Neal Speaks!

[jrnyman28]

From Andrew, on the front page:

NEAL SCHON - SOUL SIRKUS, JOURNEY - THE GUITARIST SPEAKS:
I had the great pleasure of catching up with Journey's Neal Schon on Christmas Eve - not for a formal interview as such, but just to get an update on his always busy schedule, which includes the debut live shows for Soul SirkUS, the band he formed with singer Jeff Scott Soto.
First up are the Soul SirkUS shows, so I asked Neal about those. The band takes in seven Californian dates, including one in Neal's home town of San Francisco. It seems those attending the Fillmore show January 13 will be treated to a couple of extra special guests!
Neal spoke extremely positively about the band, stating that in hooking up with Jeff Scott Soto he has a really strong rock frontman to work with. Neal says he's "100% behind the band" and "is ready to turn the world upside down!" He talked with a passion for the chemistry between the band members, which also includes bassist Marco Mendoza and drummer Deen Castronovo, stating that it's unbelievable and he can't wait for fans to see that on stage. He added that the band would be "so much better again" than the record, as the charisma of those involved gets let loose on stage.
Fans will also see all 4 guys singing on stage, in what will be a massive display of harmonies - "The ability of this band vocally is incredible..." he says.
Neal is very proud of the Soul SirkUS record, adding that they recorded the majority of the album in just two days and can only imagine what they could have done had they had a recording budget equivalent to the new Journey album. World Play was recorded in Jonathan Cain's home studio on a totally analogue desk, which Neal is particularly pleased about. "No pro-tool fixes or added special effects!"
Once these live dates are completed, Neal returns to Journey the first week of February to record the highly anticipated brand new studio album. But he says won't be forgetting about Soul SirkUS, looking forward to really moving that band forward.
Neal was kind enough to let some of the Journey studio plans out of the bag, which I was very impressed with. The band head into the studio with producer Mike Frasier. Vocalist Steve Augeri has decided to work with the great producer Kevin Elson for his vocals.
The guys will start by rehearsing the new material written for 2 weeks and start the recording process in the 3rd week of the month, hoping to have it completed with the exception of the lead vocals by the end of the month!
Neal says he is very impressed with the material Steve Augeri has brought to the table, stating that throughout the 2004 tour (which he described as the best tour the band have had), Steve was always at work on new material and presenting ideas to the band.
What's most interesting is Neal's take on the direction for this album. "This is a brand new Journey sound. There's classic Journey of course, but also parts like The Who and it's all very melodic. It's also nothing like Red 13....some people didn't like that release, but it was necessary for us to do."
Neal says the new sound is "nothing like anything we've already done", before reiterating his enthusiasm for the work of Steve Augeri on new material.
And that folks is where I left things this time around, with the invitation to call again in the new year for an update. That I'll certainly do!
Remember that Journey will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on January 21, with a celebration gig at the House Of Blues on Sunset that night. And the Fillmore Soul SirkUS show will be filmed and feature special guests!
Wish I could be at the Soul SirkUS and Journey gigs - what a time to live in the ass end of the world where airfares are sadly a luxury! Anyone out there work for Qantas, Air New Zealand or United Airlines??!!
Stay tuned for further Soul SirkUS and Journey updates over the next few months. WebLinks: www.journeymusic.com / www.soulsirkus.com





This really excites me. To hear the Steve has this much input in the new Jounrey CD is exactly what I was hoping for. I have been saying for a long time that Journey needed to get behind Steve and it sounds like this could do it. I am very excited to hear that the new CD will not sound like anything else they have done. That is the Journey we know and love: the band that always evolves and changes. I was a little disappointed that the new CD will not sound anything like RED13 but I understand it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

All of that is indeed great news.


What I wanna know is, who is Mike Frasier and what's his connection to the band? Never heard of him before. What has he produced? Any info Andrew?

[jrnyjetster]

"recording budget equivalent to the new Journey album"

hmmmm...that's interesting. Will the NEW Journey CD be another independent release...OR will they go with a NEW label? I know people may have their doubts here, but I wouldn't rule out this possibility.

I also like the fact that Kevin Elson will be involved in this release, however, I don't quite understand why he will be exclusively working with Steve Augeri's vocals. I didn't realize he was a vocal coach? I too, am curious about Mike Frasier...what bands has this guy worked with in the past?

[Paul_UK]

All of that is indeed great news.


What I wanna know is, who is Mike Frasier and what's his connection to the band? Never heard of him before. What has he produced? Any info Andrew?

Fasier has previously worked with British bands "Thunder", "Judus Priest", "Little Angels" and "Lou Gramm Band"...I don't know of any others off the top of my head, but i'm sure if you Google him something should come up!

[mnmsjrny]

I also like the fact that Kevin Elson will be involved in this release, however, I don't quite understand why he will be exclusively working with Steve Augeri's vocals. I didn't realize he was a vocal coach? I too, am curious about Mike Frasier...what bands has this guy worked with in the past?

I read that as the guys on the west coast will be in one studio, the guy in the east coast will be in another. Probably just geographic and thus making it easier to get everything done quickly.

[perryfaithful]

Kevin Elson is on the East coast??

[jrnyman28]

My first thought was Geography also. But Neal said they would be entering the studio to rehearse...I would assume that would include Steve. Maybe Kevin just has a better ear for vocals or something...maybe Steve just feels more comfortable with Kevin. Hard to say, but I look forward to the outcome.

John, the budget remark caught my eye too. If Soul SirkUS could make a package and CD like they did on a small budget, then imagine what Journey should be able to pull off!

[Fernando Ramirez]

My guess is that Neal wants to get a "live vibe" on this new album... and if he's going to rehearse for 2 weeks, and record the album (presumably) in the two weeks after... it's definitely going to have a more spontaneous feel to it. I have to hand it to the man... I think he could definitely pull it off... seeing how wonderful the Soul Sirkus material is.

Now the fact that Augeri is going to work with another producer on the vocals... it's probably because he's comfortable working with Elson. But maybe he needs more than 2 weeks to do something with the vocals.

I think Journey's albums are better when they're composed over time, and really "produced". I'm saying that I've always thought of them as studio perfectionists... you can definitely hear that on the old Perry albums... especially where they've worked with folks like Mike Stone and Roy Thomas Baker, if I'm not mistaken.

Augeri was not a part of that world, and maybe he wants to really dig in and do something special working with Elson. This would give Neal the time he needs to get out with Soul Sirkus while Augeri works on the new Journey album.

No matter what, it'll be interesting.

[LAWoman]

Neal should speak more often--he always has a lot of interesting things to say. I will be tuning in to hear him on Rockline also on Jan 19.

[yak]

Neal should speak more often--he always has a lot of interesting things to say. I will be tuning in to hear him on Rockline also on Jan 19.

Same here!! This is all great news, isn't it?

Can't wait for new Neal/Journey music. It will rock for sure!

[perryfaithful]

Neal should speak more often--he always has a lot of interesting things to say.][/color]

Has he "spoken" about Deen needing to leave soul Sirkus??

[LAWoman]

Neal should speak more often--he always has a lot of interesting things to say.][/color]

Has he "spoken" about Deen needing to leave soul Sirkus??

I'm not sure Deen "needed" to leave SS, he decided that was best for him--a little different. I'm pretty sure Neal will have something to say on that topic on Rockline--so tune in, if you're interested.

[Line Of Fire]

I'll be surprised if Journey doesn't end up on Sanctuary Records...

Either way, I can't WAIT for a new Journey album!!!

[The_Noble_Cause]

I'll be surprised if Journey doesn't end up on Sanctuary Records...

Hate to tell ya' this, but former Sony music exec and current Sanctuary vice-president (& all around hot shot industry big wig), John Kalodner, stated already that he isn't going to sign Journey to Sanctuary. This was shocking when I heard it as I always perceieved Jon and Neal to be on very good terms with Kalodner. Furthering my assumption that Journey would naturally go with Sanctuary after their departure from Sony was the fact that Jon Cain credits Kalodner with officially jump starting the new lineup by giving them the thumbs up and approval needed to add "Remember Me" to the Armageddon soundtrack. Still, anything's possible. I don't know who they'll sign with otherwise. Sanctuary at one time did have Styx w/out Dennis Deyoung on their label, so I don't see why they'd be so reluctant to have Journey sans Steve Perry. However I am pretyy sure that Sanctuary's contract with Styx was finalized before Dennis was officially gone. Now the Deyoung-less version of Styx has signed with Universal, I believe, maybe Journey will go there too.

Here's Sanctuary exec. John Kalodner's quote on signing Journey:

"I would be the happiest person in the world if I could sign Journey with Steve Perry. But it's up to Steve Perry. As for signing Journey with Steve Augeri singing in 2004, even though Mr. Augeri is maybe one of the loveliest guys I know, and is certainly an adequate singer to represent Journey in a concert setting, I don't think I would sign that line-up to make new recordings with the information that I have."

And here's Jon Cain adulating Kalodner & discussing how his powerful influence was in part responsible for bringing about the current limeup.

"I have to say though that John, mostly for us, has been a tremendous ally in the face of putting this band back together and has been a terrific friend of this new version of Journey. It’s safe to say that Arrival would have never happened without him. He stood up for us. He got us going with “Remember Me” on the Armageddon soundtrack. That was his doing. Of course, I was working hard and with Neal to write some new music and John called after our hard work and it all came to fruition.

When Steve Augeri stepped in, we were recording as a band again, which was beyond my wildest dreams, for it to happen so quickly. Thanks to John for sticking his neck out for us and getting us that slot on Armageddon. We needed a base hit, basically and John got us on base. That was like Yo! That was a big thing for me just to get that. It's almost like we passed the audition as a new band.

We spent most of the summer of ’98 talking about to Journey or not to Journey without Steve Perry. He was very concerned as to how to play this. It wasn’t just a rash, quick decision that we all made. Certainly he was a big part of my feelings and my decision to go forward. I didn’t want to go into this without his blessing. We didn’t make this decision overnight. We spent a whole summer talking about every other week. Finally, he said “Yeah. Let’s try. Let’s go for it,” which was a big step for Neal and I and our dream, to bring Journey back. Neal and I just didn’t want to go quietly. What was that Don Henley song? “I will not go quietly. I will not lay down?” That’s how we felt. That was kind of like my war cry. Thanks to John, he pulled a rabbit out of a hat for us. We ended up on Armageddon, then doing the tour. He brought the Sony people out and I think single-handedly is responsible for what we’re doing today. Certainly we did a lot of the work but without John standing up in his corporate headquarters for us and sticking his neck out saying, I need this. I don’t think it would’ve happened"

[perryfaithful]

I'll be surprised if Journey doesn't end up on Sanctuary Records...

Hate to tell ya' this, but former Sony music exec and current Sanctuary vice-president (& all around hot shot industry big wig), John Kalodner, stated already that he isn't going to sign Journey to Sanctuary. This was shocking when I heard it as I always perceieved Jon and Neal to be on very good terms with Kalodner. Furthering my assumption that Journey would naturally go with Sanctuary after their departure from Sony was the fact that Jon Cain credits Kalodner with officially jump starting the new lineup by giving them the thumbs up and approval needed to add "Remember Me" to the Armageddon soundtrack. Still, anything's possible. I don't know who they'll sign with otherwise. Sanctuary at one time did have Styx w/out Dennis Deyoung on their label, so I don't see why they'd be so reluctant to have Journey sans Steve Perry. However I am pretyy sure that Sanctuary's contract with Styx was finalized before Dennis was officially gone. Now the Deyoung-less version of Styx has signed with Universal, I believe, maybe Journey will go there too.

Here's Sanctuary exec. John Kalodner's quote on signing Journey:

"I would be the happiest person in the world if I could sign Journey with Steve Perry. But it's up to Steve Perry. As for signing Journey with Steve Augeri singing in 2004, even though Mr. Augeri is maybe one of the loveliest guys I know, and is certainly an adequate singer to represent Journey in a concert setting, I don't think I would sign that line-up to make new recordings with the information that I have."

And here's Jon Cain adulating Kalodner & discussing how his powerful influence was in part responsible for bringing about the current limeup.

"I have to say though that John, mostly for us, has been a tremendous ally in the face of putting this band back together and has been a terrific friend of this new version of Journey. It’s safe to say that Arrival would have never happened without him. He stood up for us. He got us going with “Remember Me” on the Armageddon soundtrack. That was his doing. Of course, I was working hard and with Neal to write some new music and John called after our hard work and it all came to fruition.

When Steve Augeri stepped in, we were recording as a band again, which was beyond my wildest dreams, for it to happen so quickly. Thanks to John for sticking his neck out for us and getting us that slot on Armageddon. We needed a base hit, basically and John got us on base. That was like Yo! That was a big thing for me just to get that. It's almost like we passed the audition as a new band.

We spent most of the summer of ’98 talking about to Journey or not to Journey without Steve Perry. He was very concerned as to how to play this. It wasn’t just a rash, quick decision that we all made. Certainly he was a big part of my feelings and my decision to go forward. I didn’t want to go into this without his blessing. We didn’t make this decision overnight. We spent a whole summer talking about every other week. Finally, he said “Yeah. Let’s try. Let’s go for it,” which was a big step for Neal and I and our dream, to bring Journey back. Neal and I just didn’t want to go quietly. What was that Don Henley song? “I will not go quietly. I will not lay down?” That’s how we felt. That was kind of like my war cry. Thanks to John, he pulled a rabbit out of a hat for us. We ended up on Armageddon, then doing the tour. He brought the Sony people out and I think single-handedly is responsible for what we’re doing today. Certainly we did a lot of the work but without John standing up in his corporate headquarters for us and sticking his neck out saying, I need this. I don’t think it would’ve happened"

Well then, if I am interpreting your post correctly, Kalodner ended up disappointed after all that effort??

[The_Noble_Cause]

Well then, if I am interpreting your post correctly, Kalodner ended up disappointed after all that effort??

Yeah, Kalodner might be dissapointed, but, wait, firstly, hold up. You didn't "interpret" that from anything *I * wrote in my post. Make no mistake, I was in no way trying to tacitly insinuate that Kalodner is dissapointed by the very lineup he helped create nor do I think he should in any way be dissapointed or embarassed. My motivation here was to post some quotes that hopefully aid in shedding some light towards where things currently stand between the band and a possible deal w/ Sanctuary, not to spew anti-Journey hate. The idea that Kalodner is somehow ashamed or "dissapointed" wasn't made by me, you didn't "interpret" that from anything I said in my post, rather, you *infered* that from what you read and came to your own pre-biased conclusions. Still, while I grant there could possibly be some validity to the idea that Kalodner is dissapointed w/ the success of the new lineup (or lack of it), I believe Kalodner refuses to sign Journey largely so as to not in any way jeopardize his more lucrative current working relationship with the legendary, Steve Perry. Steve, is purported to be very emotionaly voilatile. Everyone knows this. If word travels to him that Kalodner is helping the enemy, aiding the new aberational Journey band on a new Journey album, Perry is apt to go back into the cave, roll the boulder in the front and this time truly never come out again.
Would Kalodner want to in any way risk harming that working relationship? Would anybody in the music biz? The answer is easy, of course not.

[jrnyjetster]

John Kalodner may have gotten Journey into the studio to record ARRIVAL, but (from the outside looking in), he and Sony did absolutely fucking nothing to support or promote it, after it's release...did they?? That puzzles me.

[Line Of Fire]

he and Sony did absolutely fucking nothing to support or promote it, after it's release...did they??

Nope...not a thing. I think they were relying on the name 'Journey' to sell itself. Lazy marketing strategy...you need to do SOME sort of radio push or something for people to even know it's out there. I STILL get people coming in who claim to be 'big fans' of Journey but didn't even know about 'TBF', let alone 'Arrival'...

[Line Of Fire]

Mr. Augeri is maybe one of the loveliest guys I know, and is certainly an adequate singer to represent Journey in a concert setting, I don't think I would sign that line-up to make new recordings with the information that I have."

What information??

[perryfaithful]

Well then, if I am interpreting your post correctly, Kalodner ended up disappointed after all that effort??

Yeah, Kalodner might be dissapointed, but, wait, firstly, hold up. You didn't "interpret" that from anything *I * wrote in my post. Make no mistake, I was in no way trying to tacitly insinuate that Kalodner is dissapointed by the very lineup he helped create nor do I think he should in any way be dissapointed or embarassed. My motivation here was to post some quotes that hopefully aid in shedding some light towards where things currently stand between the band and a possible deal w/ Sanctuary, not to spew anti-Journey hate. The idea that Kalodner is somehow ashamed or "dissapointed" wasn't made by me, you didn't "interpret" that from anything I said in my post, rather, you *infered* that from what you read and came to your own pre-biased conclusions. Still, while I grant there could possibly be some validity to the idea that Kalodner is dissapointed w/ the success of the new lineup (or lack of it), I believe Kalodner refuses to sign Journey largely so as to not in any way jeopardize his more lucrative current working relationship with the legendary, Steve Perry. Steve, is purported to be very emotionaly voilatile. Everyone knows this. If word travels to him that Kalodner is helping the enemy, aiding the new aberational Journey band on a new Journey album, Perry is apt to go back into the cave, roll the boulder in the front and this time truly never come out again.
Would Kalodner want to in any way risk harming that working relationship? Would anybody in the music biz? The answer is easy, of course not.

Oh Calm down already...how paranoid!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Nope...not a thing. I think they were relying on the name 'Journey' to sell itself. Lazy marketing strategy...you need to do SOME sort of radio push or something for people to even know it's out there.

Not exactly the case. Upon Arrival's release they went on many syndicated radio stations and played a song or two live on the air. They also were on a CBS morning show (forget which one) and played "Don't Stop Believing" and "Higher Place". Many bands would kill for that type of publcity blitz. Considering Journey was lacking their lead singer can you really blame Sony for being somewhat ambivalent about their committment? Heck, even Neal readily admits he and Jon didn't know if audiences would take to Augeri. So I think Sony took a safe approach and gave the album a semi-committed, half-hearted push to basically test-the-waters and see if there would be any resulting consumer buzz and if so, then they would be more inclinded to invest more money into promoting the new lineup and album. This is not a very reliable method of marketing because by adopting such a slight approach to promotion (largely relying on rock fans word-of-mouth) you risk flying right under the radar and not getting the word out to the mainstream buying masses.
Which is exactly what happened.

Oh, and it didn't help that Auggie (admirably) performed on the CBS show while battling a cold and purportedly sounded like sheer ass.
What a great introduction to the world!

[The_Noble_Cause]

What information??

That's the thing. None of us know what he is refferring about.

[Line Of Fire]

Nope...not a thing. I think they were relying on the name 'Journey' to sell itself. Lazy marketing strategy...you need to do SOME sort of radio push or something for people to even know it's out there.

Not exactly the case. Upon Arrival's release they went on many syndicated radio stations and played a song or two live on the air. They also were on a CBS morning show (forget which one) and played "Don't Stop Believing" and "Higher Place". Many bands would kill for that type of publcity blitz. Considering Journey was lacking their lead singer can you really blame Sony for being somewhat ambivalent about their committment? Heck, even Neal readily admits he and Jon didn't know if audiences would take to Augeri. So I think Sony took a safe approach and gave the album a semi-committed, half-hearted push to basically test-the-waters and see if there would be any resulting consumer buzz and if so, then they would be more inclinded to invest more money into promoting the new lineup and album. This is not a very reliable method of marketing because by adopting such a slight approach to promotion (largely relying on rock fans word-of-mouth) you risk flying right under the radar and not getting the word out to the mainstream buying masses.
Which is exactly what happened.


Oh, and it didn't help that Auggie (admirably) performed on the CBS show while battling a cold and purportedly sounded like sheer ass.
What a great introduction to the world!

That sucks cuz, the times I have seen then live with Augeri, the crowd LOVED him! When I saw them in 1998, there was this big sign over the merch table stating Perry was not in the band and people were grumbling and saying how they should walk out and demand thier money back etc all the way up to the first song. Then, it was exactly as Deen described in the band's 'Behind The Music'...as soon as the guy opened his mouth, the entire audience's collective jaw hit the floor and they ate out of his hand the rest of the night...walking out, the mood had changed from 'I want my money back...' to 'That new guy was AWESOME!'....

I know better than to think, given the musical climate, that Journey could once again fill stadiums and be as big as U2 or something...but it seems they should have enough of a following to generate a platinum release and a strong single or 2, ala Aerosmith...

[yak]

So I think Sony took a safe approach and gave the album a semi-committed, half-hearted push to basically test-the-waters ...

This is not a very reliable method of marketing because by adopting such a slight approach to promotion (largely relying on rock fans word-of-mouth) you risk flying right under the radar and not getting the word out to the mainstream buying masses.
Which is exactly what happened.

Agreed. This is bad marketing strategy. Why do something half way??? Makes no sense at all. Is it possible that somebody else was pulling the strings, so to speak, and controlling how Journey would be distributed to the public?

Steve Augeri is a real trooper, going out there in front of the masses with a cold and performing anyway. Too bad somebody couldn't switch around the dates and let the guy get better first.

[Glenn]

What information??

That's the thing. None of us know what he is refferring about.

How 'bout now ?

[Andrew]

Stop digging up 3 year old posts. What the hell?