UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE

[Monker]

A MILLION fans bought Journey's new material when they made a comeback in 1996. Sure, Journey went on to alienate a large section of their CD buying audience in the years that followed. But this wasn't because the material was new. It was because it was crap.

Dude, it's not 1996 any longer. The situation NOW is totaly different then back then.

You say that "a LARGE chunk of the blame goes to the corporate whores that run the airwaves now." Well, that's exactly what Rolling Stone and MTV were saying in 1981 about the dominance of Journey, Styx and Reo Speedwagon on market-researched radio playlists.

And, they were somewhat correct...Do you not understand that is EXACTLY what is happening today. Back then, we were the ones buying all the albums - and our opinion counted. Today, we're not - and our opinion is ignored in favor of the demographic that does.

Well, it's true that there has been a lot of evidence that Journey became apathetic and a lacking in creativity. But it seems they've they've found their enthusiasm and ambition again.

There is absolutely NO hard evidence of that. Keep in mind that Journey said for YEARS that they were going to release this and that album, or DVD, or whatever. Just because the talk is of a traveling studio and writing going on does NOT mean anything is going to come out of it. People just to conclusions way too fast.

Or maybe I'm a just an over-optimistic fan who won't listen to reason?

Yep! LOL.

People believe what they WANT to happen will happen. How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it. People now feel the same about Journey...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it.

[Liam]

Yep! LOL.

People believe what they WANT to happen will happen. How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it. People now feel the same about Journey...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it.

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

[Monker]

Yep! LOL.

People believe what they WANT to happen will happen. How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it. People now feel the same about Journey...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it.

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

You mean back before they were let go by Sony, or they let Sony go - whichever you believe. Back when JDK got them on the Armegedon soundtrack, helped put Augeri in the band, and seemed to believe in their future. Back when they could still capitalize of the 'success' of Arrival and WYLaW? You think they are positioned better today for a hit album and single then back then?

I don't...not even close.

[Rockindeano]

Well, it's true that there has been a lot of evidence that Journey became apathetic and a lacking in creativity. But it seems they've they've found their enthusiasm and ambition again.

There is absolutely NO hard evidence of that. Keep in mind that Journey said for YEARS that they were going to release this and that album, or DVD, or whatever. Just because the talk is of a traveling studio and writing going on does NOT mean anything is going to come out of it. People just to conclusions way too fast.

Bullshit you stupid dumbdick. I KNOW what the Hell is happening. You care to argue some facts? Any facts? I can guarantee you Neal, Deen, Ross, yes Ross, and even Friga are pumped. Why? They have a singer is cranked up every night..."A little ball of energy" he is. Fuckin Soto has the Perry touch. He literally woke this band up from the walking/playing dead. Do you not underdstand the band could NOT do a single thing the last 5 years because of Augeri? He couldn't sing! You can't have it both ways. I was hard on Azoff, but I need to admit I was wrong. His hands were tied. He had no motor in the engine. Now he has a rocket engine.

Don't you ever tell me that you are right about anything. I read your posts and shake my head. You are clueless.

I will make you a deal, Monker. When Journey comes back in a BIG way next year, and makes news and a hit song, you go die somewhere. if you won't go die, at least get the Hell off this board. If you don't, I am going looking for you in Iowa. I would love to ram a stake up your ass!

[Liam]

Yep! LOL.

People believe what they WANT to happen will happen. How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it. People now feel the same about Journey...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it.

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

You mean back before they were let go by Sony, or they let Sony go - whichever you believe. Back when JDK got them on the Armegedon soundtrack, helped put Augeri in the band, and seemed to believe in their future. Back when they could still capitalize of the 'success' of Arrival and WYLaW? You think they are positioned better today for a hit album and single then back then?

I don't...not even close.

With the "noise" they've made on this tour...I think it's going to spark interest in a new album for those who are curious. JSS is a better frontman than Augeri was and when (if) a new album comes...I think it'll raise some heads that have been laying doormant due to "No Steve Perry....WAH WAH".
Now...."Remember Me" was one thing....but it was a little too late to capitalize on WYLAW in my opinion. It just drifted away.

[Vladan]

Ok. I can certifiably say that Perry is not on the list, short or otherwise, for a duet. Come on people! Think!

Augeri and JSS!

I will make you a deal, Monker. When Journey comes back in a BIG way next year, and makes news and a hit song, you go die somewhere. if you won't go die, at least get the Hell off this board. If you don't, I am going looking for you in Iowa. I would love to ram a stake up your ass!

Haha!. too funny, well take some pics aswell. Hey Monker, you better watch out.

[Saint John]

Yep! LOL.

People believe what they WANT to happen will happen. How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it. People now feel the same about Journey...That's what they want to believe, so they believe it.

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

You mean back before they were let go by Sony, or they let Sony go - whichever you believe. Back when JDK got them on the Armegedon soundtrack, helped put Augeri in the band, and seemed to believe in their future. Back when they could still capitalize of the 'success' of Arrival and WYLaW? You think they are positioned better today for a hit album and single then back then?

I don't...not even close.

A Soto-fronted album will outsell Arrival, Red 13 and Generations combined. Cut, paste and save this statement. The biggest difference is that they NOW have a lead singer with hunger, passion and MOST OF ALL, talent. He has a better chance to succeed because he DOESN'T sound like Perry. Plus he's original with a contemporary look that Journey needs to "sell" their product. Augeri dressed like Jack Tripper from Three's Company. Just a cheap Perry impersonator. Mr. Furley would have been a better frontman.

[Rockindeano]

Ok. I can certifiably say that Perry is not on the list, short or otherwise, for a duet. Come on people! Think!

Augeri and JSS!

Stop! Enough! I am so done with him and his act.

[Saint John]

Ok. I can certifiably say that Perry is not on the list, short or otherwise, for a duet. Come on people! Think!

Augeri and JSS!

Stop! Enough! I am so done with him and his act.

"Act" being the key word.

[Monker]

Well, it's true that there has been a lot of evidence that Journey became apathetic and a lacking in creativity. But it seems they've they've found their enthusiasm and ambition again.

There is absolutely NO hard evidence of that. Keep in mind that Journey said for YEARS that they were going to release this and that album, or DVD, or whatever. Just because the talk is of a traveling studio and writing going on does NOT mean anything is going to come out of it. People just to conclusions way too fast.

Bullshit you stupid dumbdick. I KNOW what the Hell is happening. You care to argue some facts? Any facts? I can guarantee you Neal, Deen, Ross, yes Ross, and even Friga are pumped. Why? They have a singer is cranked up every night..."A little ball of energy" he is. Fuckin Soto has the Perry touch. He literally woke this band up from the walking/playing dead. Do you not underdstand the band could NOT do a single thing the last 5 years because of Augeri? He couldn't sing! You can't have it both ways. I was hard on Azoff, but I need to admit I was wrong. His hands were tied. He had no motor in the engine. Now he has a rocket engine.

Don't you ever tell me that you are right about anything. I read your posts and shake my head. You are clueless.

I will make you a deal, Monker. When Journey comes back in a BIG way next year, and makes news and a hit song, you go die somewhere. if you won't go die, at least get the Hell off this board. If you don't, I am going looking for you in Iowa. I would love to ram a stake up your ass!

Looks like Dean just fell off his plateau. LOL.

[Rockindeano]

THAT's your reply?

Looks like you are road kill again, mam.

[Monker]

With the "noise" they've made on this tour...I think it's going to spark interest in a new album for those who are curious.

No tour from a nostalgia band is going to spark so much interest that it alone will make a hit song or album. If they were out performing three or four new songs every night, and THOSE songs had a decent reception, then you'd have something to base the future on. Right now, there is nothing that tells me that people are going to rush out and buy new Journey music - no matter who is singing.

JSS is a better frontman than Augeri was and when (if) a new album comes...I think it'll raise some heads that have been laying doormant due to "No Steve Perry....WAH WAH".

So, the few hundred Perry people online will join the other few hundred post-Journey people online and buy a thousand albums...and that's what will make it a hit? Those are not the people who Journey needs to reach for a top ten album or single.

Now...."Remember Me" was one thing....but it was a little too late to capitalize on WYLAW in my opinion. It just drifted away.

At least it wasn't ten years after their last platinum album.

The only 'momentum' this tour generates is a desire for more 80's nostalgia. They are not there to hear new songs.

When Journey goes out on tour by themselves and sell 20,00 tickets and perform a 2hr set with a bunch of post-Perry songs, THEN come back and post they have momentum for something new.

Right now, it is no different then after Main Event...except back then they had post-Perry songs they could promote and sell. Right now, there is none with JSS...and they are promoting nothing but Journey from the 80's. Guess it may be good for the back catalog and Perry's DVD releases, though.

[junky]

touring is the money

THAT's your reply?

Looks like you are road kill again, mam.

No kidding,

What is all this facsnation with Journey getting a hit?


And why is it that people feel that they have to take time off the road to write a hit song.

Most of Journey's hit were written on the road. They took "time off" to record Arrival and what happened, No Hits.

$$$ comes from touring, not charts. To profit from an album, you have to sell atleast 500,000 copies.

A band can make that money in a few nights on the road. Touring is where it's at and album sales are just a bonus for a band like Journey who already have hit material they can tour with.

It's easyto sit around saying what a band should do.

[Monker]

A Soto-fronted album will outsell Arrival, Red 13 and Generations combined.

I doubt it would have even mattered if JSS were on Arrival...They received NOTHING from Sony...and JDK was on their side. JSS alone isn't going to change that...and JDK isn't even with Sony now.

Cut, paste and save this statement. The biggest difference is that they NOW have a lead singer with hunger, passion and MOST OF ALL, talent.

So what? Talent doesn't equate to hit singles...Any Perry fan should know that from experience.

He has a better chance to succeed because he DOESN'T sound like Perry.

Gee, sure seemed like Journey was trying to sound like the Perry years to me. IMO, Augeri doesn't sound any more or less like Perry then JSS.

Plus he's original with a contemporary look that Journey needs to "sell" their product.

LOL...so it's all about looks? That's funny!

Augeri dressed like Jack Tripper from Three's Company. Just a cheap Perry impersonator. Mr. Furley would have been a better frontman.

So what? I don't think how Augeri dressed makes any difference at all. I don't think how JSS dresses matters either.

[Monker]

THAT's your reply?

Looks like you are road kill again, mam.

Nah, those words are just not important enough to me to reply to...all you are doing is proving my point that you, TNC a couple others are Andrew's favorite Oompa Loompa's and can get away with anything. If I reply and get into a back and forth, it doesn't matter....if I ignore it, it doesn't matter. Andrew doesn't give a shit either way..and if you REALLY want me to reply, this is the ONLY type of talk you will get back.

[Monker]

$$$ comes from touring, not charts. To profit from an album, you have to sell atleast 500,000 copies.

Unless, of course, you release it on your own and can keep ALL of the profits, instead of getting the scraps that the label give you.

A band can make that money in a few nights on the road. Touring is where it's at and album sales are just a bonus for a band like Journey who already have hit material they can tour with.

EXACTLY *MY* POINT. Why would Journey even worry about albums when they can make so much money from touring? They can put together a hush-puppy "Red 13" thing for the people on this forum, and then tour to make their living...At this late stage, I don't see why they would even bother with putting a lot of effort into an album.

It's easyto sit around saying what a band should do.

And, it's a LOT harder to say what a band is GOING to do - hit album, huge comeback, etc...when the future is a very uncertain thing.

[A Fire Inside]

And btw- I ain't being NEGATIVE...I'm just expressing an opinion. I thought that's what you guys got so pissed at the BACK TALK people for- that it was nothing but a Journey cheering section.

You nailed this too...The differences between this forum and BT are: You can say fuck here without being banned. The women there get all hot for Augeri. The women here get all hot over JSS. There are Augeri cheerleaders there, JSS cheerleaders here. The blow things out of proportion for Augeri, ths forum does it for JSS. Same type of talk, really.

Exactly!! If you aren't all in for JSS here, you're shunned and if you don't love Augeri at BT you're shunned the same.

[A Fire Inside]

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

Er... I can see the "two years" argument, but how are they better off than 8 years ago? 8 years ago they had a new singer with energy (he DID have energy then!) and an album in the works, a song on a soundtrack, and a major label backing.

Now... they have an energetic new singer.

[A Fire Inside]

I can guarantee you Neal, Deen, Ross, yes Ross, and even Friga are pumped.

Then why are they still not promoting this tour or coming out with press that indicates their excitedness? Or coming out and firing Augeri if it's already obvious to "everyone"?

Honestly I have a hard time believing that Jonathan is all on board right now, and until he says so and I have a quote, "guarantees" mean nothing.

[yulog]

AFI like the color in you sig

[A Fire Inside]

AFI like the color in you sig

Thanks, Journey has some cool album art.

[VH#1]

Dean -

Love your review back on page 1. Very cool.

[Matthew]

No tour from a nostalgia band is going to spark so much interest that it alone will make a hit song or album. If they were out performing three or four new songs every night, and THOSE songs had a decent reception, then you'd have something to base the future on.

That's a very good point actually....

At least it wasn't ten years after their last platinum album.

True - but WYLAW came ten years after their las platinum album.

The only 'momentum' this tour generates is a desire for more 80's nostalgia. They are not there to hear new songs. When Journey goes out on tour by themselves and sell 20,00 tickets and perform a 2hr set with a bunch of post-Perry songs, THEN come back and post they have momentum for something new.

Again - I agree. Although I do feel reasonably optimistic about Journey's future, it has to be said that - as things stand now - Journey are simply playing the old hits in a more energetic and charismatic way than they did with Augeri in the band.

[Matthew]

Dude, it's not 1996 any longer. The situation NOW is totaly different then back then.

How so? Sure, Jourmey don't have Perry like they did in 1996 - but other than that...I'm not sure I understand yet why the situation is "totally" different. If anything, the lansdscape was even more hostile or indifferent ten years ago than it is now. Back then there was a huge backlash against AOR- and 80s nostalgia hadn't kicked in either.

Yes - Journey have lost much of their status and prestige and industry clout in the last decade - and maybe it is too late to claw it all back - but was that because of "changes in the industry"? Or did Journey just make a series of poor decisions and mediocre records? I reckon it's the latter - and that's why I feel optimistic about Journey's career now. They have finally made a decision which puts them in with a chance...even though I agree it's a long-shot..

Back then, we were the ones buying all the albums - and our opinion counted. Today, we're not - and our opinion is ignored in favor of the demographic that does.

Monker - I noticed you quoted from the singles chart but dodged the the album chart. 50% of the current Top Ten is taken up by acts which appeal to our demographic.

How else can you explain the people who STILL believe Perry is going to make his comeback...

Well, this year is the first time I've started to consistently believe that Perry is coming back - there are more signs now than than there have been in ten years - but yes....it's still a matter of faith and not hard evidence.

[Matthew]

And why is it that people feel that they have to take time off the road to write a hit song.

Most of Journey's hit were written on the road. They took "time off" to record Arrival and what happened, No Hits.

.

Well, I want Journey to take time off from touring to record a great album. I guess I don't undersand why so many fans are just content with Journey churning out the old hits in concert. For me, the albums have always been much more important.

As for "Arrival"...well, I can totally understand why that album flopped...it just wasn't nearly good enough. It sounded like those middle-ranking AOR albums from the 80s which didn't do much back then either. But that's a highly subjective opinion and I guess we'll never know exactly why it failed.

[Matthew]

I was hard on Azoff, but I need to admit I was wrong. His hands were tied.

Deano - I'm surprised to hear you say this. Does this mean that Azoff felt Journey had the wrong frontman from the beginning of the post-Perry era and that's why he wasn't able to fight successfully for the band?

[NealIsGod]

Fyre - Like the Shakira idea. She is hot and her "hips don't lie" (cool tune).

Dean - How does Azoff feel about Soto? Big plans?

[conversationpc]

As for "Arrival"...well, I can totally understand why that album flopped...it just wasn't nearly good enough. It sounded like those middle-ranking AOR albums from the 80s which didn't do much back then either. But that's a highly subjective opinion and I guess we'll never know exactly why it failed.

"Arrival" was leagues ahead of "Trial By Fire" and also "Raised on Radio", for that matter. If the exact songs from "Arrival" had been released in the 80s, it would have been a huge album.

[Matthew]

Gotta admit...Journey's in a MUCH better position than they were 8 years ago. Hell...let's just go with 2 Years.

Er... I can see the "two years" argument, but how are they better off than 8 years ago? 8 years ago they had a new singer with energy (he DID have energy then!) and an album in the works, a song on a soundtrack, and a major label backing.

Now... they have an energetic new singer.

[Matthew]

As for "Arrival"...well, I can totally understand why that album flopped...it just wasn't nearly good enough. It sounded like those middle-ranking AOR albums from the 80s which didn't do much back then either. But that's a highly subjective opinion and I guess we'll never know exactly why it failed.

"Arrival" was leagues ahead of "Trial By Fire" and also "Raised on Radio", for that matter. If the exact songs from "Arrival" had been released in the 80s, it would have been a huge album.

Dave - you are so wrong I don't even know where to begin...