John West on his audition for Journey

[Andrew]

So Augeri was having vocal problems in 98, and Neal & Jon BOTH KNEW THAT and hired HIM ANYWAY!!

Lori

No, he needed to get back in shape. That was all. See my old interviews.

[Carlitto H@kk]

So Augeri was having vocal problems in 98, and Neal & Jon BOTH KNEW THAT and hired HIM ANYWAY!!

Lori

No, he needed to get back in shape. That was all. See my old interviews.

Fuckin' Copy-Wombat!!!

I just told her that!

[Jeremey fan forever]

You know, I liked Augeri, but having a name that ryhmes with Perry is not the same thing as sounding like him! It makes me wonder if Jonathan even knows what Perry sounds like! Hard to tell from that song for sure, but I'll bet he could do Journey's catelogue better than Augeri could. I feel bad that he had trouble singing from the very beginning too. Can't blame him for trying, and he wasn't bad for awhile. I liked him at the shows I saw.

[Andrew]

Steve A was very good for the band for a number of tours. i don't really want this as another thread for debating those virtues.

I just thought John's comments would be of interest to many.

[Jeremey fan forever]

Steve A was very good for the band for a number of tours. i don't really want this as another thread for debating those virtues.

I just thought John's comments would be of interest to many.

It is interesting. Don't get me wrong, I'm just calling like I see it. I liked Augeri a lot anyway, and despite his flaws, I thought he was a class act, and his humble attitude and respect for the band went far to get Journey moving again without Perry.

(Fuck you Deano I can say it if I want to.)

[JeremyP]

I asked singer John West about hsi audition for Journey in 1998, when the guys were looking for a replacement for Steve Perry.

He replied and gave me the ok to print this here. I think it is a very interesting insight with some parallels to today:

"I did try out for Journey in 1998.
I made some recordings in NY of me doing Journey covers and sent it to the guys.
They invited me to Jonathan Cain's home studio in California to meet and do some more recordings. Neal and Jonathan were there and we got along good and the recordings came out excellent.

Neal really dug it, but Jonathan thought it didn't sound enough like Steve Perry. Neal said This is the new sound of Journey....with John West singing it's more powerful, and soulful!

I was one of the top candidates for the gig, but eventually they went with Steve Augeri. He was a dead ringer for Perry in voice, looks, and even name!
Although at the time, he was having problems with losing his voice, they decided to go with him and hope his voice would get stronger with time. Apparently he had been working a day job and not doing much singing at that point.

Steve Perry is not an easy guy to cover based on his range and style. Now that Jeff has the gig, they're back to a more powerful and soulful singer like they would have had in me. He was the natural choice being that he can do it great and he had been playing with Neal.

I love Journey and would jump at the chance to play with them again..."

Thanks for taking the time to do this for us Andrew, I really appreciate it. It's very interesting and informative and it's so cool to have a little glimpse into what went on during that time in the band's history.

[Carlitto H@kk]

I tell ya, there is one thing I liked about this little interview...
It shed some light on something I've suspected for a long time.

Most people, especially the big Augeri fans that are angry right now,
always seem to blame Neal for every band decision if it is what they consider
a bad one. I don't think most peopple realize how much 'say-so' or
'power' Cain has in these decsion processes.

I guarantee you, if Jeff wouldn't have came in and nailed the summer gig
and if Jon wasn't impressed, one of 3 things would be going on:

1. The band would be waiting on Augeri and would give it another go
with him.

2. The band would be in hardcore negotions trying to get Perry back
in the fold for another go-around.

Or third, they would be going on a long and probably permanent
hiatus until option 2 finally kicked in.

Now, this is in no way a slam on Cain.
He's been a crucial and essential part of this puzzle for 26-27 years
and has earned the right to have alot of say.
But folks need to quit swinging on Neal's Nutz and realize that
the Frig is calling alot of the shots too.

[SteveForever]

Makes me wonder if it would have been cool back then to hire 2 singers, like the days with Rollie and Perry.
Then they wouldn't have burned Augeri out on tour, maybe? hopefully Jeff and Deen will continue to share some turns on the songs, let JSS's voice get an intermission. But better to burn out than fade away~~~~carry on my wayward sons....


Edit...Carlitto I like one of your options up there!!!! hmmph!

[Carlitto H@kk]

Makes me wonder if it would have been cool back then to hire 2 singers, like the days with Rollie and Perry.
Then they wouldn't have burned Augeri out on tour, maybe? hopefully Jeff and Deen will continue to share some turns on the songs, let JSS's voice get an intermission. But better to burn out than fade away~~~~carry on my wayward sons....


Edit...Carlitto I like one of your options up there!!!! hmmph!

Jeff has already said that we can expect to hear Deen singing on future tours.
It's less about Jeff needing rest and more about the fact that Jeff, being the class act he is,
realizes how popular Deen's songs in the live sets have become with the fans.
And he has no problem with that. He knows its all about giving the fans the best
show they can and if people come to a show expecting to hear Deen sing a song or 3,
well, that's what we're gonna get It's a win-win!

[SteveForever]

Makes me wonder if it would have been cool back then to hire 2 singers, like the days with Rollie and Perry.
Then they wouldn't have burned Augeri out on tour, maybe? hopefully Jeff and Deen will continue to share some turns on the songs, let JSS's voice get an intermission. But better to burn out than fade away~~~~carry on my wayward sons....


Edit...Carlitto I like one of your options up there!!!! hmmph!

Jeff has already sid that we can expect to hear Deen singing on future tours.
It's less about Jeff needing rest and more bout the fact that Jeff, being the class act he is,
realizes how popular Deen's songs in the live sets have become with the fans.
And he has no problem with that. He's knows its all about giving the fans the best
shows they can and if people come to a show expecting to hear Deen sing a song or 3,
well, that's what we're gonna get It's a win-win!

Well..I know that you potatoe eater...is that how you spell potatoe?

[Andrew]

Steve A was very good for the band for a number of tours. i don't really want this as another thread for debating those virtues.

I just thought John's comments would be of interest to many.

It is interesting. Don't get me wrong, I'm just calling like I see it. I liked Augeri a lot anyway, and despite his flaws, I thought he was a class act, and his humble attitude and respect for the band went far to get Journey moving again without Perry.

Sure...well said. Just thought I would make that statement before I get called and Anti-Augeri forum again.

(Fuck you Deano I can say it if I want to.)

Er, no. You can't say that.
Joke or not - I just don't want that part of this board anymore. You are free to say fuck, just not fuck you.

[tammy]

john west!!
http://www.royalhunt.com/files/Royal%20 ... ive_Up.wmv

i love it , sounds like jeff,, if this doesnt make you want to pick
up a sword and slay a dragon NOTHING will!! right on!!

***************

Wow...who are they? that was grand, I like it - sounds a little like Phantom of the Opera in the beginning...rock opera. Is this recent? I feel energized.

Anyway, interesting what he said about the auditioning time...yes, I do think that there is more "soul" with Jeff than with SA & of course, SP had it in spades.

[Carlitto H@kk]

is that how you spell potatoe?

If you're a dumb, big-chested blonde with a bod for sin then, um,
sure! You spelled it right!

[Andrew]

john west!!
http://www.royalhunt.com/files/Royal%20 ... ive_Up.wmv

i love it , sounds like jeff,, if this doesnt make you want to pick
up a sword and slay a dragon NOTHING will!! right on!!

***************

Wow...who are they? that was grand, I like it - sounds a little like Phantom of the Opera in the beginning...rock opera. Is this recent? I feel energized.

Anyway, interesting what he said about the auditioning time...yes, I do think that there is more "soul" with Jeff than with SA & of course, SP had it in spades.

Great band....check out Paper Sun and The Mission. Great melodic metal / power hard rock.

[Arkansas]

Neal has always wanted to experiment - hence the invitation to Geoff Tate to audition ...

Always wanted to hear some of the stuff they did with Geoff Tate. NS once was quoted as saying they 'wrote some pretty cool stuff'.
Any leaks or interviews anywhere? Maybe from GT?


later~

[Andrew]

Only 1 song as far as I am aware and no, no definite proof as to what that song was/is - despite talk of it being Walking Away From The Edge.

[stevew2]

Thats is one of my favorite Journey/Augeri songs

[dcvader]

john west!!
http://www.royalhunt.com/files/Royal%20 ... ive_Up.wmv

i love it , sounds like jeff,, if this doesnt make you want to pick
up a sword and slay a dragon NOTHING will!! right on!!

They definitely should have went with him!...He's got some power....and he's way better looking then Augeri....dont know where they got that SA looked anything like Perry.

I like John's voice. Wouldn't you like to hear those audition tapes.

[conversationpc]

John West is a great singer and would've been a great choice to front Journey, in my opinion. However, I was kinda upset when he took over the lead vocalist slot in Royal Hunt. D.C. Cooper, the guy he replaced in that band, was an even better singer.

[PROPERRY]

So Augeri was having vocal problems in 98, and Neal & Jon BOTH KNEW THAT and hired HIM ANYWAY!!

Lori

No, he needed to get back in shape. That was all. See my old interviews.

Not in shape??? When replacing SOMEONE to TRY to fill the shoes of the GREAT Steve Perry, wouldn't it make a smart business move to at least hire SOMEONE who was ALREADY in shape, NOT someone who they HOPE will get better later???

Just sounds to me, like another one of Neal & Jon's poor business decisions regarding Journey.

Lori

[PROPERRY]

So Augeri was having vocal problems in 98, and Neal & Jon BOTH KNEW THAT and hired HIM ANYWAY!!

Lori

No, he needed to get back in shape. That was all. See my old interviews.

Not in shape??? When replacing SOMEONE to TRY to fill the shoes of the GREAT Steve Perry, wouldn't it make a smart business move to at least hire SOMEONE who was ALREADY in shape, NOT someone who they HOPE will get better later???

Just sounds to me, like another one of Neal & Jon's poor business decisions regarding Journey.

Lori

[Eric]

West sounds like Geoff Tate......

[PROPERRY]

Sorry for the double posting Andrew!

Lori

[Abitaman]

So Augeri was having vocal problems in 98, and Neal & Jon BOTH KNEW THAT and hired HIM ANYWAY!!

Lori

No, he needed to get back in shape. That was all. See my old interviews.

Fuckin' Copy-Wombat!!!

I just told her that!

Some people need to be told 4 or 5 times (myself incuded at times ) in order for things to sink in-ERIC

[Abitaman]

I tell ya, there is one thing I liked about this little interview...
It shed some light on something I've suspected for a long time.

Most people, especially the big Augeri fans that are angry right now,
always seem to blame Neal for every band decision if it is what they consider
a bad one. I don't think most peopple realize how much 'say-so' or
'power' Cain has in these decsion processes.

I guarantee you, if Jeff wouldn't have came in and nailed the summer gig
and if Jon wasn't impressed, one of 3 things would be going on:

1. The band would be waiting on Augeri and would give it another go
with him.

2. The band would be in hardcore negotions trying to get Perry back
in the fold for another go-around.

Or third, they would be going on a long and probably permanent
hiatus until option 2 finally kicked in.

Now, this is in no way a slam on Cain.
He's been a crucial and essential part of this puzzle for 26-27 years
and has earned the right to have alot of say.
But folks need to quit swinging on Neal's Nutz and realize that
the Frig is calling alot of the shots too.

I'm big Augeri fan, after reading your comments I can not find why am I suppose to be mad!?!-ERIC

[conversationpc]

West sounds like Geoff Tate......

He doesn't sound anything like Tate. The clip provided in this thread doesn't do him any justice.

[Jeremey]

Musically and performance-wise (as a stage show), it reminds me a lot of Dream Theater. Guys got a great voice, as did the previous singer, who reminded me a bit more of Rob Halford in those clips you sent me before, CP.

[conversationpc]

Musically and performance-wise (as a stage show), it reminds me a lot of Dream Theater. Guys got a great voice, as did the previous singer, who reminded me a bit more of Rob Halford in those clips you sent me before, CP.

Well, there's really one track where I think he sounds like Halford, which is "Infatuator". I don't remember if I sent you that one but they were actually trying to sound like Priest for that one tune. Aside from that one, I've always thought he sounded more like Joey Tempest of Europe, but with more range and slightly better tone.

[Liz22562]

I, for one, am glad that Neal & Jon brought Steve Augeri in to put Journey back out on the concert circuit. They were gone far too long and seeing them again on stage playing music has been great.

[Carlitto H@kk]

I tell ya, there is one thing I liked about this little interview...
It shed some light on something I've suspected for a long time.

Most people, especially the big Augeri fans that are angry right now,
always seem to blame Neal for every band decision if it is what they consider
a bad one. I don't think most peopple realize how much 'say-so' or
'power' Cain has in these decsion processes.

I guarantee you, if Jeff wouldn't have came in and nailed the summer gig
and if Jon wasn't impressed, one of 3 things would be going on:

1. The band would be waiting on Augeri and would give it another go
with him.

2. The band would be in hardcore negotions trying to get Perry back
in the fold for another go-around.

Or third, they would be going on a long and probably permanent
hiatus until option 2 finally kicked in.

Now, this is in no way a slam on Cain.
He's been a crucial and essential part of this puzzle for 26-27 years
and has earned the right to have alot of say.
But folks need to quit swinging on Neal's Nutz and realize that
the Frig is calling alot of the shots too.

I'm big Augeri fan, after reading your comments I can not find why am I suppose to be mad!?!-ERIC

Not sure if I understand your response...

Are you agreeing with me or disagreeing???
Just curious.
As to the "big Augeri fans that are angry right now", that was
mainly in reference to most of the posters at BT right now.