Why Steve Smith will never return to Journey

[Art Vandelay]

One topic, or comment, that always seems to baffle me is when people suggest that Steve Smith return to Journey. No doubt that I'm Pro-Perry, but Smith was always my favorite of the group. It was his Fiafiaga album that introduced me to jazz music when I was 16, and I've lived and breathed jazz ever since. Smith' jazz offerings are always on the top of my list. Vital Information, GHS, Vital Tech Tones, Buddy's Buddies, you name it. Being such a fan of what he's doing now, I could never understand how anyone would expect him to go back to arena rock. But then I though, maybe not everyone understands what it really is that he's doing these days. Jazz isn't for everyone, and that's totally understandable. So I thought I would try breaking it down in a different way.

Let's think of Journey as a classic, all-American diner. They would serve up some of the best comfort foods that we've been enjoying for years: burgers, fries, milkshakes, meatloaf, omelettes, pancakes, even a nice cup of coffee and a piece of pie. Smith was fortunate enough to work for this diner back in its heyday, when it was a 5-star eating establishment and millions would flock to it for a great meal.

Well, after a few years, Smith decided to leave the diner scene to become a gourmet chef. His focus would be on finer foods, and would rather concentrate on serving his creations in small, intimate restaurants, rather than in the big, polished up diner cart. He would become the head chef of his own restaurant, and would often collaborate with some of the best chefs around. Eventually, he would become known as one of the top chefs in the world, honing his skills in various forms of finer cuisine. He would expand his talents by incorporating flavors that he discovered around the world, only to customize these flavors and make them his own. His latest creations include interesting spices that he picked up from the middle east. Obviously not everyone is in to fine dining. A lot that he serves up is an acquired taste. But I ask you, if someone were to dedicate so much time and passion to his craft, and to be so highly regarded worldwide, why in the hell would he decide to go back to slinging burgers?

The Journey diner - it's still around. The head chef who helped create their signature flavor had hung up his apron (with tails on it) long ago. Once in a blue moon he may pop into someone else's establishment unannounced to help stir some soup or scramble an egg, but that's about it. His replacement chef did well for a few years, until he was caught serving pre-cooked food instead of using homemade ingredients. A new chef was recently brought in who had the potential of once again turning the old diner into a 5-star eating establishment, but was quickly dismissed. The reason - he simply wanted to expand their menu. You see, they are content with serving the same burgers, fries, omelettes and coffee that they have been serving for the last 20-25 years. I love hamburgers...but would like to taste a little chicken or seafood once in awhile!!!

Now who's hungry?

[Moon Beam]

Love how you slung that one.

[ScarabGator]

If Perry came back, Smith would come back.

[Eric]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

[Art Vandelay]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

At this point in time, I don't think I'd want to see Smith back in the lineup. After hearing and seeing what he's capable of doing (and I've sat 5 feet in front of his drumset), it would be anti-climatic watching him play DSB or Separate Ways again. He would be holding back on his playing so much.

[chad]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

At this point in time, I don't think I'd want to see Smith back in the lineup. After hearing and seeing what he's capable of doing (and I've sat 5 feet in front of his drumset), it would be anti-climatic watching him play DSB or Separate Ways again. He would be holding back on his playing so much.

could not agree more!

[Rockindeano]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

[Art Vandelay]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

According to who?

[Rockindeano]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

According to who?

You questioning me?

Trust me, he was that close.

[lights1961]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

According to who?

You questioning me?

Trust me, he was that close.

always!! haha. but in the end... you seem to be more right than wrong...

[chad]

interesting...

if you're correct in that Smith was contemplating a return...that raises a bigger questions as to why would dean be replaced on drums or leave?

personally, i don't think Smith will ever return unless Perry did for a final farewell tour

[Rockindeano]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

According to who?

You questioning me?

Trust me, he was that close.

always!! haha. but in the end... you seem to be more right than wrong...

In fact, I would say that Smith's number is still on Neal's quick dial.

[Art Vandelay]

You have no idea just how close he came to returning last tour.

According to who?

You questioning me?

Trust me, he was that close.

You're damn right I'm questioning you.

That close to being asked or that close to considering? Two differnt things completely.

[bluejeangirl76]

I'll tell you, in the event Smith ever returned, that would be one thing that would actually get me to shell out money on this three-ring circus again. Steve Smith is one the coolest fuckers around and one of the best damn drummers I've ever seen.

Perry should start his own band and get Smith on drums, though, to save me from giving FrigFro any money. And as long as I'm wishing for shit that ain't never gonna happen, get Rolie in that band too.

[jrnyjetster]

Trust me, he was that close.

Deano, was it because they were going to put Castronovo out front if Jeff didn't accept the job or was Deen going to leave altogether? It's all water under the friggin' bridge now anyway...so just for conversational purposes, tell us WHY Smith was "that close" to returning? OR is it a big fuckin' SECRET or something??

[larryfromnextdoor]

maybe it has to do with Soul Sirkus first.. for the same reasons they had to cut the album over again with the 2nd drummer...

[jrnyjetster]

maybe it has to do with Soul Sirkus first.. for the same reasons they had to cut the album over again with the 2nd drummer...

Deano was talking about the last tour. The SoulSirkUS thing was before Generations in 2004/05.

[larryfromnextdoor]

maybe it has to do with Soul Sirkus first.. for the same reasons they had to cut the album over again with the 2nd drummer...

Deano was talking about the last tour. The SoulSirkUS thing was before Generations in 2004/05.

the same reasons.....

[jrnyjetster]

the same reasons.....

What do you mean....when Castronovo took ill?

[Art Vandelay]

Even IF ( and I say that very lightly and with a big ass smirk on my face) Smith were contacted, ain't no way he'd play for a rock band that opened for Leppard.

Regardless of whatever the Wizard of Oz claims to know.

This is what I do know...and I'm not afraid to say it. I met and spoke with SS in April at a Vital Information show. Just the mention of Journey practically makes his eyes roll. He has no interest in the band anymore. And there are others here who have said the same from when they met him as well.

[Soto All The Way]

Even IF ( and I say that very lightly and with a big ass smirk on my face) Smith were contacted, ain't no way he'd play for a rock band that opened for Leppard.

Regardless of whatever the Wizard of Oz claims to know.

This is what I do know...and I'm not afraid to say it. I met and spoke with SS in April at a Vital Information show. Just the mention of Journey practically makes his eyes roll. He has no interest in the band anymore. And there are others here who have said the same from when they met him as well.

Whatever you say Artie......99.99999% of the time what Dean say is true and moreso accurate....Stay away from him. He'll crush you and your supposed talk with Smitty.

There's alot of us that have had that same talk on VI Tours over the years with Smitty and he never rolled his eyes. He has always said the right things about Journey at the right times......I was closer than 5 feet too.....Both when he was playing and when he wasn't.....Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah.....

e-

[chad]

Trust me, he was that close.

Deano, was it because they were going to put Castronovo out front if Jeff didn't accept the job or was Deen going to leave altogether? It's all water under the friggin' bridge now anyway...so just for conversational purposes, tell us WHY Smith was "that close" to returning? OR is it a big fuckin' SECRET or something??

Deano, you never clarified...what was the rationale behind contacting Smith?

[STORY_TELLER]

ignore this response box

[STORY_TELLER]

Art,
I like the way you wrote the opening of this thread, however, your theory doesn't hold water for one reason:

Steve Smith was the drummer on the Trial By Fire album. Hasn't he been doing his jazz thing since he was (wrongly) fired off the Raised on Radio album? Kind of blows a hole in your theory there brother.

I don't know what to think about Deeno's comments on how he almost joined the last tour. I do know that Smith is on record as saying he's not interested in being in a Perryless Journey. I think if Perry was to return, Smith would as well. He's proud of his legacy with Journey just as much as Perry. I do believe it's possible that when Augeri lost his voice, Neal was about to call Smith to ask him if he would step in on drums so they could put Dean up front on vocals. I would have LOVED to see that happen. To me, that's highest quality, realistic lineup possible these days. Too bad Dean is so insecure with himself.

If Smith did roll his eyes, odds are you're misreading his intent. Could it be that he rolled his eyes because at his performances, he's always asked about his past in Journey? Most artist's want to be valued for what they're currently doing, not what they did years ago, you know? He's probably tired of hearing Journey questions.

Just as Perry is the voice of Journey, Smitty is the percussion. Dean's a solid drummer, but he's not in the same class. I witnessed the difference first hand at the walk of fame after concert. Night and day sound coming out of the band when Smitty was on the skins.

[Moon Beam]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

If Journey now is the cash cow she seems to be, then no.....I see the originals
coming in to graze.(I mean this in no ill will, I would love an old days get together)
If new music and direction was to be in thier likes I would say Deen C is the man for the skins.

[Saint John]

Even IF ( and I say that very lightly and with a big ass smirk on my face) Smith were contacted, ain't no way he'd play for a rock band that opened for Leppard.

Regardless of whatever the Wizard of Oz claims to know.

This is what I do know...and I'm not afraid to say it. I met and spoke with SS in April at a Vital Information show. Just the mention of Journey practically makes his eyes roll. He has no interest in the band anymore. And there are others here who have said the same from when they met him as well.

Surprised he didn't cry. My guess would be that he rolled his eyes becase your question reminded him about the $80 MILLION (approximately) the band had to flush down the toilet when Steve Perry decided not to tour. Steve Smith would be begging to tour with these guys if Perry ever came back.

[Rhiannon]

Surprised he didn't cry. My guess would be that he rolled his eyes becase your question reminded him about the $80 MILLION (approximately) the band had to flush down the toilet when Steve Perry decided not to tour. Steve Smith would be begging to tour with these guys if Perry ever came back.

Didn't he say that in an interview or something once?
Maybe in the BTM: Director's cut? I know I've heard something like that...

[STORY_TELLER]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

If Journey now is the cash cow she seems to be, then no.....I see the originals
coming in to graze.(I mean this in no ill will, I would love an old days get together)
If new music and direction was to be in thier likes I would say Deen C is the man for the skins.

I beg to differ. New music and new direction, possibly. Better music and better direction? No. Dean is a one trick pony on the skins. All power, all pounding. Smith is an artist and can change up to suit the needs of the song. Like I said, night and day performances at the WOF after concert. Smith played two songs using dean's kit and he cut loose on them. No Perry around biting his fist as a visual que to Smith to get him to hold back on his chops. (quoted from Perry saying he used to do that during their concerts)

Dean is a much better singer than a drummer. It's too bad he doesn't have the stomach for being a front man.

[Saint John]

Is Castronovo a better fit for Journey now though?

If Journey now is the cash cow she seems to be, then no.....I see the originals
coming in to graze.(I mean this in no ill will, I would love an old days get together)
If new music and direction was to be in thier likes I would say Deen C is the man for the skins.

I beg to differ. New music and new direction, possibly. Better music and better direction? No. Dean is a one trick pony on the skins. All power, all pounding. Smith is an artist and can change up to suit the needs of the song. Like I said, night and day performances at the WOF after concert. Smith played two songs using dean's kit and he cut loose on them. No Perry around biting his fist as a visual que to Smith to get him to hold back on his chops. (quoted from Perry saying he used to do that during their concerts)

Dean is a much better singer than a drummer. It's too bad he doesn't have the stomach for being a front man.

I think trying to compare Castronovo to Smith is kinda like comparing Augeri to Perry. You simply can't do it. If it weren't for Deen's ability to fill in as a decent frontman in an emergency, and provide very good backing vocals, he would have been gone long ago. His original drumming in Journey has been nothing more than month old dog shit.

[ohsherrie]

I think Smitty would come back for a one off mercy retirement of the Journey name if Steve Perry would. Other than that (IMO) no way in hell would he be a part of this catastrophe that's been abusing the Journey name since 1997.

By the way, Storyteller, I enjoy your posts and even agree with some of your points. However, the drummer for the band currently abusing the Journey name is DEEN. The guy that posts on here with the Rock'nDeano nic is DEAN.

I don't mean to seem like a nitpicking bitch, but so many people misspell the names that it begins to be like the old "nails on the blackboard" thing after a while.