MR

I know a lot of you have already heard/seen Hugo of the Journey tribute band "Evolution", but for those of you who haven't (and those who haven't seen this video clip), tell me that this guy isn't the best Steve Perry impersonator you've ever seen:

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

I haven't figured out why Journey hasn't asked this guy to tour with them yet. No disrespect to Steve Augeri or JSS, but this guy has got Steve Perry nailed - even down to the stage mannerisms. I would love to see this guy front Journey some time. Some may say that Journey doesn't want a Steve Perry clone... but I would have to disagree. If you want to re-live the Steve Perry/Journey experience, the best way to do it is to try to reproduce it as accurately as possible. Hugo would definitely get my vote for the best-sounding/looking Steve Perry impersonator out there. He would be the next best thing to having Steve Perry himself back in the band.

Voyager,I have to disagree.Hugo is not good for Journey.Don't get me wrong,I have seen Hugo live and I loved his stage presence and his voice,he is extremely good...but not for Journey.
He is paying a terrific tribute to the classic Journey years,and that's what he should stick with.

No matter how much is Hugo resembling to Steve Perry,Journey can't be a fake act.It's either the original singer or someone who isn't a copycat.
I guess that is the exact reason why Journey didn't take Hugo,although,from what I know,he has been auditioned after SP left.Neal thought it was way to weird to see a Perry look-a-like fronting the band... and I cannot blame him.

Personally,I wouldn't want to see a Perry-clone up on stage with Journey.
I dunno...It's like your wife leaves you and you clone her just to fool yourself.
Better divorce,re-marry with a new lady and leave the past...in the past.
JMHO.

Agree he has the Perry look, but Im afraid his "impersonation" in the voice dept, pales into insignificance, when compared to our very own Jeremy Hunsicker, who fronts tribute band Frontiers..Hugos voice is thin and weak..Jeremy's voice is controlled and powerful..without doubt the world's number 1 Perry voice ....

Jeremy often posts here, and some forum members have been lucky enough to see him live!

http://www.samhillbands.com/bands/frontiers/index.shtml

Check him out by copying the link above...awesome!!

I have to agree, even without ever getting the gig myself, I would find it kinda creepy & a bit comical if they had a carbon copy of the original...think if Van Halen had gotten a DLR clone or Queen with a Freddie lookalike, the credibility of the band would be a joke instead of giving them a chance to possibly do something that furthers the band.

No offense taken & I understand the post/reasons, but nothing ventured nothing gained & now we shall venture!!

Its almost a shame he looks so much like Perry--he's a huge talent and his songwriting abilities would have complemented the Journey style--his albums are almost more journeyesque than journey (his solo cds )---but the good thing was when Steve A came in i was able to have 2 really good cds, 1 from each. Hopefully Hugo will put out another cd soon --they are all top notch AOR releases.

I'm with Yulog on this one, its a shame Hugo has the "impersonator" stuff down as well as he does. That voice and his writing ability are both fuckin awesome.

But as JSS said, it would be creepy to see a clone up front.

L8r,

Aaron

Voyager wrote:I know a lot of you have already heard/seen Hugo of the Journey tribute band "Evolution", but for those of you who haven't (and those who haven't seen this video clip), tell me that this guy isn't the best Steve Perry impersonator you've ever seen:

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

I haven't figured out why Journey hasn't asked this guy to tour with them yet. No disrespect to Steve Augeri or JSS, but this guy has got Steve Perry nailed - even down to the stage mannerisms. I would love to see this guy front Journey some time. Some may say that Journey doesn't want a Steve Perry clone... but I would have to disagree. If you want to re-live the Steve Perry/Journey experience, the best way to do it is to try to reproduce it as accurately as possible. Hugo would definitely get my vote for the best-sounding/looking Steve Perry impersonator out there. He would be the next best thing to having Steve Perry himself back in the band.

From what I can hear, Hugo sounds closer to Augeri than he does Perry, albeit with a stronger voice. But I have to agree that having a Steve Perry impersonator fronting the band would just be way too weird.

I've said it before, everytime someone brings up Hugo, and I'll say it again...This guy NEVER belongs ANYWHERE near Journey! Sorry to all Hugo fans, but, I've seen his "act", and have never been much of a fan of someone who makes a living completely stealing someone's else's identity!!!!!! I'll take Jeff as the frontman of Journey, over this guy, ANY DAY!!!!! I think Jeff has far too much respect for the legacy of both Journey and Steve Perry to ever dress like the guy and try to dance like him on stage!


John from Boston

OK, jumping on the Hugo bandwagon here myself. The guy is a great talent on his own, but I agree that a Perry-clone just wouldn't work with Journey.

As far as him "stealing someone's else's identity" - he's the lead singer in a Journey tribute band who resembles Perry

[quote="Enigma869" ]have never been much of a fan of someone who makes a living completely stealing someone's else's identity!!!!!!
John from Boston[/quote]

I really don't think he his stealing anything, just providing something you can't get anymore-ERIC

Abitaman wrote:I really don't think he his stealing anything, just providing something you can't get anymore-ERIC

I can't see Elvis any longer either, but, that doesn't mean I want to go and see someone impersonating him! Listen, if at the end of the day, you enjoy an impersonator, more power to you! I just don't find impersonations to be all that dignified! I know that I would never be comfortable with someone making a living off of pretending to be me! Finally, there are MANY tribute bands to various bands out there, who don't try to be the guys they're paying homage to!

John from Boston

Had a guy who worked for me at a Shoney's I managed. Looked and sang just like Elvis. Did shows on the side. It was a little spooky, but even though he looked like Elvis, at work at Shoneys he was his own person. Now he acted like Elvis at Shoneys?-ERIC

Shania wrote:Voyager,I have to disagree.Hugo is not good for Journey.Don't get me wrong,I have seen Hugo live and I loved his stage presence and his voice,he is extremely good...but not for Journey.
He is paying a terrific tribute to the classic Journey years,and that's what he should stick with.

No matter how much is Hugo resembling to Steve Perry,Journey can't be a fake act.It's either the original singer or someone who isn't a copycat.
I guess that is the exact reason why Journey didn't take Hugo,although,from what I know,he has been auditioned after SP left.Neal thought it was way to weird to see a Perry look-a-like fronting the band... and I cannot blame him.

Personally,I wouldn't want to see a Perry-clone up on stage with Journey.
I dunno...It's like your wife leaves you and you clone her just to fool yourself.
Better divorce,re-marry with a new lady and leave the past...in the past.
JMHO.

Hugo's albums are pretty decent though.

Hugo's albums are pretty decent though.[/quote]

I love Hugo...I think he sounds more like Augeri than Perry, but his Valentine cd is awesome!!!

brywool wrote:

Shania wrote:Voyager,I have to disagree.Hugo is not good for Journey.Don't get me wrong,I have seen Hugo live and I loved his stage presence and his voice,he is extremely good...but not for Journey.
He is paying a terrific tribute to the classic Journey years,and that's what he should stick with.

No matter how much is Hugo resembling to Steve Perry,Journey can't be a fake act.It's either the original singer or someone who isn't a copycat.
I guess that is the exact reason why Journey didn't take Hugo,although,from what I know,he has been auditioned after SP left.Neal thought it was way to weird to see a Perry look-a-like fronting the band... and I cannot blame him.

Personally,I wouldn't want to see a Perry-clone up on stage with Journey.
I dunno...It's like your wife leaves you and you clone her just to fool yourself.
Better divorce,re-marry with a new lady and leave the past...in the past.
JMHO.

Hugo's albums are pretty decent though.

I know,Bry,and I have the "Fire In The Night" album.I really love it!
However,I can't separate Hugo from his Perry/Journey tribute act.
On the other hand, I'm not sure if Hugo can get out of the Perry-mode he's been in for so many years,you know?
When I said "that's what he should stick with",I was implying that his job with Evolution is the job of his life.He obviously likes it and does it extremely well.

I could add he is also a humble sweet man,and I really like that too.

McNeil wrote:Agree he has the Perry look, but Im afraid his "impersonation" in the voice dept, pales into insignificance, when compared to our very own Jeremy Hunsicker, who fronts tribute band Frontiers..Hugos voice is thin and weak..Jeremy's voice is controlled and powerful..without doubt the world's number 1 Perry voice ....

Shania wrote:No matter how much is Hugo resembling to Steve Perry,Journey can't be a fake act.It's either the original singer or someone who isn't a copycat.
I guess that is the exact reason why Journey didn't take Hugo,although,from what I know,he has been auditioned after SP left.Neal thought it was way to weird to see a Perry look-a-like fronting the band... and I cannot blame him.

JSS wrote:I have to agree, even without ever getting the gig myself, I would find it kinda creepy & a bit comical if they had a carbon copy of the original...think if Van Halen had gotten a DLR clone or Queen with a Freddie lookalike, the credibility of the band would be a joke instead of giving them a chance to possibly do something that furthers the band.

No offense taken & I understand the post/reasons, but nothing ventured nothing gained & now we shall venture!!

Yeah, what they said.

Aaron wrote:I'm with Yulog on this one, its a shame Hugo has the "impersonator" stuff down as well as he does. That voice and his writing ability are both fuckin awesome.

But as JSS said, it would be creepy to see a clone up front.

L8r,

Aaron

Nice 180 there Aaron, Hugo used to be you're #1 guy for Journey. What happened?

Enigma869 wrote:I've said it before, everytime someone brings up Hugo, and I'll say it again...This guy NEVER belongs ANYWHERE near Journey! Sorry to all Hugo fans, but, I've seen his "act", and have never been much of a fan of someone who makes a living completely stealing someone's else's identity!!!!!! I'll take Jeff as the frontman of Journey, over this guy, ANY DAY!!!!! I think Jeff has far too much respect for the legacy of both Journey and Steve Perry to ever dress like the guy and try to dance like him on stage!


John from Boston

Although I like Hugo's voice, I will agree that Hugo's NOT the guy. The imitation turns me off everytime I see it on youtube or wherever. Just looks embarrassing. No offense to him, he's doing a tribute, but if he got into JRNY and did that- hoo boy! Yuck. Doubt that he would. The thing about Hugo (again, I like his voice) is that even though he's got some good studio tracks, they still sound like Perry outtakes. I don't hear him being his own man. I've got (I think) 3 of his albums and some of them are just too close. I know that sounds funky, but I guess it's like Badfinger- "Sorry boys, you just sound too much like The Beatles. We can't do anything for ya" (record company door slams shut).

(which wasn't true anyway!)

If I saw a Hugo show, I'd feel embarrassed for the guy. I'm not sure why. Sounds like I'm taking the piss out of him, but it's just too 'idol worshippy' for me. Like when that guy came on American Idol and was imitating Clay Aiken, and then Aiken walked out behind him. Funny TV, but not something to build a career on. Sorry Hugo.

Having said all that, I have to agree with Voyager that he's definitely a sound alike, probably the closest yet to the real thing, but it SHOULD be the real thing and not an immitator.


I would've like to have hear Rik Emmet sing a Journey tune. Wonder what that'd be like? Not necessarily as part of JRNY, but just to hear it.

JSS wrote:...think if Van Halen had gotten a DLR clone or Queen with a Freddie lookalike, the credibility of the band would be a joke instead of giving them a chance to possibly do something that furthers the band.

You're right JSS, and I'm glad you didn't take offense at my post. I really enjoyed watching you sing for Journey in Moline, Illinois a few months ago. I guess a part of me just has a hard time getting over the loss of Steve Perry.

To play the devil's advocate though, Van Halen did create all new material to go with Sammy Hagar's voice and persona. Journey, on the other hand, has recruited singers to sing the Steve Perry material. So in this instance it's not really comparing apples to apples. Sammy doesn't actually sound anything like DLR, and I don't like it when Sammy sings songs like Panama and other Classic Van Halen tunes.

I know that you are as big of fan of Steve Perry as I am JSS, if not more so. So I appreciate you understanding where I am coming from.

Nothing's happened bro, he's still my pick. I just wouldn't be good with the Perry impersonation "clone" thing. Hugo, cut your hair, be your own man and sing like a mothefucker. Its the same shit I've been saying dude. Now how is that a 180?

I expect to think "Holy fuck!" when I hear Journey sing, Hugo could do that.

RedWingFan wrote:

Aaron wrote:I'm with Yulog on this one, its a shame Hugo has the "impersonator" stuff down as well as he does. That voice and his writing ability are both fuckin awesome.

But as JSS said, it would be creepy to see a clone up front.

L8r,

Aaron

Nice 180 there Aaron, Hugo used to be you're #1 guy for Journey. What happened?

Voyager wrote:I know a lot of you have already heard/seen Hugo of the Journey tribute band "Evolution", but for those of you who haven't (and those who haven't seen this video clip), tell me that this guy isn't the best Steve Perry impersonator you've ever seen:

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

I haven't figured out why Journey hasn't asked this guy to tour with them yet. No disrespect to Steve Augeri or JSS, but this guy has got Steve Perry nailed - even down to the stage mannerisms. I would love to see this guy front Journey some time. Some may say that Journey doesn't want a Steve Perry clone... but I would have to disagree. If you want to re-live the Steve Perry/Journey experience, the best way to do it is to try to reproduce it as accurately as possible. Hugo would definitely get my vote for the best-sounding/looking Steve Perry impersonator out there. He would be the next best thing to having Steve Perry himself back in the band.

\


Once again I want the original no clone copycats

JSS wrote:...think if Van Halen had gotten a DLR clone

If a clone would work, VH would have definitely grabbed this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18pKA4Al8ZA

McNeil wrote:Agree he has the Perry look, but Im afraid his "impersonation" in the voice dept, pales into insignificance, when compared to our very own Jeremy Hunsicker, who fronts tribute band Frontiers..Hugos voice is thin and weak..Jeremy's voice is controlled and powerful..without doubt the world's number 1 Perry voice ....

Jeremy often posts here, and some forum members have been lucky enough to see him live!

http://www.samhillbands.com/bands/frontiers/index.shtml

Check him out by copying the link above...awesome!!

I agree with you here.I have the pleasure to hear Jeremey and his awesome band perform the Sat.His vocals are strong and melodic all night long,he nails Perry and does some of his own thing also. He reminds me of Perry,but he is his own person,and a really nice guy,and a real Journey fan like us. If any on could jump in on a minutes notice and sing a whole concert,it would be Jeremey. Rock on

HUGO CAN'T HELP WHAT HE LOOKS OR SOUNDS LIKE TO A POINT....
I HAVE ALL 3 OF HIS SOLO CDS AS WELL AS THE VALENTINE N OPEN SKYZ HE SOUNDS GOOD!
PLENTY OF MUSICIANS MAKE XTRA MONEY IN COVER N TRIBUTE BANDS ( INCLUDING MYSELF )
SO SINCE HUGO LOOKS N SOUNDS LIKE PERRY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT IF PEOPLE ENJOY IT..

roknroseville wrote:HUGO CAN'T HELP WHAT HE LOOKS OR SOUNDS LIKE TO A POINT....
I HAVE ALL 3 OF HIS SOLO CDS AS WELL AS THE VALENTINE N OPEN SKYZ HE SOUNDS GOOD!
..

Too true-ERIC

McNeil wrote:Agree he has the Perry look, but Im afraid his "impersonation" in the voice dept, pales into insignificance, when compared to our very own Jeremy Hunsicker, who fronts tribute band Frontiers..Hugos voice is thin and weak..Jeremy's voice is controlled and powerful..without doubt the world's number 1 Perry voice ....

I couldn't disagree more. I have listened to the Frontiers tribute band vids on YouTube.com, and I don't think Jeremy sounds like Steve Perry at all.

Compare this (Frontiers with Jeremy singing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-KDsyDgYA

to this (Evolution with Hugo singing):

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

To me there is no comparison at all. Hugo sounds like Steve Perry, and Jeremy doesn't. If Hugo's voice has sounded "thin and weak" on some of the videos out there (I have heard them), it's only because the sound engineer didn't have his voice turned up enough. The video link above allows you to hear Hugo's voice. Hugo has more in the high-end department than Jeremy does, which is a requirement to be able to accurately do justice to the Steve Perry material. Granted, Jeremy's voice is strong and projects very well, but it's also very deep and has a different tonal character than Steve Perry's voice.

Voyager wrote:I couldn't disagree more. I have listened to the Frontiers tribute band vids on YouTube.com, and I don't think Jeremy sounds like Steve Perry at all.

Compare this (Frontiers with Jeremy singing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-KDsyDgYA

to this (Evolution with Hugo singing):

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

To me there is no comparison at all. Hugo sounds like Steve Perry, and Jeremy doesn't. If Hugo's voice has sounded "thin and weak" on some of the videos out there (I have heard them), it's only because the sound engineer didn't have his voice turned up enough. The video link above allows you to hear Hugo's voice. Hugo has more in the high-end department than Jeremy does, and that is a requirement to be able to accurately sing the Steve Perry material. Granted, Jeremy's voice is strong, but it's also very deep and has a different tonal character than Steve Perry's voice.

I love it! Battle of the Journey tribute band singers.

To each it's own. As I've said many times before, it's a matter of personal preference. No one has apparently ever walked away from a Frontiers concert, or an Evolution concert saying, "That guy doesn't sound like Steve Perry at all!"

Statements like this, however,

I have listened to the Frontiers tribute band vids on YouTube.com, and I don't think Jeremy sounds like Steve Perry at all.

Don't do much to bolster your arguement.

So this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

FAITHFULLY

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

ASK THE LONELY

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

WHY CAN'T THIS NIGHT GO ON FOREVER

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

ONLY THE YOUNG

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

MISSING YOU (AUDIO)


All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer - And your argument doesn't really hold water when you pick and chose audio portions to make your point. Especially since I have probably the largest availability of media out there of any Journey tribute performer. Hugo's a good singer and he's great at what he does. But come on, you didn't really expect to say I "don't sound like Steve Perry" and not expect me to chime in here, do you?

Jeremey wrote:

Voyager wrote:I couldn't disagree more. I have listened to the Frontiers tribute band vids on YouTube.com, and I don't think Jeremy sounds like Steve Perry at all.

Compare this (Frontiers with Jeremy singing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-KDsyDgYA

to this (Evolution with Hugo singing):

http://www.journeyshow.com/video/Anyway%20Evo.wmv

To me there is no comparison at all. Hugo sounds like Steve Perry, and Jeremy doesn't. If Hugo's voice has sounded "thin and weak" on some of the videos out there (I have heard them), it's only because the sound engineer didn't have his voice turned up enough. The video link above allows you to hear Hugo's voice. Hugo has more in the high-end department than Jeremy does, and that is a requirement to be able to accurately sing the Steve Perry material. Granted, Jeremy's voice is strong, but it's also very deep and has a different tonal character than Steve Perry's voice.

I love it! Battle of the Journey tribute band singers.

To each it's own. As I've said many times before, it's a matter of personal preference. No one has apparently ever walked away from a Frontiers concert, or an Evolution concert saying, "That guy doesn't sound like Steve Perry at all!"

Statements like this, however,

I have listened to the Frontiers tribute band vids on YouTube.com, and I don't think Jeremy sounds like Steve Perry at all.

Don't do much to bolster your arguement.

So this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

FAITHFULLY

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

ASK THE LONELY

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

WHY CAN'T THIS NIGHT GO ON FOREVER

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

ONLY THE YOUNG

Or this doesn't sound like Steve Perry:

MISSING YOU (AUDIO)


All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer - And your argument doesn't really hold water when you pick and chose audio portions to make your point. Especially since I have probably the largest availability of media out there of any Journey tribute performer. Hugo's a good singer and he's great at what he does. But come on, you didn't really expect to say I "don't sound like Steve Perry" and not expect me to chime in here, do you?

It's all good Journey doesn't even sound like Journey anymore ...lmao

Jeremey wrote:All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer - And your argument doesn't really hold water when you pick and chose audio portions to make your point. Especially since I have probably the largest availability of media out there of any Journey tribute performer. Hugo's a good singer and he's great at what he does. But come on, you didn't really expect to say I "don't sound like Steve Perry" and not expect me to chime in here, do you?

Exactly...You sound enough like Perry to pull off those tunes with ease but you definitely also have a slightly different character to your voice, which I like.

BTW, that version of "Faithfully" is one of the best I've heard from anyone. Great stuff!

conversation piece wrote:

Jeremey wrote:All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer - And your argument doesn't really hold water when you pick and chose audio portions to make your point. Especially since I have probably the largest availability of media out there of any Journey tribute performer. Hugo's a good singer and he's great at what he does. But come on, you didn't really expect to say I "don't sound like Steve Perry" and not expect me to chime in here, do you?

Exactly...You sound enough like Perry to pull off those tunes with ease but you definitely also have a slightly different character to your voice, which I like.

BTW, that version of "Faithfully" is one of the best I've heard from anyone. Great stuff!

Thanks, man. I guess my only point was if someone is going to say I "don't have what it takes" to pull it off, they're not paying attention.

Punching out - See everyone in Arlington on Saturday!