amps, as much as Perry was better, Augeri did pull it off. That is TRUE.

And then he lipped and fucking blew all the good will he built up.

[AR]

My last post states it ALL.

As in Edge of the Blade...............................


ABSOLUTELY PERFECT



I am right though.

[Saint John]

Look, The Augeri JRNY drew very well on their own.

Most people going to concerts have a few beers and do not analyze every fucking note.

Think I'm wrong?

I'm not.

"Augeri Journey" did NOT draw "very well on their own." They drew well because they road the coattails of another era, with a previous singer and THAT incarnation. For your statement to be true they would have had to play ONLY Augeri-era music....which would have drawn several hundred people by the second tour (the first would have sold well because of the name Journey).

The fans wanted Journey. With or without Steve Perry. I am not saying they didn't want to hear the Perry era songs. I am saying that the crowds were willing to accept another vocalist singing them and they were not worried if he was "perfect".

That is soooooooooooooooooo true.

And under the loud amps, as much as Perry was better, Augeri did pull it off. That is TRUE.

And then he lipped and fucking blew all the good will he built up.

Fair enough. We're both about 50% right. And yes, he sure fucked up.

[journeyjeremy]

what i can do is appreciate what we have, a band making a committment to make as best an effort as they can to continue a legacy of great music. Perry's voice was dead, he started this gig, and none of us forget that, we all know thats where the sound came from. Augeri comes in , does a fine job, his voice eventually is pretty much dead, now JSS is here, and i pray his voice doesnt go, but face it, this gig is undeniably difficult. A journey set list could hardly be sung in proper key and tonality by many female alto's so one can only imagine the daunting task of finding a male frontman to achive such an accomplishment. What do you suggest, should we have journey on Rockstar? , might work might not (and im not sure neal would go for it anyway), i think a band is sucking up some pride to do something like that even though it probably boosts ticket sales through its undeniable national presence. I have had the opportunity to meet JSS before several shows and not that i am a vocal god, but he does have the presence of mind to perform about 20 minutes of warm ups and stay off the vocal killers on tour (ie booze/caffeine/whores/etc..) that almost every other rock band frontman abuses. I didnt know Steve or Steve that well, but i know JSS has a great head, great voice, and a phenomenal work ethic as it pertains to his singing chores, hopefully that is enough to last him another 10 years, so in my view he deserves as much a chance as the other 2. Another point to be made is that journey does what other bands with wanning frontmen do not, replace the problem part. Honestly we can probably name but a few bands out there with the success of a journey who have successfully made such a change at the front, (AC/DC and Van Halen probably come best to mind here, and obviously Journey). I mean would you rather have Perry out there bringing things down an octave while jacking up the guitar to inhumane decibals just to cover the lack of voice, or would you have a guy with some energy who has the vocal ability and love for this band (as the other 2 did), and give him a chance, was his OJT for the past 5 months not good enough?, it was a pleasure for me. If you want to see "puppet" acts up front feel free to see the miriad of bands who basically steal your money (if you go) for nothing more than a milli vannilli knock-off, here is my quick list of such disgust: Def Lep,Motley Crew,Metallica,Bon Jovi,Poison,Aerosmith,Ozzi,Billy Joel,Who. Sometimes i find that list hard to believe, but having worked in this industry for sometime (PM me if you would like the story on that), I can honestly tell you all those bands and many more are absolutely guilty of this. I suppose there are certainly a variance of fans in the crowd, some who probably give 2 shits , they just want to go and get drunk and their guys need only be on stage witha CD track bumped to max output, but me, and i hope the people in this forum, would hopefully agree that i enjoy listening to a goddam real band with true vocals coming out, and if one day those vocals are no more, by all means feel free to mitigate the problem(s) by making sacrifices in the name of better musicianship.

Cheers,
JR-

[Rockindeano]

or you think that there is more magic there than the ending of the 2001 DVD with Augeri serenading the crowd, and them sereneding right back to him.

Change your name. You are embarrassing Neal.

Look at what you wrote above. You DO know that ass clown (Augeri) might have serenaded the crowd in Vegas, but when you watched it on the DVD, it wasn't his live vocals. You DO know that right?

Jesus Christ and Dumbo. These holier than thou motherfuckers, crying foul because the Wiggler is now in the unemployment line, because HE was the problem, NOT Neal, NOT Deen, NOT Ross and NOT Friga. Those guys played their instruments well. Augeri DECEIVED, LIPPED, and CROAKED his way through a tour and a half.

How can you possibly say he has class, is a gentleman, or is not at fault?

You people should look in the mirror, instead of cussing me or Schon out, and for fucks' sake, it definitely isn't Jeffs' fault!

Embarrassing fuckers, all of you bastards.

[Monker]

or you think that there is more magic there than the ending of the 2001 DVD with Augeri serenading the crowd, and them sereneding right back to him.

Change your name. You are embarrassing Neal.

Look at what you wrote above. You DO know that ass clown (Augeri) might have serenaded the crowd in Vegas, but when you watched it on the DVD, it wasn't his live vocals. You DO know that right?

Jesus Christ and Dumbo. These holier than thou motherfuckers, crying foul because the Wiggler is now in the unemployment line, because HE was the problem, NOT Neal, NOT Deen, NOT Ross and NOT Friga. Those guys played their instruments well. Augeri DECEIVED, LIPPED, and CROAKED his way through a tour and a half.

How can you possibly say he has class, is a gentleman, or is not at fault?

You people should look in the mirror, instead of cussing me or Schon out, and for fucks' sake, it definitely isn't Jeffs' fault!

Embarrassing fuckers, all of you bastards.

Cuz, it's a BAND, dude. IF Augeri lipped, then the band played behind him...and the ENTIRE band is to blame. Getting rid of Augeri doesn't CURE anything. The problem is still there.

[Deb]

When I love a woman I stick it where she wants it.

I usually find some of ur remarks like this over the top, but man, that one was funny.

WYLAW isn't on my list of favorites either. Nice song, but it sounds a bit too Jon Cainish for me. Then again, I'm not nuts on Faithfully & Open Arms either.

I'm so behind the times I don't have an iPod tho. Wanna buy me one for Christmas?

Awwww, there is hope for these 2 yet!

[ArnelRox]

I agree with most of this.

However, "Arrival" would have succeded HUGE in the right era with the right promotion.

You disagree? Then you are someone I can not debate with.

U talking to me here? I think this is where it gets into personal taste. U obviously loved Arrival & hate TBF. I didn't like all of TBF but man, it was Perry's voice that grabbed me on that album & yes, I admit, the way he looked at that time. There was one song on Arrival, the least talked about song in fact, that I loved. Kiss Me Softly. I thought that was a sexy song & altho I never LOVED SA's voice, he did that song great. It was very much an un-Journey song IMHO. But I have always thought, given the music climate at that time, it could have been a hit. But Journey wanted to try to promote their signature sound. Can't blame them for that. I just thought that would have been a killer song. Just like on Hall & Oates last album, I thought Ms. DJ was the song that could have been a great charting crossover type hit. But I'm obviously not the one making the decisions. I just have opinions & as we know, everyone has those.

[ArnelRox]

Susie, do you think Foreigner drew almost 20,000 in 1999 when it was just JRNY and them?

Open to debate on that one.

Or was it 1998, I think JRNY did 98 at DAR Constitution Pavilion. Can't promise I know it all.

Ed, I honestly can't debate that. I didn't even know Journey was doing anything until the BTM special. But I still stand behind my comment that regardless of what Journey can draw, I don't believe SA on his own can draw much more than his few fans. I just saw Toto here in FL in a place that seated 1200. It was pretty darn full. I don't think SA on his own could fill that place. Do u?

[ArnelRox]

The "Steve Augeri was a part of the longest running Journey" shit really pisses me off.

Yeah, and I believe Neal Schon said it.

It's the truth, like it or not.

That's bullshit if ever I heard it. How can he have been w/Journey longer than Perry if Perry was there from 78-98. Do the freaking math. Even if u discount Perry's "dead" Journey yrs between 1987-1985, u still have to add 78-86 which is 8 yrs plus 1 in 96 & come up w/a total of 9 yrs. Augeri joined in 1998 & was gone in 2006. By any grade schooler's math, that is still only 8 yrs. Puh-leeze.

Damn I swore I wasn't going to feed u tonite.

[ArnelRox]

The Journey shows I saw were over 9,000 people-ERIC

Sure. That's Journey. Do u really really really think an SA solo tour will draw anything close to that?

Please read what I'm talking about Eric. Don't just jump in & look like a fool.

[ArnelRox]

When I love a woman I stick it where she wants it.

I usually find some of ur remarks like this over the top, but man, that one was funny.

WYLAW isn't on my list of favorites either. Nice song, but it sounds a bit too Jon Cainish for me. Then again, I'm not nuts on Faithfully & Open Arms either.

I'm so behind the times I don't have an iPod tho. Wanna buy me one for Christmas?

Awwww, there is hope for these 2 yet!

When I get the iPod yep. Ed, u buying or what? U owe me something for all the names u called me.

Oh BTW, TVL, I use iTunes ALL the time. Just don't have an iPod yet. If u want, u can buy me one. I always welcome gifts. Anyone?

[tammy]

The "Steve Augeri was a part of the longest running Journey" shit really pisses me off. But since we're on the topic let's examine it a bit further, shall we. He was also part of the LEAST successful incarnation. 500,000 albums in 8 years....terrible. But he's better than Perry? You should be arrested for that comment. Perry is a legend in AOR. Augeri is an asterisk next to Journey's name. *Denotes the guy who sang into an unplugged microphone. If he tours solo he won't draw 3,000 people. I'd rather have a railroad spike pounded through my scrotum than see him in concert. He's THAT bad. How could you stand up for a guy who stood in front of tens of thousands of people, smiled, touched his heart and thanked them when he WASN'T really singing? His actions were deplorable. He never even released a statement thanking his fans. Even he knows that the Augeri-heads are a bunch of fanatic, mostly overweight, lunatics.

**************

I always hated that remark too about "longest running incarnation"...quantity over quality? And, no possible way is Augeri a better singer than Steve THE VOICE Perry! If that were the case then we'd hear SA's name instead of SP's mentioned in popular culture regularly.
BTW, I always thought you were a female until I read that part about the railroad spike! lol!
(and for the record, I thought SA did a fine job on "kiss me softly" and "loved by you" - those are the only two songs from Arrival I can remember...but, obviously I was ticked off about his fakery on stage.)

[Carrington]

The "Steve Augeri was a part of the longest running Journey" shit really pisses me off. But since we're on the topic let's examine it a bit further, shall we. He was also part of the LEAST successful incarnation. 500,000 albums in 8 years....terrible. But he's better than Perry? You should be arrested for that comment. Perry is a legend in AOR. Augeri is an asterisk next to Journey's name. *Denotes the guy who sang into an unplugged microphone. If he tours solo he won't draw 3,000 people. I'd rather have a railroad spike pounded through my scrotum than see him in concert. He's THAT bad. How could you stand up for a guy who stood in front of tens of thousands of people, smiled, touched his heart and thanked them when he WASN'T really singing? His actions were deplorable. He never even released a statement thanking his fans. Even he knows that the Augeri-heads are a bunch of fanatic, mostly overweight, lunatics.

That is a complete and perfect post.......well stated S.J.......

[NealIsGod]

I don't mean this personally but I just can't respect the opinion of anyone who could actually prefer Augeri to Perry or JSS.

Why???? BECAUSE ITS NOT YOUR WAY????!!!!!!! How Bout I dont rerspect yours because your a freaking bandwagon rider???

Dude, I won't slam you because your screen name shows that you obviously have great taste. I thought Augeri was a great choice way bacj when, too. But saying you like Augeri better than Perry is like saying "The Beatles were OK, but I much prefer BeatleMania!"

[NealIsGod]

I didn't like all of TBF but man, it was Perry's voice that grabbed me on that album & yes, I admit, the way he looked at that time.

I remember thinking, "God, his voice is even worse than ROR." Very disappointed.

[donnaplease]

or you think that there is more magic there than the ending of the 2001 DVD with Augeri serenading the crowd, and them sereneding right back to him.

Change your name. You are embarrassing Neal.

Look at what you wrote above. You DO know that ass clown (Augeri) might have serenaded the crowd in Vegas, but when you watched it on the DVD, it wasn't his live vocals. You DO know that right?

Jesus Christ and Dumbo. These holier than thou motherfuckers, crying foul because the Wiggler is now in the unemployment line, because HE was the problem, NOT Neal, NOT Deen, NOT Ross and NOT Friga. Those guys played their instruments well. Augeri DECEIVED, LIPPED, and CROAKED his way through a tour and a half.

How can you possibly say he has class, is a gentleman, or is not at fault?

You people should look in the mirror, instead of cussing me or Schon out, and for fucks' sake, it definitely isn't Jeffs' fault!

Embarrassing fuckers, all of you bastards.

Jesus Christ and Dumbo?????

[Abitaman]

[quote="saint John']If he tours solo he won't draw 3,000 people. I'd rather have a railroad spike pounded through my scrotum than see him in concert.

Hi SJ, Merry Christmas to u & urs. Haven't seen u in a while. Where ya been? Seems like u might get a white one in Chi-town this yr? Say hello to the city for me. Boy do I miss it. Christmas lights on palm trees just ain't the same.

I love ur statement about Augeri in concert, lmao at that one. Thanks! Classic!

Augeri draw 3000? I assume u mean for the whole run of the tour, right? Not just at one single show. He would NEVER draw 3000 at any show. For the whole tour, um maybe if all 30-40 of the wigglers fly to every single show & bring all their friends. But who is gonna book the guy? Who is gonna sponsor it? Who wants to get the rep of supporting/housing a guy who might lip?

The Journey shows I saw were over 9,000 people-ERIC

Now see what happens when you take a pain pill and try to read and reply on this site!!! Your nuts go numb!! -ERIC


Read the WHOLE statement numbnuts. It says "If he tours SOLO......."[/quote]

[The_Noble_Cause]

or you think that there is more magic there than the ending of the 2001 DVD with Augeri serenading the crowd, and them sereneding right back to him.

You mean Augeri straggling behind until its practically just him and the clean up crew?
Or how about when he inexplicably starts applauding for himself?
I think it's all rather embarassing.
Every scene he's in feels like it's pulled from "Dick Clark's bloopers and outtakes-Journey Edition".
The only thing missing was Augeri splitting his red leathers as he clumsily leaped ontop of the red piano.

If I like it, I will go see you guys, if not, I will wait till the next singer comes around. Oh, and trust me there will be another singer.

Not if JSS's voice keeps up.

Because everything that is bieng said about you right now, by EVERYONE around you, was bieng said eight years ago about Steve Augeri.

He could do the job back then.

When you guys dont hit #1, and Neal gets restless in a couple years, you know as well as I do that there gonna do what it takes to try to be that "household name" that he was talking about last year. And that means replacing you,..

Funny, Augeri wasn't replaced for any of the above reasons u stated.
If Neal and Co. were really that Machiavellian they would've ditched Augeri after "Arrival" bombed.
As it was, the band remained loyal to Steve after the album tanked, thru his wanning years and even up to the point where he had no voice at all!

You, just like Steve Augeri, are expendable.

Only if his voice goes to shit. And if that happens, Jeff will likely have the class to bow out.

I want that SOLO cd so bad. I want him to tour. I am just as excited about it as I am Neals new one. Steve, if you are reading this.... I DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE TO PUT A 2ND MORTGAGE ON YOUR HOUSE, MAKE THAT CD!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, because "Butterfly" and "Believe" left us all so so sooo hungry for more.
The next time I'm itching to go target shooting, perhaps I will buy up a few unsold boxloads.
I'm sure they make great discount clay pigeons

People kept coming, and coming, and coming to see you.

Those masses came to see Journey and to hear the catalog. This will never change.

I dont care who says what, you will do fine, and your CD is gonna be amazing,

No, it won't.
Think about it.....
If "Butterfly" and "Believe" were the premium cuts selected for inclusion on "Generations", can u imagine what the rest of the album must sound like.

Neal, Jon, And Ross. What the h*ll? We have spent MILLIONS on you guys for 30 plus years. Are you gonna tell us you could not be more open and honest with us, after all these years of dedication, and calling into the radio stations, buying your merchandise, EVERYTHING we do for you. WE keep you in buisness.

More and more i doubt your long-time fan credentials.
From Ross and Smitty's ROR "creative differences" to Perry's "hip ailment", since when has this band ever been honest with its fans?
Augeri's "throat infection" was simply par for the course.

If it were not for us where would you be working? What would you be doing? Regular jobs, regular pay at a regular house.... that whole "statement" probably took a whole half hour to write, and your gonna tell us it took 4 plus months to come up with that??? Are we just a bunch of marks to you guys? Just a bunch of walking ticket stubs???? You need to start telling us what the heck is going on. We have been there for it ALL, we deserve to be in the know now. Suprises are fun and all, but so is knowing whats going on with your favorite band. Quite simply: QUIT PLAYING GAMES!

Deen.... Who doesnt love Deen Castronovo???? =) Just keep doing what ya do man.

Go suck on your mommy's flacid tit, you petulant brat.