Frontiers

[roycap]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

[Abitaman]

J is a great singer, and not a joke. Would he be the one for Journey? I don't know.
Would rather see JSS and Journey work it out. But J could do it, that is for sure-ERIC

[donnaplease]

Jeremey & Frontiers are terrific!!!

Jeremey has devoted many years to honoring this once great band. I wish him nothing but the best, whether that is with Frontiers, Journey, or just sitting at home with his new baby son. If/when this announcement is made, we can still support Jeremey while telling the rest of the dipshits what we think of them.

This is a majorly fucked up situation, but again, let's not do to Jeremey (or whoever) what the 'wigglers' tried to do to Jeff. Jeremey doesn't deserve it any more than Jeff did.

[Lea]

See if they take this guy on then it's pretty obvious they're just clutching at the remnants of Steve Perry and still trying to squeeze every last dollar/pound etc out of the die-hard Perry fans.

[dcvader]

Agreed this is a fucked up situation. Jeremey can sing his ass off. Regardless you you all feel about the band as a whole, Jeremey is a great guy as is JSS.

[Jeremey]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

[Moon Beam]

Good to see you Jeremey Sir.
Singer or no singer I support you Fella.

[NealIsGod]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

Jealousy. And ignorance.

Certain people like to denigrate people who have talent they wish they had because it makes them feel better about themselves. These people are called assholes.

They don't understand your love of the music and the time, travel and work you put in promoting Journey's music for the pure love of it. If ANYONE deserves the job now, it's you, J.

[Just Mindy]

Good to see you Jeremey Sir.
Singer or no singer I support you Fella.

Same here, Jeremey. I, and many others here, KNOW what you're about, what you're capable of...and we're quite impressed. I don't fly just to see ANY band, ya know.

The "joke" and "laughing stock" comments are cruel and untrue. NIG said it very well.

Give S my best.

[donnaplease]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

Jealousy. And ignorance.

Certain people like to denigrate people who have talent they wish they had because it makes them feel better about themselves. These people are called assholes.

They don't understand your love of the music and the time, travel and work you put in promoting Journey's music for the pure love of it. If ANYONE deserves the job now, it's you, J.

Agreed, NIG. There have been times I've said that Frontiers is more Journey than Journey is right now. Anyone that has been to a Frontiers show KNOWS this. It's about Jeremey's dedication to the craft of honoring Steve Perry.

Jeremey,
People are reacting with emotion right now. It's more about their disgust with Journey than ANYTHING you have or haven't done. It's a tough spot to be in, because we support you as a person, but are conflicted about supporting Journey at this time, given how they treat their singers. I personally am worried for you, but I want you to know that I support you in whatever you do.

I think it's perhaps that you've been SOOO good at what you do that all they see is "tribute band" and not "kick ass singer". Having said that, (and this is in NO way a reflection on you!!!) I think it's a little creepy that they would choose to go with someone who is SOOO much like SP. I think it says something about them, NOT you. Please don't take this stuff personally. Everyone here loves you!!!

[WalrusOct9]

I think hiring someone from a Journey tribute would be a joke, in that it would officially signify that Journey no longer, in any way, intends to create new music or push the band forward.

I've never gotten to see Frontiers since I'm stuck in the midwest, but Jeremy seems like a great vocalist and a great guy, I just think it would be a bad decision for Journey to hire anyone from a tribute band, regardless of who they are.

[Jeremey]

I think hiring someone from a Journey tribute would be a joke, in that it would officially signify that Journey no longer, in any way, intends to create new music or push the band forward.

I've never gotten to see Frontiers since I'm stuck in the midwest, but Jeremy seems like a great vocalist and a great guy, I just think it would be a bad decision for Journey to hire anyone from a tribute band, regardless of who they are.

Sooo....If Journey hired someone from, say, a kick ass Vegas cover band or something, that would be cool, just not a Journey tribute band?

Again, I'm not being facetious, I just want to know the thinking behind this. I promise...

[Ratgirl]

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

Thanks for checking in Jeremey. Hope you and your family are doing well.
As Donna said, alot of people are just hurt and angry with what's going on with Journey and are just venting with emotion (myself included).

We just hate to see another lead singer, regardless of who it is, get dragged into Journey's "flavor of the month" club.

Your a fantastic musician and we all here wish you the best.

[EightyRock]

Jeremey is obviously dedicated to what he does and makes a living doing it. Journey is never going to get respect from their long time fanbase with any singer trying to out-Perry Perry. No gestures, vocal inflections, talking to the crowd quoting the live albums, etc. I don't know what the answer is for Schon & Friga, but Jeff was obviously the best choice they made since they shit-canned Perry and shot themselves in the foot with no chance of healing. Journey and their management are lost.

[Saint John]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

1) I don't think Journey would be any sort of "laughing stock" should they decide to hire you.

2) Nothing about you is a joke. Unless you count me watching you sing, shaking my head laughing, thinking "God this motherfucker can sing!"

3) You'll be doing nothing different than Augeri did or Soto would have done IF hired.

4) If you're in the running for the vacant lead singer position, I hope you get it. Journey seems to want to stay a touring act and NO ONE (except Perry) does those songs better. Additionally, I'm always up for original material and I'd buy any album your voice is on. In or out of Journey.

5) I will ALWAYS support JSS...whether he's solo, in a band or on a collaboration. The guy is grounded, sincere and actually CARES to hear what the fans have to say. He's made a lot of fans/friends here......for life.

[Jeremey]

Thanks for checking in Jeremey. Hope you and your family are doing well.
As Donna said, alot of people are just hurt and angry with what's going on with Journey and are just venting with emotion (myself included).

We just hate to see another lead singer, regardless of who it is, get dragged into Journey's "flavor of the month" club.

Your a fantastic musician and we all here wish you the best.

I completely understand and agree with everyone's emotions around Jeff's dismissal with the band, and I am wanting to stay completely clear of that.

I'm wanting to focus more along the lines of specific comments made that Journey+tribute band singer=Joke.

I really want to gain some insight into that, because I know that movies such as "Rockstar" etc made fun of that situation, but as a fan, I still would have to imagine that a band would not scrap one idea midstream for another without really putting a lot of thought into what they were doing. Whether they hire Bono or an extra from "Hairspray," I'd have to be intrigued about what their motivations were.

[Waysted]

I'm a bit of a lurker here, I'll admit. That being said, I have seen Frontiers, and they are no joke. Jeremy, you have all the tallent, drive and ambition it takes to deserve the gig. Honestly, I am glad to see your post saying you are not the new singer.

[WalrusOct9]

I think hiring someone from a Journey tribute would be a joke, in that it would officially signify that Journey no longer, in any way, intends to create new music or push the band forward.

I've never gotten to see Frontiers since I'm stuck in the midwest, but Jeremy seems like a great vocalist and a great guy, I just think it would be a bad decision for Journey to hire anyone from a tribute band, regardless of who they are.

Sooo....If Journey hired someone from, say, a kick ass Vegas cover band or something, that would be cool, just not a Journey tribute band?

Again, I'm not being facetious, I just want to know the thinking behind this. I promise...

I liked JSS in Journey partially because of his stage presence, but also because he was a proven creative force as a writer, and I was really excited to hear what Jeff, Neal, and Jon would've come up with for the next album. I also liked that Jeff didn't sound exactly like Perry...he could sing the songs, but he had more of a hard rock voice that I think would've resulted in a more "classic" sounding new Journey album than we'd get with a Perry clone. With Jeff, they sounded like a band that could go to new places musically while still respectfully honoring their legacy in concert...with someone from a tribute band (i.e. someone who sounds exactly like Perry), they're nothing more than an oldies act.

Also, since JSS had proven himself as a writer, I think he would've been the creative equal to Jon & Neal in a way that hasn't happened since the early 80's, and which I think would've resulted in a very strong album. No tribute band singer is going to be able to have the kind of creative input in writing that Jeff might've had had he been allowed to stay in the band.

I don't mean any disrespect Jeremy, your voice and your band seems awesome from the clips I've seen. But with Augeri out, Journey had two directions they could choose: a new(ish) direction with JSS with some killer new music, or a glorified tribute band with a Perry clone, playing the dirty dozen and counting the bucks...and I guess now it's obvious which one they have chosen.

[NoMoreTails]

Jeremey,
All the regulars here appreciate what you do as a tribute to the band, appreciate your talent, and think highly of you as a person. While I agree with these points, I think any singer from a tribute band...Hugo, whoever... would be a mistake. Augeri was smiliar enough in tone, but different enough otherwise that I didn't feel like he was trying to imitate Perry, same with what I've heard of Chalfant's tribute album. To plug in someone from a tribute band to me would feel cheap. Neal and Jon would be admitting that Journey is now nothing but a tribute band itself, that Journey is nothing without Perry afterall--or at least without as close a replica to Perry as they can find. JSS has an impressive and varied resume as a singer, musician, and writer and was a chance for the band to finally live up to its name and go somewhere, somewhere new. Hiring any tribute singer would mean that this band is truly creatively dead. You and Frontiers are not a joke, but Journey with any tribute singer would be, in my opinion.
Respectfully,
NMT

[jrnysc]

Thanks for checking in Jeremey. Hope you and your family are doing well.
As Donna said, alot of people are just hurt and angry with what's going on with Journey and are just venting with emotion (myself included).

We just hate to see another lead singer, regardless of who it is, get dragged into Journey's "flavor of the month" club.

Your a fantastic musician and we all here wish you the best.

I completely understand and agree with everyone's emotions around Jeff's dismissal with the band, and I am wanting to stay completely clear of that.

I'm wanting to focus more along the lines of specific comments made that Journey+tribute band singer=Joke.

I really want to gain some insight into that, because I know that movies such as "Rockstar" etc made fun of that situation, but as a fan, I still would have to imagine that a band would not scrap one idea midstream for another without really putting a lot of thought into what they were doing. Whether they hire Bono or an extra from "Hairspray," I'd have to be intrigued about what their motivations were.

Jeremey, I will only speak for myself, but I would not want to see you get/take it because although I have never met you personally, you seem like a helluva guy. I guess I'm saying I have too much respect for you and would hate to see you grasp in the teeth of these dishonest, spineless people. The opportunity for you I would love to see. The ending I couldn't stand to see.

[Lea]

I think hiring someone from a Journey tribute would be a joke, in that it would officially signify that Journey no longer, in any way, intends to create new music or push the band forward.

Exactly my point.

[Behshad]

Thanks for checking in Jeremey. Hope you and your family are doing well.
As Donna said, alot of people are just hurt and angry with what's going on with Journey and are just venting with emotion (myself included).

We just hate to see another lead singer, regardless of who it is, get dragged into Journey's "flavor of the month" club.

Your a fantastic musician and we all here wish you the best.

I completely understand and agree with everyone's emotions around Jeff's dismissal with the band, and I am wanting to stay completely clear of that.

I'm wanting to focus more along the lines of specific comments made that Journey+tribute band singer=Joke.

I really want to gain some insight into that, because I know that movies such as "Rockstar" etc made fun of that situation, but as a fan, I still would have to imagine that a band would not scrap one idea midstream for another without really putting a lot of thought into what they were doing. Whether they hire Bono or an extra from "Hairspray," I'd have to be intrigued about what their motivations were.

Dude,,, dont start of your new career with lies to your fans. I know Neal&Co dont want you to make it official, but you owe it to people here to tell them the truth! You ARE the new singer, but it just needs to take the management 6 months to build up their lies to confirm this. Until today I had nothing but respect for you, cause youre a great guy and a kick ass singer. But with you hiding behind lies, you dissapoint me. Then again, with this kind of start, you will fit perfect in the new Journey!

[roycap]

Jeremey - You obviously have alot of fans on this forum. Trust me - if you were playing in the area, I would check you guys out. This is nothing personal. I just think Journey had a chance to really reinvent themselves with JSS. You have been the rumored candidate. I do not think Journey makes the decision to drop JSS w/o a back up plan in place. While the ink may not be dry, something will most likely happen soon. They will let the dust clear.

[Jeremey]

I liked JSS in Journey partially because of his stage presence, but also because he was a proven creative force as a writer, and I was really excited to hear what Jeff, Neal, and Jon would've come up with for the next album. I also liked that Jeff didn't sound exactly like Perry...he could sing the songs, but he had more of a hard rock voice that I think would've resulted in a more "classic" sounding new Journey album than we'd get with a Perry clone. With Jeff, they sounded like a band that could go to new places musically while still respectfully honoring their legacy in concert...with someone from a tribute band (i.e. someone who sounds exactly like Perry), they're nothing more than an oldies act.

Also, since JSS had proven himself as a writer, I think he would've been the creative equal to Jon & Neal in a way that hasn't happened since the early 80's, and which I think would've resulted in a very strong album. No tribute band singer is going to be able to have the kind of creative input in writing that Jeff might've had had he been allowed to stay in the band.

I don't mean any disrespect Jeremy, your voice and your band seems awesome from the clips I've seen. But with Augeri out, Journey had two directions they could choose: a new(ish) direction with JSS with some killer new music, or a glorified tribute band with a Perry clone, playing the dirty dozen and counting the bucks...and I guess now it's obvious which one they have chosen.

Im in the office at work today (no, not in San Francisco plotting my next moves with Neal and Jon ( ), so I'm not gonna have a whole lot of time to maintain my end of this conversation, but just in summation about what I do, I try to make these songs new every time they are performed. I know people have bagged me as a "tribute" singer because I don't recreate the music note for note, but take it off the tracks every now and again. I do that because that's the way I feel the music, and because every time it comes out of me, it's interpreted anew. A good interpretive singer (a la Michael Buble or Tony Bennet) lives in the song and expresses that from their own perspective. To emulate someone's posturing and stage antics is not interpretive singing, it truly is an impersonator along the lines of a Sinatra or Elvis impersonator, or even a George Bush impersonator. I'm interpreting this music, and it pains me to have to be off the road this fall, even if it is to spend time with my new family.

As far as writing goes - The magic that made Journey was the chemistry among the 3 principal songwriters. Whomever is in that spot, it will hopefully be because of the chemistry and how they inspire each other, not because of someone's solo writing abilities. Those guys (Neal and Jon) are pretty good at what they do, and they made a go of it with Augeri despite any lack of chemistry. I hope that they find someone they can mesh with creatively and someone that inspires them to catch a little bit of that thunder and magic that made the band what it once was.

[*Laura]

Jeremey,
All the regulars here appreciate what you do as a tribute to the band, appreciate your talent, and think highly of you as a person. While I agree with these points, I think any singer from a tribute band...Hugo, whoever... would be a mistake. Augeri was smiliar enough in tone, but different enough otherwise that I didn't feel like he was trying to imitate Perry, same with what I've heard of Chalfant's tribute album. To plug in someone from a tribute band to me would feel cheap. Neal and Jon would be admitting that Journey is now nothing but a tribute band itself, that Journey is nothing without Perry afterall--or at least without as close a replica to Perry as they can find. JSS has an impressive and varied resume as a singer, musician, and writer and was a chance for the band to finally live up to its name and go somewhere, somewhere new. Hiring any tribute singer would mean that this band is truly creatively dead. You and Frontiers are not a joke, but Journey with any tribute singer would be, in my opinion.
Respectfully,
NMT

NMT,thank you for writing down so succinctly the exact way I feel.


I also think that Jeremey and Journey are at this point 2 different stories.
The first is a proof of passion and respect,the second is a proof of disrespect and lack of integrity.
I just can't see these 2 stories mix.

[LIGHTS BAND]

If this is Journey's new lead singer - count me out. This band will then officially become a joke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEio5ky ... 14&index=7

I'd rather watch my old DVD's

First, let me clear up any speculation here. I am not the new lead singer for Journey.

That being said, I've quietly sat by for the past 24 hours and I'm just getting a little tired of people insinuating that I am a "joke," or that Journey would be a "laughing stock" to hire me. It's time to open this line of thinking up for discussion. Please, pray tell, what about me is a joke? What is it that I do that is amusing? Why is it that people throw around the term "Tribute band" like it's the "N" word or something? And I'm serious, I want to know these answers, I'm not just spouting off here. Cause there must be something about what I do, and how far I've taken it, that is so scornful it went right over my head.

You and Frontiers are one of the few that do the band justice Jeremey. Far from a joke.

[Saint John]

Journey hired Steve Perry...a guy cleaning shit out of chicken coops. They did just fine (awesome actually). They hired Steve Augeri....a guy working as a maintenance manager at The Gap. They did just fine(til he was forced to walk the plank). Now, they're considering (pure specualtion) hiring a successful 9-5 guy that happens to sing the shit out of the back catalog, and that's a joke? Sorry, but I don't see it that way. For what they seemingly want to do, Jeremey is hands down the best choice. Nothing will be any different if Jeremey is hired, except that you'll be hearing the best renditions of the songs since Perry was around. I just hope they give him a shot at original music.

[StyxCollector]

As someone who was in a Rush tribute band until recently (we broke up), I find people have a few attitudes towards tribute bands:

1. Why bother? They can go see the real thing OR they are so biased no one can do the band's music well except the band. Some will come and check you out once for the curiosity factor and act like Russian judges waiting to pounce when someone messes up. Some won't because their bias is so strong.
2. They love the band's music and inbetween real shows (or non-existent bands that no longer exist), seeing a tribute band is a good outlet AND a way to see deeper cuts.

Rush was a much harder sell than Journey. I've seen your videos. You're good and you draw the crowds. Rush fans seem to be more judgemental, especially since Neil, Alex, and Geddy are still touring.

I think the whole Rockstar/Ripper syndrome scares people. You would be no more or less a legitimate choice for the band than an esablished known guy, a guy from some unknown band in North Dakota, or a Broadway guy. Anyone who thinks differently is silly - all you do is sing, and if you are recognized in a positive way as such, who cares?

Don't feed on what people think. If you enjoy what you do, just do it your way. Whatever happens, ignore the critics. I know that firsthand as some people will always love you. Some people want to rip you a new hole. Either way, if you're happy at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

[finalfight]

Definitely no joke to me. Case in point - Tim 'Ripper' Owens replacing the legendary Rob Halford in Judas Priest and pretty much blowing him away with his incredible vocal prowess, particularly if you compare the two at the same stage in time rather than when Halford was in his prime. Jeremey would also be able to do this no problem. Vocally he is absolutely outstanding and extremely versatile.

Jeremey, I frequently listen to the recordings you did with Juhani Nahkala (as well as your melodicrock covers of Missing You and You Better Wait). You are on heavy rotation in the UK my friend!

[NealIsGod]

Journey hired Steve Perry...a guy cleaning shit out of chicken coops. They did just fine (awesome actually). They hired Steve Augeri....a guy working as a maintenance manager at The Gap. They did just fine(til he was forced to walk the plank). Now, they're considering (pure specualtion) hiring a successful 9-5 guy that happens to sing the shit out of the back catalog, and that's a joke? Sorry, but I don't see it that way. For what they seemingly want to do, Jeremey is hands down the best choice. Nothing will be any different if Jeremey is hired, except that you'll be hearing the best renditions of the songs since Perry was around. I just hope they give him a shot at original music.

Exactly how I feel. I was excited about new music with JSS, and whoever they hire, new music is what will keep me a fan, not greatest hits tours. Jeremey is the best choice to bring back the Perry-era Journey sound. But dropping JSS was a huge mistake. Just huge.