Soul Sirkus cancelled....

[Rockindeano]

I probably shouldn't say this , at least on this board anyway....but Schon appears to be a much better guy than Ed. I love VH, but after hearing a lot of musicians dog him(not Schon), especially Hagar on the Stern show, and hearing nothing but rave for Neal....One has got to wonder.

Oh yeah, did I mention I would love to see these two jam together however the styles probably wouldn't mesh.

I would still take Schon overall than Ed.

[Gaffguitars]

Schon could be Eddie's roadie....maybe.
There's no comparison when it comes to skill, innovation, speed, feel or anything else on the guitar - Eddie ownz him BIG time.

That my friend is respectfully ridiculous.

Before this thread I have never in my life heard the two compared.......as in Schon has never been considered anything like Ed's equal, as far as I knew.
Am I wrong?

I wasn't comparing Neal Schon to the legend that is Eddie Van Halen. When Eddie was on his game no one could touch him. I was comparing Schon to the mess that it is Eddie Van Halen now. I saw two shows, and trust me, as a guitar player myself I was seriously disappointed in Eddie's performance. As for Neal, the guys keeps getting better. So, The last time I saw Neal versus the last time I saw Eddie sorry it's a no brainer. Neal without a doubt. And it pains me to say that about Eddie. Still, with all that nonsense aside, why would Eddie cancel Soul Sirkus. Sammy obviously had no problem. Alex had no problem. Mike's opinion probably doesn't matter but Eddie has a problem. Seriously. And if it's because Journey's road crew fucked with Van Halen back '78 while they opened for them then EVH has bigger problems than I thought.

[Serendipity]

Still, with all that nonsense aside, why would Eddie cancel Soul Sirkus. Sammy obviously had no problem. Alex had no problem. Mike's opinion probably doesn't matter but Eddie has a problem. Seriously. And if it's because Journey's road crew fucked with Van Halen back '78 while they opened for them then EVH has bigger problems than I thought.

If I were in his place I would have done the same thing... Finding out that other people already have made my decision for me, would piss me off too. It might not be the most adult response, but at least it's a way of showing that these premature announcements are not a cool thing to do.

[Kenny]

I feel it had nothing to do with being intimidated by Neal Schon's playing...
I don't really, seriously think Ed has much left to prove to anyone, much less by cancelling someone's two night SUPPORT gig.....
I have nothing whatsoever against people who want to become Journey, or Souls Sirkus fans, but I'll stick to Eddie thanks.

[jrnysc]

I hate to see people comparing Neal Schon and Eddie. Its ashame to me because they are both 2 of the top guitar players anywhere. However, when people like Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton say your the best, which they have both said about Neal Schon, im sure that is something he is very proud of. I sure would be. What is even cooler is how humble Neal is about it. That makes him even better to me!! I dont think either of them have anything to prove. He and Sammy are good buds, as well as Michael Anthony, and im sure they just wanted to play a couple of nights with friends. As the members of SS have said, no hard feelings and they continue to wish Van Halen the best on their tour.

[Gaffguitars]

I feel it had nothing to do with being intimidated by Neal Schon's playing...
I don't really, seriously think Ed has much left to prove to anyone, much less by cancelling someone's two night SUPPORT gig.....
I have nothing whatsoever against people who want to become Journey, or Souls Sirkus fans, but I'll stick to Eddie thanks.

Maybe not but it's suspicious. Why else? He wasn't informed? Ok Maybe I'll buy that.
And I guess you're right. Eddie has nothing left to prove. I wish he did.

[TourGuide]

Comparing "great" guitar players is so subjective it's a tiresome argument, though the posts in this thread have been intriguing.
I enjoy talented musicians...so sue me!!

[Fernando Ramirez]

First off, I would like to say that I am a HUGE JSS fan. So I will be supporting his new band. I also like Journey, so that's a plus for me.

Schon is a great guitarist, but in the hall of fame, he's not going to merit as much recognition as Eddie.. as far as impact on the world of guitar, and music. How Eddie's playing today in concert is unknown to me... I haven't gone to any of the shows. But I've noticed a lot of Eddie bashing lately, so I'm taking all negative comments and reviews with a grain of salt. I'd have to experience it for myself. I thought he sounded good on the 3 new songs... sounded like good old Ed with a more "abrasive" tone.

About the cancellation of the two SS gigs... Ed's the boss of Van Halen. What he says goes. Now if somebody from the SS camp stated that they were opening before THE BOSS said it's okay... that's wrong. And if someone from the SS camp is trying to make it look like Ed's the bad guy because THEY screwed up by talking too soon... that's wrong.

Look at it as if it was YOUR GIG, and some supporting band went out and said they were opening for you when YOU HADN'T CLEARED IT. That would piss me off to no end, and I'm sure the same happened with Ed.

Or maybe Ed's hanging out with the guys in the band current opening slot, and he didn't want to screw them over by letting another band take the slot for two gigs.

We don't know the truth, but I seem to remember the statements about SS opening for VH as being "tentative" when they were announced. The plans weren't finalized.

Having said that, I sure wish JSS had filled the vocalist slot in Van Halen. I would be there in a heartbeat to watch that show.

[Kenny]

Well said....some very lucid and sensible points in there. I agree with virtually everything you said.

[NUBMAN]

Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. It simply doesnt make sense to do it. However, there is something to be argued as far each performers musical growth. Neal can play any style. Ed is his own style. Pure and simple, they both have different feel and present a whole different vibe.
Ed hasnt learned a new soloing technique since 1983. However, his licks and technique were copied by every pro musician & garage player on the planet. I dont expect Ed to play like Satch, Vai, etc. I expect the rough, in your face, sack over the head, kick in the nuts power that is ED.
Neal is an amazing player who has mastered every genre he's attempted. I own most of what he has put out.
I guess it all just comes down to taste. Sometimes I want hear the mean street intro cranked up to 11. Other times I really enjoy listening to the bluesyness of Lights.
I dont think this situation is over who has the biggest d1ck. It was a poorly set up good idea that never panned out.

Peace!

[Rockindeano]

Right now, there is no comparison. Neal is far superior in EVERY aspect of the game. You should see him him do Voodoo Chile on the current Journey tour. Amazing.

Hey Eddie, I am so glad you beat cancer, and cannot wait to see you next week.. Go Ed!

Dean

[msmercury01]

Again from the Soul Sirkus website...

Tuesday, July 20th, 2004
VH Debauchery - JSS has sent this message: 'There was never any intention 4 this whole VH vs. SS 2 occur, there are many rumors running about regarding the situation about the 2 shows we were 'hoping' 2 do with them on this current tour, but we respect the decision & have no ill will about it. It was only 2 shows & the ugliness ensued from this is unnecessary. Continued success 2 Ed, Sam, Mike & Alex'.

Tuesday, July 20th, 2004
The new songs are completed now & we are told there will be samples coming here soon. Word is the 'buzz' on SS is strong within the industry now so the album should surface before year's end at this rate.

"Word is the buzz on SS is strong NOW"...

Sorry to be a cynic, but I'm beginning to think this has been one big publicity stunt...

I don't believe it was a publicity stunt. That is not Jeff's style to do such a thing. They thought they were doing the shows and they got cancelled that's all.
Teri

[Serendipity]

I don't believe it was a publicity stunt. That is not Jeff's style to do such a thing. They thought they were doing the shows and they got cancelled that's all.
Teri

You are right in saying that it isn't Jeff's style to do such a thing, but I wonder how much he had to say in this matter. I doubt that he is higher in the band's hierarchy than Neil Schon... The way I see it, is that JSS has been the only bandmember with the decency to at least come with a statement. The second post, which was not written by JSS, was the one on which I made my assumption of this all being a publicity stunt.

IMO the only thing that caused a "strong buzz" was the publicity about the gigs not happening; they didn't get cancelled BTW, as they hadn't been confirmed to begin with... Anyway, this news has made the name of Soul Sirkus widely known. That is quite an achievement without advertising, performing or having released an album...

Still, it might be that they haven't been this calculating, but just have been plain stupid, by posting premature information on their website. Either way, it has lost them a lot of goodwill, I would say.

[msmercury01]

S'dip you are right that it may have been out of Jeff's hands.

[Rockindeano]

Uh forget the conspiracy theories. I just saw VH at LA and I believe, sincerely, that they did not allow Soul Sirkus to perform was Neal Schon would most definetaly blow Eddie out of the water. They simply were not that good. Eddie is still in the 80's, while Neal continues to improve.