Where I'm at right now...

[Deb]

Is it all worth it? Absolutely. Knowing the truth about these guys has been a breath of fresh air. Helps me understand why Perry will not return to Journey. Gives me closure. Answers a lot of previously unanswered questions. Also, and most importantly, it led me to Jeff. One of "the good guys" like Andrew said. Good to know there are a few left. When the dust settles, Jeff will better off, and Journey will continue with a bit more of a tarnished image. In the end, all parties will move forward. Jeff needs to continue to stay as silent as possible and let us do the dirty work. Believe me, it'll our pleasure.

Fully agree with this post SJ.

the press that gave the band some of their best reviews in years are left looking like tools for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities.

I disagree Andrew, when all is said and done...I don't think the reviewers, fans, etc. are going to be the ones "left looking like tools" for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities. I think the band/management is doing a bang up job on that all by themselves.

Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this site Andrew. Even though I'm sure some days you feel like this we definately appreciate this place!

[ohsherrie]

I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

No my friend, never irrelivant. I think it was Joybringer who said in her post that your feature was documentation that the band was energized by Jeff and excited about the future. It wasn't just hype on your part or just in your imagination either. I heard it in their voices. All but Jon's.

Do you remember how psyched I was after hearing the excitement in Neal's and Deen's voices? They were like kids who'd just come down the stairs Christmas morning and found exactly what they'd been hoping for under the tree. It was the only time in all these years that I almost thought I liked Neal. I won't almost make that mistake again.

Let your feature stand as testimony to what might have been for Journey if their ego's hadn't gotten in the way.

[Red13JoePa]

your feature was documentation that the band was energized by Jeff and excited about the future. It wasn't just hype on your part or just in your imagination either. I heard it in their voices. All but Jon's.

That was one bummed out oddball interview.

He took THAT moment to plug Generations more than he did on the Generations interview here.

[strangegrey]

Andrew, You are pretty much the lone standing ambasador of this music...thanks to you, a great deal of rock icons from the 80s now have another shot to seize rock...I really feel that current rock atmosphere in the US is starting to move away from Alternative and Rap (towards melodic rock) enough for some of the old icons to do a few good albums.....

In all honesty, I think you answered alot of your own quesions in your original post. I personally think that Journey *used* everyone at their disposal back november-january....To what end, I have no freaking idea. Was it just to keep the air in the tires long enough to get the bus to the last show of the tour? I'm not sure. If that were the case, why on earth did they announce JSS as the vocalist at the END of the US tour!! It just doesn't make sense. Maybe the europe tour in the winter was already booked...so they still needed a few more pumps of the tires. In fact, that does make sense...if the europe tour was booked in the fall/summer, they might have needed to do something to keep excitement up. And who better than to tap the ever-faithful, always supportive ambassador of AOR/MR?? I personally, would feel used, if I were in your shoes. I don't think I have the patience that you do. I would have ripped the band a new asshole on the front page of the site...and I would have done it without reservation. That would have consequences, obviously...but I wouldn't care.

I've said this in other posts, I feel the band and their management needs to have their feet squarely placed in the fire for a while.

Back in the late 90s, it might have been the case that the band's success wasn't dependent on the internet fan base...I really think that these days, the internet fan base is really the 'street team' for the band. Without the loyal internet fans, Journey is playing the worst venues known to man...i.e. Bob's pig auction and the First Bank of Salome, TX corporate party!


I know you're probably torn between wanting to put their feet to the fire and giving them wiggle room to get out of this...But I personally feel they need YOU more than you need THEM. We've all made it very clear here that the majority of us have no more intention of supporting Journey anymore. I can't see how this band can recover from this. You need to make them "own their poo!"

Just my humble opinion....I know you'll do the right thing, whatever you determine that is!

[Vocalsmanvocals]

Posted in reply to another post in another thread. But I may as well state it again in a new thread, as it comes form the heart and sums up where I'm at right now...still disappointed I guess...



Here's my problem. I was with the band in October 06. Not much more than 6 months ago. The electricity was in the air....the fans were excited....ALL the band spoke of Jeff as a crusader, a champion.
My interviews and write up portrayed the energy and excitement....I even talked at length with Mr. Schon's step dad, who himself was excited beyond belief and was suggesting the band hadn't had this much energy since Perry led 80s.

Then months later it is all over, with Mr. Soto delivered the news by a singer for another popular 80s rock band in SWEDEN no less. No face to face 'sorry it isn't going to work out'...no airing of differences to see whether a bridge could be built, no second chance for a singer who bailed the band out of some deep shit only months earlier.

Everyone that jumped on board this new line-up are left hanging in the wind...the press that gave the band some of their best reviews in years are left looking like tools for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities.

And me...I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Journey and this site have been side by side for years. I love this band. I loved the members. I allow fans a place to speak their minds and at times get crucified for doing so...is it all worth it?
Where do I go from here with this band that I thought I understood?

So many questions, yet so few answers.

Hey everyone!

Great post Andrew! Keep up the work, dont give up! I know your heart is torn though...it sucks it really does. Makes ya want to shout FUCK, huh?!

I had a nice long post written out but it did not take...fuck! So this will be my first post (I am a lurker since this all went down and was on Backtalk for years...I am a fan of Journey because of the great music and Perry's soaring vocals...never saw Journey with Perry (I am the age of the band and my parents were never fans of Journey..so thanks mom and dad, WTF!)..I saw them with Augeri 7 times and JSS last summer. JSS had those soaring vocals! We all got excited!

Anyhow to make a long story short, we all love Journey deep down and will give them a chance...but being left in limo is getting old for the fans (Raised on Radio tour cancelled after so many dates, no Journey for 7 years, No Trail by Fire tour, Augeri out, now JSS)

The guys need to get it together.

To Journey management: Get ur freakin act together! Get the guys on mainstream TV appearances when the next CD comes out! If you don't get the act together, your fired! Bring back Herbie! (Or might as well get Herbie back now LOL)

Jeremey is awesome! Keep the faith...Let's see what he can do if he is going to be it

[jrnysc]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

[jrnysc]

Just remember there is more to this site than just Journey!!

Oh yeah, that is surely true. So many great artists out there...

And some of them are great people as well. You can tell, some more quickly than others I'm afraid.
They are the steady sort, not extreme except when on stage or in character, and certainly not someone who, whilst in a drunken stupor, would frighten the children seeking an autograph . Stereotypes are not exaggerations.

This band is now a caricature of itself. Exactly what SP was afraid of. I really didn't think they were capable of this, but after what they did to Augeri, I'm not surprised.

No wonder Herbie hated "Spinal Tap", it's a freaking synonym for what this has become.
All we need now is a wife / girl friend to want to play tambourine and sing "Background".


What they did to you is in no way is a reflection on you or this site.

Just think, you join an illustrious list of "disenfranchised, disgruntled, dispatched, disarmed, dismounted deportee's"
"Wear it proudly, man!"

AlienC, I would like to hear more of your insight on these two characters, and what you believe Ross and or Deen had to do with it. Your insight is always interesting.

[yogi]

Bottom line is this this Andrew, the leaders of the band are going to do whatever the hell they want to. They will do what they feel is in THEIR best intrest. Screw the fans and screw the journalists.

It sucks!!, but thats the way it is. What REALLY sucks for you is that you are a fan and a journalist. You get hammered X 2.

[Red13JoePa]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

[ohsherrie]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Yeah, I think you're right about that. If they really cared about there internet fanbase they woudn't have closed their Official site.

[StevePerryHair]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Yeah, I think you're right about that. If they really cared about there internet fanbase they woudn't have closed their Official site.

Or maybe they just closed it to AVOID the bashing and bad publicity.

[jrnysc]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Yeah, I think you're right about that. If they really cared about there internet fanbase they woudn't have closed their Official site.

Or maybe they just closed it to AVOID the bashing and bad publicity.

That was my thoughts

[Mak]

Personally, I won't be able to buy any more concert tix or give them any more cash after the classless way this was handled....JSS, however, you do have a new fan in me....

regardless of how good Jeremy is, I have no interest in seeing Journey with a Perry sound-a-like...just not interested in going down that route....basically I'm done with anything in the future regarding Journey

JSS, however, get out there again soon!

[jrnysc]

Personally, I won't be able to buy any more concert tix or give them any more cash after the classless way this was handled....JSS, however, you do have a new fan in me....

regardless of how goor Jeremy is, I have no interest in seeing Journey with a Perry sound-a-like...just not interested in going down that route....basically I'm done with anything in the future regarding Journey

JSS, however, get out there again soon!

Amen.

[zino]

Andrew,
Great post, it sums up alot, you put alot of hard work into you big Jouney feature not too long ago. You had to wait "for the offical word". You held up your end of the deal and we ALL GOT FUCKED in the end. It must seem like a big waste of time right know too you. The time,effort and $$ you put into that feature.

Then oter fans followed this band down to FLA for the 3 shows down here and people went to Eurpoe too see this band. For what, the best line up we had heard in years was pulled form us because of EGO. Schon couldn't stand being upstaged by JSS. This guy brought raw energy to the stage from day 1. Then they treat him like yeserday's trash !!! too me Journey has only 2 choices too make and 1. Bring back Perry...and thats not happening 2. Bring back JSS and I doubt that will happen either. Didn't these guys read the reviews they recieved form critcs and see the fans response to the shows with JSS. People were starting to notice these guys again. They sounded great the energy was awesome. The band seemed too be having fun on stage. But the ego's stand in the way. Thats probably whay Augeri was such a good choice for Schon, he didn't upstage Schon. In SS , JSS never played before as many fans as he did with Journey. and the fans reaction was overwhelming, especially with the female fans, singing Journey songs, Schon didn't stand a chance.


Andrew thanks for all your hard work you put into this site and the work you did earler this year and last , when we all thought it was going to all mean something special for Journey.

[Playitloudforme]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Yeah, I think you're right about that. If they really cared about there internet fanbase they woudn't have closed their Official site.

Or maybe they just closed it to AVOID the bashing and bad publicity.

That was my thoughts

They'd have to hire a legion of mods to keep up with all the posts that were not 'happy happy joy joy' regarding the decision. Absolutely closed to warrant off bad publicity. Expecially with the GH going to #17 and DSB up 482% in downloads. What do people do when they want to find something nowadays... google it. When you google Journey... what comes up? The official site is the first hit. And since they took it down prior to the announcement being released...it was all very orchastrated.

Does Azoff run it (pay for it/ elect the mods/ etc)?

The one GOOD thing about all this, is that it put JSS in the public light and shined a giant spot light right on his face. Anyone who saw that tour knows JSS now. And we know the reviews.

[amaron]

I'm beginning to regret the lengths I went to to defend this band.

[Deb]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Well I sure as heck hope somebody forwarded them Brian May's and Marcel Jacob's comments. They may not give a shit what their fans think, but I'm thinking they would care what their peers think. Thank gawd they posted something, at least more people will get more of a feel for what really happened, not just the generic press release.

Somebody said the other day it was mentioned on Sirius and directed them to Brian May's site to read.

[jrnysc]

Andrew. I also want to thank you for everything, and I know you probably can't say much, but if I can ask this. Does management have any idea what this has stirred up, or do they even care? Do they have a plan to 'cover' it up?

I think management thinks the bashing is from a very very small (if very very vocal) minority.

Well I sure as heck hope somebody forwarded them Brian May's and Marcel Jacob's comments. They may not give a shit what their fans think, but I'm thinking they would care what their peers think. Thank gawd they posted something, at least more people will get more of a feel for what really happened, not just the generic press release.

Somebody said the other day it was mentioned on Sirius and directed them to Brian May's site to read.

I agree. They can act like/say what they want. When your peers start bashing you/calling you out, it stings.

[bionic]

Posted in reply to another post in another thread. But I may as well state it again in a new thread, as it comes form the heart and sums up where I'm at right now...still disappointed I guess...



Here's my problem. I was with the band in October 06. Not much more than 6 months ago. The electricity was in the air....the fans were excited....ALL the band spoke of Jeff as a crusader, a champion.
My interviews and write up portrayed the energy and excitement....I even talked at length with Mr. Schon's step dad, who himself was excited beyond belief and was suggesting the band hadn't had this much energy since Perry led 80s.

Then months later it is all over, with Mr. Soto delivered the news by a singer for another popular 80s rock band in SWEDEN no less. No face to face 'sorry it isn't going to work out'...no airing of differences to see whether a bridge could be built, no second chance for a singer who bailed the band out of some deep shit only months earlier.

Everyone that jumped on board this new line-up are left hanging in the wind...the press that gave the band some of their best reviews in years are left looking like tools for allowing themselves to be excited by the possibilities.

And me...I was there to capture the magic. Or was it...I'm disillusioned...I'm saddened...was it all lies....was it all for the sake of saving the tour...what was it?
Hours and hours of work put into a massive Journey feature - pointless. Useless. Irrelevant.

Journey and this site have been side by side for years. I love this band. I loved the members. I allow fans a place to speak their minds and at times get crucified for doing so...is it all worth it?
Where do I go from here with this band that I thought I understood?

So many questions, yet so few answers.

Great post mate, i remember you talking about how happy Jeff was in the band and how promising the future was at Firefest. You gave me a good feeling about the band again especially after the Augeri lipping sensation! I can tell you i had never been so unhappy about a band as i was regarding Augeri and Jeff restored my faith in Journey,but now i am not so sure how i feel,i would be quite happy for them to call it a day and that is something i thought i would never say.
As regards how they have treated the fans on the official site that is appalling,lucky we have this great place to come Andrew

[StevePerryHair]

Absolutely closed to warrant off bad publicity. Expecially with the GH going to #17 and DSB up 482% in downloads. What do people do when they want to find something nowadays... google it. When you google Journey... what comes up? The official site is the first hit. And since they took it down prior to the announcement being released...it was all very orchastrated.

Good point. I hope they have googled and found LOTS of bad publicity.

[tammy]

Andrew, I understand your disappointment & confusion, I think we all do. But, at least you aren't the deceiver & liar & hypocrite. I do think we see more clearly about this band...I am just so glad SP is not a part of it & I can still enjoy listening to the music (my CDs). And, we thought Journey was different than other bands? They never had any scandalous stuff in the media - well, until Tapegate, that is. They 'seemed' like decent, honest guys...that obviously has changed...
In a way, I hope they do hire a tribute singer because then I can really unleash my anger!

[jemhadar]

Andrew...

Have you called Schon and Cain?

No. I have talked to management though.

What did the management say to you? And keep up the awesome work on melodicrock.com Andrew. The first thing i do at work is to check out if melodicrock is updated.

[JrnySuxBalls]

....I even talked at length with Mr. Schon's step dad, who himself was excited beyond belief and was suggesting the band hadn't had this much energy since Perry led 80s.

Maybe they just don't want that energy anymore. Maybe they're older now and no longer care about anything other than a nice hotel room & a luxury bus. Watch themselves on TV from 1981 and go "look what we DID". Time to relax now.

Interesting listening to RUSH interviews, and how they get excited over playing new material. Oh wait, they're older too.

[larryfromnextdoor]

Here's my problem. I was with the band in October 06. Not much more than 6 months ago. The electricity was in the air....the fans were excited....ALL the band spoke of Jeff as a crusader, a champion.

and now they lost their biggest fan and supporter,, when jeff plays his
next gig i doubt he will say ,"hey fellas.. lets knock out a journey
tune!".. he championed for this band for years before he joined
and saved them... playing and singing those songs that he loved
like us..

[conversationpc]

Interesting listening to RUSH interviews, and how they get excited over playing new material. Oh wait, they're older too.

The guys in Rush are comparable in age to the guys in Journey but their audience EXPECTS them to play new stuff. It looks like they are playing about 2/3 of "Snakes & Arrows", which is great.

[chf34jmac]

Andrew,

Don't ever feel unappreciated, or irrelevant. Though the people on this site may not say it enough, they respect the hell out of your integrity and kind heart. If one band chose to shit on those qualities, then that is on them and they are left looking like assholes. I cannot and will not speak for everyone here but only for myself and anyone who agrees with what I have said and am about to say. I thank you for your tireless efforts to provide us, the music fans with the most up to date accurate information available. I thank you for providing us, the music fans a place to come and discuss, argue, make fun of the music, bands, and each other while again tirelessly maintaining order in all of the chaos that are these message boards. I loudly applaud your efforts here to maintain calm during this most recent turn of events. As you have said "in time cooler heads will prevail". So from the bottom of my heart I say to you, Don't ever quit on us because we will NEVER quit on you.

[KCfla]

Andrew,

Don't ever feel unappreciated, or irrelevant. Though the people on this site may not say it enough, they respect the hell out of your integrity and kind heart. If one band chose to shit on those qualities, then that is on them and they are left looking like assholes. I cannot and will not speak for everyone here but only for myself and anyone who agrees with what I have said and am about to say. I thank you for your tireless efforts to provide us, the music fans with the most up to date accurate information available. I thank you for providing us, the music fans a place to come and discuss, argue, make fun of the music, bands, and each other while again tirelessly maintaining order in all of the chaos that are these message boards. I loudly applaud your efforts here to maintain calm during this most recent turn of events. As you have said "in time cooler heads will prevail". So from the bottom of my heart I say to you, Don't ever quit on us because we will NEVER quit on you.

Mac - WORD^ Bro!

Andrew- Keep up the stellar work. We ( and I think I can speak for most here) are thankful for all that you do. Both for the music, and the Musicians that make Melodic Rock a gendre that will forever be a part of our lives and souls.

The music will continue- and in no small part to what you do here. Even under sometimes insurmountable odds!

Keep up the good work Andrew!
Peace-out!
KC

[Melissa]

Andrew everything you give us is FAR from pointless, useless, or irrelevant. I loved that piece you did

[frfksakes]

I'm with Deano on this one. Close down the forum. Start a new one ("Forum Formally Known As") so that the people in here can still get together...
But let this blemish on MR go....
I know that's not popular, lol.

Thank you, Andrew, for your incredible patience during this whole thing.
& I really enjoy your site, very much. I've discovered many bands, here...

and I totally agree with:

Is it all worth it? Absolutely. Knowing the truth about these guys has been a breath of fresh air. Helps me understand why Perry will not return to Journey. Gives me closure. Answers a lot of previously unanswered questions. Also, and most importantly, it led me to Jeff. One of "the good guys" like Andrew said. Good to know there are a few left. When the dust settles, Jeff will better off, and Journey will continue with a bit more of a tarnished image. In the end, all parties will move forward. Jeff needs to continue to stay as silent as possible and let us do the dirty work. Believe me, it'll our pleasure.