Perry Interview

[yogi]

I have seen the current rendition of Journey( twice ). Once they were flat out awesome, the second time they were going through the motions ( Main Event Tour).

I saw Journey with Steve Perry twice also, and Steve solo once.

My ENTIRE point is that the politics of the situation really has nothing to do with the music that a band creates together. Is Barry Bonds any less of a baseball player because he may be a jerk???

Take out the personalties and the all the interviews and just play the music.

When you take out all of the politics there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY you can even compare Steve A. to Steve P. They are not in the same league.
Steve A. is making a living on singing the songs that Steve P. helped create.

Is Journey today a VERY GOOD band?? Hell YES they are. They are great.

As to comparing them to 'Classic' Journey, or 'Classic' Styx, they are not in the same league.

P.S. When I saw Steve A. for the first time and heard Journey's Remember Me sung live I went out and ordered the Tall Stories CD. Steve sounds good. The songs are mostly fair at best, and I have not listened to that CD in well over two years. For the life of me I can not figure out why Remember Me is not a staple in the Journey set. That song IS classic Journey.

[NoMoreTails]

[Gregg worked for that reunion for YEARS...HE is the reason it happened - NOT STEVE PERRY..

I didn't realize Gregg was the one who had pushed for the reunion rather than Jon, Neal, or Herbie. I'd like to hear more on this. It's a shame how many bodies were stepped over to keep Perry happy with or part of Journey, and sad that the others went along with him.

[Red13JoePa]

There is a school of thought that the band tried to reuinite with Perry snubbing them and Schon/Cain/Rollie/Valory/Smitty/Kevin CHalfont reforming Journey. The theory goes that that incarnation of the band disintegrated when Columbia got wind and contacted Perry and dangled carrots to reform the '81-'85 lineup only w/out Gregg and Chalfont.

[NoMoreTails]

There is a school of thought that the band tried to reuinite with Perry snubbing them and Schon/Cain/Rollie/Valory/Smitty/Kevin CHalfont reforming Journey. The theory goes that that incarnation of the band disintegrated when Columbia got wind and contacted Perry and dangled carrots to reform the '81-'85 lineup only w/out Gregg and Chalfont.

I was familiar with this incarnation but hadn't heard specifically that he had been actively campaigning for it to happen, I had assumed he was approached by the others rather than possibly being the one to approach them.

[The_Noble_Cause]

There is a school of thought that the band tried to reuinite with Perry snubbing them and Schon/Cain/Rollie/Valory/Smitty/Kevin CHalfont reforming Journey. The theory goes that that incarnation of the band disintegrated when Columbia got wind and contacted Perry and dangled carrots to reform the '81-'85 lineup only w/out Gregg and Chalfont.

It's not a 'theory' or a 'school of thought'. Chlfant has confirmed it a bunch of time and Perry was even asked how he felt about the Chalfant-lineup in an interview. Andrew asked Kevin about it in an interview on this very site. Here's the quote:


Andrew: Ok, tough question...we all know you almost had the job as vox in Journey...what really went wrong?

Kevin Chalfant: Man, Andrew, you like to dig don't you? I am going to buy you a tractor with a back hoe on it one of these days!
Journey...they are my musical family. I have gotten so much from being associated with their incredible legacy. First of all, I harbor no bitterness of anger for the decision they have made. Many people ask me this question and I have to say that I am just very blessed and fortunate to be able to say that they are my friends. I had been writing with Neal, Jonathan, and Gregg when the rumors were flying.
Steve Perry came back to make another record and Ross told me that they (Steve & Ross) had discussed me. He told Ross that he thought that I was a great singer, the feelings are mutual. After that record was released, the feelings about my involvement changed. I can't put my finger on any one thing. It doesn't really matter though. Steve Augeri is a great guy and a great talent. I hope that they let us open for them. It sure would make for an exciting evening for the fans, would it not?

[Red13JoePa]

Ex-Fucking-CCCUUUUuuuusssseee me.
I look at it as an aleternative and intriguing theory theory that differs decidedly from the official version.
Come on, TNC. I believe in you. Believe in ME.

[NealIsGod]

Ex-Fucking-CCCUUUUuuuusssseee me.
I look at it as an aleternative and intriguing theory theory that differs decidedly from the official version.
Come on, TNC. I believe in you. Believe in ME.

Don't hold your breath, Red!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Ex-Fucking-CCCUUUUuuuusssseee me.
I look at it as an aleternative and intriguing theory theory that differs decidedly from the official version.
Come on, TNC. I believe in you. Believe in ME.

The veracity of "theories" are always in doubt.
There's nothing to doubt here.
Ross has confirmed this lineup's existence in a radio interview, and Chalfant has confirmed it numerous times.
Repeat after me, this is NOT a conspiracy theory.

[Red13JoePa]

Reasonable doubt can be cast on it, Counselor, in the fact that Perry/label does not acknowledge that lineup/version's existence.

[The_Noble_Cause]

When you take out all of the politics there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY you can even compare Steve A. to Steve P. They are not in the same league.
Steve A. is making a living on singing the songs that Steve P. helped create.

Who was arguing that?
Each one of your posts so far has been a one-sided argument.
Nobody on here is arguing that the musical output of current Journey is better than the output of the Perry years.
They have written songs just as good though.
And I'm sorry, current Augeri does compare to current Perry.
As hard as it is for you to come to terms with, current Perry is a wheezy asthmatic old fossil.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Reasonable doubt can be cast on it, Counselor, in the fact that Perry/label does not acknowledge that lineup/version's existence.

The Sony label also does not recognize the existence of my "Arrival" cd or my "2001" dvd. Does that mean they don't exist and I am tripping on LSD? Of course not.

[Rockindeano]

I have seen the current rendition of Journey( twice ). Once they were flat out awesome, the second time they were going through the motions ( Main Event Tour).

Yeah, that tour sucked. They didn't like going on at 1030PM every night.

Is Barry Bonds any less of a baseball player because he may be a jerk???

Yes he is. Besides, we really don't know how good Barry Bonds is. I can never vote Bonds into the HOF based on the fact he took roids; but I see your point Yogi.

Take out the personalties and the all the interviews and just play the music.

No. No way. The band has always been about unity, love, optimism and hope. Then we have a digruntled, childish, backstabbing classless ex singer, who's only option now is to bash a band that doesn't need him, and is better without him.

When you take out all of the politics there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY you can even compare Steve A. to Steve P. They are not in the same league.
Steve A. is making a living on singing the songs that Steve P. helped create.

Bullshit Yogi. That's your opinion. I once thought this in 1998, and at that time, Augeri frankly was not worthy of being a singer for a band of this quality. he sure is now, and more. IMO, Augeri will never be as good as Perry was in his prime, but he definitely is in the same league. He is a perfect example at what dedication, hard work and diligence will get someone. Reminds me of a quote by Casey Stengel, ex Yankees Manager:

Motivation will always beat talent. Yup. So Perry had the best voice in music history? I agree, for a period between 1977-1983, he did. Then he got lazy, and he got worse. Augeri did it the other way around.

Is Journey today a VERY GOOD band?? Hell YES they are. They are great.

As to comparing them to 'Classic' Journey, or 'Classic' Styx, they are not in the same league.

Again, bullshit. They are better than classic Styx ever was, and are pretty close to Classic Journey...in fact many of the songs sound better now. They are played at a normal pace, not rushed through in order to accomodate a flailing lead singer, who desired to sing Motown covers and his own solo material over the band he was in. The Motown covers sounded good, but for Christs' sake, you are in Journey! I can see an Elvis cover..ONE song perhaps, but instead of Reach Out and Stand By Me, they could have played The perty's Over, Mother Father, a lot of songs...I know this had to piss Neal off.

P.S. When I saw Steve A. for the first time and heard Journey's Remember Me sung live I went out and ordered the Tall Stories CD. Steve sounds good. The songs are mostly fair at best, and I have not listened to that CD in well over two years.

Tall Stories is decent, but not great. IMO, Augeri got better being around Neal and Jon...just as perry sucked on his own, perry was better too with Schon and Cain.

For the life of me I can not figure out why Remember Me is not a staple in the Journey set. That song IS classic Journey.

I agree, but is not widely known because Sony wouldn't put it into the movie, where it would have gotten some serious attention, and therefore would be more anticipated.. I agree tho, good song.

We all need to be careful in how we label songs, IMO. Saying Remember Me is a "great" song is a bit of a reach. I would say a very solid song, or a good song.

Not preaching, just my 2 cents

[Monker]

My ENTIRE point is that the politics of the situation really has nothing to do with the music that a band creates together.

and, MY point is that I will take the music that Journey has created on Arrival, Red 13, and Generations over ROR and TBF. I will also take the FACT that Journey tours yearly now oever the FACT that Journey stopped doing those type of tours with Perry after Frontiers.

When you take out all of the politics there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY you can even compare Steve A. to Steve P.

Steve Perry doesn't tour. Augeri does. When Perry sings Journey, he sings them in what sounds like a raspy baritone, and not a tenor like Augeri. Perry has turned away from hard rock music since Frontiers. Augeri embraces it. Perry has a big nose, and so does Augeri.

So, yeah, with the exception of their noses, they are not in the same league.

They are not in the same league. Steve A. is making a living on singing the songs that Steve P. helped create.

He's making a living off of the music JOURNEY created by BEING A MEMBER of Journey. There is nothing wrong with that.

As to comparing them to 'Classic' Journey, or 'Classic' Styx, they are not in the same league.

Even if the 'classic' lineup of Journey existed today, it wouldn't be comparable to 1981. Those classic years ENDED with the ROR tour and the fiasco Perry injected into it.

[fred_journeyman]

Ah Monker...(inhale)...your posts are always so full of fresh air! Keep 'em coming, will you?

[Rockindeano]

Welcome back Monker.

I for one value dudes knowledge. he isn't always right( I am though), but Monker brings info to the table tobe sure.

He is a valued soldier in the war on Perryism.

[Free]

I am a little concerned this topic is wavering and getting off topic...

No one has anything else to say about the interview other than Perry's comments on Augeri?

Keep it civil please...

Ya know, I wrote a reply, but it's just the same old BS.

Perry worked so hard to get the band together for the TBF reunion? What a bunch of bull. The only thing he work hard at was getting the band to be how HE wanted it to be, managed by who HE wanted it managed by. For him to somehow take credit for coming into a band that was already together, pushing aside Gregg and 'replacing' Chalfant, and getting rid of Herbie, and saying HE worked hard for the 'reunion', is just one big LIE.

Gregg worked for that reunion for YEARS...HE is the reason it happened - NOT STEVE PERRY. If there had not been a Journey together with Gregg and Kevin, does anybody seriously think Perry would have been interested? No way...in fact HE SAID SO just a few months prior to the band meeting where Gregg and Kevin were axed. Perry being a driving force to get the reunion going is BUNK - and HE knows it. He came in as an after thought - not as a first thought. In fact, it wouldn't suprise me if Gregg and Herbie wanted to do this BECAUSE Perry wasn't involved - and didn't seem to want to be.

Then the 'crack and broke the stone' comments. Perry needs to get over it already. If he's such an all important force within Journey then he should have had NO PROBLEM continuing on without them. But, he did. He can't tour and his 'new' solo music sold like fresh cow pie. As someone else said, the stone was 'cracked' during ROR. Yeah, it was broke when they replaced Perry. But, the band HAD to chisel away a chunk to carry on. I believed that had to happen LONG before even TBF was released. Perry is just PO'd that the stone that is left is still precious...and all he is left with is the fragment that was hacked off. Perry, get over yourself and either be solo, or not. It's up to you and Journey has nothing to do with it.

Also, I frankly don't believe what he said about "Who's Cryin' Now". He goes on and on about how HE pushed for Neal's solo, how HE wouldn't budge. Then, at the end, he said he is glad WE pushed for it. I doubt VERY much that he was the only one arguing for it. I even doubt that he was THE reason why it remained. But, of course he'll take the credit, if he is able.

The rest of the interview was interesting...about the DVD and his view of music in general. When he strays from that he sounds like a whiney baby who is still full of anger and resentment....and he wants to blame Journey. Well, you know what? Perry, they don't control you, unless you LET them. You are responsible for your own future and happiness. At your age, you should have learned that a long time ago.

I have always believed that Perry simply isn't interested in recording any longer. Now he says he is. Well, we'll see. If that passion is truly there, then maybe he will...But, I'm not counting on it.

Will you be my hero?

[junky]

Is this Perry's first attempt to "explain himself"?

[ParallelTime]

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

Wow.. that's a tad harsh.

[Rockindeano]

Is this Perry's first attempt to "explain himself"?

Who knows. The guy bitches and moans so much, when he speaks, you never get anything out of him anyway.

If you think he tried to explain himself this time, well....

Perry didn't explain anything. He just disrespected Augeri, and cried a little...Normal BS from a classless human being.

[junky]

Is this Perry's first attempt to "explain himself"?

Who knows. The guy bitches and moans so much, when he speaks, you never get anything out of him anyway.

If you think he tried to explain himself this time, well....

No, I think he thinks he tried.

Just never heard him gush like that before.

[The_Noble_Cause]

They are better than classic Styx ever was, and are pretty close to Classic Journey...in fact many of the songs sound better now.

This is true.

Tall Stories is decent, but not great.

Go listen to it again.
Tall Stories is brilliant. I only WISH current Journey could release an album this good.

IMO, Augeri got better being around Neal and Jon

In what way?
As a vocalist he has improved by leaps and bounds.
However, as a lyricist, the Augeri-penned "Believe" and "Butterfly" are a step backwards. Frankly, they sound very amateur.
Neither are worthy of the Journey name.

We all need to be careful in how we label songs, IMO. Saying Remember Me is a "great" song is a bit of a reach. I would say a very solid song, or a good song.

Gotta agree with Yogi here. As with most of the Schon/Blades collaborations, this song is a modern day Journey classic.

[The_Noble_Cause]

My ENTIRE point is that the politics of the situation really has nothing to do with the music that a band creates together.

and, MY point is that I will take the music that Journey has created on Arrival, Red 13, and Generations over ROR and TBF. I will also take the FACT that Journey tours yearly now oever the FACT that Journey stopped doing those type of tours with Perry after Frontiers.

When you take out all of the politics there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY you can even compare Steve A. to Steve P.

Steve Perry doesn't tour. Augeri does. When Perry sings Journey, he sings them in what sounds like a raspy baritone, and not a tenor like Augeri. Perry has turned away from hard rock music since Frontiers. Augeri embraces it. Perry has a big nose, and so does Augeri.

So, yeah, with the exception of their noses, they are not in the same league.

They are not in the same league. Steve A. is making a living on singing the songs that Steve P. helped create.

He's making a living off of the music JOURNEY created by BEING A MEMBER of Journey. There is nothing wrong with that.

As to comparing them to 'Classic' Journey, or 'Classic' Styx, they are not in the same league.

Even if the 'classic' lineup of Journey existed today, it wouldn't be comparable to 1981. Those classic years ENDED with the ROR tour and the fiasco Perry injected into it.

Again this guy says everything I want to, but I always manage to fall short of.
Very well put.

[Rockindeano]

In what way?
As a vocalist he has improved by leaps and bounds.
However, as a lyricist, the Augeri-penned "Believe" and "Butterfly" are a step backwards. Frankly, they sound very amateur.
Neither are worthy of the Journey name.

That's your opinion. TNC, a lot of people like Believe, and I think butterfly is brilliant.

We all need to be careful in how we label songs, IMO. Saying Remember Me is a "great" song is a bit of a reach. I would say a very solid song, or a good song.

Um, that is MY quote, not Yogis.'

[The_Noble_Cause]

That's your opinion. TNC,

No shit.

I think butterfly is brilliant.

Even the title (she flies alone) is beyond cliche.
Please don't make me laugh.
The song is merely "OK" at best.

[Rockindeano]

Seriously, I really like it..At first, I thought it was too slow, bt the guitar and words are brilliant.

[Rockindeano]

Seriously, I really like it..At first, I thought it was too slow, bt the guitar and words are brilliant.

[The_Noble_Cause]

We all need to be careful in how we label songs, IMO. Saying Remember Me is a "great" song is a bit of a reach. I would say a very solid song, or a good song.

Gotta agree with Yogi here. As with most of the Schon/Blades collaborations, this song is a modern day Journey classic.

Um, that is MY quote, not Yogis.'

Sorry. I didn't mean that the above quote was Yogi's. What I meant to say is that I side with Yogi on this particular issue.
Like Yogi, I feel that "Remember Me" is one of the true classic songs the current lineup has produced.
You state it's merely "decent" or "good".
I disagree.
That's what I'm saying. Sorry for the confusion.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Seriously, I really like it..At first, I thought it was too slow, bt the guitar and words are brilliant.

I think it's a failed effort. It's almost good. It's got a similar female-reflective vibe to it like other Augeri compositions such as "Jamie", "Somewhere She Waits For Love", or "Restless One".
Ultimately, Butterfly is almost decent , but like Believe, it succumbs to tedious, drawn-out repetition in the end.
One refrain of "in a cage, tried to escape..." too many imo.

[Rockindeano]

Seriously, I really like it..At first, I thought it was too slow, bt the guitar and words are brilliant.

I think it's a failed effort. It's almost good. It's got a similar female-reflective vibe to it like other Augeri compositions such as "Jamie", "Somewhere She Waits For Love", or "Restless One".
Ultimately, Butterfly is almost decent , but like Believe, it succumbs to tedious, drawn-out repetition in the end.
One refrain of "in a cage, tried to escape..." too many imo.

you're the most negative SOB I have ever talked to. Dont get me wrong, i think you are funny as shit, and Ilike you, but come on, you criticize every song ever written.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Seriously, I really like it..At first, I thought it was too slow, bt the guitar and words are brilliant.

I think it's a failed effort. It's almost good. It's got a similar female-reflective vibe to it like other Augeri compositions such as "Jamie", "Somewhere She Waits For Love", or "Restless One".
Ultimately, Butterfly is almost decent , but like Believe, it succumbs to tedious, drawn-out repetition in the end.
One refrain of "in a cage, tried to escape..." too many imo.

you're the most negative SOB I have ever talked to. Dont get me wrong, i think you are funny as shit, and Ilike you, but come on, you criticize every song ever written.

Dave agrees with every word stated above concerning Butterfly.
Wanna bash him for his opinion, too?