Kevin Shirley - The MelodicRock Interview

[Monker]

Pretty revealing that Shirley is speaking out about the recording process before the album is out. Unconfirmed rumors existed about the TBF sessions (Perry threatening to throw a fire extinguisher) and Arrival (Augeri blowing a vocal chord singing With Your Love). But like any good producer, Shirley kept his silence and remained loyal. The band has obviously fucked up big time.

Actually Perry threw a temper tantrum and allegedly threw a fire extinguisher during the recording of FTLOSM, damaging a hard drive containing matereial for Jimbo Barton's Queensryche sessions.

DAMN! Should have read the entire thread!

In a later interview, Perry explained this stuff as being over-blown and not completely true...so, who knows.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't automatically assume he is not referring to the TBF sessions. I don't reacll that much time being spent on the others. I believe he is just saying there is so much overhead with the number on the payroll that they can't afford to take months. Then again, if this is supposed to be a big teaser maybe I'm reading it wrong.

No, just the band in general when recording anytime. Not TBF specific.

[Jeremey]

In 2007 a number was thrown out of about $70,000 a week to rehearse for tour preparations. I have no idea what that would be during recording sessions, but that's kind of a ballpark figure I guess.

[Rockindeano]

Pretty revealing that Shirley is speaking out about the recording process before the album is out. Unconfirmed rumors existed about the TBF sessions (Perry threatening to throw a fire extinguisher) and Arrival (Augeri blowing a vocal chord singing With Your Love). But like any good producer, Shirley kept his silence and remained loyal. The band has obviously fucked up big time.

Sure looks that way doesn't it?

Why would a producer ever feel the need to vent like this? Like Arkansas said, it may be orchestrated, I don't know, but I am tending to lean towards TNC here. The band has undeniably "fought" during this recording. That has been archived and is true. However, some of the best albums ever have had in fighting- Hotel California, Back in Black and even Dark Side of the Moon had it's squabbles. This Journey effort could turn out to be pretty good after all. I am going to give it a fair and unbalanced listen for sure. If anything, this shows the personal mettle between the two in charge, both fighting for what they honestly believe will make the record strong(er)- and that could be a good thing; unless- Neal knows this is the last Journey effort and wants to go out in his own style and is own way. Look, when it comes down to it, sure, there is a two headed monster, but only one reigns supreme- this is Neal's band, not Jon's.

[Andrew]

Steve Perry was the alpha dog in the band. He was the lynch pin of the whole thing. So everyone cow towed to the Steve Perry train of thought, pretty much.

[FamilyMan]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Looking forward to it Andrew!
Shirley seemed to be a pretty big fan of Arnel's in '08. It will be interesting to hear his take this time around.

[Andrew]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Looking forward to it Andrew!
Shirley seemed to be a pretty big fan of Arnel's in '08. It will be interesting to hear his take this time around.

Mostly Part 2 for that part. Couple of weeks away.

[steveo777]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Looking forward to it Andrew!
Shirley seemed to be a pretty big fan of Arnel's in '08. It will be interesting to hear his take this time around.

I'd bet dollars to dog nuts that Arnel ain't the problem here. Seems to be a pretty compliant and congenial sort of fella. I can't see him giving anyone pushback unless he has finally developed LSD, which I doubt.

[Ligzig]

I'd bet dollars to dog nuts that Arnel ain't the problem here. Seems to be a pretty compliant and congenial sort of fella. I can't see him giving anyone pushback unless he has finally developed LSD, which I doubt.

Nah, dude was content singing cover songs for 20 years, Journey is just another job to him. Any ambition he has seems to be aimed towards other things.

[Rockindeano]

The fact Andrew posted these snippets tells me that it may not be a big deal. I don't think Neal or Cain would want a bunch of negative pub on here before a release. Either that, or Shirley isn't really that pissed.

[Arkansas]

Look, if this album is expected to be 'earth-shattering' then we wouldn't hear crap. It would take care of itself. But, there's probably no big deal at all. This may turn out to be "just another record". Hell, it could be their swan song. Who knows.

I just can't imagine that this band will ever rise back to the top without a Perry-led album. So, let the PR machine begin. It has to, just to create a fuss in hopes of generating some buzz through web hits, at least.

Throw out some negativity. Answer it with positivity. Hit the road, do more PR, then stay on the road for a bit. It's all typical rhetoric, business as usual.

Good to MR.com to create some buzz. Whether it's orchestrated implicitly, or explicitly, it's all good.
Good to the Shirley & the band...to work up some potential sales.
That's all.


later~

[Andrew]

Whether it's orchestrated implicitly.

I can 100% guarantee that is not the case.

[timstar78]

Andrew, have you heard any of the songs from the new Journey album at all?

[Andrew]

Andrew, have you heard any of the songs from the new Journey album at all?

No, no sign of that happening.

[DrFU]

I'd bet dollars to dog nuts that Arnel ain't the problem here. Seems to be a pretty compliant and congenial sort of fella. I can't see him giving anyone pushback unless he has finally developed LSD, which I doubt.

For the first time in possibly ever, I agree with Steveo.

[Andrew]

One should note that this isn't a confrontational interview. Not why I did it.
I just asked questions I figure would elicit an interesting response. About a number of topics.

[NoMoreTails]

I wouldn't automatically assume he is not referring to the TBF sessions. I don't reacll that much time being spent on the others. I believe he is just saying there is so much overhead with the number on the payroll that they can't afford to take months. Then again, if this is supposed to be a big teaser maybe I'm reading it wrong.

No, just the band in general when recording anytime. Not TBF specific.

Was there discussion of Shirley's work on some of the Led Zep archive projects with Jimmy Page? I'm wondering if you had a chance to discuss that band and whether you know if he was involved with any actual recording that might have occured with Myles Kennedy on vocals when Page and Jones were considering continuing without Plant a couple of years ago?

[RossValoryRocks]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

[Deb]

One should note that this isn't a confrontational interview. Not why I did it.
I just asked questions I figure would elicit an interesting response. About a number of topics.

Pretty interested to hear what he had to say about working with MB recently. Just listened to an Eric Martin audio interview Tim posted in the MB forum downstairs and EM had a lot of good things to say about working with Kevin. Sounds like quite a different approach than what they were used to. The whole recording process in one room. But from the footage I've seen it looks like it went great. Kevin had some great ideas and what song choices.

EM said he was used to cutting a few songs, then resting his voice and cutting some more. He said this was like doing a 2 week long gig. And he would ask if he could fix parts and Kevin said no, he wanted the album to come across like a 'live gig'. KS said......he wanted all of the soul, gravel, high vocals, strain (adds the character)........trust me, you don't know how good you are, none of you guys do.

Still makes me sad though......to see what Billy and Eric could get past and share a friendship and stage again......when I think of Schon and Perry.

[FamilyMan]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

Yea donde esta?

[RedWingFan]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

[S2M]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

Yep....you get shitcanned on June 12th, 2007.

[RossValoryRocks]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

Dude...I have been pulling 20 hour days for the last week...I don't know what day it is...and besides...when I posted it WAS ALREADY Thursday in Wombat-ville!

[G.I.Jim]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

Yep....you get shitcanned on June 12th, 2007.

That's my birthday! Who got shitcanned on my Birthday?

[RossValoryRocks]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

Yep....you get shitcanned on June 12th, 2007.

That's my birthday! Who got shitcanned on my Birthday?

Your parents???

Justing kidding!

[amaron]

Part 1 online THURSDAY. Part 2 online week of January 10.

Teaser 1:

You don’t just get a producer because you want to have a name on there-you are trying to get something done. A band like Journey have got guitar techs and piano techs and bass techs and everyone. We have grand pianos and we have tuners in everyday. Everyone’s got a hotel room and the budgets. We have tour managers and people holding their hand and wiping their ass.
It’s just like this mammoth undertaking every time they get to do anything.
So, you know you can’t just go in there and fuck around for four months or six months because things are not getting done.

Checked the front page of MR and no link yet...or did I miss something?

He didn't say "This thursday" did he? You know what happens when you assume.

Yep....you get shitcanned on June 12th, 2007.

That's my birthday! Who got shitcanned on my Birthday?

Your parents???

Justing kidding!

That's shitfaced, not shitcanned.... :p

[Saint John]

to see what Billy and Eric could get past and share a friendship and stage again......when I think of Schon and Perry.

Martin can still sing at a very high level. Nostrildamus was cutting out songs in 1994 (Open Arms, Only The Young, etc) and knew he couldn't tour and sing them in 1996. He creates the illusion that he's pissed and that "there's no going back," because he can't ... even if he wanted to. And he does want to go back, but it's hard to to do when you're voice is dunzo. So, instead, he perpetuates a fake war and has his bullhorns purport that he can sing "as good as anytime in the mid-80's." But then has to put his head down when he mixes old shows. Why??? But I thought he can still sing like the mid-80's!!!

[Deb]

to see what Billy and Eric could get past and share a friendship and stage again......when I think of Schon and Perry.

Martin can still sing at a very high level. Nostrildamus was cutting out songs in 1994 (Open Arms, Only The Young, etc) and knew he couldn't tour and sing them in 1996. He creates the illusion that he's pissed and that "there's no going back," because he can't ... even if he wanted to. And he does want to go back, but it's hard to to do when you're voice is dunzo. So, instead, he perpetuates a fake war and has his bullhorns purport that he can sing "as good as anytime in the mid-80's." But then has to put his head down when he mixes old shows. Why??? But I thought he can still sing like the mid-80's!!!

I think he can still sing, sure maybe not the crazy highs of the early stuff (guess you might consider that dunzo, not I) but definitely still sing, would probably take alot of warmup and practice. You also have to remember he's got over 10 years on Eric and Eric has been singing all along, whether it be in MB, Solo or TMG. All I was saying is it just makes me a little sad watching Eric and Billy now, who didn't like each other by the end either, laughing and smiling again ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mnVhHW4 ... re=related ......just wish it could be Perry and Schon too. I don't necessarily want him back in Journey, as the dirty dozen would be too hard to sing night after night.....but would just love to see them work on something else together.

Also hoping MB don't tour too heavily, as some of the new stuff (and old for that matter) are kinda heavy and would hate to see anything trash those soulful pipes.

[Don]

You'll see Perry with Cain before anything with Schon. Jon can be all business and bury the other stuff, even if only temporarily. Neal wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's like the guy who would never say ill of his wife but after being strapped in a chair and seeing her being three-holed by 3 stove pipe black brothers fron Zaire (and loving it), can never take her back again.

[Jeremey]

You'll see Perry with Cain before anything with Schon. Jon can be all business and bury the other stuff, even if only temporarily. Neal wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's like the guy who would never say ill of his wife but after being strapped in a chair and seeing her being three-holed by 3 stove pipe black brothers fron Zaire (and loving it), can never take her back again.

That is quite the fucked up metaphor, my friend!

LOL?