This Band can Now Make a "Comeback."

[fred_journeyman]

I think it's painfully obvious that Journey is becoming (if not already there) passe. They are stuck in the rut of playing the 10 to 12 hits in concert and really can't get out of that rut.

In my opinion, I think Journey needs to hang up their hat after this tour. Will they? No (and by the way, that's my opinion, not a definitive statement, though because it's directed at Journey, it won't bother some. Had it been directed at Perry, I would have been lambasted as if I "knew" what Perry was going to do or not do. It's an OPINION.). They may even try to put out a new CD with JSS, but the magic is gone.

It's a two-edged sword though, in many respects. On one hand, Journey's constant touring has kept the "playlist" alive and well, and I'm sure they've sold more Journey classic material because of it. I also feel quite certain that had Journey NOT been continually playing year after year since reforming after the TBF debacle, Steve Perry would not be re-releasing his previous music (or Journey's) with new releases on the CDs. That's the upside.

The downside is that they have just worn themselves (and their lead singers) out. I'd say it's time for the band to quit. I'm certainly not interested in going to another concert to hear the same 10 to 12 songs again and it doesn't look like Journey will be playing new music any time soon...

[Matthew]

I also feel quite certain that had Journey NOT been continually playing year after year since reforming after the TBF debacle, Steve Perry would not be re-releasing his previous music (or Journey's) with new releases on the CDs. That's the upside.

Isn't the continued presence of Journey hits on classic rock radio playlists a more significant factor in the continuing sales of the back catalogue?

[Crazie Scarab]

I also feel quite certain that had Journey NOT been continually playing year after year since reforming after the TBF debacle, Steve Perry would not be re-releasing his previous music (or Journey's) with new releases on the CDs. That's the upside.

Isn't the continued presence of Journey hits on classic rock radio playlists a more significant factor in the continuing sales of the back catalogue?

I would have to guess that both play a part in this. And, these re-releases couldn't have been timed any better for release! It's a win-win for all of Journey, past and present!

[Saint John]

I also feel quite certain that had Journey NOT been continually playing year after year since reforming after the TBF debacle, Steve Perry would not be re-releasing his previous music (or Journey's) with new releases on the CDs. That's the upside.

Isn't the continued presence of Journey hits on classic rock radio playlists a more significant factor in the continuing sales of the back catalogue?

I would have to say that Matthew is correct. Perry has been quite active keeping HIS era of tunes in the mainstream. Hell, DSB being on Laguna Beach and in the movie Monster made it one of the MOST DOWNLOADED SONGS OF ALL-TIME. He got it there, not Neal or Augeri. They've been on Scrubs, The Wedding Singer, The Simpsons (countless times), Talladega Nights, The Oscars, Monster, The White Sox stuff and a host of other shows and movies since TBF. That coupled with airplay and great stations like VH-1 Classic have kept the catalog rolling along. HOWEVER, I'm sure the constant touring over the last 8 years has had something to do with the catalog sales. It's just a very small amount compared to what I just mentioned.

[Monker]

Can someone on this board please let me know when was the last time they went to a FREE Toto concert at a casino..?

The first date on their 2006 tour...June 21, 2006, Altoona, Iowa - Free concert at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

You are a riot, Monks...!!

And, you're not facing reality.

[The_Noble_Cause]

They may even try to put out a new CD with JSS, but the magic is gone.

We don't even know what magic Schon/Soto/Cain are even capable of conjuring yet!
Why be so rash to judge.

and it doesn't look like Journey will be playing new music any time soon...

I'm pretty sure JSS isn't one to complacently rest on his laurels.
Again, give them some time.

[Monker]

Anyway...your argument is still flawed. You're suggesting that JSS's arrival, that the hiring of a third singer will reduce Journey to the level of Toto and Styx. But hasn't Journey been at that level for a few years already? Two years ago Journey played on a cruise ship with Styx, for God's sake - and yet you talk as if Journey's status is ABOUT to decline for the first time.

Journey draws at least TWICE the number of fans as Styx. How many times for the 30th anniversary tour did Journey play balloon festivals and free concerts at casinos?

But can JSS improve a bad situation?

Short term, this tour? Sure. Long term, five years from now? Nope, Journey's jumped the shark.

Can Journey headline a major tour instead of opening it?

Right now? At the end of this tour, probably the type of venues the did last tour...but, it will be downhill from there.

Can they produce an album worth listening to?

Don't know.

Can they put on a show where they don't simply go through the motions?

Don't know.

Can they sustain or improve their current income from touring?

It depends on how much casinos and festivals and county fairs offer for performances.

I reckon the hiring of a third singer makes all of this possible. JSS might not be able restore Journey to its former glories but he can certainly help to get the band on an upward curve to some extent.

Don't think so...not in the long term.

[The_Noble_Cause]

And, you're not facing reality.

The reality is Journey will continue to succesfully tour long after you succumb to your terminal butt lesions.
No go fuck that dog-faced wife of yours.

[Crazie Scarab]

I think it's painfully obvious that Journey is becoming (if not already there) passe. They are stuck in the rut of playing the 10 to 12 hits in concert and really can't get out of that rut.

In my opinion, I think Journey needs to hang up their hat after this tour. Will they? No (and by the way, that's my opinion, not a definitive statement, though because it's directed at Journey, it won't bother some. Had it been directed at Perry, I would have been lambasted as if I "knew" what Perry was going to do or not do. It's an OPINION.). They may even try to put out a new CD with JSS, but the magic is gone.

It's a two-edged sword though, in many respects. On one hand, Journey's constant touring has kept the "playlist" alive and well, and I'm sure they've sold more Journey classic material because of it. I also feel quite certain that had Journey NOT been continually playing year after year since reforming after the TBF debacle, Steve Perry would not be re-releasing his previous music (or Journey's) with new releases on the CDs. That's the upside.

The downside is that they have just worn themselves (and their lead singers) out. I'd say it's time for the band to quit. I'm certainly not interested in going to another concert to hear the same 10 to 12 songs again and it doesn't look like Journey will be playing new music any time soon...

I'm not even ready to give up on Journey. Not now! Damn, Fred, if they hang it up now.. that's forever! That's it! You know what I mean?

I say let's see what happens with Journey now that JSS is probably in! I think it'll be great!

Write, write, write, play, play, play & record, record, record, JOURNEY! Hell yeah!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Don't think so...not in the long term.

As if everything was gonna shape up if Steve Augeri were still there.
Once "Arrival" flopped this new era was DOA and stood zero chance of getting back onto the airwaves.
That remains the same be it Augeri or Soto.

I have no idea why you're trying to depict Soto's inclusion as some Journey kiss of death.

[fred_journeyman]

Isn't the continued presence of Journey hits on classic rock radio playlists a more significant factor in the continuing sales of the back catalogue?

You can believe that, certainly. Had Journey not continued touring, then chances are great (I believe) that those same classic tunes would not have the notoriety they do today. The fact that the tunes are played on classic rock stations certainly might play a part, but how does anyone know for sure? I don't think it can be stated that the continued touring plays NO part in keeping that material alive and for anyone who really thinks that, maybe they simply don't want to give any credit to today's Journey.

Even with DSB on Monster, who really truly knows whether or not that would have been there had not it been for the fact that the band continued to tour? Who knows also whether or not everything would have been reissued as it is being reissued with additional material, or that the 1981 concert would finally be released on DVD?

In my opinion, it is the continued presence of Journey on stage that has had that affect on CD and DVD sales. Do you really think that had Journey stopped touring after TBF, that the Houston concert would have seen the light of day on DVD?

Irrespective of all the faults and foibles of today's Journey, the benefit IN MY OPINION has been new releases of old material. I truly don't believe that can be denied, though some will certainly try.

[Monker]

And, you're not facing reality.

The reality is Journey will continue to succesfully tour long after you succumb to your terminal butt lesions.
No go fuck that dog-faced wife of yours.

The reality is that Journey has nowhere to go but down after this tour...we'll see this time next year.

Now that you've finished Lula, go fuck Dean.

[Monker]

I'm not even ready to give up on Journey. Not now! Damn, Fred, if they hang it up now.. that's forever! That's it! You know what I mean?

As Neal said, "this is the last version of Journey". I don't believe JSS was in the band at that time.

I say let's see what happens with Journey now that JSS is probably in! I think it'll be great!

You may think it's great...But, it's starting over a second time...

Write, write, write, play, play, play & record, record, record, JOURNEY! Hell yeah!

You won't get much else other then tour, tour tour. As long as that brings in more money, it's not going to change. Eight years of history proves that.

[Saint John]

And, you're not facing reality.

The reality is Journey will continue to succesfully tour long after you succumb to your terminal butt lesions.
No go fuck that dog-faced wife of yours.

WOW I think that post might even make Deano blush, TNC. What precipitated this? And how do you know what Monker's wife looks like? Just curious.

[Monker]

Don't think so...not in the long term.

As if everything was gonna shape up if Steve Augeri were still there.

Didn't say it would, moron. I said IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SINGING.

Once "Arrival" flopped this new era was DOA and stood zero chance of getting back onto the airwaves.
That remains the same be it Augeri or Soto.

Bingo. So, you obviously agree that the moron who started this thread didn't know what the fuck he was talking about. A 'comeback', yeah, sure.

[Monker]

And, you're not facing reality.

The reality is Journey will continue to succesfully tour long after you succumb to your terminal butt lesions.
No go fuck that dog-faced wife of yours.

WOW I think that post might even make Deano blush, TNC. What precipitated this? And how do you know what Monker's wife looks like? Just curious.

Oh, don't worry. It's just a fuck-fest. I tell him to fuck Lula and Dean, and he tells me to fuck my wife. Maybe you should fuck me so I have an even pair too.

Who cares? It's just words.

[Crazie Scarab]

I have no idea why you're trying to depict Soto's inclusion as some Journey kiss of death.

There will always be those who doubt. It's inevitable.

I know one thing, though. If Journey doesn't push on, not even Journey will know.

[Lula]

The reality is that Journey has nowhere to go but down after this tour...we'll see this time next year.

Now that you've finished Lula, go fuck Dean.

Piss off, Monker. Leave me out of your little squabbles.

[Crazie Scarab]

The reality is that Journey has nowhere to go but down after this tour...we'll see this time next year.

Now that you've finished Lula, go fuck Dean.

Piss off, Monker. Leave me out of your little squabbles.

Then again... there are times I don't appreciate Monker.. Sorry you had to read that shit, Lula.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Didn't say it would, moron. I said IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SINGING.

No, you're making it out to seem that JSS will torpedo this band straight down the tubes.
The "kiss of death" like I said.

[Lula]

Thanks Bri. You know me.... I can handle it

[fred_journeyman]

I have no idea why you're trying to depict Soto's inclusion as some Journey kiss of death.

There will always be those who doubt. It's inevitable.

I know one thing, though. If Journey doesn't push on, not even Journey will know.

I, for one do not believe that Soto's inclusion is a kiss of death for Journey. I believe that Journey is simply on its last leg at this point in time. They've been spending way too many years playing just the hits and not really getting past that playlist. UNLESS Journey gets some real upward momentum, I do not believe that they will ever get beyond the classic nostalgia tour syndrome. That would be fine, if that's where they wanted to be, but they keep giving us (me) the impression that this is NOT where they want to be. Yet, that's where they are...

Journey is not the Classic Rock Allstars. The latter is a group of wonderful musicians/singers from Rare Earth, Iron Butterfly, Sugarloaf and Cannibal and the Headhunters. What they do is pure nostalgia. They know it and the crowd knows it and that's why the band AND the crowd is there. No apologies. Journey is supposed to be a group that has/is evolving into something better, but it is clear that they are not better, but simply nostalgic. They should either accept that label and enjoy it, or do their best to move away from it. Maybe getting a new lead singer will do that, but after this many years since they've reformed with Augeri and Deen, I really have my doubts.

[Crazie Scarab]

I have no idea why you're trying to depict Soto's inclusion as some Journey kiss of death.

There will always be those who doubt. It's inevitable.

I know one thing, though. If Journey doesn't push on, not even Journey will know.

I, for one do not believe that Soto's inclusion is a kiss of death for Journey. I believe that Journey is simply on its last leg at this point in time. They've been spending way too many years playing just the hits and not really getting past that playlist. UNLESS Journey gets some real upward momentum, I do not believe that they will ever get beyond the classic nostalgia tour syndrome. That would be fine, if that's where they wanted to be, but they keep giving us (me) the impression that this is NOT where they want to be. Yet, that's where they are...

Journey is not the Classic Rock Allstars. The latter is a group of wonderful musicians/singers from Rare Earth, Iron Butterfly, Sugarloaf and Cannibal and the Headhunters. What they do is pure nostalgia. They know it and the crowd knows it and that's why the band AND the crowd is there. No apologies. Journey is supposed to be a group that has/is evolving into something better, but it is clear that they are not better, but simply nostalgic. They should either accept that label and enjoy it, or do their best to move away from it. Maybe getting a new lead singer will do that, but after this many years since they've reformed with Augeri and Deen, I really have my doubts.

Well, there you go.. Know it will never be the same as it was 25 years ago, Fred. It's just Journey, us & a few others now. They can't reach the heights once reached, granted. But, they sure can reach to higher heights than they are at right now. No?

I'm not so fast on giving up. Sorry.

[The_Noble_Cause]

As Neal said, "this is the last version of Journey". I don't believe JSS was in the band at that time.

And on the topic of band changes he has said "we may not be done yet!".
Talk is cheap.

[Crazie Scarab]

Thanks Bri. You know me.... I can handle it

Yep!

[The_Noble_Cause]

The reality is that Journey has nowhere to go but down after this tour...we'll see this time next year.

They will hold their own.
Just like they did on the 30th anniversary tour.
Will the profits exceed this year?
Probably not. I don't even think the promoters or the managers expected this kind of bonanza turn out.
However, they will not be circling the drain as you seem to think.

Now that you've finished Lula, go fuck Dean.

How about I fuck your face instead.
When I'm spent, you can go kiss Froy and snowball until time immemorial.

[Monker]

Didn't say it would, moron. I said IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SINGING.

No, you're making it out to seem that JSS will torpedo this band straight down the tubes.
The "kiss of death" like I said.

LOL...the 'kiss of death' happened when some Judas walked up to Augeri and kissed him on the cheak and sacrificed him for all the sins that the BAND has comitted the past year or more. You are just following that propaganda and believe everything that falls in line with the Judas lines of what was.

In the long run, JOURNEY will suffer because of it...Blame whoever you want, Neal, Dean, JSS, you, Andrew, Lula, who cares. When they replaced Augeri without missing a beat, without any public discussion, and continued to tour as if nothing had happened, they jumped the shark. It's just a matter of time before it's seen.

[Crazie Scarab]

How about I fuck your face instead.
When I'm spent, you can go kiss Froy and snowball until time immemorial.

I'll have to send that to Conversationpc to add to that book he's putting together for you!

[fred_journeyman]

We don't even know what magic Schon/Soto/Cain are even capable of conjuring yet!
Why be so rash to judge.

True, we don't.

I'm pretty sure JSS isn't one to complacently rest on his laurels. Again, give them some time.

I'd like to, but do you really think they will be able to extricate themselves from the "nostalgia mill?" I am SO tired of hearing those songs in concert.

[Crazie Scarab]

Didn't say it would, moron. I said IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SINGING.

No, you're making it out to seem that JSS will torpedo this band straight down the tubes.
The "kiss of death" like I said.

LOL...the 'kiss of death' happened when some Judas walked up to Augeri and kissed him on the cheak and sacrificed him for all the sins that the BAND has comitted the past year or more. You are just following that propaganda and believe everything that falls in line with the Judas lines of what was.

In the long run, JOURNEY will suffer because of it...Blame whoever you want, Neal, Dean, JSS, you, Andrew, Lula, who cares. When they replaced Augeri without missing a beat, without any public discussion, and continued to tour as if nothing had happened, they jumped the shark. It's just a matter of time before it's seen.

What you fail to remember, Monker, is that the majority of people who go to shows don't even know WHO Steve Augeri is!