Soul Sirkus not dead quite yet...

[The_Noble_Cause]

Soul Sirkus, Neal's life raft from the sinking ship that is present day Journey, has some life in it still, according to a post made by JSS.....

"There's been a lot of rumors and speculation flying about the future of SOUL SIRKUS based on some recent interviews from Neal and a post I made MERELY to thank the moderators and guests who ran a SOUL SIRKUS fan site that was recently being closed. My 'words' were that future involvement seemed dismal at this time and place because of scheduling, which I should have been more detailed about, but again, this was a message to individuals, not an official press statement from the band! If it had read 'any touring or new material looked dismal within in the next few months,' that would have been the proper message to have been leaked around the web as now everyone is talking about the band being over, which is NOT the situation!

"The rest of us are doing our individual things at the moment as everyone knows the majority of SOUL SIRKUS time together revolves around Neal and JOURNEY's schedule, which we ALL knew going into this. Neal had about two weeks off the entire year of 2005 and deserves a little down time before either of us continue, so I ask that everyone take a chill pill and let US give you the official word and statements collectively about what's happening instead of elaborating on individual words thrown here and there. SOUL SIRKUS is not dead, we won't go out that easily, that's the official word of January 2006!"

(from http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... ?PageNum=2)

[NoMoreTails]

...Neal's life raft from the sinking ship that is present day Journey...

Do you now share Deano's views on Journey's future?

[Red13JoePa]

"The rest of us are doing our individual things at the moment as everyone knows the majority of SOUL SIRKUS time together revolves around Neal and JOURNEY's schedule, which we ALL knew going into this.
(from http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... ?PageNum=2)

This statement by Soto is replete with bitterness. Sort of like his veiled "Journey is a band that stands on its own legacy" barb back in the spring when implied Journey was the thing keeping SS from being the next audioslave or velvet revolver.

Why, TNC, is Journey a "sinking ship?"

[NealIsGod]

I'll put my money on Journey, not Shit SirkUS. Neal, stop wasting your dough on that bastard band.

[jrnyman28]

"The rest of us are doing our individual things at the moment as everyone knows the majority of SOUL SIRKUS time together revolves around Neal and JOURNEY's schedule, which we ALL knew going into this.
(from http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... ?PageNum=2)

This statement by Soto is replete with bitterness. Sort of like his veiled "Journey is a band that stands on its own legacy" barb back in the spring when implied Journey was the thing keeping SS from being the next audioslave or velvet revolver.

Why, TNC, is Journey a "sinking ship?"

I don't see that statement as bitter at all. I think he is trying to pick his words carefully since his last message was such internet gossip fodder. I read it to mean that all of the band was aware that SS had to revolve aroung Journey and they were OK with it.

As for the "sinking ship", it would appear that Journey certainly needs to get some stuff worked out. There are so many rumors flying around that something must be happening. But Journey supposedly has a tour in the works. If they can put out the DVD and pull off the tour here and in the UK, then it could be a good year!

[NoMoreTails]

As for the "sinking ship", it would appear that Journey certainly needs to get some stuff worked out. There are so many rumors flying around that something must be happening.

Maybe Neal asked Herbie to come back and Herbie said only if you get Perry back, ha.

[Red13JoePa]

Hm. Wonder why this message from JSS was such internet gossip fodder ( ). let's see:
"SOTO SIGNALS THE END OF SOUL SIRKUS:
Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto has signaled the end of Soul SirkUS, the all-sta project that included Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
This news will come of no surprise after Schon signaled he was left out of pocket by the venture and the continuing busy schedule of main band Journey.
Jeff posted the following message to one of the Soul SirkUS message boards:
"I wish I had good/positive news for you all about SS but the future seems dismal, something I/we swore up & down wouldn't be a 'one-off'. I'm saddened by the fact that it is very unlikely we will continue together, my honest opinion is it was doomed from the beginning based on Neal being so heavily involved with Journey still. One of the reasons Hardline & Bad English had their own legs is because of Journey's hiatus during those eras, we had no such luxury.
As a HUGE Journey fan, I would be the LAST person on Earth to want responsibility for their demise just so SS could continue, but unless this was the case, SS became a side project for Neal & us. Add the lack of professional motivation/management/US label/etc., we had no chance of leaving our mark the way we would necessary to have our own legs.
Again, thanks to all who did 'feel' the impact, understand what we were aiming for & did your best to make sure we were heard out there. I beg of you to keep tabs on all of us within our personal sites out there & know this isn't the end, only another beginning. Much love & respect to all," Jeff Scott Soto."

Now how could ANYBODY miscontrue and discontext those remarks about the future of SS as anything but a "We will be back" message? I mean take out the statement about the future seeming dismal, the reference to the project in the past tense ("the project WAS doomed from the beginning"), the farewells and thank yous, the inditement of management, the statement that this "Is another beginning," and the annoucement a day or 2 later that he is reforming and going full steam ahead with Talisman again already with a new album title and the future seems rosy just as JSS says now.

[Red13JoePa]

This is my favorite part:

JSS: "As a HUGE Journey fan, I would be the LAST person on Earth to want responsibility for their demise just so SS could continue,"

Now take the first part of that sentace and without removing context at all follow it with this next clause, which is exactly how he said it,

JSS: "but unless this was the case,"

you got a kind of a threat ( ) in the guise of at best sour grapes.

[NoMoreTails]

Ya think Neal called Jeff to say what the hell do you think you're doing saying its over...

[Red13JoePa]

As for the "sinking ship", it would appear that Journey certainly needs to get some stuff worked out. There are so many rumors flying around that something must be happening. But Journey supposedly has a tour in the works. If they can put out the DVD and pull off the tour here and in the UK, then it could be a good year!

And what are the rumors based on and founded in? I hope not a few people listening to audience-recorded bootlegs and jumping to conclusions.

[Red13JoePa]

Ya think Neal called Jeff to say what the hell do you think you're doing saying its over...

Yea, ya think?!?!

"just blame it on context and misunderstanding, Jeff Scott Soto. I knew we had a common habit of talking first and backing it up later, shit I've done this with a bunch of things like the Warfield DVD, but, but bro, you've got a reign on your sibling rivavlry with Journey."

[The_Noble_Cause]

Maybe Neal asked Herbie to come back and Herbie said only if you get Perry back, ha.

According to Herbie the guys have asked him to come back and he simply isn't interested. He's too old to go through with it all again. As for what concessions would have to be made on the band's part to lure Herbie back, I really have no idea. Though I think it's safe to rule out Perry's return as an option. If u'll recall, Herbie was the staunchest advocate of giving Perry the boot during the mid 80's.

[NoMoreTails]

Maybe Neal asked Herbie to come back and Herbie said only if you get Perry back, ha.

According to Herbie the guys have asked him to come back and he simply isn't interested. He's too old to go through with it all again. As for what concessions would have to be made on the band's part to lure Herbie back, I really have no idea. Though I think it's safe to rule out Perry's return as an option. If u'll recall, Herbie was the staunchest advocate of giving Perry the boot during the mid 80's.

Yeah, I intended to make a joke, as is the case with most comments I make regarding Perry.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Yeah, I intended to make a joke, as is the case with most comments I make regarding Perry.

If Herbie did come back though, I do wonder what changes he'd put in place.

[NoMoreTails]

Yeah, I intended to make a joke, as is the case with most comments I make regarding Perry.

If Herbie did come back though, I do wonder what changes he'd put in place.

If my joke turned out to be true, wouldn't that be a shocker? I don't think Herbie'd be interested in taking another back stabbing.

Regarding the changes he'd make if he he did come back, are you referring to bringing in KC in place of SA? Do you think he's better than Augeri of 2005 and in touring shape? How much older is he than SA?

[jrnyman28]

I thought Herbie was in line for SS...nothing to do with Journey (yet). I know he turned Journey down back in 1998 or so, but I am more interested in what happened to him managing SS.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Regarding the changes he'd make if he he did come back, are you referring to bringing in KC in place of SA? Do you think he's better than Augeri of 2005 and in touring shape? How much older is he than SA?

Though he's modest about it, KC is a superior talent to Augeri, always has been, and would've made a much better Journey frontman then Augeri. With that said, Kevin is getting up in his years and *IF* Journey was to get another singer, I do not believe Kevin would be included.


The pros and cons of Kevin vs. Augeri is elaborated here if anyone's interested:

http://www.journey-zone.com/Features/Ed ... _08-03.htm

One piece of pontification that's worth mulling over is this:

"So how would today’s Journey be different had Kevin Chalfant been chosen? It’s hard to say. Certainly the die-hard Steve Perry fans would not be able to accuse Schon and Cain of choosing a Steve Perry lookalike. Kevin Chalfant looks nothing like Steve Perry. He’s shorter, has very different features (read: no schnoz!), and dresses less garishly (no tails or leopard prints). But he sure can belt ‘em, in a way that puts Steve Augeri, unfortunately, to shame. Steve Augeri works very hard, and he’s got a lot of heart. He’s also a very nice guy, to be sure. But so is Kevin Chalfant. And somehow I doubt Kevin Chalfant would have performed on CBS’ The Early Show in 2001 with a sore throat and a bad cold. I also think Chalfant would have contributed more in the songwriting department than Steve Augeri (take a listen to either of The Storm albums and you’ll know what I mean). And finally, there would likely be a very different band dynamic, onstage as well as off. An old Herbie Herbert and Nocturne crony, Chalfant can assert himself, and he wouldn’t feel eternally grateful to Schon and Cain for giving him his 'last shot', as Augeri must feel. He’d bring more perspective to the job, and he’d be a true 'equal partner'.

[NoMoreTails]

I thought Herbie was in line for SS...nothing to do with Journey (yet). I know he turned Journey down back in 1998 or so, but I am more interested in what happened to him managing SS.

Yes, I am getting off topic.
Herbie was supposedly working on the SS/XM deal, evidently the deal fell through as JSS has made remarks concerning label disinterest. I thought SS was history after asking Neal about it in MB, SC in Nov. Neal's only plans were to take some time off and the move to MN.

[Red13JoePa]

Quote: "So how would today’s Journey be different had Kevin Chalfant been chosen? It’s hard to say. Certainly the die-hard Steve Perry fans would not be able to accuse Schon and Cain of choosing a Steve Perry lookalike."

Is this another person who thinks Augeri is intended to be a perry "look a like?"

What am I missing? They look NOTHING alike, just like perry and chalfont don't look alike. Say what you will about the singing but I think the intermittent accusations of the band trying to have a lookalike in Augie are mind boggling.

[NealIsGod]

Quote: "So how would today’s Journey be different had Kevin Chalfant been chosen? It’s hard to say. Certainly the die-hard Steve Perry fans would not be able to accuse Schon and Cain of choosing a Steve Perry lookalike."

Is this another person who thinks Augeri is intended to be a perry "look a like?"

What am I missing? They look NOTHING alike, just like perry and chalfont don't look alike. Say what you will about the singing but I think the intermittent accusations of the band trying to have a lookalike in Augie are mind boggling.

I disagree, Red. Surely you see the similarities. Both Perry and Augeri have two eyes, a nose and a mouth. And they both have dark hair.

I rest my case.

[NoMoreTails]

"So how would today’s Journey be different had Kevin Chalfant been chosen? It’s hard to say. Certainly the die-hard Steve Perry fans would not be able to accuse Schon and Cain of choosing a Steve Perry lookalike. Kevin Chalfant looks nothing like Steve Perry. He’s shorter, has very different features (read: no schnoz!), and dresses less garishly (no tails or leopard prints). But he sure can belt ‘em, in a way that puts Steve Augeri, unfortunately, to shame. Steve Augeri works very hard, and he’s got a lot of heart. He’s also a very nice guy, to be sure. But so is Kevin Chalfant. And somehow I doubt Kevin Chalfant would have performed on CBS’ The Early Show in 2001 with a sore throat and a bad cold. I also think Chalfant would have contributed more in the songwriting department than Steve Augeri (take a listen to either of The Storm albums and you’ll know what I mean). And finally, there would likely be a very different band dynamic, onstage as well as off. An old Herbie Herbert and Nocturne crony, Chalfant can assert himself, and he wouldn’t feel eternally grateful to Schon and Cain for giving him his 'last shot', as Augeri must feel. He’d bring more perspective to the job, and he’d be a true 'equal partner'.

My thoughts on this are that it sounds like it was written in 98 instead of 2003, before Augeri found his comfort zone and the voice he now has.
As for chemistry and the onstage dynamic, if Neal and Jon felt it would be better with KC, they'd have chosen him. I don't have anything against Chalfont, but I like that Augeri is less similar to Perry. As for looks, I agree with Joe's remarks. Looks shouldn't necessarliy be a consideration, but I believe that the women probably would prefer Augeri in that department. Could that have been a factor? Course, I could be wrong as some of these Perry-heads still think he looks great. After seeing the latest pics of Perry and the latest I could find of KC, they certainly look more alike than SA and SP.
--I didn't mean to make the quote appear to be TNC's remarks.

[yak]

Kevin Chalfant looks nothing like Steve Perry. He’s shorter, has very different features (read: no schnoz!), and dresses less garishly (no tails or leopard prints).

KC is shorter than Perry (who is what, 5'7, 5'8?) Huh?

[The_Noble_Cause]

My thoughts on this are that it sounds like it was written in 98 instead of 2003, before Augeri found his comfort zone and the voice he now has.

What comfort zone? Augeri was terrible in 2003. Even Neal said that Augeri persisted without a voice for the majority of the Main Event tour. Augeri was decent during the '04 Detour tour, but was routinely upstaged by Deen night after night.

[NoMoreTails]

My thoughts on this are that it sounds like it was written in 98 instead of 2003, before Augeri found his comfort zone and the voice he now has.

What comfort zone? Augeri was terrible in 2003. Even Neal said that Augeri persisted without a voice for the majority of the Main Event tour. Augeri was decent during the '04 Detour tour, but was routinely upstaged by Deen night after night.

I agree that the ME tour wasn't his best, I had forgotten that was 2003, Augeri even said he had problems resulting from the dry air as they had rehearsed in Vegas I believe. I do feel that he was comfortable on stage in his position by then. And I disagree about Deen upstaging him in 2004, I thought SA was great the shows I saw. Deen was great but I prefer Augeri to Deen, his voice always sounds thinner to me.

One more issue with that article. They made the statement that Chalfont wouldn't have done the CBS morning show with a sore throat, etc.
I believe he probably is professional enough to do what he had committed to do, Perry is the only Journey member that would have cancelled on that occasion.

[The_Noble_Cause]

.
One more issue with that article. They made the statement that Chalfont wouldn't have done the CBS morning show with a sore throat, etc.
I believe he probably is professional enough to do what he had committed to do, Perry is the only Journey member that would have cancelled on that occasion.

Respectfully disagree.
The CBS appearance was one of the rare chances at mainstream exposure that the new lineup ever had. This was their chance to show the world that they were back, and to show the skeptics that they had found a worthy succesor to fill the shoes of the incomparable Steve Perry.
Going on stage and sounding dreadul is not professionalism, dude.
That's being stupid.
Y'know what they say about first impressions...

[NoMoreTails]

.
One more issue with that article. They made the statement that Chalfont wouldn't have done the CBS morning show with a sore throat, etc.
I believe he probably is professional enough to do what he had committed to do, Perry is the only Journey member that would have cancelled on that occasion.

Respectfully disagree.
The CBS appearance was one of the rare chances at mainstream exposure that the new lineup ever had. This was their chance to show the world that they were back, and to show the skeptics that they had found a worthy succesor to fill the shoes of the incomparable Steve Perry.
Going on stage and sounding dreadul is not professionalism, dude.
That's being stupid.
Y'know what they say about first impressions...

I agree it was a lost opportunity for the new Journey to impress. But I'm assuming the circumstances were that they be recorded the morning they were scheduled to or not at all. If they could have post-poned it, they should have, even if it meant traveling across the country at a later date, regardless of the expense.
Augeri was a professional for going on the morning after a show, being sick, or both and toughing it out. It is the long time members' fault that they didn't cancel, it wouldn't have been his call to make. If you question the professionalism of anyone in this case, it shoud be the management or band, whatever, not that of the new singer. They should have questioned themselves for even scheduling a performance on the morning after a show.

[The_Noble_Cause]

If you question the professionalism of anyone in this case, it shoud be the management or band, whatever, not that of the new singer. They should have questioned themselves for even scheduling a performance on the morning after a show.

Good point. I like you, man. You speak sense.

[NoMoreTails]

If you question the professionalism of anyone in this case, it shoud be the management or band, whatever, not that of the new singer. They should have questioned themselves for even scheduling a performance on the morning after a show.

Good point. I like you, man. You speak sense.

Thanks, I appreciate that. And I agree with you that it was a stupid thing to have happen.
Bottom line on that deal is that it sucks to have missed an opportunity like that as you are right about first impressions. The thought behind it was probably "we'll schedule the recording of this show the morning after our NJ ( or Philly, whatever the case was) show, as we have the day off, the crew can work all night, and we'll still have plenty of travel time for the next show, which was probably the next day. Management probably thought they were genius.

[NoMoreTails]

BTers are saying that within the last couple of weeks both Marco and Jeff have said SS is not done.
I believe if they do continue, Neal's move to MN will be more of an obstacle for them than it will be for Journey.

[NealIsGod]

SS will be dead when Neal says it is. He has probably hemorrhaged enough money to put out 3 Journey CDs!