Question for the PERRY FANACTICS.....

[jrnyjetster]

There are many of you who have surprisingly come around to accepting Jeff as Journey's frontman......soooo my question is to you all....

EXACTLY what is it about Jeff that has caused you to have more of an open mind about Journey and it's prospects for the future now?

Just curious...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

John D.

[TRAGChick]

There are many of you who have surprisingly come around to accepting Jeff as Journey's frontman......soooo my question is to you all....

EXACTLY what is it about Jeff that has caused you to have more of an open mind about Journey and it's prospects for the future now?

Just curious...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

John D.

Hello, Mr. John D.....and the same to YOU!

Hmmmm....what is it....EXACTLY....?

Um.....

I guess it would be his "bring-it-ON!!" attitude; his energy onstage (according to those who have seen him; I have YET to do so ) and the fact that he's been around for 20 years: He knows what he's stepping into, and has the tenacity and energy to do what is expected of him....and, in THIS case, it's a LOT.

[ohsherrie]

Oh John, I'm so glad you asked this. For me it's all about the quality of the voice, the showmanship and the charisma. JSS has all of that and, for me, Augeri just didn't. I've never seen Perry, Augeri or Jeff live. All I have to go by are videos and concert bootlegs but it only took me a few pictures and bootleg downloads to know that Jeff has what it takes to be the Journey frontman. There's an additional quality that comes through and I can't really put it into words. It's almost like a feeling of energy and power that Augeri never generated for me. Jeff exudes it.

[knox]

For one thing, I like his voice TONS more than Augeri's.

For some reason that I can't put my finger on, I never liked Augeri's voice. He was always straining, sounding hoarse and weak. He didn't have a STRONG voice. He was also too feminine and boring. (Say all you want about Perry's 70's outfits, but he was very masculine).

Soto has muscle behind his voice. He is masculine, and has energy. Where Augeri put me to sleep in the 2001 dvd, Soto wakes me up in every clip I see. Jeff has such a love, a PASSION for the music. He didn't write it, but he sings it like he did. His respect for the songs, for Perry and the rest of Journey is evident not only in word, but in how he performs. He is genuine.

Augeri always seemed too sappy and weak, like he was trying too hard to please the female crowd by being one of them.

He may have been a great guy, I don't know. He may have been an arrogant jerk. I don't know.

Jeff seems like the real deal, Augeri always seemed like a fill in to me. Perhaps I will never put my finger on why I accept Jeff. It sure is easier to like him for some reason, though.

[AR]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

[knox]

I hate metal, and you may be right, AR. I have never heard anything but small clips of Soul Sirkus because it was too hard for my musical taste. I didn't judge Jeff on that, I judge him on Journey songs. He excels in this style of music.

[ohsherrie]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

I can't really say what I might have felt back then, but I can assure you that I wouldn't have been as completely insulted by the Free Per View if Jeff had been singing. It's really not ALL about the first guy to replace Perry. It's just as much about the quality of the guy who replaced him.

[Deb]

Can sum it up in one word for me...........Passion! JSS has got some of Perry's passion for the music again. He's got that same way of captivating the audience like Perry did. First performance/clip with Journey I saw of Jeff's I wasn't completely sold, but then soon found out he had had no prep/rehearsal etc., just thrown right in there. The difference between JSS's first performances and latest ones are night and day. I have collected his previous cds and dvds and see he has always had that charismatic stage presence (actually really enjoy his solo work).......which obviously reviewers and unbiased Journey concert goers are seeing too. If I can't travel back in time and have a Perry-fronted Journey again.........then I can't think of a better person now to have fronting Journey. He brings a long-missed energy back IMO. I don't know, maybe I just see them as two separate entities now....classic Journey w/Perry and future Journey w/JSS. Besides.....helllllllllooooo the guy is "hawt"....exactly what Rock Gods are supposed to be!

[Clasicrockldy]

I wouldn't call myself a Perry fanatic, but a Perry fan.

Well, hmmmmm what can I add to this that hasn't already been said so far? Ok, for one thing, his voice. I do like a singer who has what I call a powerhouse voice. And there is just something there that captures me. Two, JSS knows how to put on a show, an ENERGETIC show ! And three, I just plain like his singing, either in or out of Journey !

[jrnyjetster]

I saw Augeri on some of his first shows with Journey in '98 and he did an admirable job, I was very impressed at the time.

[Blueskies]

Jeff= soulfullness, charisma, passion, stage presence, connects with the audience as well as the band, great voice, adaptive, team player, sense of humor, fantastic song writer, energetic, sex appeal, a great sense of self but not arrogant ,maintains friends and relationships , loves what he does and has fun doing it......just to name a few things.

[ohsherrie]

I saw Augeri on some of his first shows with Journey in '98 and he did an admirable job, I was very impressed at the time.

How do you compare that performance with what you saw in Baltimore?

[ArnelRox]

I'm glad to answer this. I never saw Journey w/Perry unfortunately. I did see Perry live twice on the FLOTSM tour. He had this incredible charisma that just drew u in. He was funny as hell especially when he made fun of himself w/the coat thing. & his voice was just amazing. It brought tears to my eyes. So much emotion.

I had seen Journey w/Augeri. I was very excited to see Journey for the first time ever, but bitterly disappointed w/Augeri. He was ok for a concert. But certain things bugged me. His straining for the notes, his exaggerated facial expressions, his dumbass wiggle, & the fact that he messed up the lyrics. He was just blah to me. Like elevator music. It was exciting to see the band, to see Neal, Jon, Ross, to hear those songs played live by Journey. But the lead vocals were lacking & the frontman's personality was boring compared to what I had seen in Perry. In fact, after 2004, I decided I didn't want to see Journey w/SA again. Maybe I went to too many shows that year or something. But I was burned out. I didn't bother going in 2005 & gave my tix away.

I first saw/heard of Jeff when he was w/SS. I've always been strictly a Journey fan & never followed Neal's solo work at all. But I was out in CA & someone had an extra ticket for an SS concert, so I went. I loved him! He was so charismatic on stage. He had such an infectious energy. He was funny & oh what a great voice. I was really impressed. I never checked his old work out at that time tho. I wish I had.

When he first took over this year, I wasn't sure. I saw his 3rd show. For just stepping in, he was brilliant. But it wasn't quite right yet. I kept believing Jeff could do this tho. I felt he just had to find his groove & get used to it. I was right. When I heard a boot Dean put up later, I swear, sappy as this is, I cried. I was blown away. When I saw him on 11/7, I went nuts. It was amazing.

I've been checking out his older work & I'm just completely blown away even more. When I hear brilliant songs like Mysterious, & Sam Cooke-ish numbers like "Doin' It Wit' My Baby" & his work w/Eyes & other Talisman music, not to mention his solo stuff, I mean it's virtually impossible not to be a fan of this man. He is an excellent songwriter in the same league as Steve Perry, Neal Schon & Jon Cain. Yes, really.

In summary (sorry for being so lengthy), he has a very powerful voice. He sings w/amazing emotion, feeling the songs as he hits the notes. His energy onstage is mind boggling. He draws u right in & he makes u feel good. U just wanna get up & dance. Looking around at all the Leppard fans really loving it during the show, talking to them during the break & hearing them say they thought Journey was dead but this new guy is awesome, well that was all great too. Jeff's got it going on.

[ArnelRox]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

Honestly, I don't think so for me. SS wasn't what I would consider "metal". Nor is Talisman, even tho they get that label sometimes. Eyes certainly wasn't metal. Jeff's solo work is ANYTHING but. I never thought Augeri was the right choice. To me, he made Journey elevator music.

[Monker]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

Yep...I have no doubt about that.

[AR]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

Honestly, I don't think so for me. SS wasn't what I would consider "metal". Nor is Talisman, even tho they get that label sometimes. Eyes certainly wasn't metal. Jeff's solo work is ANYTHING but. I never thought Augeri was the right choice. To me, he made Journey elevator music.

Soto has done a TON of metal.

I also think Jeff sounds MUCH like Joe Lynn Turner in the lower registers. (Compliment)

[jrnyjetster]

How do you compare that performance with what you saw in Baltimore?

Well sherrie....Augeri was very timid on stage in the beginning...but he sang well. SOTO is like WHOA...holy shit...the ENERGY that comes from this guy is absolutely addicting!

[Clasicrockldy]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

Not me AR. I would probably not even know about it until 2003 ! Lmao !

[AR]

How do you compare that performance with what you saw in Baltimore?

Well sherrie....Augeri was very timid on stage in the beginning...but he sang well. SOTO is like WHOA...holy shit...the ENERGY that comes from this guy is absolutely addicting!

Augeri in Baltimore was FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In previous tours, I am WAY more forgiving. I have seen many great bands live where the vocalist wasn't spot on. I think the JRNY fan base is semi-insane sometimes. I am used to the vocals being "ok to good" Augeri was certainly acceptable. I am more interested in an active JRNY than a RETIRED - DON'T FRACTURE THE STONE - memory.

Augeri fed the casual fan and did it well. If you think differnetly, guess what? The band disagreed.

Sorry to tell you, with the amps and the songs blaring, Augeri was an acceptible replacement.

I know how much better JSS is, but I myself liked the Augeri shows until the tour before he faked it (band fault too) and the general public could care less.

Everything is getting better. Augeri had his place - LET IT ALONE. Then the wigglers will fucking leave. It is fucking ok to actually say that Augeri did some good. Fucking ask Deano.

The band has turned the motherfucking corner. Try to leave the past behind. The ones like certain songs/eras - shoud be INCLUDED and not made fun off.

[AR]

I have a handle on this - BIG TIME. No stupid pics or fighting right now.

[Deb]

I think that the Perry people would have attacked JSS like a pack of mad dogs in 98. "Metalhead" and that kind of shit.

IMO.

If you're talking about the Malmsteen stuff, you're right.....it is a little too metal for my tastes. LOL, gawd I remember my little brother air-guitaring to Malmsteen years ago. I definately don't consider Talisman or JSS's solo stuff too metal tho.

[AR]

I definately don't consider Talisman or JSS's solo stuff too metal tho.

Agreed, but not JRNYesgue at all. No way, no how.

[ohsherrie]

How do you compare that performance with what you saw in Baltimore?

Well sherrie....Augeri was very timid on stage in the beginning...but he sang well. SOTO is like WHOA...holy shit...the ENERGY that comes from this guy is absolutely addicting!

Well then, you just answered your own question John.

[Deb]

I definately don't consider Talisman or JSS's solo stuff too metal tho.

Agreed, but not JRNYesgue at all. No way, no how.

I don't know....I hear a little Jrnyesque in his solo stuff....like Eyes of Love, Believe in me, If this is the End.

[jrnyjetster]

Augeri in Baltimore was FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ed, I was referring to Augeri in '98.

[Saint John]

I like Soto because he "gets it." Journey, because of Perry, is about passion. The singing has to emote every ounce of your being. You have to become part of the song. Perry set the bar high. Perry did it better than anyone I've ever heard and Jeff understands what that means. Augeri sang for himself. He sang to sound like Perry. He never had fire or passion. JSS, like Perry, almost seems possessed at times. You can see it in his eyes. He changes, kind of like The Incredible Hulk. Bad example, but the only one I could think of. But you can actually see him become part of the song. That passion is infectious. People feel it. The crowds have felt it. Reviewers have felt it and the BAND has felt it. Just look at Friga and Neal. Augeri only brought passion to overweight females who wanted to pounce on a man a quarter of their weight.

[AR]

Augeri in Baltimore was FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ed, I was referring to Augeri in '98.

Gotcha. They only did a corpoarate gig in Baltimore before though. Don't know the year, but it was for "Rite Aid"

The early tours w/Augeri were in the DC suburbs.

[Carrington]

Augeri only brought passion to overweight females who wanted to pounce on a man a quarter of their weight.

OMG, I think I shit my pants on that one....Hahahahahaaaaa......

[heardonthestreet]

For every one of the six to seven Perryonly fans, here on this board, that have found favor with JSS, there are dozens on the other Steve Perry sites, that still can only relate to Perry.

[ArnelRox]

Soto has done a TON of metal.

Sure but he has also done a TON of other music. What would u call Eyes, Talisman, Ku De Ta, his solo stuff? That's nowhwere near metal.