LET THE FLAMING BEGIN-

[STORY_TELLER]

Okay, so I've been lurking for many years. Been procrastinating joining this board, but the shocking news got me off my lazy ass to post some comments (which I'm sure I'll be flamed for, but what the hey, it will be entertaining).

Have to say Jeff's firing is the last thing I expected to read on MR.com this evening. I never saw Jeff perform with Journey on that last tour, but I did catch all the YouTube clips and will go on record as saying that Jeff is a much more skilled singer than SA. Augeri simply doesn't have the pipes of Jeff (let alone Steve Perry). So many people were pissed when Augeri was let go, but the fact is he didn't have musical chemistry on new material and he always sounded like a weak link in the talent pool of that band. Every time Castronovo sang a song, it was painfully obvious who should be singing lead on the old material. Then to add to it, Augeri's chords blew out and he couldn't even do the karaoke anymore. Unfortunate and I wish him all the best, but facts are usually cold that way.

Now I'm curious to know the details of why Jeff was let go, but I think everyone needs to take a chill pill and wait to hear what really happened before slinging mud at the rest of the band and jumping to conclusions. Don't snap react, wait and see.

My guess/opinion as to what happened (and it is just that, a guess coupled with an opinion, open for debate, but I'm not slinging mud at anyone), is that Jon and Neal didn't feel the musical chemistry on whatever new material they were writing together with Jeff.

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus. I for one didn't think there was a musical chemistry between Neal and Jeff. The music was just flat, like the singer and guitar player were from two different worlds. They're both talented in their own right (as were the drummer and base player). In fact, extremely so, but not one song was memorable. I had hoped that with the combination of Neal and Jon and Jeff, something new and wonderful would come of the broader collaboration, but based on the live performance of their first song together (which was bootlegged from recent concerts and posted online), I could hear there was still no chemistry.

Beyond simply covering the old Perry material, if the band is going to move forward, there has to be that chemistry. Steve Perry said it best in an interview (available on youtube). He described Neal as the wrecklessness, Jon as Amadeus and himself as the Melody. That's the combination which made Journey's music special (coupled with Perry's unique vocals). Those three molded songs and their unique strengths and compromises developed the better sound which none of them can do alone.

Don't know who (if anyone) will be the new lead singer, but my dream situation would be Eric Martin on lead vocals and they should hire Hugo to write songs with them. Eric has incredible soul, coupled with sophisticated pipes and Hugo's about the only guy I've seen who can originate new material and melodies which reminds me of Journey in its hayday. I wouldn't want to see Hugo front the band though, that would be too weird.

Go ahead and flame me, but after you guys calm down a bit, you might reflect and agree with some of what I had to say here.

-ST

[LucyFurr]

Excellent post!

[larryfromnextdoor]

bunch of words...add .. abandoned .....................................wrecklessness..

[Crazie Scarab]

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus.

Complete BS.

[RedWingFan]

Quit with all the words and logic! Shut up and grab a torch!!!!!

[Rick]

Okay, so I've been lurking for many years. Been procrastinating joining this board, but the shocking news got me off my lazy ass to post some comments (which I'm sure I'll be flamed for, but what the hey, it will be entertaining).

Have to say Jeff's firing is the last thing I expected to read on MR.com this evening. I never saw Jeff perform with Journey on that last tour, but I did catch all the YouTube clips and will go on record as saying that Jeff is a much more skilled singer than SA. Augeri simply doesn't have the pipes of Jeff (let alone Steve Perry). So many people were pissed when Augeri was let go, but the fact is he didn't have musical chemistry on new material and he always sounded like a weak link in the talent pool of that band. Every time Castronovo sang a song, it was painfully obvious who should be singing lead on the old material. Then to add to it, Augeri's chords blew out and he couldn't even do the karaoke anymore. Unfortunate and I wish him all the best, but facts are usually cold that way.

Now I'm curious to know the details of why Jeff was let go, but I think everyone needs to take a chill pill and wait to hear what really happened before slinging mud at the rest of the band and jumping to conclusions. Don't snap react, wait and see.

My guess/opinion as to what happened (and it is just that, a guess coupled with an opinion, open for debate, but I'm not slinging mud at anyone), is that Jon and Neal didn't feel the musical chemistry on whatever new material they were writing together with Jeff.

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus. I for one didn't think there was a musical chemistry between Neal and Jeff. The music was just flat, like the singer and guitar player were from two different worlds. They're both talented in their own right (as were the drummer and base player). In fact, extremely so, but not one song was memorable. I had hoped that with the combination of Neal and Jon and Jeff, something new and wonderful would come of the broader collaboration, but based on the live performance of their first song together (which was bootlegged from recent concerts and posted online), I could hear there was still no chemistry.

Beyond simply covering the old Perry material, if the band is going to move forward, there has to be that chemistry. Steve Perry said it best in an interview (available on youtube). He described Neal as the wrecklessness, Jon as Amadeus and himself as the Melody. That's the combination which made Journey's music special (coupled with Perry's unique vocals). Those three molded songs and their unique strengths and compromises developed the better sound which none of them can do alone.

Don't know who (if anyone) will be the new lead singer, but my dream situation would be Eric Martin on lead vocals and they should hire Hugo to write songs with them. Eric has incredible soul, coupled with sophisticated pipes and Hugo's about the only guy I've seen who can originate new material and melodies which reminds me of Journey in its hayday. I wouldn't want to see Hugo front the band though, that would be too weird.

Go ahead and flame me, but after you guys calm down a bit, you might reflect and agree with some of what I had to say here.

-ST

I agree with a lot of what you say. Eric Martin huh? Never thought of him. Not sure on that one. You will see this crowd calm down in a couple of days. Especially when a new singer in named. Whomever that might be. I feel lousy for Jeff though, and I think they should have given it a one album try at least. Damn they used him. They used him to get through that tour and dumped him. I hate how they've treated him. He saved Journey's ass last summer and this is how they repay him. It's disgraceful. They could have at least let him record an album.

[LocknLoad]

cut through all the snibbling! Finally! An intelligent observation! I agree with most...thnk there might be someone else better though as a singer..hmmm?!

[FormerJrnyFan]

When is BT due to reopen???

[Lula]

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus.

Complete BS.

Simple fact? Okay

Sorry, but you're simply not stating a fact.

[STORY_TELLER]

I may have overstated Eric Martin as a "dream" choice. I like his vocals and would love to hear what that musical combination might yield. I guess what I'm really saying is, Journey needs to step outside of the Perry vocal stylings on new material, but still keep those unique melody choices that came with Perry (if that makes sense).

I seem to recall, way back, when Journey was first auditioning Augeri, that there was another singer (who wasn't fronting a famous band) who Neal was quoted as saying he sounded even more like Perry than Augeri. My guess is Neal really liked Augeri as a person and wanted someone he could get along with so they went with him over the more talented guy. Think maybe its time to go through that rolodex Neal?

Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for Jeff. Like I said, he's extremely talented and I think he'll do just fine without Journey. He just needs to find muscians who he has more chemistry with. Personally, I really wanted to see him front Queen. I think he sounds better on Queen's old material than Paul Rogers and Brian May's guitar would really sound wonderful under Jeff's voice on new material. Just my 2 cents (you hear me Jeff? [smiles])

-ST

[STORY_TELLER]

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus.

Complete BS.

Simple fact? Okay

Sorry, but you're simply not stating a fact.

Well, there's a reason why Neal opted not to do another Soul Sirkus album and I believe that reason was there was no support for it. Neal (or Jeff?) went on record stating how Neal fronted that band with his own money and he took a bath on it. People barely went to the shows and the album didn't sell. That's called lack of support. Just because a few of us bought it and liked it doesn't mean it shared wide spread support. That's reflected in the sales and that's what I'm basing my fact on. (said respectfully)

[7 Wishes]

Well, I have been very recently enlightened as to who the new singer is...and I couldn't be more excited. A good man, very grounded, and FANTASTICALLY talented. He's so good that almost everyone here will be on board by the time they go out on the road again.

[mgstar1964]

Seven Wishes,

Can you please share some of your info? If it cannot be revealed in a public forum, would you mind sharing something via PM, which will be kept very private?

Thanks

Michael

[Clasicrockldy]

Seven Wishes,

Can you please share some of your info? If it cannot be revealed in a public forum, would you mind sharing something via PM, which will be kept very private?

Thanks

Michael

I have know who it is for awhile now. I think the best thing to do is not to say who it is. Keep it under lock and key until the appropriate time. Just my thoughts on the matter.

[Shadowsong]

JNeal has set them out to sea ...
Journey is headed for BT
The Bermuda Triangle"

Opppps I did it again...

[Clasicrockldy]

JNeal has set them out to sea ...
Journey is headed for BT
The Bermuda Triangle"

Opppps I did it again...

Very funny Shadow !

Actually, I would like to dip Neal and Friga in the Bog of Eternal Stench!

[Shadowsong]

JNeal has set them out to sea ...
Journey is headed for BT
The Bermuda Triangle"

Opppps I did it again...

Very funny Shadow !

Actually, I would like to dip Neal and Friga in the Bog of Eternal Stench!

Oooh, the ocean is deep
Neals strat warp
like his wooden leg...

oppps

[ArnelRox]

Now I'm curious to know the details of why Jeff was let go, but I think everyone needs to take a chill pill and wait to hear what really happened before slinging mud at the rest of the band and jumping to conclusions. Don't snap react, wait and see.

Don't hold ur breath. We still haven't heard why Perry was let go, have we? That was 10 yrs ago. Augeri was a year ago. Still waiting on that too. Maybe in the Journey expose? Ya think?

Simple fact is neither fans of JSS nor Journey supported Soul Sirkus.

That's ur opinion. NOT a fact.

I for one didn't think there was a musical chemistry between Neal and Jeff. The music was just flat, like the singer and guitar player were from two different worlds.

U have weird ears my friend!

not one song was memorable.

To u. Coming Home graces my daily iPod play & my hubby's too. First time hubby heard it, he said "is that Perry?" He got totally hooked. He's not a Perry fan btw.

I could hear there was still no chemistry.

I'll agree w/u there on THAT song. But THAT song only.

my dream situation would be Eric Martin on lead vocals and they should hire Hugo to write songs with them. Eric has incredible soul, coupled with sophisticated pipes and Hugo's about the only guy I've seen who can originate new material and melodies which reminds me of Journey in its hayday. I wouldn't want to see Hugo front the band though, that would be too weird.

U think Eric would front the band but let Hugo write the songs? Um what universe do u live in? Eric is an awesome songwriter himself. WTF? Are we in the Twilight Zone here? La la la la...la la la la. Sheesh.

Go ahead and flame me, but after you guys calm down a bit, you might reflect and agree with some of what I had to say here.

Not flaming. Admittedly not calm either. But really. Ur out there.

[ArnelRox]

Well, there's a reason why Neal opted not to do another Soul Sirkus album and I believe that reason was there was no support for it. Neal (or Jeff?) went on record stating how Neal fronted that band with his own money and he took a bath on it. People barely went to the shows and the album didn't sell. That's called lack of support. Just because a few of us bought it and liked it doesn't mean it shared wide spread support. That's reflected in the sales and that's what I'm basing my fact on. (said respectfully)

Do some more research about the mgmt conflicts between promoting SS w/Neal Schon of Journey while they also promoted Journey. U might just find a few answers about why SS didn't fly. It may not be quite the way u think it. Start on MR in Andrew's archives. Read a few interviews Andrew did. U never know, u might walk away a smarter man/woman/creature

[McNeil]

Eric Martin !!!!! ...CRIKEY...NO WAY...Imagine him singing the back catalogue!! ouch! Eric is great at doing what Eric does..like write stuff like "My Disease"..great..but never in a million years is it preperation for singing for Journey...lol!

[Eric]

Fantastic post.....

Only problem is, you can't keep changing lead singers and have any respect. And, everyone in the know keeps hinting it is tribute singer. So, if thats the case then they aren't interested in new music, which makes them absolutely nothing........

[STORY_TELLER]

Fantastic post.....

Only problem is, you can't keep changing lead singers and have any respect. And, everyone in the know keeps hinting it is tribute singer. So, if thats the case then they aren't interested in new music, which makes them absolutely nothing........

Oh god, please say it isn't so about a tribute singer. That would really be sad. I happen to like Hugo's solo material and I have it in heavy rotation on my iPod, but I wouldn't want to see him front the band. I can't say I much like the guy from Frontiers either. Don't get me wrong, he can sing, I'm not saying he can't. But his vocals and stage presence come across like he's a vegas impersonator. Drives me nuts!

So who's the rumored front man to be? Has anything leaked?

[Red13JoePa]

Don't hold ur breath. We still haven't heard why Perry was let go, have we? That was 10 yrs ago. Maybe in the Journey expose? Ya think?

Yes we have. I think you know, too.
But in case you're not just denying the facts Perry 2 years after TBF came out and perry delayed the support tour for it due to the so-called need for hip surgery while at the same time saying he wasn't sure if he wanted to have the surgery and then asking the band not continue as Journey without him.
The band got rid of him.

[Aaron]

I'll take Hugo writing and fronting the band ...

[strangegrey]

When is BT due to reopen???

LOL. Couldn't reopen fast enough, eh?

Sadly, I don't think BT will ever reopen.

[Andrew]

Seven Wishes,

Can you please share some of your info? If it cannot be revealed in a public forum, would you mind sharing something via PM, which will be kept very private?

Thanks

Michael

Nothing that hasn't already been stated here....news soon.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Nothing that hasn't already been stated here....news soon.

Finally.

[larryfromnextdoor]

speaking of 7 Wishes (daniel),, does anyone know where he is at ? or how he is doing??

[m]

When is BT due to reopen???

[Rick]

speaking of 7 Wishes (daniel),, does anyone know where he is at ? or how he is doing??

Is he the one that was in the car accident?