Neal Schon vs Hugo & Evolution tribute Band

[brywool]

I don't get the animosity towards Neal and Journey. He used tapes with an ailing singer. He was in a bind and had dates that he committed to. So what?

Sorry...you're a dope if you truly believe that what Neal did was okay. There is NO defending it, period. Singers and bands cancel performances ALL THE TIME (and yes, even for committed performances, and even for big tour dates), due to ailments that come up, and bands a whole lot bigger than Journey is are forced to do it. They make the decision not to completely defraud the paying public and don't destroy the integrity of their "art"!

He's brought the band back to where it should be and it's kicking ass

I guess your interpretation of "kicking ass" is probably a bit different than some others. Also, let's make something VERY clear while you're tearing your rotator cuff patting Neal on the back...Neal didn't bring anyone "back". He's been there the entire time. He simply found someone who sounded enough like Perry to make people want to give them a listen. It had absolutely nothing to do with Neal's musicianship (which I agree is immense)!

Why the anti-Neal sentiment?

It's not that complicated, actually. Neal has shown little respect for the "legacy sound" that he so often refers to and has always been a complete douche every time he's been given the opportunity to answer a question about Perry. He should thank Perry every day of his life that he's able to support his 17 ex-wives, or he'd still be Santana's caddy

Augeri couldn't do it, so they moved on.

Augeri wasn't any more of a fit for this catalog than Jeff was! Augeri was the nicest guy on the planet but he had zero business even attempting to sing this catalog and anyone who ever heard Augeri sing shouldn't be remotely surprised that the guy's voice completely imploded trying to sing a catalog that he didn't have the voice to sing! Another idiotic Neal decision. It comes back to him having zero respect for the name he claims to care so much about. I'm telling you that if Arnel's voice breaks down over the next year or two, I wouldn't be shocked to see Schon roll a fucking muppet out there on stage. His objective is to keep playing until his fingers fall off. While I don't begrudge his desire to express himself through music or display his immense talents, I have a real problem with him just throwing anyone and everyone into this band and calling it "Journey". I'm sorry, but by the time you get onto about your 5th lead singer, you've cheapened the entire experience, IMMENSELY!

Why are people so anti Neal?

Because he's a DOUCHE

I don't agree. He did what he had to do. If his objective is to keep playing till his fingers fall off, big deal. That's his job, his passion, etc. Perry was no angel, neither was Neal. Everyone knows this. Augueri was NEVER up to the gig, but that doesn't deny his recorded contribution. His recorded stuff is great. Live, not so much. I don't think he's 'cheapened' the experience, especially now. I do believe he did that with the last singer, but that's my own opinion. With Arnel, I think he's gotten back to a great position. I really don't see Arnel as having vocal problems. He's doing great and the band is helping him accomplish what he needs to. however many wives he's had is irrelevant.

[RedWingFan]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

That's easy. Selling the new record with the re-recordings and the dvd, for like $2.99 or whatever. Plus all the new racist fans who discriminated against Augeri because he was white!!!!

[Andrew]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

[portland]

This is a funny thread. All characters are out.

I went to bed too early....I am missing from the best parts!!!!

[strangegrey]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Their (and the band's) success is comparable with eachother. If Journey didn't do anything between 96 and 2007, released Arrival with the walmart deal in place (and the creative accounting used to bolster its numbers) in 2007 among this climate, the Sopranos stuff....you would have gotten a record that put up similar numbers.

Their tour successes are no different....
you're making it sound like Arnel is this x-factor that has turned Journey into a Juggernaut. Simply not the case....

[Enigma869]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Did you seriously just post this???? The "looks"??? The "Hair"??? What the fuck are you talking about? This is rock and roll...not a fucking beauty contest! The middle-aged menopausal women who got hot flashes over Augeri's leather pants, and his wife's white blouse notwithstanding, the true music fans NEVER thought Augeri was the person who should have been singing the Journey catalog! If you seriously believe that Steve Augeri was EVER a "sound alike" of Steve Perry, I'd STRONGLY urge you to see an ENT (ear, nose, throat specialist) immediately and get your ears checked. Augeri sounded as much like Perry as Arnel looks like him!

[Chubby321]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads.

If you think I was dissing the Augerie era, you are mistaken. I was just explaining that there were other factors for the small success of Journey is having right now, sounding alike was only one of the factors and not the "be all, end all". The frontman should also have the ability to capture the audience.

And of course, i am thankful for Augerie's years he had with the band. It's the people here who have forgotten Augerie and not me (when comparing SP and Arne)l. I actually like the guy. As a matter of fact, I have a few of his songs in my ipod.

I was just stating some facts, but obviously you think otherwise.

[Enigma869]

Look I am not taking away from Perry and I am aware of the legacy sound but there are people who have very very nice voice but you don't go crazy for them. Doesn't cut if for you. One good example is me, I was not crazy for anything Journey in my life. But when Arnel was hired, I came aboard. I did not like him because he sounds like Perry, I came aboard because I think he's a damn good singer and I like what I hear.

Nobody is arguing that Arnel isn't a tremendously talented singer. I was aware of Arnel long before Neal found him on youtube because I had come across a video of him singing a Survivor song on youtube. The guy can flat out sing. That said, Lula is 1000% correct that if you seriously believe that Arnel is in this band for ANY other reason, other than him being able to channel Perry, you are beyond delusional! Sounding like Perry is the number one job requirement, number two job requirement, and number 10 job requirement!

[Chubby321]

Look I am not taking away from Perry and I am aware of the legacy sound but there are people who have very very nice voice but you don't go crazy for them. Doesn't cut if for you. One good example is me, I was not crazy for anything Journey in my life. But when Arnel was hired, I came aboard. I did not like him because he sounds like Perry, I came aboard because I think he's a damn good singer and I like what I hear.

Nobody is arguing that Arnel isn't a tremendously talented singer. I was aware of Arnel long before Neal found him on youtube because I had come across a video of him singing a Survivor song on youtube. The guy can flat out sing. That said, Lula is 1000% correct that if you seriously believe that Arnel is in this band for ANY other reason, other than him being able to channel Perry, you are beyond delusional! Sounding like Perry is the number one job requirement, number two job requirement, and number 10 job requirement!

Requirements does not always guarantee positive results.

[strangegrey]

Requirements does not always guarantee positive results.

Unless meeting the requirement is the only measurement of good job performance!

[strangegrey]

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads....

Injure?!?!?!
Um, the word you're looking for is endure.

And with all due respect....Arnel didn't endure shite. He was flown to the US, probably at the very least Business Class, all expenses paid and was probably paid more money than he's seen in a lifetime. He was truly undergoing such hardship!

If what he had to go through, to endure, to struggle with, was so awful...what is he still doing in this band?!!?!


Don't mistake your pain for his and vice-versa. Just because you cant deal with the fact that there were and still are people that don't think he belongs in this band....don't think Arnel gives two shits about what *you* (or any other race-baiting arneliot) had to endure. He's being comfortably compensated (at least for the standard of living he was accustomed to in Manila) for mimicing Perry on stage...

[Chubby321]

Requirements does not always guarantee positive results.

Unless meeting the requirement is the only measurement of good job performance!

Maybe on things you can physically measure like production, etc.

When it comes to music/cinema, luck plays more of an important part, if anything.

[Vladan]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads.

If you think I was dissing the Augerie era, you are mistaken. I was just explaining that there were other factors for the small success of Journey is having right now, sounding alike was only one of the factors and not the "be all, end all". The frontman should also have the ability to capture the audience.

And of course, i am thankful for Augerie's years he had with the band. It's the people here who have forgotten Augerie and not me (when comparing SP and Arne)l. I actually like the guy. As a matter of fact, I have a few of his songs in my ipod.

I was just stating some facts, but obviously you think otherwise.

Looks like you have your hands full with everyone, personally I don't like debating with 6 people at once, it's not easy.

Oh BTW Chubby, Andrew is the owner of this forum and website. I reckon it's cool to debate with people, I do it all the time, but because Andrew is obviously busy, it's not in yours and anyone's best interest to "tell him how it is" with "facts" and stuff like that. Just a heads up

[strangegrey]

When it comes to music/cinema, luck plays more of an important part, if anything.

Oh? So Arnel was lucky?
First thing I agree with you on, ever.

[YoungJRNY]

After reading this thread, I am seriously exhausted for the day and it's only 10:20 AM Eastern Time. Holy Christ how can you people get off talking about the same shit over and over.

Point is, Journey is a rock band now re-discovering themselves & are on a ROLL considering their hay day back in the 80's. It's amazing that Journey is still relevant not only to the casual fans, but to the up coming youth! What Steve Augeri did filling in for Perry was life saving for this band, but at the same time a curse for Neal and company going on without Perry at the helm when dealing with the hardcore's. Because of this there will always be a divided fan base and arguments of the same shit going in one big circle that will never be explained. Even before Perry, there was Journey and there is a Journey after Perry. Steve Perry fucked this band over when all said and done and his story telling on behind the music is nothing short of that. Never felt part of the band, what an asshole. He knew he held all the power and after 2 years of keeping the band in the wings, the man that HIRED him moved on to bring on a new product of Journey, and Steve Perry hasn't been heard of since!

Steve Perry set an untouchable standard, Augeri left his mark (- Tapegate), and Arnel is living up to expectations and has single handily brought Journey back into the spotlight and then some. Give management credit for promoting 2009's Journey, they are doing an excellent job and noone can argue the public's curiosity towards Journey right now. They are an 80's band without the singer that sold of arena's for Christ sake, but STILL has the recognition to tour every year and put ass's in the seats. THE MUSIC PREVAILS AT THE END, people.

[portland]

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads....

Injure?!?!?!
Um, the word you're looking for is endure.

And with all due respect....Arnel didn't endure shite. He was flown to the US, probably at the very least Business Class, all expenses paid and was probably paid more money than he's seen in a lifetime. He was truly undergoing such hardship!

If what he had to go through, to endure, to struggle with, was so awful...what is he still doing in this band?!!?!


Don't mistake your pain for his and vice-versa. Just because you cant deal with the fact that there were and still are people that don't think he belongs in this band....don't think Arnel gives two shits about what *you* (or any other race-baiting arneliot) had to endure. He's being comfortably compensated (at least for the standard of living he was accustomed to in Manila) for mimicing Perry on stage...

Frank I noticed that too I wondered how he was injured????

[Chubby321]

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads....

Injure?!?!?!
Um, the word you're looking for is endure.

And with all due respect....Arnel didn't endure shite. He was flown to the US, probably at the very least Business Class, all expenses paid and was probably paid more money than he's seen in a lifetime. He was truly undergoing such hardship!

If what he had to go through, to endure, to struggle with, was so awful...what is he still doing in this band?!!?!


Don't mistake your pain for his and vice-versa. Just because you cant deal with the fact that there were and still are people that don't think he belongs in this band....don't think Arnel gives two shits about what *you* (or any other race-baiting arneliot) had to endure. He's being comfortably compensated (at least for the standard of living he was accustomed to in Manila) for mimicing Perry on stage...

I stand corrected on that word.

To food on the table, lots of food .............and big screen tv, house, car, education for the kids, car, nice clothes, car etc.

I don't mind if some/many of you here don't like him, that's your preference. I respect yours so you have to respect mine.

.........and if I am Arnel, I will not lose sleep if you are not on my side.

[Michigan Girl]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

Yes, please...

[strangegrey]

Frank I noticed that too I wondered how he was injured????

He's probably emotionally injured...
....after reading these threads and noticing that the most outspoken people going to bat for him don't know key journey songs...

[Chubby321]

When it comes to music/cinema, luck plays more of an important part, if anything.

Oh? So Arnel was lucky?
First thing I agree with you on, ever.

Yes, luck was on his side. Plus, talent, hard work, legacy sound....etc, etc.......so many factors...

[Chubby321]

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

Have you forgotten what Arnel had to injure as soon as they announced him as a frontman? Remember you even have to erase those threads.

If you think I was dissing the Augerie era, you are mistaken. I was just explaining that there were other factors for the small success of Journey is having right now, sounding alike was only one of the factors and not the "be all, end all". The frontman should also have the ability to capture the audience.

And of course, i am thankful for Augerie's years he had with the band. It's the people here who have forgotten Augerie and not me (when comparing SP and Arne)l. I actually like the guy. As a matter of fact, I have a few of his songs in my ipod.

I was just stating some facts, but obviously you think otherwise.

Looks like you have your hands full with everyone, personally I don't like debating with 6 people at once, it's not easy.

Oh BTW Chubby, Andrew is the owner of this forum and website. I reckon it's cool to debate with people, I do it all the time, but because Andrew is obviously busy, it's not in yours and anyone's best interest to "tell him how it is" with "facts" and stuff like that. Just a heads up

I don't think Wombat is that short-minded, or else, this forum will not be successful. I can say my piece without uttering a single F word. If that is not a sign of a respectful discourse, I dont' know what is.

[JasonD]

After reading this thread, ......"

JasonD: I've omitted the rest of this post in the interest of space.

YoungJRNY said it perfectly. Just the simple fact that we're still hearing about Journey 30+ years after its inception is an accomplishment in itself & MANY of those years were without Perry & so someone's doing something right somewhere. For those who want to argue, "Well, that's b/c Neal & the boys are milking the Perry cash cow with their revolving door of Perry clones," ... all I have to say is that he can't be doing it on his own! Somebody's buying something to keep that process going: concert tickets, t-shirts, CD's, posters, et cetera. If all the Perry fans are the ones purchasing this stuff (but begrudgingly so b/c Perry's no longer a member of the band) then who's fault is that? Neal & Company's? No-- it's the fault of the Perry fans who can't let go of the past. The flip side of this is to say that IF it isn't the Perry fans that are generating revenue, but rather the Journey-minus-Perry fans & IF that's the case, then good for Neal & Company to weather all the storms they've had to weather & still keep the Journey ship afloat. Like I said, someone's doing something right somewhere or Journey would have crashed & burned a long, long time ago.

BTW--- I got nothing against Perry. I just don't get the whole "Hatfield & McCoy’s" argument.

[Aaron]

+1 Augeri stepped into an impossible situation and made the band go for 8 years. He deserves a TON more respect than he gets.

I am not taking anything away from SP either, but if "to sound alike" is the standard, then SA should have been huge. He was with the band for 8 years (?), he has the built, the hair, the looks but nothing really big happened to the band then. How do you explain this versus the almost 2 years with Arnel.

Factually incorrect and blatantly ignoring the challenges faced by Augeri. If it wasn't for the AMAZING job Steve Augeri did pulling the band into a new post-Perry era, there would have not been a band for Arnel to join.

Please - enough with the Arnel-blinders. We all know what a great 2 years it has been for the band and Arnel (who I very much appreciate), thanks in part to those that preceeded him.

[Aaron]

Dude,

I don't think most folks are just anti-Neal. I think people are surprised that a guy his age still hasn't learned to act like an adult. It is beyond me why Neal would care, or have time, to fuck with stupid shit like this. I don't see the Tributes as impacting Journey's business what-so-ever. The dude should be happy someone gives a fuck about his music enough to start a tribute in the first place. On issues like this, he's taking a similar approach to Metalica. I think that is what folks are getting would up about.

Neal isn't protecting Journey...he's fucking exploiting it.

Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner! That douche Schon has been milking every fucking cent out of exploiting the name "Journey" as long as I can remember.

IT'S NEAL'S BAND. That's what he's supposed to do. I don't get the animosity towards Neal and Journey. He used tapes with an ailing singer. He was in a bind and had dates that he committed to. So what? I'm sure Neal regrets that. It's in the past. He's brought the band back to where it should be and it's kicking ass- yet peeps are still pissing and moaning about it, EVEN THOUGH THIS BAND KICKS ASS. Why the anti-Neal sentiment? Perry wouldn't perform, so he moved on. Augeri couldn't do it, so they moved on. JSS was never the right fit so they moved on. I totally get that. That's what you do with bands. If the chemistry ain't right, you tweak it till it is and now, it is.

Why are people so anti Neal?

[strangegrey]

When it comes to music/cinema, luck plays more of an important part, if anything.

Oh? So Arnel was lucky?
First thing I agree with you on, ever.

Yes, luck was on his side. Plus, talent, hard work, legacy sound....etc, etc.......so many factors...

Some more luck than other factors. It takes alot of hard work to have a dirty manager post a couple of hand-picked videos and barage Neal Schon with them...

Oh, and the hard work put into that legacy sound wasn't arnels hard work...it was the people before him.

[Enigma869]

Even before Perry, there was Journey

Right, and not 6 people knew who they were!

and there is a Journey after Perry.

Right, and not 10 people outside of MR.com have noticed!

Steve Perry fucked this band over when all said and done

You're a fucking idiot and as big of a douche as Neal is if you really believe this! Dude...open up your fucking eyes. You're not on this board talking about Journey, and Schon isn't rolling out a new "lead singer" every 20 minutes without Perry, and he certainly isn't making half the fucking money he's made in his life, without Perry, so save the "Perry fucked this band over" BULLSHIT! Perry is THE REASON that Schon, Cain, Valory, Castronovo, and Pineda continue to make a living off the name "Journey", period, end of story!

[strangegrey]

I don't think Wombat is that short-minded, or else, this forum will not be successful. I can say my piece without uttering a single F word. If that is not a sign of a respectful discourse, I dont' know what is.

Saying or not saying shit or fuck is not the issue....it's how you use the words that matter. Therefore, you can use other words the same way and still project lack of respect.

Personally, Its hard to respect anyone that doesn't respect the history of this band....but that's just me.

[Monker]

But at the end of the day, good or bad, Neal owns Journey; he can do whatever he wants to protect it.

Oh, would you listen to yourself!!! Holy shit....do you take mud baths in bullshit as well or is shoveling it just a day hobby?


Neal isn't protecting Journey...he's fucking exploiting it.

Anybody who owns a business will do everything to make his venture profitable. It maybe exploitation to you but he's just being business savvy.

Neal is not doing anything different from your employer, granting you have one.

You're an idiot. There are plenty of business owners/stakeholders that have exploited their businesses. Perhaps you've heard of Enron? Tyco? Worldcom? All cases where business stakeholders exploited the businesses they either owned or were responsible for managing for personal gain. You wouldn't know anything about that, however. You probably couldn't provide a clear explanation of the vehicles that Enron's management used to exploit the corporation.....hell, you don't fucking know what "Just The Same Way" was...how should I expect you to know and understand something that *really* matters, like actual business concepts.

My employer doesn't gut its business, repackage it to idiots like yourself and blindly attack comparable businesses without researching them. In fact, my employer's business exists to prevent such a very thing from happening....

You might want to try another blind stab in the dark...this one didn't work out too well for you. Granted, it might be better off if you renounce your fan-ship of this band, go home, buy infinity through TBF....do your homework...and come back when you're actually able to recollect the titles of the songs by the band you profess to be a fan of.

Wow, not knowing the the title of a Journey song and Enron/Worldcom in the same sentence, isn't that a stretch?

What's the difference between employment and exploitation? Nothing really if you think about it. First they hire you then exploit you to their benefit. In the corporate world, what it comes down to is P & L....everything else is mute.

Yes, your company might be in the business of trying to prevent stuff from happening but boy, oh boy, one huge mistake and you are out the door. It would not even matter if you were the most valuable employee they have for several years.


I professed the love for this band only after they hired Arnel. I was very honest from the start how I got to know and love this band. And you should know it by now.

I will not renounce "my fan-ship" nor you cannot make me buy Infinity or TBF. I have my preference and that is Arnel with Journey. And I really like Neal, as a matter of fact, I am a proud facebook friend of Neal.

Damn, Enron and Just The Same Way.......who knew....

Then Journey to you is the Revelation package and the tours with Arnel.

God, that is pitiful. That is even worse then when I would argue with Perryheads.

Whatever. Journey to you is the last few steps into the valley of retirement, or death...whichever. I'm glad I was there during their time at the top of the mountain.

Yes, but it's not pitiful. Some people find true love at the age of 16 some at age 40.

Last steps in the valley of retirement?

Maybe......and this is the reason why we just want to enjoy what's NOW.

Yes, it is pitiful. You not only were there to enjoy the over 30yrs of Journey music prior to Arnel joining, but you refuse to recognize it as being worthy of your fandom. That combined with the fact that Journey is on its last legs and there isn't going to be nearly as much of a future as there is a past makes it pitiful.

[JasonD]

OMG--- I can't believe some of you are still busting a vein over this. I don't have anything against the man personally, but dude hasn't done anything in eons worth arguing about & the fact that the downstairs forum looks like tumbleweeds ..... .... only serves to support my argument.

When Perry releases his new CD & *IF* it blows away the competition, I'll gladly give the man praise where praise is due. Till then, hats off to Schon for keeping the Journey empire booming.

[strangegrey]

Till then, hats off to Schon for allowing the Journey empire to crash and burn.

I fixed your quote for ya...