Random Post-Perry Journey Concert Thoughts

[hoagiepete]

Sorry this got long, but...since there is no tour this summer and at the risk of rehashing old threads, here are a few unsolicited random thoughts from the past few years of concert going:

Great to have them back. Man it was a rush seeing them again on the first tour after their hiatus. Didn’t think I’d ever see them again. Augeri filled in adequately. Although he struggled at times, I left satisfied.

Microphone issue. Couldn’t stand how Augeri sang with the microphone planted on the corner of his mouth. Glad he changed that over the years, but the first few concerts drove me nuts. My cousin used to take a swig of his longneck beer that way when he got loaded. Now that was funny.

Frontman to engage the crowd needed! I love to hear and watch Neal shred, but a full concert experience needs more. A person can only watch his fingers fly and face grimace so long. If Neal wants all the attention he should tour as a solo act (which I’d pay to see)…or at least move around the stage a little. When did he become planted in one spot? Augeri wasn’t it, but JSS filled the bill…now he is gone.

Over the top fans. I tired of the fans at concerts referring to band members by first name in conversations, as if they are close personal friends. (Am I opening the door for abuse here? Sorry if so.) Also, fans interrupting other concert goers’ conversations to correct them on issues that most could care less about. Ok, I accept them correcting someone if they were referring to Augeri or JSS as Perry. But come on…who cares if someone is pronouncing Schon as Schooon.

Dirty Dozen – enough already. How about just a Top Ten and mix it up? Loved the 30th Anniversary tour, but it lacked zip. Why open with Separate Ways so many tours in a row? Glad they finally mixed it up.

Deen singing Open Arms and Faithfully brought a tear to my wife's eye. She couldn't believe it. Oh the memories!

Why did JC have to come up and stand around with a guitar? Did he really add to the song? At least hold and play the guitar like a rock n’ roller for goodness sake.

Journey should have never closed every show during the Classic Rock Main Event Tour. Journey is my fav of the three, but REO and Styx blew them away. REO was the best I’d seen them in a decade and Styx had so much energy. I am getting old so maybe I was just tired by the time Journey came on. Look what they did opening for Def Lepard! Talk about an ass kickin’.

Laminated cards that were not “Backstage Passes”. WTF? I guess they “looked good” hanging on lanyards to those that didn’t know any better. I used All Access several times with great luck, but never the 5 star as it didn’t seem to be worth the $$ with no guarantee of a meet and greet.

Journey had grown stale and definitely lacked any “fire” in concert up to JSS revival. (See first comment above.) I enjoyed the last show with JSS more than any Journey concert since their Escape tour. I think part of it may have been the “not knowing what to expect factor,” but it was largely because it was once again a “show” with JSS out front. Shit.

Just a few random thoughts from an old 45 year old guy tired of wondering about Arnel.

[Deb]

Journey had grown stale and definitely lacked any “fire” in concert up to JSS revival. (See first comment above.) I enjoyed the last show with JSS more than any Journey concert since their Escape tour. I think part of it may have been the “not knowing what to expect factor,” but it was largely because it was once again a “show” with JSS out front. Shit.

I agree and that is the part that is just so darn disappointing. I was listening to SoulSirkus WorldPlay the other day and that song 'Coming Home' came on (love that one) and I thought now if that doesn't sound like Perry-era Journey I don't know what does! Almost a bitter-sweet listen now.......darn, what could've been.

[Rick]

Microphone issue. Couldn’t stand how Augeri sang with the microphone planted on the corner of his mouth. Glad he changed that over the years, but the first few concerts drove me nuts.

He changed that to hide the fact that he was lip syncing. If you fully cover the mouth with the mic and a large wind screen it's harder for people to tell that your not actually singing what is coming out of the speakers.

[squirt1]

Hoagie- That was the best with JSS since Perry. I actually went again. Then Neal and Jon had to start waving their gun around( that means power and decision power) and shot off their toes and half their asses and still don't get it.