The ultimate Steve Perry sound-alike/look-alike.

[conversationpc]

All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer - And your argument doesn't really hold water when you pick and chose audio portions to make your point. Especially since I have probably the largest availability of media out there of any Journey tribute performer. Hugo's a good singer and he's great at what he does. But come on, you didn't really expect to say I "don't sound like Steve Perry" and not expect me to chime in here, do you?

Exactly...You sound enough like Perry to pull off those tunes with ease but you definitely also have a slightly different character to your voice, which I like.

BTW, that version of "Faithfully" is one of the best I've heard from anyone. Great stuff!

Thanks, man. I guess my only point was if someone is going to say I "don't have what it takes" to pull it off, they're not paying attention.

Punching out - See everyone in Arlington on Saturday!

Dang! I'm jealous. Let me know if you're ever in the Indianapolis area.

[EightyRock]

This is absolutely friggin hilarious! Man, am I glad I tuned in to this thread for a morning laugh.
Every friggin-body wants to sound like Steve Perry and every friggin-body (or I'll say most of them) want Journey's lead singer to sound like him, too. They say noooo, that's not what we want, but the second one of the dirty dozen doesn't come close to the original, they are freakin' out. Doesn't that tell anybody anything? Journey will be linked to Perry's voice for all eternity, hell or high water.
Journey chose Augeri because they thought he was Perry with a perm. They don't care what their singer looks like as long as he isn't bone ugly to turn off the chics and can at least attempt to sound like Perry.
Bottom line is this...the band has to go back to melodic rock, square one. Nothing else worked. Arrival too sappy. Red13 too heavy. Generations too all over the place and had no lead singer. There's nothing left but to try to recreate what they have done in the past that was successful with the fans. It is the antithesis of the direction Neal wanted to forge for his version of Journey. It is coming full circle, but they will never get out of Perry's shadow. Jeff is a KILLER vocalist, but that shadow looms too large, even for him. Journey's had nine years of struggle and how many of them propped up with tape-gate in order to just get to this point. Now they've got another vocalist and people are still screaming that he doesn't sound enough like Perry.
That's my take on Perry clones or ANY singer that gets the thankless job of trying to front Journey. God bless ya.

[Voyager]

All I'm saying is this - You can promote Hugo all you want to without tearing down another band or singer.

Why not address your instruction in forum etiquette at the person who first did this? My comment was in response to the "tearing down" of Hugo in the statement below:

Agree he has the Perry look, but Im afraid his "impersonation" in the voice dept, pales into insignificance.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

I have to agree, even without ever getting the gig myself, I would find it kinda creepy & a bit comical if they had a carbon copy of the original...think if Van Halen had gotten a DLR clone or Queen with a Freddie lookalike, the credibility of the band would be a joke instead of giving them a chance to possibly do something that furthers the band.

No offense taken & I understand the post/reasons, but nothing ventured nothing gained & now we shall venture!!

AVENTURA!

[Enigma869]

HUGO CAN'T HELP WHAT HE LOOKS OR SOUNDS LIKE

I think you're missing the point of those of us who have an issue with Hugo! You are absolutely correct that nobody can control who they look like...Nature made that happen! That said, this guy takes it MUCH further and dresses like Perry! That will always be a bit too much for me! Whether or not Jeremey sounds like Perry or not never really mattered much to me, because he isn't Perry, and more importantly, isn't trying to look or act like Perry! Honestly, if this Hugo guy had a better voice than Perry (which he doesn't), I still would be creeped out by the guy! I agree with the point that there is no shame in making some money being in a tribute band, but, you should still try to be your own person.

I believe by making a concerted effort (which Hugo clearly does with the hair and wardrobe selections) to look and act like the guy you're attempting to pay tribute to...you turn it into something that isn't meant to be taken seriously, from a "tribute" standpoint!

John from Boston

[Voyager]

I think you're missing the point of those of us who have an issue with Hugo! You are absolutely correct that nobody can control who they look like...Nature made that happen! That said, this guy takes it MUCH further and dresses like Perry! That will always be a bit too much for me!

So does Jeremey - just look at the video clips he posted. While Jeremey may not have the long hair or the slender Perry physique, he still wears the tight leather pants and the coat with tails - which are Perry signature styles. Personally, I think the Perry garb looks more fitting on Hugo, who has the Perry physique and hair.

What's wrong with impersonators trying to look like the person they are imitating? Should Elvis impersonators try to look like Mick Jagger?

[larryfromnextdoor]

HUGO CAN'T HELP WHAT HE LOOKS OR SOUNDS LIKE

I think you're missing the point of those of us who have an issue with Hugo! You are absolutely correct that nobody can control who they look like...Nature made that happen! That said, this guy takes it MUCH further and dresses like Perry! That will always be a bit too much for me! Whether or not Jeremey sounds like Perry or not never really mattered much to me, because he isn't Perry, and more importantly, isn't trying to look or act like Perry! Honestly, if this Hugo guy had a better voice than Perry (which he doesn't), I still would be creeped out by the guy! I agree with the point that there is no shame in making some money being in a tribute band, but, you should still try to be your own person.

I believe by making a concerted effort (which Hugo clearly does with the hair and wardrobe selections) to look and act like the guy you're attempting to pay tribute to...you turn it into something that isn't meant to be taken seriously, from a "tribute" standpoint!

John from Boston

i think some musicians start playing and singing because of
the "one" person , then if they are good and they look like the
idle , then they somehow start living that part.. does ncneil freak
folks out ? i think its all fun,, i mean look at these guys,, but for most,
its just a job..

[Voyager]

P.S. - I don't want Jeremey or anyone else think that I am trying to make a personal slam against him. McNeil slammed Hugo in favor of Jeremey, so I just replied with my opinion. That said, I think Jeremey sounds good as a singer and I would pay to see his band "Frontiers" if they came to my area. If I could sing as well as Jeremey does, I would probably front a Journey tribute band also. More power to him.

[larryfromnextdoor]

P.S. - I don't want Jeremey or anyone else think that I am trying to make a personal slam against him. McNeil slammed Hugo in favor of Jeremey, so I just replied with my opinion. That said, I think Jeremey sounds good as a singer and I would pay to see Frontiers if they came to my area. If I could sing as well as Jeremey does, I would probably front a Journey tribute band also. More power to him.

dang drummer... what does 7-11 coffee and ginger baker have in common? they both suck with out cream.... its an old joke i know..

[Enigma869]

What's wrong with impersonators trying to look like the person they are imitating? Should Elvis impersonators try to look like Mick Jagger?

I think what you said proves you have no idea what I'm saying! To answer your question...There is NOTHING "wrong" with an impersonator looking like the person they are "imitating"! In fact, I'm pretty sure that's the whole idea! That said, there is a HUGE difference between an impersonator and someone paying "tribute" to someone in a band...at least in my mind, there is! I wasn't aware that Hugo was an "impersonator"! I thought he was simply fronting a Journey tribute band, and again, they're not the same to me. I don't know anything about Hugo, except his act. I can only assume, based upon what he does, that he has an immense respect for the immense talent of Steve Perry. Anyone who feels that way is pretty okay with me, but, it still doesn't change the fact that him trying to imitate Perry completely is a bit too much for my taste!

As far as Jeremey is concerned, I haven't seen Jeremey perform live, but I think he is a very talented guy. I've also talked to him, and he's a good dude. I think part of what works for Jeremey (and I even told him as much) is that the guy looks like my accountant (or anyone's accountant, for that matter). He doesn't have the stereotypical "rock n' roll" look about him, so I wasn't expecting him to sound quite as good as he does. I know a look doesn't matter much, but, we all have our own pre-conceived ideas about what a guy in a rock n' roll band is supposed to look like! I can't comment on his tails, as I haven't seen him wearing them. Even if he did...at least he didn't grow his hair down to his ass to add to the look!

John from Boston

[Tarseea]

No offense but you aren't going to ever find anyone to fill the shoes of Steve Perry and if I was a preformer I would want to be remembered for leaving my own mark on a band not copying someone else......Perry doesn't want the job and if they have to move on I think JSS is the man to help them do that.

[Jeremey]

Hey guys, no offense or hard feelings here - I felt it necessary to chime in simply because if it's my job to be in a Journey tribute band, and folks start getting the idea that I don't sound like Steve Perry, well, then, I'm not doing my job, and less people will want to come to our shows. As far as leather pants and tails - Well, should I dress up like John's accountant? Anyway, I don't think anyone who's seen a show actually thinks I am "impersonating" Steve Perry up there. We're just paying tribute to the songs and I interpret them in my own way.

[larryfromnextdoor]

No offense but you aren't going to ever find anyone to fill the shoes of Steve Perry and if I was a preformer I would want to be remembered for leaving my own mark on a band not copying someone else......Perry doesn't want the job and if they have to move on I think JSS is the man to help them do that.

perry was sure enough one of a kind... but cant you leave your own mark and still celebrate others accomplishments,, i love tribute bands.. imagine someone playing journey tunes in our area monthly,, what a good time.. thanks jeremey,,wish you were in texas !!! i do have to agree,, its time to get YOUR album together,, get to recording!!

[Jeremey]

perry was sure enough one of a kind... but cant you leave your own mark and still celebrate others accomplishments,, i love tribute bands.. imagine someone playing journey tunes in our area monthly,, what a good time.. thanks jeremey,,wish you were in texas !!! i do have to agree,, its time to get YOUR album together,, get to recording!!

Thanks Larry! I would love to get something finished with Juhani. We have talked very recently about finishing the Elemental project, but there are personal timetables we both have to work within, so there's no telling what may happen. But I know we'll finish another song sometime soon.

[Voyager]

There is NOTHING "wrong" with an impersonator looking like the person they are "imitating"! In fact, I'm pretty sure that's the whole idea! That said, there is a HUGE difference between an impersonator and someone paying "tribute" to someone in a band...at least in my mind, there is!

What would you think if someone was fronting an Elvis tribute band but they looked like Vince Neil? Now that would be fucking weird!

[Tarseea]

Okay that would be too wierd

[Vladan]

Hugo sux.

[stevew2]

Hey guys, no offense or hard feelings here - I felt it necessary to chime in simply because if it's my job to be in a Journey tribute band, and folks start getting the idea that I don't sound like Steve Perry, well, then, I'm not doing my job, and less people will want to come to our shows. As far as leather pants and tails - Well, should I dress up like John's accountant? Anyway, I don't think anyone who's seen a show actually thinks I am "impersonating" Steve Perry up there. We're just paying tribute to the songs and I interpret them in my own way.

You and your band are fucking awesome!! Just keep doing what you feel like doing. we love it! Ill l be rockin with you guys this Sat. You sing your ass off!! and you are a cool dude and your band rocks also.

[stevew2]

If want an accountant ill go to H and R Block,If i want to her some great Journey music,Frontiers will do the job!!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Jeremy is as eerily close to Perry as humanly possible.
I've heard Hugo.
I even own "Fire in the Night" (or whatever the fuck its called) and I can say unequivocally, on no uncertain terms, that he sucks. His voice is thin, thin, thin.

Jeremy and Chalfant comprise the top tier of all-time Perry dopplegangers.

[SteveForever]

Jeremy is as eerily close to Perry as humanly possible.
I've heard Hugo.
I even own "Fire in the Night" (or whatever the fuck its called) and I can say unequivocally, on no uncertain terms, that he sucks. His voice is thin, thin, thin.

Jeremy and Chalfant comprise the top tier of all-time Perry dopplegangers.

you suck, Hugo rocks!!!

[NealIsGod]

Jeremy is as eerily close to Perry as humanly possible.
I've heard Hugo.
I even own "Fire in the Night" (or whatever the fuck its called) and I can say unequivocally, on no uncertain terms, that he sucks. His voice is thin, thin, thin.

Jeremy and Chalfant comprise the top tier of all-time Perry dopplegangers.

Did you listen to those Sam Hill clips that were posted recently, TNC? I thought he sounded very clost to Perry, but all I heard was 2 clips.

[ohsherrie]

Jeremey's voice, both the tone and his vocal performance, is the closest to Perry's of any that I've heard.

[Voyager]

Hugo sounds more like Steve Perry than anyone I've ever heard - including Jeremey and Steve Augeri. I guess it's all in the ear of the listener. However, I am not going to stoop to saying any of these singers "suck". I think that is uncalled for. They are all just Steve Perry fans like you and I, and they happen to have a gift to sing. More power to them for choosing to sing music that I happen to enjoy listening to. Given the chance, I would go and see any one of them and enjoy myself. However, I personally like the fact that Hugo not only sounds like, but also looks like Steve Perry. To me that is a bonus. To someone else it may seem "weird" that he looks so much like Perry, but to me it's no weirder than enjoying the fact that a specific Elvis impersonator sounds AND looks a lot like Elvis.

The whole idea is to recreate the Elvis or the Perry experience as closely as possible. If that is not the case, then why sing the Elvis or the Steve Perry songs to begin with? Why sing "Open Arms" in the same tonal inflection that Perry uses if you are not trying to sound like him? Why wear the coat and tails if you're not trying to look like him? Why wear the slicked-back greasy hair and white jumpsuit if you're not trying to emulate the Elvis persona? Let me go a step further to make my point. If I wanted a Corvette but couldn't afford one, the next best thing would be a Trans Am because it looks and drives a lot like a Corvette. I wouldn't want to buy a Cacillac instead just because it would be "weird" driving something that looked too much like a Corvette.

Let me conclude by saying: Thank you to Jeremey, Hugo, Steve Augeri, and JSS for all that you are doing - and to anyone else who wants to keep the Journey/Steve Perry sound alive. If we didn't all love that music, we wouldn't be here.

[belhair1957]

Let me conclude by saying: Thank you to Jeremey, Hugo, Steve Augeri, and JSS for all that you are doing - and to anyone else who wants to keep the Journey/Steve Perry sound alive. If we didn't all love that music, we wouldn't be here.


AMEN to that !!!!!

[stevew2]

Hugo sounds more like Steve Perry than anyone I've ever heard - including Jeremey and Steve Augeri. I guess it's all in the ear of the listener. However, I am not going to stoop to saying any of these singers "suck". I think that is uncalled for. They are all just Steve Perry fans like you and I, and they happen to have a gift to sing. More power to them for choosing to sing music that I happen to enjoy listening to. Given the chance, I would go and see any one of them and enjoy myself. However, I personally like the fact that Hugo not only sounds like, but also looks like Steve Perry. To me that is a bonus. To someone else it may seem "weird" that he looks so much like Perry, but to me it's no weirder than enjoying the fact that a specific Elvis impersonator sounds AND looks a lot like Elvis.

The whole idea is to recreate the Elvis or the Perry experience as closely as possible. If that is not the case, then why sing the Elvis or the Steve Perry songs to begin with? Why sing "Open Arms" in the same tonal inflection that Perry uses if you are not trying to sound like him? Why wear the coat and tails if you're not trying to look like him? Why wear the slicked-back greasy hair and white jumpsuit if you're not trying to emulate the Elvis persona? Let me go a step further to make my point. If I wanted a Corvette but couldn't afford one, the next best thing would be a Trans Am because it looks and drives a lot like a Corvette. I wouldn't want to buy a Cacillac instead just because it would be "weird" driving something that looked too much like a Corvette.

Let me conclude by saying: Thank you to Jeremey, Hugo, Steve Augeri, and JSS for all that you are doing - and to anyone else who wants to keep the Journey/Steve Perry sound alive. If we didn't all love that music, we wouldn't be here.

Good post,I agree with you. People that say this or that singer sucks, they suck.I admire anyone that has the balls to even attempt to try to sing Journey material

[FezzyChic]

Very good impersonation....all the moves, the gestures! Lacks the voice that Perry has and the dynamics of SP's enigma and personna!! However, they are another good SP sound-alike passtime!

If its not Perry doing Perry songs then it either a good freakin' impersonation or its not.......

[Voyager]

:D
Very good impersonation....all the moves, the gestures, Lacks the voice of Perry and the dynamics of SP's enigma and personna!! But, they are another good SP sound-alike passtime!

Huh? Can someone interpret?

[tammy]

I'm in agreement with what Voyager said (the long post) - I'd tend to want the whole package (looks & voice) in order to re-create the experience...which, doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy a tribute band that did not have a similar looking lead singer to the "real thing". It's all fun, so I'd go (if only they would come out this way). I remember in the 70s going to see an Elvis Presley impersonator (I think he was one of the very first - long before it became a joke) and it was fun - this guy was very good & looked REALLY good, like a young Elvis, but to tell you the truth, I probably wouldn't have gone if the guy looked "way too" different than Elvis.

[Blueskies]

I prefer the way Jeremy does it...doesn't try to be a clone.....his voice is similar to Perry's but he retains his own identity.