MR

I'm gonna have the bean machine blazing a full pot of starbucks tomm. morning 7 am. You know you're getting no crap out of Neal.
Andrew, no tidbits like you did with Deens?

The tease is already up there:
http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/j ... tions.html


"There is a reason I'm doing so many different things.
I'm trying to bring some awareness to my guitar playing. Journey for so many years has been based around the song, which is fine…but at sometime in my career I want my name to be a household name – not just when they affiliate it with Journey and have people go 'oh, that guy...'"

"...I'm just trying to clear the air from all this happy horseshit that has been on the internet about me and why Steve Perry is not in the band and it's all Neal Schon's fault..."

Good call, LAWoman. And you know, I can feel the Soul SirkUs influence in Neal's playing on a lot of the Generations songs. What a guitar driven album. So different than what's happened before. It's like Red13 on steroids. With a smooth shot of Butterfly, Knowing That You love Me and Beyond The clouds to wash down the other 9 heavy rockers.

Also that picture kills me. We have Cain serious as a heart attack juxtaposed against goofy hammy Valory. Great stuff....Oh and Neal, Manute Bol called looking for his suitcoat, too.

Red13JoePa wrote:Good call, LAWoman. And you know, I can feel the Soul SirkUs influence in Neal's playing on a lot of the Generations songs. What a guitar driven album. So different than what's happened before. It's like Red13 on steroids. With a smooth shot of Butterfly, Knowing That You love Me and Beyond The clouds to wash down the other 9 heavy rockers.

Also that picture kills me. We have Cain serious as a heart attack juxtaposed against goofy hammy Valory. Great stuff....Oh and Neal, Manute Bol called looking for his suitcoat, too.

LOL!!! A Manute Bol reference in a Journey post!!!!! That has to be a first!!!!!
Good stuff Joe!!!!

Great Interview!

In regards to "it's Never Too Late"...

Neal says that he wasn't around when the decision was made to leave "It's Never Too Late off the Album" and from the sound of it, he doesn't approve of the decision they (management/the band) made without him. See what happens when Neal's not around?
Who in their right mind would leave that track off the cd?

In regards to Generations being sold in the states....

Neal says that they have gotten offers from U.S. labels but for the time being they will keep distributing it for free at shows. He says when the time is right they will head back into the studio and add some new tracks to it (which is what I was anticipating) and then they will sell it officially. One of the labels mentioned is Universal, who is also currently the label of STYX. Can they possibly do for "Generations" what they managed to do for Big Bang Theory (i.e. radio play)?
We'll see....

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!! Add NTL, POTF and record one more maybe....Put the heat on the, Andrew.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Great Interview!

In regards to "it's Never Too Late"...

Neal says that he wasn't around when the decision was made to leave "It's Never Too Late off the Album" and from the sound of it, he doesn't approve of the decision they (management/the band) made without him. See what happens when Neal's not around?
Who in their right mind would leave that track off the cd?

In regards to Generations being sold in the states....

Neal says that they have gotten offers from U.S. labels but for the time being they will keep distributing it for free at shows. He says when the time is right they will head back into the studio and add some new tracks to it (which is what I was anticipating) and then they will sell it officially. One of the labels mentioned is Universal, who is also currently the label of STYX. Can they possibly do for "Generations" what they managed to do for Big Bang Theory (i.e. radio play)?
We'll see....

I noticed Neal said "We'll probably go back in the studio and re-record the music, maybe do three new songs or something like that and add it to the CD". Re-record the music. Sounds like he wasn't happy with the sonics of the drums, and then add 3 news songs. Cool!!!

Vinnie wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Great Interview!

In regards to "it's Never Too Late"...

Neal says that he wasn't around when the decision was made to leave "It's Never Too Late off the Album" and from the sound of it, he doesn't approve of the decision they (management/the band) made without him. See what happens when Neal's not around?
Who in their right mind would leave that track off the cd?

In regards to Generations being sold in the states....

Neal says that they have gotten offers from U.S. labels but for the time being they will keep distributing it for free at shows. He says when the time is right they will head back into the studio and add some new tracks to it (which is what I was anticipating) and then they will sell it officially. One of the labels mentioned is Universal, who is also currently the label of STYX. Can they possibly do for "Generations" what they managed to do for Big Bang Theory (i.e. radio play)?
We'll see....

I noticed Neal said "We'll probably go back in the studio and re-record the music, maybe do three new songs or something like that and add it to the CD". Re-record the music. Sounds like he wasn't happy with the sonics of the drums, and then add 3 news songs. Cool!!!

So Neal will have re-recorded the SS album and some of Generations? I have never heard of having to do this before. Is it common, Andrew (or anyone else inthe know)?

NealIsGod wrote:So Neal will have re-recorded the SS album and some of Generations? I have never heard of having to do this before. Is it common, Andrew (or anyone else inthe know)?

No, definitely not common!

Not that there was any doubt, but it is obvious Neal is the leader of this band!!!! I found the comments he made about Steve and Jon having something going on as far as their vocals and they have to get it together, so to speak, to be VERY interesting.
Andrew, you sat down and talked to him. Do you get the impression that Neal is the type of guy who would take them aside, privately, and tell them they have to step it up when he sees the need?
Kinda the way Jordan did with his teammates when he played for the Bulls...
VERY interesting the fact that this lineup is seven years old, the longest of ANY previous Journey lineups!
Great interview Andrew! Judging from Neal's comments at the start of the interview he respects the way you bust your ass getting a sitdown.
And this was what...an HOUR before a show!!!!
Great job! Look forward to what's coming next!

Andrew,

Did you get the impression that Generations might be the last Journey album? Sounds to me where Neal said something about his name being a "household name" that maybe he's thinking of moving into a new direction after the tour supporting Generations is over. Maybe it will be the Soul Sirkus thing or a solo thing, but I just get the impression that Neal might be feeling a bit "trapped" in Journey.

I also got the impression that talent-wise, Schon prefers Perry over Augeri...again, I said talent-wise. Sounds to me like Augeri has an understanding that anytime Perry wanted to come back, Augeri is out. Just seemed like a weird interview to me.

I got the read that Neal said he wants to become a household name within the framework of Journey.
The Perry thing could be seen as less than a ringing endorsement of Augeri.
Andrew asked him if there was an open door for perry to return at any time and neal's first word was "no." Good.

But nowhere in the answer did he go on to say Steve Augeri is our lead singer right now, PERIOD. He mentioned the "open door for a few songs thing" but I'da like to have seen him say "that's it. A few songs but Augeri's definately our guy." Then in almost the same breath as he's telling andrew steve has to get it togehter he says Deen could do 3 hours straight no problem from behind the drums.

That's what makes me think maybe Neal isn't so thrilled over Augeri like maybe he once was. I love Augeri's voice and seems like he is a class act, but I would love to hear more lead from Deen as well.

I'm just getting the impression that Augeri is "our guy for now" sort of thing from Schon.

Great interview Andrew. Thanks!

And after what a lot of people feel is Augie's best vocal performance yet on Generations.

granted the interview was after only a few shows. Maybe Augie will say to Andrew, "Well ya know Neal DID give me only 3 days of rehearsal before opening night in Irvine. With 5 (+1 each with neal Ross and Jon) new tracks being debuted and some others I'd nver done or not in a while I felt like saying thanks, Neal!!!! Give 'Nute his sportjacket back any time now."

Red13JoePa wrote:And after what a lot of people feel is Augie's best vocal performance yet on Generations.

granted the interview was after only a few shows. Maybe Augie will say to Andrew, "Well ya know Neal DID give me only 3 days of rehearsal before opening night in Irvine. With 5 (+1 each with neal Ross and Jon) new tracks being debuted and some others I'd nver done or not in a while I felt like saying thanks, Neal!!!! Give 'Nute his sportjacket back any time now."

Makes you wonder though - usually a lead vocalist is stronger at the beginning of the tour. I can only imagine how Augeri is going to be after this tour, three hours a night!

I think Neal is talking about Augeri Live, not studio. Let's face it, the first week or so of the tour, he was shit..Neal basically said as much. I saw him 2 weeks ago, and he was stellar.

Also, neal mentioned his coach coming out and getting this thing fixed..

No, Augeri isn't going anywhere...

So the drum sound wasn't there.
They might re-record "Generations". (Probably for the drum sound. Maybe they go to Vancouver)
They might add a couple of tracks. (Will they remove others?)
They might release it later this year.
Steve was having trouble to begin with. (But he sounds incredible now).
Deen is a monster.
SS will release World Play in the States, probably with a DVD.
SS will play on the same bill as Journey in Europe.
Neal has a lot going on, but he wants to take a break. (Now is not the time IMO)
Perry has an invitation to guest, but he did say 'not to join'.
Neal simply referred to Steve's comments about the situation.
Neal does not think Perry will ever guest, join or anything.


That about right?

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Great Interview!

In regards to "it's Never Too Late"...

Neal says that he wasn't around when the decision was made to leave "It's Never Too Late off the Album" and from the sound of it, he doesn't approve of the decision they (management/the band) made without him. See what happens when Neal's not around?
Who in their right mind would leave that track off the cd?

But he also sorta pussed out. He said it wouldn't be "fair". Fair to whom, it is his band!

The_Noble_Cause wrote:In regards to Generations being sold in the states....

Neal says that they have gotten offers from U.S. labels but for the time being they will keep distributing it for free at shows. He says when the time is right they will head back into the studio and add some new tracks to it (which is what I was anticipating) and then they will sell it officially. One of the labels mentioned is Universal, who is also currently the label of STYX. Can they possibly do for "Generations" what they managed to do for Big Bang Theory (i.e. radio play)?
We'll see....

It would be great for radio play. it could happen.
But why do they want to "stick to their guns" so bad? They should have this plan worked out BEFORE they finish the tour!

OpeningAct wrote:I found the comments he made about Steve and Jon having something going on as far as their vocals and they have to get it together, so to speak, to be VERY interesting.

He said Jon agreed that Steve had something going on.

OpeningAct wrote:Andrew, you sat down and talked to him. Do you get the impression that Neal is the type of guy who would take them aside, privately, and tell them they have to step it up when he sees the need?
Kinda the way Jordan did with his teammates when he played for the Bulls...

I think it had more to do with Steve's vocal concerns early. But Steve's coach came out, and he sounds AMAZING now! But I would imagine Neal is not afraid to say what needs to be said...to anyone, anymore. (In the past he certainly was.) He even said that Steve is so honest...that he can say anything with out fear.

Greggie wrote:Andrew,

Did you get the impression that Generations might be the last Journey album?

Well I know I didn't ge that feeling.

Greggie wrote:Sounds to me where Neal said something about his name being a "household name" that maybe he's thinking of moving into a new direction after the tour supporting Generations is over. Maybe it will be the Soul Sirkus thing or a solo thing, but I just get the impression that Neal might be feeling a bit "trapped" in Journey.

He said he wants his NAME to be out there, not just "Oh, that guy from Journey". But why now? Midlife crisis?

Greggie wrote:I also got the impression that talent-wise, Schon prefers Perry over Augeri...again, I said talent-wise. Sounds to me like Augeri has an understanding that anytime Perry wanted to come back, Augeri is out. Just seemed like a weird interview to me.

I didn't get that impression either. He said the invite is there. But he also said that he douobts it will happen. And he referred to Steve's own comments that he would step aside if Perry wanted to do something. But I think that is still within the dynamics of Journey...not stepping out completely.

Greggie wrote:Makes you wonder though - usually a lead vocalist is stronger at the beginning of the tour. I can only imagine how Augeri is going to be after this tour, three hours a night!

Maybe should start doing "warm up" shows over in Japan again. That way Steve will ve "ready" when Jounrey hits the States!

jrnyman28 wrote:

Greggie wrote:Makes you wonder though - usually a lead vocalist is stronger at the beginning of the tour. I can only imagine how Augeri is going to be after this tour, three hours a night!

Maybe should start doing "warm up" shows over in Japan again. That way Steve will ve "ready" when Jounrey hits the States!

That's a fair point. Hell, the CD is being released there first anyways..

When was the interview date, Andrew?

ace wrote:When was the interview date, Andrew?

I can answer that..

My best guess..June 27th.

He said, "Last night(Irvine), we had 11,000... Irvine was June 26th.

Rock'ndeano wrote:

ace wrote:When was the interview date, Andrew?

I can answer that..

My best guess..June 27th.

He said, "Last night(Irvine), we had 11,000... Irvine was June 26th.

He said:
"We have about 11,000 people the other night in Irvine, and we did 7 or 8 last night and we have 8 here tonight and we are doing great numbers playing by our self."

So it would have to be at least the third show--before Tucson probably.

Nice catch LAWoman..I was close tho

Neal looks cute in his Johnny Cash outfit.

7 years, the longest configuration of a line-up for Journey yet? Too bad that they have so little to show for it. Not even one hit! Dang.

Neal really must have been smarting for all those middle years of Classic Journey, to realize that he was referred to as"that other guy." Oh well, Perry had to be called Journey for all those years.

Andrew, I wish you had asked Neal why there havn't been guests yet and if he expected any.

As far as Perry sitting in for a few songs, well what exactly dosen't he understand about, "There's no going back?"

He really should do a solo tour and get it all out of his system, imo.

Neal Schon seems like he could give a rip, HOTS, if Perry comes to join a song or 2 or not. He admitted in another interview that all that stuff is as much for diplomacy (he laughed about begging Perry over the radio to come to the WOF) and media and window dressing for you guys as anything else. He knows Perry meant what he said on BTM and is unfortunately for you guys content with the band as it is now.

Hey Andrew, Good read. Answers to the Questions?-ERIC