The Augeri Interview...

[The_Noble_Cause]

Andrew was right. That was the best interview out of all of them.

It'd be great if that second Tall Stories album ever sees the light of day!

Perhaps a little disconcerting, (and this goes for the Ross & Neal interview, as well) is the focus on work done outside the band. Neal seems more excited for SS then he does Journey. Ross is on record stating that he has decided to pursue a solo career. And Steve almost made it seem like "Generations" was an unforeseen accident; that he was writing for himself and then Neal and Jon got inspired to join in and contribute and the end result was a melodious hodge-podge of sounds they decided to entitle "Generations". Not that I am dissing on the variegated nature of the album, (I love the vocal diversity, reminds me of the early days!), I just wish the guys were as gung-ho and galvanized about this incarnation of Journey's as some of its fans are. Where's the enthusisam (not for solo work, not for SS) but for Journey?
I'd prefer them to be a little more strategized and not nearly so haphazardly rolling with the changes as Journey forges ahead into the future.

Thanks for the interviews, Andrew!

[OpeningAct]

To be honest...I think this is the band's unofficial farewell tour, but I do believe they'll keep the door open for future reunion stuff.
Just my opinion...but it does sound like they have other work they want to pursue.

[Eric]

I think that ideas/plans will change when this album does surprisingly well. It has already debuted well in Japan, and I'm actually hearing non-contrived buzz about it here....I actually had a REQUEST for a copy of it after a friend heard "Faith in The Heartland" on the Sturgis show on VH1...

The solo stuff may be a desire, but it doesn't pay the bills, and they know that. I think this tour has refreshed them and things are going well.

FYI - Soul SirkUS is frankly not that good.

[NealIsGod]

I agree with all three of the above posts. I got the feeling this Journey CD just kind of happened. Strange how a CD and tour can just happen, though. It's like all of the members had nothing better to do this year, so it worked out. Weird.

[Eric]

Why isn't this tour coming up in Pollstar;s top tours....the attendance has been their best since re-forming?

[Red13JoePa]

Agree with all the above too. Per Augeri, his writings were the catalyst that kick-started the album.
Yet, on the other hand they'd been talking for a good while since right after Red13 about "writing songs" and "prepping another record" and "writing while we're on tour" and stuff like that.
The things all have said in the interviews have led to me scratching my head going, "Wait a minute. This record was an afterthought? They've been talking about it FOREVER. Were they lying about having all this stuff in the can?"

I don't get it. I wish they'd get more into detail about discussions of and enthusiasm for Generations. It's more like, "yea we did it, it's great, we're real proud of it, excited to get it out there but here's what's going with my side projects (talk about those ideas as infinatum)."

This band is where all involved's bread is buttered.

[jrnyman28]

Eveything ABOUT Journey just kind of happens now!

That is why I continue to ask "What does Journey WANT?" I don't think they really know...

[Red13JoePa]

Weird. It really lends credence to the lack of direction/focus criticisms we all voice. I was STUNNED to hear how Steve said cain just showed up right at the start of recording and no one knew what he had to bring but he luckilly just brought some good songs. Where was HE? I thought neal was the one sidetracked with otehr stuff all the time. Then he mentioned BTC came about when they had a rehearsal and only Steve and Neal showed up?????
Perhaps now, signed to a real label (the interviews were all done in June well prior to that) and with TPIYH about to be released as a single it will open up more optimism and get them to stand behind this record more.

[NealIsGod]

I think the band thinks there is not much of a market for new Journey music, although most of us would beg to differ. Maybe they just tour to keep the GH packages selling so they continue to get royalty checks.

[jrnyman28]

Maybe Steve needs to keep writing and kickin' Journey in the ASS to record!

[amaron]

Perhaps now, signed to a real label (the interviews were all done in June well prior to that) and with TPIYH about to be released as a single it will open up more optimism and get them to stand behind this record more.

From what I understand, they are NOT signed to Sanctuary. They have a distribution deal, but no record deal.

[Red13JoePa]

I think the band thinks there is not much of a market for new Journey music, although most of us would beg to differ. Maybe they just tour to keep the GH packages selling so they continue to get royalty checks.

Yea, this is why I wish they'd read this board (I think Neal does but from what Cain said, something like "I don't wanna hear what fans like and what fans don't. We did it, it's done, nothing's gonna change it." disappointing cynicsm from Jon). So they can see that there's REAL love for this record outside the sealed biodome of Backtalk. They might be surprised.

[NealIsGod]

Yea, this is why I wish they'd read this board (I think Neal does but from what Cain said, something like "I don't wanna hear what fans like and what fans don't. We did it, it's done, nothing's gonna change it." disappointing cynicsm from Jon). So they can see that there's REAL love for this record outside the sealed biodome of Backtalk. They might be surprised.

I'm sure Deano will fill Neal in on that in February!

[jrnyman28]

Well, we are talking about taking a rest next year. Personally for me, 8 years in a row is time to go away and recharge the batteries and do another record.
All the more reason to do something, some thing brand new and when we do come back, come back with a brand new record. I'd love to do that.

Part of me says that the momentum Journey has gained, which keeps growing every year, is something they cannot afford to let go of. But part of me agrees with this as well. Let everyone work on 'their own thing' for the early part of 2006, tour Europe for a couople weeks, then get back together late in 2006. Knock out a CD and have it released by the beginning of the 2nd quarter and promote and tour the shit out of it!!

[jrnyman28]

we are all going to keep ourselves busy.
I was talking to Ross and he's resurrecting some old projects and all sorts of things.
As long as you stay creative and keep the creative juices flowing, you might just hit upon a masterpiece worthy of someone else listening to it.
We hope of that for the Generations record and I think we have a couple of winners on that record and we'd love nothing more than to get it into as many hands as possible and that's why we are giving it away this tour.
We'd love nothing more than to have them a week after owning this record put it on and say wow, 'I love this song…next time I see Journey I hope they play this song'

[NealIsGod]

I thought this was interesting:

I have heard of a few reports where you have at times signaled to Deen on stage 'take this one' or whatever.
Oh yeah…well, you know I learned that from watching one of my favourite bands from all time and that was Queen. I saw many tours where Freddy would just out and out take the low road and Roger would take the high road and there is no other way to last a tour. It's just the way it was. It didn't make Freddy any less of a singer and I'm certainly not putting myself anywhere near his league – don't get me wrong – but he is a great example and if he was big enough to do something like that then I can certainly take a cause from that, anyone should too.

[NealIsGod]

Wow, even the Perry-onlies must respect the guy:

Steve – Neal has said, and this goes back to the team player thing again, but Neal has said 'The door is always open for Steve Perry to return to this band'.
What does that say to you, or how do you react and live with that?
You know what…Andrew, I wish there was a video camera on me right now, because honestly, as easily as…well maybe not as easily…but as easily as I was invited and accepted in this band I would accept that as well.
I say this with all honesty…I really mean that. I think life – destiny and fate…something is planned out for you and when it is meant to be, it is meant to be.
And I have been fortunate enough to be where I am, to be sitting here today talking to you, fortunate up to this moment.
If there is a turn of events that has that happening, I can deal with that just as well as accepting it happening to me.
You know what; I'd be the first one in line to buy a concert ticket for the show as well as a record.

[Red13JoePa]

Maybe he can afford to be so disarmingly humble about that issue because he's aware it's never going to happen.

It just won't.

[NealIsGod]

Maybe he can afford to be so disarmingly humble about that issue because he's aware it's never going to happen.

It just won't.

True dat.

[jrnyman28]

After reading the whole thing, I can understand why some may feel the negative slant of the interview as it pertains to Journey. But I prefer to see the bright side of this.

New material from all the guys as solo/side projects. (Andrew seemed extremely excited about the Tall Stories news!)

Some time off for the guys. Steve did a great job of putting it in perspective.

A Short European Tour.

Steve said Journey WILL be back. And I would like to think that when Journey returns all the guys will be recharged an (more importantly) more focussed on JOURNEY!

Thank you Andrew! This truly is an AMAZING interview!!

[JohnH]

Maybe he can afford to be so disarmingly humble about that issue because he's aware it's never going to happen.

It just won't.

I think it's physically impossible. What are they gonna tune lights down to A? Yuck.

John

[yak]

After reading the whole thing, I can understand why some may feel the negative slant of the interview as it pertains to Journey. But I prefer to see the bright side of this.

New material from all the guys as solo/side projects. (Andrew seemed extremely excited about the Tall Stories news!)

Some time off for the guys. Steve did a great job of putting it in perspective.

Thank you Andrew! An amazing interview!:D


Great post Dave! I prefer to remain optimistic also. A Tall Stories album would be great. It sounds like maybe a time for a break for the guys. Neal will likely use his to rock out some more, while Steve will get back in touch with family, while there's still time, especially since kids grow and are gone before you know it. I get the impression Steve doesn't want to miss any more time with his son right now, and I can understand that.

In Steve's words.........

I'm sure Neal would love to get back on the road with Soul SirkUS and I'd love to spend one summer with my son before he leaves the house. I saw him as a child, but I have not spent one summer with him or my wife in the last 8 years. Before he flies the nets and blows out of town, I'd like to have one summer where I can do a father and son thing like everyone else can. But we won't go away…


The good news is we might go abroad…we might do some festivals in Europe. As opposed to 4 months of touring, we might do a maximum of 4 weeks.

I think that would be great for the band and it would be great to start circulating globally….and who knows, maybe we can get our asses over to Australia.

Austrailia? Now wouldn't THAT be kickass, Andrew?

[jrnyman28]

Austrailia? Now wouldn't THAT be kickass, Andrew?

Andrew has already commented on THAT. But it IS interesting that TWO members of Journey have now mentioned going to Australia...

[Andrew]

Thanks for the posts folks...glad you enjoyed the interview

As far as Australia - Journey and about 30 other bands would tour here tomorrow if a decent offer came through.
From personal experience and knowledge, I don't know anyone who's going to put up such an offer

[Soledad?]

That would be awesome if Perry returned and Augeri graciously stepped aside!

[JourneyTroll]

That would be awesome if Perry returned and Augeri graciously stepped aside!

Completely agree. Once Steve Perry was kicked out of Journey while he was suffering complications from a hip injury, I never felt the same about the band again. Augeri is like flat soda compared to Steve Perry, the champagne of singers!!!!

Journeytroll

[amaron]

That would be awesome if Perry returned and Augeri graciously stepped aside!

Yeah, because SP seems to really want anything to do with the music business right now. Background vocals on a CD that most people don't know about? Woohoo!

[Liz22562]

It is so interesting to see the way Soledad? and Troll put their own spin on things. Steve Perry was not kicked out of Journey - he never came back. He's been invited to come back, invited to sit in or just spit up a line or two....he's not interested. Period.

I'm glad Steve Augeri is with Journey...and may the "Journey" continue.....

[JourneyTroll]

It is so interesting to see the way Soledad? and Troll put their own spin on things. Steve Perry was not kicked out of Journey - he never came back. He's been invited to come back, invited to sit in or just spit up a line or two....he's not interested. Period.

I'm glad Steve Augeri is with Journey...and may the "Journey" continue.....

Steve Perry wasn't kicked out of Journey?
Wasn't he the lead singer of Journey before his injury? Then, Steve Augeri became the lead singer when Steve Perry got injured. Face it. Steve Perry was kicked out of the band and replaced with Steve Augeri.

Journey couldn't wait a mere six more months for Steve Perry to recover fully from his near death injuries. I too wouldn't be interested in singing with a band that kicked me out while I was recovering from a severe injury. Sadly, Journey is stuck with Steve Augeri, who is one of the least charismatic singers in rock history.

The Journey will continue at as many casinos that Journey can book in 2006. I won't see you at Buffalo Chip, or Foxwoods either.

Journeytroll

[The_Noble_Cause]

Steve Perry wasn't kicked out of Journey?
Wasn't he the lead singer of Journey before his injury? Then, Steve Augeri became the lead singer when Steve Perry got injured. Face it. Steve Perry was kicked out of the band and replaced with Steve Augeri.

Quit playing dumb.
Perry quit Journey in '86. He came back in 1996 on the condition that Sony promote another single from his solo record. He then quit again (just as Journey creator, Herbie Herbert, predicted all along).
A reconfiguration of Journey (minus Perry) was already underway at that time involving Chalfant and Rolie.
Perry's return just stalled the process.