Journey Announcement on Monday

[Monker]

I don't know how any drummer can be better than the guy who is arguably the greatest drummer in history (Steve Smith)?

How about somebody who is a great drummer and also wants to record music? If they can sing, like Deeno, even better. Neal made a comment online that Smith told him he was just in this for the money, which is what I said on this forum for quite a while. It was obvious.

Wow, you take everything Neal says as gospel. That's a dangerous thing. Toward the end, Dean wrote me a note and told me that I was right and the band just used him. Neal implying that he is better intentions than Ross and Steve Smith is laughable. He is in it for the money just as much as anybody.

If Neal was in it for reasons other then money he would use this as an opportunity to start a new band with a non-Journey name. But, he won't - because he KNOWS a "Neal Schon band" will not generate any income at all at this point.

Neal seems like a desperate wannabe to me. There was nothing stopping Journey from recording without Steve Smith, or Ross, and then touring with them. This is just more Schon bullshit.

[Journey/Survivor]

I don't know how any drummer can be better than the guy who is arguably the greatest drummer in history (Steve Smith)?

How about somebody who is a great drummer and also wants to record music? If they can sing, like Deeno, even better. Neal made a comment online that Smith told him he was just in this for the money, which is what I said on this forum for quite a while. It was obvious.

Well, I definitely agree with you on the recording thing. If Smith really was holding them back in any way from recording new music, then yes, he had to go.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Wow, you take everything Neal says as gospel. That's a dangerous thing. Toward the end, Dean wrote me a note and told me that I was right and the band just used him.

So what? Dean had all sorts of wild dreams of using Tapegate for his own personal fame and fortune. Fans like me just wanted the band to do the right thing and go live, which they eventually did.

Neal implying that he is better intentions than Ross and Steve Smith is laughable. He is in it for the money just as much as anybody.

How much money is there to be made from projects like Red 13, Generations, and Eclipse? Same with solo records. Neal pushes the band to evolve and create because that is what artists do.

If Neal was in it for reasons other then money he would use this as an opportunity to start a new band with a non-Journey name. But, he won't - because he KNOWS a "Neal Schon band" will not generate any income at all at this point.

Journey was created around Neal. Why should he have to start over from scratch when he has helped build the empire?

Neal seems like a desperate wannabe to me. There was nothing stopping Journey from recording without Steve Smith, or Ross, and then touring with them. This is just more Schon bullshit.

If Neal did that, you would be on here complaining about the lack of Ross and Smitty on the album.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I said running this sideshow, not running the band.

Back to playing word games, I see.

[Monker]

Wow, you take everything Neal says as gospel. That's a dangerous thing. Toward the end, Dean wrote me a note and told me that I was right and the band just used him.

So what? Dean had all sorts of wild dreams of using Tapegate for his own personal fame and fortune. Fans like me just wanted the band to do the right thing and go live, which they eventually did.

The point is that believing everything Neal says is very, very foolish.

Neal implying that he is better intentions than Ross and Steve Smith is laughable. He is in it for the money just as much as anybody.

How much money is there to be made from projects like Red 13, Generations, and Eclipse? Same with solo records. Neal pushes the band to evolve and create because that is what artists do.

More than Soul Surkus or any other Neal band or solo album. If Neal believed that he could make more money doing solo albums, we would never see another Journey album again.

Journey was created around Neal. Why should he have to start over from scratch when he has helped build the empire?

And, it was created by Herbie. It was his imagination to create a band to be like the Grateful Dead and be like family to each other. None of these people were more important than anybody else. They all built the engine...not just Neal, not even just Herbie. Neal has forgotten this and now has an ego to rival Steve Perry's.

Neal seems like a desperate wannabe to me. There was nothing stopping Journey from recording without Steve Smith, or Ross, and then touring with them. This is just more Schon bullshit.

If Neal did that, you would be on here complaining about the lack of Ross and Smitty on the album.

Thank you for admitting that could have happened. Steve Smith and Ross could not have held up recording a new album

I find it humorous that it is now Smith/Valory that were the issue....but just a few months ago, it was Jonathan. It's always someone elses fault and never the person who thinks they have all the power and loudest voice.

[The_Noble_Cause]

The point is that believing everything Neal says is very, very foolish.

I was specifically talking about Steve Smith and his unwillingness to record new Journey music.
If you have proof to the contrary, let’s hear it. Until then, I will take Schon at his word because it is corroborated by Smith’s musical actions (or lack thereof).
Right now you sound exactly like the Perryheads clinging to the Hawaii hip fairy tale. Your feelings towards Smitty are not facts. Sorry.

More than Soul Surkus or any other Neal band or solo album. If Neal believed that he could make more money doing solo albums, we would never see another Journey album again.

According to Jonathan (paraphrasing) “we had our ass handed to us with Red 13.”
Generations didn’t even crack the top 100 US.
The idea that Neal is viewing new Journey music as some lucrative cash cow at this point is ridiculous.

You are also contradicting yourself. You have been posting non-stop about how Eclipse was a huge failure and probably the last record for the guys. Now you are saying they are recording new Journey music for money. You don't know what you are saying. You clearly just hate the fact that the band continues on.

And, it was created by Herbie. It was his imagination to create a band to be like the Grateful Dead and be like family to each other. None of these people were more important than anybody else. They all built the engine...not just Neal, not even just Herbie. Neal has forgotten this and now has an ego to rival Steve Perry's.

Fleischman – fired by Herbie
Dunbar – fired by Herbie

Yea, some “family.”

You are just talking in dumb platitudes. Also, Herbie was allegedly asked back after TBF and declined. If he wanted to be involved, he could be.

Thank you for admitting that could have happened. Steve Smith and Ross could not have held up recording a new album.

By refusing to record a new album, they are holding up a new album. Does that even need to be said?

I find it humorous that it is now Smith/Valory that were the issue....but just a few months ago, it was Jonathan. It's always someone elses fault and never the person who thinks they have all the power and loudest voice.

Even when Neal was bitching about Jonathan he stated “Ross is no help.” Jon has obviously found his writing passion again. Will it last? Only time will tell.

[JourneyHard]

Journey cannot tour right now. Thus, seriously, this is the perfect time for them to make a new album.

I know it won't happen, but if they could get Steve Perry to guest on two songs on a new album, it would be awesome. Have Arnel for the rest of the songs. Perry wouldn't even have to leave his home. I think he has his own studio to lay down his parts.

Then Journey could have a monster tour in 2021. Again, I know it won't happen, but if they could get Perry to tour with them, it would be awesome. It is so logical that it won't happen. You have Arnel start the show for 10 to 15 songs or whatever. In the summer, the sun sets late. So after Arnel's part, it would be dark out for the concert, and Perry could walk out on stage in the spotlight and the fans would go nuts. And Perry could sing 10 to 15 songs or whatever. I know. It won't happen. Too many egos getting in the way. But it would be awesome.

[ebake02]

According to Neal on FB -

"mark my words ... the best has yet to come and we have Monster replacements in place and raring to go as soon as possible. We will be working on new album and show."

I really hope Neal is right as I've been wanting new music and a better show for a long time but I can't take a lot he says 100% seriously anymore. And honestly, if Ross and Smitty were really the ones holding up the train then Neal and Jon should have fired Ross a long time ago and never let Smitty come back at all.

[Journey/Survivor]

Journey cannot tour right now. Thus, seriously, this is the perfect time for them to make a new album.

I know it won't happen, but if they could get Steve Perry to guest on two songs on a new album, it would be awesome. Have Arnel for the rest of the songs. Perry wouldn't even have to leave his home. I think he has his own studio to lay down his parts.

Then Journey could have a monster tour in 2021. Again, I know it won't happen, but if they could get Perry to tour with them, it would be awesome. It is so logical that it won't happen. You have Arnel start the show for 10 to 15 songs or whatever. In the summer, the sun sets late. So after Arnel's part, it would be dark out for the concert, and Perry could walk out on stage in the spotlight and the fans would go nuts. And Perry could sing 10 to 15 songs or whatever. I know. It won't happen. Too many egos getting in the way. But it would be awesome.

You're right about the Perry thing not happening, and egos getting in the way.

But I totally agree with you on the album thing. Now is the perfect time for Journey to record a new full length album! No excuses not to record a new full length album!

[Journey/Survivor]

According to Neal on FB -

"mark my words ... the best has yet to come and we have Monster replacements in place and raring to go as soon as possible. We will be working on new album and show."

I really hope Neal is right as I've been wanting new music and a better show for a long time but I can't take a lot he says 100% seriously anymore. And honestly, if Ross and Smitty were really the ones holding up train then Neal and Jon should have fired Ross a long time ago and never let Smitty come back at all.[/quote

Yeah, I don't really trust anything that any of them say anymore. And like you said, if Ross and Steve-S were holding the band back from recording new music and changing the set-list, then they needed to go a long time ago. But a couple of years back we were being told that it was Cain who was stopping them from recording new music and changing the set-list at shows.

[TageRyche]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

[ebake02]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

Again, I would LOVE to see a new album but I don't see it happening either. Especially when a new bassist and drummer is still a big mystery. I bet they haven't even starting looking.

[Monker]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

Again, I would LOVE to see a new album but I don't see it happening either. Especially when a new bassist and drummer is still a big mystery. I bet they haven't even starting looking.

Also, they have all of this legal crap going on. And, part of what Ross wants is the court to determine who owns Journey...Nightmare or Schon/Cain. So, they could easily ask the court to stop a new album or tour until things are decided. The court could go either way, IMO...but they could easily be ordered to hold the release of an album or generating income from a tour.

[Monker]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

Why do you think that Schon/Cain and Arnel recording an album would never happen?

I agree with you about Perry.

[Monker]

Journey cannot tour right now. Thus, seriously, this is the perfect time for them to make a new album.

I know it won't happen, but if they could get Steve Perry to guest on two songs on a new album, it would be awesome. Have Arnel for the rest of the songs. Perry wouldn't even have to leave his home. I think he has his own studio to lay down his parts.

Then Journey could have a monster tour in 2021. Again, I know it won't happen, but if they could get Perry to tour with them, it would be awesome. It is so logical that it won't happen. You have Arnel start the show for 10 to 15 songs or whatever. In the summer, the sun sets late. So after Arnel's part, it would be dark out for the concert, and Perry could walk out on stage in the spotlight and the fans would go nuts. And Perry could sing 10 to 15 songs or whatever. I know. It won't happen. Too many egos getting in the way. But it would be awesome.

You're right about the Perry thing not happening, and egos getting in the way.

But I totally agree with you on the album thing. Now is the perfect time for Journey to record a new full length album! No excuses not to record a new full length album!

The perfect time to record an album was before the HoF ceremony, and then to release it shortly after. They would have all kinds of free publicity.

[The_Noble_Cause]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

Wanna bet? Album is happening. Cain even said they picked out the title already.

[TageRyche]

You've got a better chance of Journey recording a new album (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN) than you do of getting Steve Perry to sing a couple of tracks on said fictional album.

Why do you think that Schon/Cain and Arnel recording an album would never happen?

I agree with you about Perry.

Because as they've proven over the last few years, these guys would fuck up a soup sandwich.

[JourneyHard]

If they can't get Perry for a couple songs on the new album, what about Gregg Rolie?

I think if they had a guest sit in on a couple songs it would make the album the best one they had post-Perry.

Remember the Santana album that came out in 2016. Journey should try to do something like that. But of course, make it sound like Journey and NOT Santana. But I mean make it a jam album with a guest singer. That would be awesome.

[Eric]

The perfect time to record an album was before the HoF ceremony, and then to release it shortly after. They would have all kinds of free publicity.

I know, that's what has been SO frustrating about the last several years, Monker. Since Eclipse, they've done a grand total of 3 interesting things: Crossroads show with Rascal Flats, Orchestra show at the Hollywood Bowl and The Frontier/Escape live show.

Eclipse till next year will be the same length as ROR till TBF.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Eclipse till next year will be the same length as ROR till TBF.

Wow. You're right. That's really sad.

[Art Vandelay]

Just my opinion, but I will not be surprised if Neal took JTT and filled in the bits for Journey...Marco Medoza on bass, and Deen on drums...which would explain why he took down his post about the opening. If not Deen, then Omar Hakim, who he has described as a "monster" in the past.

Huge improvement over the last 5 years.

Agreed.

It won't be Omar Hakim. He is a monster on the drums, but he is a pop and jazz/fusion drummer. Take a few seconds and look at who he's played with. He was a perfect fit in 1986 because his style fit the ROR mold. He filled in for Deen because he was a name in Schon's pocket who was available at the moment. I'd bet the house that he wasn't the first drummer approached. Unless Omar's hard-up for cash or work, he won't be the next full time Journey drummer.

[The_Noble_Cause]

It won't be Omar Hakim. He is a monster on the drums, but he is a pop and jazz/fusion drummer. Take a few seconds and look at who he's played with. He was a perfect fit in 1986 because his style fit the ROR mold. He filled in for Deen because he was a name in Schon's pocket who was available at the moment. I'd bet the house that he wasn't the first drummer approached. Unless Omar's hard-up for cash or work, he won't be the next full time Journey drummer.

We don't know yet if the next rhythm section will be permanent. Schon/Cain could freshen things up every tour or so - similar to TOTO. We've already seen that with the second keyboardist (Jason D replaced Travis T). Also, the reasons you list against Hakim (not a rock drummer, not hard-up for cash) are the same reasons previously tossed around about Smith. And then Smith returned anyway.

That said, based on Neal's comments on "wanting to try something new", I think both replacements will be completely new to the group.

[Art Vandelay]

It won't be Omar Hakim. He is a monster on the drums, but he is a pop and jazz/fusion drummer. Take a few seconds and look at who he's played with. He was a perfect fit in 1986 because his style fit the ROR mold. He filled in for Deen because he was a name in Schon's pocket who was available at the moment. I'd bet the house that he wasn't the first drummer approached. Unless Omar's hard-up for cash or work, he won't be the next full time Journey drummer.

We don't know yet if the next rhythm section will be permanent. Schon/Cain could freshen things up every tour or so - similar to TOTO. Also, the reasons you list against Hakim (not a rock drummer, not hard-up for cash) are the same reasons previously tossed around about Smith. And then Smith returned anyway.

Smith had solid history with the band. He was responsible for the drum parts in most of the songs that are still being played. He was coming back home. Hakim auditioned in 1986 and filled in for a handful of shows. Big difference.

[Journey/Survivor]

If they can't get Perry for a couple songs on the new album, what about Gregg Rolie?

I think if they had a guest sit in on a couple songs it would make the album the best one they had post-Perry.

Remember the Santana album that came out in 2016. Journey should try to do something like that. But of course, make it sound like Journey and NOT Santana. But I mean make it a jam album with a guest singer. That would be awesome.

Bringing Rolie back into Journey would be awesome, and should happen! But it would appear that Cain's ego will not allow that.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Smith had solid history with the band. He was responsible for the drum parts in most of the songs that are still being played. He was coming back home. Hakim auditioned in 1986 and filled in for a handful of shows. Big difference.

If "coming home" was such a motivating factor, how come he refused to join initially in 98, when the band could barely get arrested? Either way, Schon/Cain are now forcing him to move out and are changing the locks.

[JourneyHard]

Journey's new album needs to be a jam album. Let Neal have some fun. He play melodic stuff, and soulful stuff and rock out.
Jon needs to cool it with all the complicated lyrics. The album just needs some good hooks and easy to remember lyrics. They cannot get bogged down with all these lyrics. Jon, save them for your solo efforts.

I can picture five instrumentals by Neal and then two guest songs for Gregg Rolie to sing lead on. (Perhaps they could go back to Fusion Rock where Journey started for these two songs. Complete the circle!) And then eight songs with Arnel singing lead on. With 15 tracks, it would be awesome.

[Monker]

Journey's new album needs to be a jam album. Let Neal have some fun. He play melodic stuff, and soulful stuff and rock out.
Jon needs to cool it with all the complicated lyrics. The album just needs some good hooks and easy to remember lyrics. They cannot get bogged down with all these lyrics. Jon, save them for your solo efforts.

I can picture five instrumentals by Neal and then two guest songs for Gregg Rolie to sing lead on. (Perhaps they could go back to Fusion Rock where Journey started for these two songs. Complete the circle!) And then eight songs with Arnel singing lead on. With 15 tracks, it would be awesome.

Hey, why doesn't Neal just write all the music, write all the lyrics, play all the instruments, and produce the album. They can call it "Boston" and say that Neal replaced Tom Scholz.

[Monker]

If they can't get Perry for a couple songs on the new album, what about Gregg Rolie?

I think if they had a guest sit in on a couple songs it would make the album the best one they had post-Perry.

Remember the Santana album that came out in 2016. Journey should try to do something like that. But of course, make it sound like Journey and NOT Santana. But I mean make it a jam album with a guest singer. That would be awesome.

Bringing Rolie back into Journey would be awesome, and should happen! But it would appear that Cain's ego will not allow that.

Gregg has already said in an interview that he has more interesting things to do than JTT...I assume that would include this version of Journey as well.

[Sighlence]

Hey, why doesn't Neal just write all the music, write all the lyrics, play all the instruments, and produce the album. They can call it "Boston" and say that Neal replaced Tom Scholz.

And sing all the songs while he's at it.

He can call it 'My Journey'.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Gregg has already said in an interview that he has more interesting things to do than JTT...I assume that would include this version of Journey as well.

Do you have a quote for this? Gregg is on record being thankful that some of the JTT players are in his new band. The depiction that he has better things to do, or anything negative like that, I have not read. It doesn't sound like him either.