Perry Interview

[Jeremey]

Overall, as usual, Perry leaves more questions open than he answers. Think it was a really good interview, though. Perry seems to be getting used to talking to people. Does this guy really know what the passage of time is all about though? I mean, that nearly 10 years have passed since any new recordings and he's still saying, well, maybe I'd like to do this, or maybe this, or this, but I just haven't decided yet. Good God, man, you're going to be sixty soon!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Interviewer: You've been away from the band for quite awhile...

SP: “Since May '98”

>> Bull. You've been away for waaaay longer than that. The way this guy commits revisonist history is a sin.

SP: "I put a lot of effort in trying to put Journey back together for the Trial By Fire era"

>>Eat a ding dong, Steve. Even your own solo drummer, Moyes said the only reason you did TBF was so Sony would do one last push for FTLOSM. Besides, Sony contacted you about re-joining Journey, not the other way around.

SP: "That fractures the stone to me; that breaks it. I was given an ultimatum and I don't respond well to ultimatums.”

>>But firing two members PLUS the very guy who created the band does not somehow qualify as cracking the stone? Ugh..I'm beggining to choke up my own vomit. This man is vile.

SP: “I've been thinking about the good side about this whole split up with the band that happened in May of '98; which is that I could not be kept under contract while they replaced me with a sound-alike or whatever he was... .

>>"whatever he was"?
So now Augeri is apparently not even a singer, not a man, not even a fellow human being, but a "whatever"?
What is he? - The fucking Elephant Man?
Way to be respectful of a fellow musician, buddy!
Augeri has been nothing but respectful to you and you spat on his face like that? Remind me to return the favor if I ever see you cruising down the highway on your bike at 50 mph.


That's it. I've read enough. This guy deserves to be swinging from the gallows.

[Rockindeano]

I just loved this classy comment:

ML: Do you see yourself going back into the studio?

SP: “I've been thinking about the good side about this whole split up with the band that happened in May of '98; which is that I could not be kept under contract while they replaced me with a sound-alike or whatever he was..


I was actually pulling for him early in the interview, but when he dropped this bomb....

Then he has to say "the band was on tour 3 months ago, and we aren't speaking."

WTF? Why can't this guy grow up? Neal is a man. Perry is a child.

[Marabelle]

[quote="Rock'ndeano"]I just loved this classy comment:

ML: Do you see yourself going back into the studio?

SP: “I've been thinking about the good side about this whole split up with the band that happened in May of '98; which is that I could not be kept under contract while they replaced me with a sound-alike or whatever he was..


quote]

Now that's a statement you can sink your teeth in and take a bite! It's wide open for discussion.

[Rockindeano]

No it's not.

Augeri is not a sound alike. Augeri is a replacement singer, but a damn fine one in his own right.

I can't wait for the Heads to start rolling in....

I am ready...

[Red13JoePa]

#1) Er.... I thought HE was the one who mandated the band to "go out and do whatever you want with whomever you want but don't crack stone, don't call it Journey." Now he's saying the band left HIM a message saying that?

#2) The only problem I have with the "soundalike" quote is that to be truthful, he should've said "...they replaced me with a sound-better.... ."

[Rockindeano]

13, to be fair to Espee, the band left the message that they were moving on....

and truth be told, Augeri didn't sound better at first, IMO...He sure in the Hell has improved ten fold though hasn't he?

[Red13JoePa]

SP: “I've been thinking about the good side about this whole split up with the band that happened in May of '98; which is that I could not be kept under contract while they replaced me with a sound-alike or whatever he was..


quote]

Now that's a statement you can sink your teeth in and take a bite! It's wide open for discussion.

Not open to discussion to me. Check me. Simply play the Houston dvd version of Open Arms, stop the dvd, put in JRNY 2001 and listen to Steve Augeri, JRYN's lead vocalist, perform the same song. Game, set, match Augeri.

[Eric]

I liked this interview.....

I appreciate that he seems to be able to put himself in the bands shoes - as he acknowledged that they were tired of waiting and that he made some mistakes. The perry-onlies still don't recognize that, nor do they recognize the age of the people who were waiting.

I also find it interesting that he was saying that the Journey divorce was FINAL...and now he he "thinks" so.

He clearly doesn't fit into the hard working touring band that Journey is now, but I'm still hopeful of a reuinion of sorts. I mean, I see no reason why everyone can't let bygones be bygones and put out at least one song and Perry can't pop up here and there. He is part of Journey.

As far as his comments about Augeri - what do you expect? How would you feel towards Augeri if you were Perry? And frankly, in 8 years they have put out only 2.5 albums, so its not like he isn't singing Perry-era songs mostly.

[Red13JoePa]

13, to be fair to Espee, the band left the message that they were moving on....

and truth be told, Augeri didn't sound better at first, IMO...He sure in the Hell has improved ten fold though hasn't he?

That's not what the short-haired SP said on BTM. I disagree with the stance that Augeri was so bad back then, too. Yes, maybe compared to his jaw dropping studio and live performances THIS year...

[Rockindeano]

Not open to discussion to me. Check me. Simply play the Houston dvd version of Open Arms, stop the dvd, put in JRNY 2001 and listen to Steve Augeri, JRYN's lead vocalist, perform the same song. Game, set, match Augeri.

See, I cannot agree here. I love Augee, but perry in 1981, was phenominal. I don't think Augeri gets there on his best days.

You have to admit 13, Perry sounds awfully good on the cd..

[Red13JoePa]

Not open to discussion to me. Check me. Simply play the Houston dvd version of Open Arms, stop the dvd, put in JRNY 2001 and listen to Steve Augeri, JRYN's lead vocalist, perform the same song. Game, set, match Augeri.

See, I cannot agree here. I love Augee, but perry in 1981, was phenominal. I don't think Augeri gets there on his best days.

You have to admit 13, Perry sounds awfully good on the cd..

Yep, I admit it. big deal. Love Perry as a singer, have almost everything he put out.
Prefer the current singer. Given the choice between Augie's '01 performance and SP's '81, i'll take the former. It has more ballz, more rock, less crooning, but enough range.

[heardonthestreet]

Your friend is great at his job, Andrew.

I enjoyed the interview and Perry always ends up being more the talented artist and great individual than what I expect him to be, as he opens up with each new interview. He is a class act, all the way.

He makes me very proud to be fan.

OMG! Perry with the RS. It's beyond belief but then I've never stopped believing. It's not impossible.

Sorry that some of you found fault. It's such a high to enjoy an interview so completely. Perry rules!

[heardonthestreet]

Oops, forgot to say, thank you, Andrew!

[Vladan]

Not open to discussion to me. Check me. Simply play the Houston dvd version of Open Arms, stop the dvd, put in JRNY 2001 and listen to Steve Augeri, JRYN's lead vocalist, perform the same song. Game, set, match Augeri.

See, I cannot agree here. I love Augee, but perry in 1981, was phenominal. I don't think Augeri gets there on his best days.

You have to admit 13, Perry sounds awfully good on the cd..

Perry sang with full voice, really deep tones. Steve Augeri is still a great singer. Watching the 2001 DVD, he sang alot in Falsetto - with the high notes, wasn't true voice. I think Steve Augeri sounds better singing stuff from Arrival and Generations, doesn't sound as forced as some of the classics (such as Ask The Lonely 2001 DVD).

[Rockindeano]

Hey Aussie,

Mate, you need to see a live show before you pass judgement on the BOTH of them.

The Heads have NO credibility, because they will only listen to ONE singer...you need to listen to both live, or risk becoming a Head....and that is something you really want to avoid at all costs.

[Vladan]

Hi

Yeah I would like to watch a real show. I had a dream I saw the current lineup LIVE. Was a great dream actually, felt real but hey, maybe someday i'll get the chance. I know what your saying, being there in person is the only you can telll the difference (truthfully).

I'd love to see them LIVE today, and with todays technogoly and experience they have, it would be awesome.

[r@y]

Interviewer: You've been away from the band for quite awhile...

SP: “Since May '98”

>> Bull. You've been away for waaaay longer than that. The way this guy commits revisonist history is a sin.

SP: "I put a lot of effort in trying to put Journey back together for the Trial By Fire era"

>>Eat a ding dong, Steve. Even your own solo drummer, Moyes said the only reason you did TBF was so Sony would do one last push for FTLOSM. Besides, Sony contacted you about re-joining Journey, not the other way around.

SP: "That fractures the stone to me; that breaks it. I was given an ultimatum and I don't respond well to ultimatums.”

>>But firing two members PLUS the very guy who created the band does not somehow qualify as cracking the stone? Ugh..I'm beggining to choke up my own vomit. This man is vile.

SP: “I've been thinking about the good side about this whole split up with the band that happened in May of '98; which is that I could not be kept under contract while they replaced me with a sound-alike or whatever he was... .

>>"whatever he was"?
So now Augeri is apparently not even a singer, not a man, not even a fellow human being, but a "whatever"?
What is he? - The fucking Elephant Man?
Way to be respectful of a fellow musician, buddy!
Augeri has been nothing but respectful to you and you spat on his face like that? Remind me to return the favor if I ever see you cruising down the highway on your bike at 50 mph.


That's it. I've read enough. This guy deserves to be swinging from the gallows.

Wow, some pretty strong words, TNC. But I agree with your points EXCEPT one :

About the TBF reunion, you do not know for sure what happened. There are many versions to the whole reunion. I am quite certain, no one knows for sure what happened.

But I must admit, the 'sound alike, whatever' statement kinda took me aback.

But all said and done, I will always be a huge fan of Steve Perry.

Before some of you take out your Uzi's, I have BOTH Arrival AND Generations and I dig the new band. Would go to any of their shows in a heartbeat if only I were not livin halfway across the bloody globe..!

Take it easy.

Ray

[Rockindeano]

Hi



I'd love to see them LIVE today, and with todays technogoly and experience they have, it would be awesome.

Yeah, it's called Quantas Airlines. Hop a bird and see a show....oops, tour is over..

Ok, head over to Europe next year then.

[jrnyman28]

Ok, I thought it was a very good interview.

I think the "whatever he was" comment had more to do with saying "no matter who/what Journey decided to do for a lead singer. Whether it was a sound-alike or someone completely different, the effect was the same.

I thought it was interesting hearing about how he lobbied for Smitty to be brought in. I always thought that came from HH AFTER 'someone' decided to push Aynsley out.

I also really liked hearing his thoughts on the business and how he might proceed IF he were to do something. Glad to see the "Rod Stewart" idea has made it back to him. We have all said it would do well, as long as he did his own thing with it. Perry seems to agree.

[Rockindeano]

I also really liked hearing his thoughts on the business and how he might proceed IF he were to do something. Glad to see the "Rod Stewart" idea has made it back to him. We have all said it would do well, as long as he did his own thing with it. Perry seems to agree.

OMG 28, are you smoking crack this morning?

If Perry did some lame easy listening shit stuff effort, we would ALL be ridiculed for being Journey fans.

Yes, he is no longer part of the band, but still associated too closely...Everyone will make fun of us...and after all the good and respect the band has recaptured, to have him do some lame shit like that....no way..I hope he stays retired.

[Red13JoePa]

I think the "whatever he was" comment had more to do with saying "no matter who/what Journey decided to do for a lead singer. Whether it was a sound-alike or someone completely different, the effect was the same.

If so, an atrocious choice of words. If it was innocent why didn't he say something more neutral or noncommital?

[Marabelle]

I also really liked hearing his thoughts on the business and how he might proceed IF he were to do something. Glad to see the "Rod Stewart" idea has made it back to him. We have all said it would do well, as long as he did his own thing with it. Perry seems to agree.

OMG 28, are you smoking crack this morning?

If Perry did some lame easy listening shit stuff effort, we would ALL be ridiculed for being Journey fans.

Yes, he is no longer part of the band, but still associated too closely...Everyone will make fun of us...and after all the good and respect the band has recaptured, to have him do some lame shit like that....no way..I hope he stays retired.

I'd puke and fall face down in it if that happens!

Next we'll see him in a smoking jacket holding a cigar in one hand and sitting before a fire.

Geez oh Pete! Please. Never in a million years!

[NealIsGod]

Here's a link to the website of that band Perry mentioned, The Rock 'n Roll Soldiers:

http://www.rnrsoldiers.com/

[The_Noble_Cause]

As far as his comments about Augeri - what do you expect? How would you feel towards Augeri if you were Perry? And frankly, in 8 years they have put out only 2.5 albums, so its not like he isn't singing Perry-era songs mostly.

I certainly wouldn't denigrate a fellow musician, even if he was chosen to supplant me in a band. Spin it all u want, there is no excuse.

[Jeremey]

"I'm dragged through, 'what happened?' We were great together and then I'm dragged through the people who thought we weren't great and who used to belittle us in the press and I thought 'fuck them too'. How can that be fucked up? We were great! See you assholes... you know what I mean? We weren't fucked up – you used to tell us we were faceless and corporate and all these horrible things and all we were trying to do was keep our focus and play what we loved. Now, I'm looking back at it for the first time as a person in the audience... I'm not in the band and it's been years since I've been in the band. It's been years since I've been on that stage. I'm an older guy and this young kid up there on that stage believed in what he believed in and damned if it wasn't pretty good and I got emotional about it. I just felt vindicated."

Now who was it that told me that Perry didn't have a potty mouth!?!

Anyway, this is the best part of the interview for me. Perry is able to remove himself from that legacy and finally appreciate a little more what it was that they did, what they achieved. Something I think Neal Schon still struggles with to this day. Neal's got no perspective on it, he's in the middle of it, and I think that's why he can't appreciate his accomplishments.

[NoMoreTails]

I think the interviewer dropped the ball and missed a great chance to get some thoughts from Perry on Gregg's exit and the dismissal of Ross, Smitty, and Herbie. I think Perry's admitting to "making trouble" regarding Dunbar leaving opened the door to pursue Perry's thought sabout the power trip he was on with Journey.
What did Perry mean by "mistakes made" post-TBF? His not committing to the group and keeping them in the dark? Not deciding to have his hip replaced until after he'd been replaced? Those are the only mistakes I'm aware of.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Perry sang with full voice, really deep tones. Steve Augeri is still a great singer. Watching the 2001 DVD, he sang alot in Falsetto - with the high notes, wasn't true voice. I think Steve Augeri sounds better singing stuff from Arrival and Generations, doesn't sound as forced as some of the classics (such as Ask The Lonely 2001 DVD).

I think "Ask the Lonely" sounds fantastic on the 2001 dvd. Before the dvd, I had always considered the song to be bad for a live performance. That was largely due to the fact that I had never heard Perry sing it well live-ever. If someone has a boot of Perry singing ATL live and sounding good, please send it my way.

[jrnyman28]

OMG 28, are you smoking crack this morning?

If Perry did some lame easy listening shit stuff effort, we would ALL be ridiculed for being Journey fans.

Yes, he is no longer part of the band, but still associated too closely...Everyone will make fun of us...and after all the good and respect the band has recaptured, to have him do some lame shit like that....no way..I hope he stays retired.

So when Jeremey brought up the idea, and we all pretty much said that if Perry were to do something in respect to his R&B influences, that was easy listening shit stuff?

I picked my words pretty carefully. I was not saying 'do the same thing as Rod' (and the countless others). I was saying do something close to his heart, that he can put feeling into, without 'stressing' so much over writing/recording/touring. Of course he did say that writing is not the problem.

The one thing I did take away from the interview was that he said "He doesn't know what to do" and that he did retire since he "closed the shop down".

[Marabelle]

I think he's got a good handle on the art of cussing and swearing and
ripping a new one.