Impressed with Arnel

[brywool]

re-recording the 'classics' would be Journey's way of "jacking off". Seriously, waste of time and effort.

If that's what they're having Arnel do, Arnel should quit now. It serves NO purpose at all.

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

Step into the future or get off the escalator.
Any band can go around in circles trying to be what they were, they look stupid doing it. So do you.

Arnel can save this band. He's that good of a singer.

What's wrong with just being a touring band and being able to continue to play the hits that people want to hear? I really don't think bolstering up Journey into some great "comeback" with a new singer is on the agenda...Seriously....Some valid points, brywool, but think of Journey as a corporation and the members with varying levels of seniority....That collection of greatest hits is their version of the 401(k), and after nearly thirty years of service for some, it's time to start taking out more than they are putting in...

NOTHING is wrong with being a touring band and playing the hits. But to keep their hardcore fans interested (you know, the ones that've been paying Journey's bills for the past 30 years) I don't think that the hardcores want them to JUST be the band that plays LTS until they have heart attacks onstage.

Okay, I'll just speak for me...

If Journey does no new songs or albums, they will get NOTHING out of me. I already have all their other stuff. Why would I buy it again?? Why would I go to see them sing those songs that I saw them sing with Perry 5 times and with Augeri twice? If there's no new music, what's the point? If they just want to tour, that's great for the casual fan. If they want to keep the fans they have, they really should record new music.

[lparn]

re-recording the 'classics' would be Journey's way of "jacking off". Seriously, waste of time and effort.

If that's what they're having Arnel do, Arnel should quit now. It serves NO purpose at all.

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

Step into the future or get off the escalator.
Any band can go around in circles trying to be what they were, they look stupid doing it. So do you.

Arnel can save this band. He's that good of a singer.

____________________________________________________________________________________
I am not sure at this point anything is going to save this band,
Nothing against Arnel or anyone.,
They lied to us too many times and handled things very poorly.
They brought in a singer in 98 and recorded a decent album in 2001 although I will admit it needed less ballads and more rockers. They did nothing to promote the cd as far as internet, radio etc and that is management and the rec company. How many times in music history has the rec company told a band or artist not to include a certain song and it turns out to be the biggest hit.
They in turn toured to death to "promote" themselves and purely out of greed.
They hurt SA voice in the process and when he could not do it anymore they kicked him to the curb like an old appliance. I will agree about Neal not giving interviews, the one;s he gave in 07 esp about SA were scathing.
It makes no sense rerecording the older songs just because they can.
I would have been interested with SA however not now.
I find it very hard to trust and take them seriously and blindly follow them with all the lies and
deceit etc.and the way they treat their singers.
It makes no sense to me business wise to tour to death or until your singer cannot do it.
Take advantage of some of the avenues out there to get your music to people.
A tour does not have to be a marathon.
You cannot keep living in the past. Time to move ahead.

[jrnyman28]

Look deep into your pockets....

Well, I doubt they did it for my pocket lint...that's all that's in there!

[jrnyman28]

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

I agree completely with the bold print. About the management team...I think Azoff can give them anything they want. And that used to be my mantra: WHAT DOES JOURNEY WANT?

As for an apology...pipe dream for sure. And as nice as it would be, it really will not be necessary in their scheme of things. They can be successful with hard work and with out an apology...

[journeyrock]

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

I agree completely with the bold print. About the management team...I think Azoff can give them anything they want. And that used to be my mantra: WHAT DOES JOURNEY WANT?

As for an apology...pipe dream for sure. And as nice as it would be, it really will not be necessary in their scheme of things. They can be successful with hard work and with out an apology...

Not without Espee.

[jrnyman28]

What's wrong with just being a touring band and being able to continue to play the hits that people want to hear? I really don't think bolstering up Journey into some great "comeback" with a new singer is on the agenda...Seriously....Some valid points, brywool, but think of Journey as a corporation and the members with varying levels of seniority....That collection of greatest hits is their version of the 401(k), and after nearly thirty years of service for some, it's time to start taking out more than they are putting in...

Nothing wrong with it if that is what they choose. But they should be upfront about it. Quit blowing smoke up our ass about how great the new stuff is and how excited the band is about it and how this guy is a saviour. It's repetitive as it has been said so many times before. In '98 I was excited about a new beginning...it didn't happen. When JSS came on board it seemed there was no other diretion BUT a new one and I got excited again. now this. Their actions speak so much louder than their words. So it is time for their words to ring true and align with their actions...

[jrnyman28]

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

I agree completely with the bold print. About the management team...I think Azoff can give them anything they want. And that used to be my mantra: WHAT DOES JOURNEY WANT?

As for an apology...pipe dream for sure. And as nice as it would be, it really will not be necessary in their scheme of things. They can be successful with hard work and with out an apology...

Not without Espee.

I disagree. This band still has the talent to be successful. Not in 1981 terms but far more viable in 2008 IF THEY WORK AT IT. They could have back in '98 too. But other than touring, this band has more or less sat on their collective asses...

[strangegrey]

Ugh, welcome to last week..and the week before that...the week before that.

* Shitty outsorced singer with diction (and we now know, addiction) issues
Additional factors include:
* cheap wages for said singer (raising concerns of control issues)
* impossible connection with middle america
* dreadfully shitty stage presence

* over-the-hill band desperate to bank on dying fan base before the base is gone
Additional factors include:
* douchebag lying scheming guitarist with dreadfully expensive ego
* above mentioned guitarist with awful track record on business decissions
* Keyboardist with similar issues
* Douchebag stage manager who has enemies in every port
* shitty album of rerecorded classics that should have never been touched

What, pray tell, is there anything good about this trainwreck about to happen?


The above factors are a recipe for disaster....and 2008 will go down as the year Journey did more damage to itself than a Meth addict could do with an unlimted budget.

It's not going to be pretty. Anyone who thinks otherwise is probably severely abusing above mentioned Meth.


Nothing more to see here...move on.

[Jeremey]

Nothing wrong with it if that is what they choose. But they should be upfront about it. Quit blowing smoke up our ass about how great the new stuff is and how excited the band is about it and how this guy is a saviour. It's repetitive as it has been said so many times before. In '98 I was excited about a new beginning...it didn't happen. When JSS came on board it seemed there was no other diretion BUT a new one and I got excited again. now this. Their actions speak so much louder than their words. So it is time for their words to ring true and align with their actions...

I agree...That's why I don't think they should make a big deal about Arnel. Quit blowing smoke is right....I think they should lay low and rebuild their fan base. Not by interviewing or being plastered all over the news, or even by releasing a new record. Downplay Arnel. Downplay Neal. Downplay Jonathan. Let the name "Journey" simmer out there...Do a small scale tour next year and rebuild a la Foreigner with Kelly. Shit, even do some small House of Blues style gigs. I floated the idea of a "B Sides Live" mini-tour at one point to introduce the new guy to the hardcore fanbase with a little tour of House of Blues-style shows playing 80% B sides...Spread the word among the fan base that this is a limited access to the "non-hits" and get them in the seats, to give them a chance to warm up to the idea of a new singer - And not so closely associate the new guy with The Voice of "Faithfully" and "DSB." Then go out there with another artist in the summer and do a multibill shed tour, then do a late summer festival bill as an opener with a couple bands like Aerosmith and Van Halen, THEN put out a new record in the fall with new material. I think they are front-loading this process a bit too much, and think the GH rerecording and rushing a new record of original material with a new singer who learned the songs over a week or two is probably NOT the best approach, but what do I know. And as for Azoff, well, the management team basically does whatever Journey (Neal) wants them to do, so to some extent their hands are tied, and to another extent, Journey is basically a dividends check to the management team, so why be any more hands-on than necessary?

[lparn]

I agree. The band members have alot of talent to be successful. I have always admired Jon Cain as a musician and songwriter. I just think that they have made alot of bad choices and handled things very badly. That is what people remember and see and it seems that they know that and don;lt really care about the hardcore fans and are targeting the casual fan who does not know about the history
and what has gone on so that they can make money.
They are using their greed and not their talent.

[texafana]

lord....the guys are pushing 60. They don't need a new direction, etc, etc. blah, blah, blah. Give me a couple of new tunes that have that legacy sound, go tour and sing the hell out of the classics. I and 1000's upon 1000's of others will be happy. I'm sure that's all they want to do. And I don't blame them one bit! Arnel is by far the best singer for Journey since Perry. I don't see how anyone can argue that. Ofcourse I would have said the same thing if JH was on board.

[jrnyman28]

Nothing wrong with it if that is what they choose. But they should be upfront about it. Quit blowing smoke up our ass about how great the new stuff is and how excited the band is about it and how this guy is a saviour. It's repetitive as it has been said so many times before. In '98 I was excited about a new beginning...it didn't happen. When JSS came on board it seemed there was no other diretion BUT a new one and I got excited again. now this. Their actions speak so much louder than their words. So it is time for their words to ring true and align with their actions...

I agree...That's why I don't think they should make a big deal about Arnel. Quit blowing smoke is right....I think they should lay low and rebuild their fan base. Not by interviewing or being plastered all over the news, or even by releasing a new record. Downplay Arnel. Downplay Neal. Downplay Jonathan. Let the name "Journey" simmer out there...Do a small scale tour next year and rebuild a la Foreigner with Kelly. Shit, even do some small House of Blues style gigs. I floated the idea of a "B Sides Live" mini-tour at one point to introduce the new guy to the hardcore fanbase with a little tour of House of Blues-style shows playing 80% B sides...Spread the word among the fan base that this is a limited access to the "non-hits" and get them in the seats, to give them a chance to warm up to the idea of a new singer - And not so closely associate the new guy with The Voice of "Faithfully" and "DSB." Then go out there with another artist in the summer and do a multibill shed tour, then do a late summer festival bill as an opener with a couple bands like Aerosmith and Van Halen, THEN put out a new record in the fall with new material. I think they are front-loading this process a bit too much, and think the GH rerecording and rushing a new record of original material with a new singer who learned the songs over a week or two is probably NOT the best approach, but what do I know. And as for Azoff, well, the management team basically does whatever Journey (Neal) wants them to do, so to some extent their hands are tied, and to another extent, Journey is basically a dividends check to the management team, so why be any more hands-on than necessary?

To be honest, I like the idea. Although it is similar to what they did with Steve. They did a small tour to test the waters and secure a record deal. As it became more lucrative they continued the tour. It was almost a struggle to get them off the road to record Arrival!

I really like the idea of a B-sides Tour. In fact, Neal mentioned going out as JRNY so that they could play the "other stuff" without the expectations of the dirty dozen.

The touring idea worked. But it took continuous touring for over 6 years and it seemed like they still couldn't stop for fear of it all crashing down. That led to the health problems with their vocalist and that led to everything falling apart. So it probably feels like they need to do something different. But for Journey it can't be too different or too hard. So they switch it around, get excited and throw together another CD...in a market that doesn't sell CDs anymore...and try to hit the ground running. Hopiung they haven't lost too much ground.

(You also mention them OPENING for other bands...we all know how Neal feels about that!! Otherwise they could have properly labeled the Def Leppard Tour OR accepted some early package ideas that were thrown around!)

[Eric]

What's wrong with just being a touring band and being able to continue to play the hits that people want to hear? I really don't think bolstering up Journey into some great "comeback" with a new singer is on the agenda...Seriously....Some valid points, brywool, but think of Journey as a corporation and the members with varying levels of seniority....That collection of greatest hits is their version of the 401(k), and after nearly thirty years of service for some, it's time to start taking out more than they are putting in...

I don't respect that as much as when a band produces new music. Like, REO has had like 10 new songs in the last 12 years....not good.

Did the band ask you what you thought about Arrival/Generations/Red13?

[lparn]

Unless they are going to lie and not tell people that SP is not there anymore or SA let alone JSS,
I donot see how they are going to headline a tour without another act like dl or heart or anyone.
DL toured last year with styx and they played 10,000 seat arenas/ Styx palyed not even a hour.
One tix for dl and reo in row C is going for $725 on the internet.
No way a 10,000 seat venue is going to take that chance unless it is a package tour.

[journeyrock]

Journey:
Make a big deal out of Arnel.
Do a NEW album of NEW music.
Dump your management team and get someone there who can help you.
Tell Neal to quit doing interviews.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release.
Apologize to your hardcore fanbase so they will stand behind you.
Quit mentioning Perry in every news release...

I agree completely with the bold print. About the management team...I think Azoff can give them anything they want. And that used to be my mantra: WHAT DOES JOURNEY WANT?

As for an apology...pipe dream for sure. And as nice as it would be, it really will not be necessary in their scheme of things. They can be successful with hard work and with out an apology...

Not without Espee.

I disagree. This band still has the talent to be successful. Not in 1981 terms but far more viable in 2008 IF THEY WORK AT IT. They could have back in '98 too. But other than touring, this band has more or less sat on their collective asses...

My point exactly, if Espee were there, that would not be happening

[Jeremey]

I really like the idea of a B-sides Tour. In fact, Neal mentioned going out as JRNY so that they could play the "other stuff" without the expectations of the dirty dozen.

I heard the JRNY thing mentioned by Neal...I got the impression that the paycheck of Journey is great, but the freedom of JRNY is what he really wants to be happy, but he can't have both.

[Jeremey]

Did the band ask you what you thought about Arrival/Generations/Red13?

Nope!

[Jeremey]

Unless they are going to lie and not tell people that SP is not there anymore or SA let alone JSS,
I donot see how they are going to headline a tour without another act like dl or heart or anyone.
DL toured last year with styx and they played 10,000 seat arenas/ Styx palyed not even a hour.
One tix for dl and reo in row C is going for $725 on the internet.
No way a 10,000 seat venue is going to take that chance unless it is a package tour.

I think Neal & Journey would jump at the chance to open for an Aerosmith or Van Halen calibre draw.

[journeyrock]

I really like the idea of a B-sides Tour. In fact, Neal mentioned going out as JRNY so that they could play the "other stuff" without the expectations of the dirty dozen.

I heard the JRNY thing mentioned by Neal...I got the impression that the paycheck of Journey is great, but the freedom of JRNY is what he really wants to be happy, but he can't have both.

Good point, Jeremey. It's all in priorities. And I'm not ragging on Neal, just sayin.

[ScarabGator]

Great post badcotune!!! I am very excited with what Arnel will bring to the table. I was also a SA fan, loved Arrival and hated the day they announced he was gone. I feel the same as you about JSS-he is a great singer but for Journey he just never did it for me. No offense to him or anyone, he just didnt fit. I love listening to the guy sing but not for Journey. I dont know why the talk about a re-packaged GH collection keeps coming up because Ive heard time and time again this isnt going to happen, at least not as a stand alone CD. There is new stuff coming and it will be out very soon. I never want to see Journey just stand still and continue to tour the dirty dozen. Its fine to play those in concert because hell, I want to hear them too but as long as they are moving forward with a new CD, good or bad the Journey continues. And throw some of the new stuff in here and there...this excites me, very much.

[brywool]

Ugh, welcome to last week..and the week before that...the week before that.

* Shitty outsorced singer with diction (and we now know, addiction) issues
Additional factors include:
* cheap wages for said singer (raising concerns of control issues)
* impossible connection with middle america
* dreadfully shitty stage presence

Give me a break...
God, it's friggin' 2008, this crap is still part of us??? Of course it is...

Judge the man on what he does with the band and his voice, not on where he's from.

Don't forget to wear your white hoodie when you pick up your re-recorded classic CD from walmart...


By the way, if they're re-recording stuff for the 'casual fan'- THOSE are the people who won't accept a NOT Steve Perry Journey. The rest of the hardcore fans will most likely give it a chance.

[fredinator]

I don't see what's so terribly wrong with rerecording some the oldies--especially Patiently, Sweet and Simple, Opened the Door, LaDoDa, etc. I would love to hear their take on these songs 30 years later with Arnel. What is so freakin' terrible about that? Very much sounds like sour grapes. I agree with you BadCo.

[Rockindeano]

Great post badcotune!!! I am very excited with what Arnel will bring to the table. I was also a SA fan, loved Arrival and hated the day they announced he was gone. I feel the same as you about JSS-he is a great singer but for Journey he just never did it for me. No offense to him or anyone, he just didnt fit. I love listening to the guy sing but not for Journey. I dont know why the talk about a re-packaged GH collection keeps coming up because Ive heard time and time again this isnt going to happen, at least not as a stand alone CD. There is new stuff coming and it will be out very soon. I never want to see Journey just stand still and continue to tour the dirty dozen. Its fine to play those in concert because hell, I want to hear them too but as long as they are moving forward with a new CD, good or bad the Journey continues. And throw some of the new stuff in here and there...this excites me, very much.

You really think they will play anything new in concert? You are dreaming. They are too timid and too scared to take chances. They are creatively dead.

[Rockindeano]

I don't see what's so terribly wrong with rerecording some the oldies--especially Patiently, Sweet and Simple, Opened the Door, LaDoDa, etc. I would love to hear their take on these songs 30 years later with Arnel. What is so freakin' terrible about that? Very much sounds like sour grapes. I agree with you BadCo.

I for one have a huge problem with them re recording the old catalog. Play those songs live, fine, but for god's sake, don't shatter what remains of the legacy. Perry has got to be pissed. He made those songs special, and now whomever rerecords them, it simply won't be as good. Maybe this will motivate Espee to show these fuckpuffs up.

[fredinator]

I am a huge fan of SP; but that was then, this is now. I finally believe that he is not going to come back. Lots of people don't know Journey's catalog from the 70's, here is their chance to show them. That is MY favorite catalog--I would like the songs from that era to become really well-known; they deserve the recognition especially for some of the rockers from then.

After all these years and I'm going to get crucified for this, Neal = Journey.

[tanga]

Ugh, welcome to last week..and the week before that...the week before that.

* Shitty outsorced singer with diction (and we now know, addiction) issues
Additional factors include:
* cheap wages for said singer (raising concerns of control issues)
* impossible connection with middle america
* dreadfully shitty stage presence



"DUMB ASS"!!!!

[marco17]

I know they have mentioned that it is part of the plan, but to some extent do what they did with Augeri... Don't rush out a record and do a live DVD for people to make up their minds. Yes, Steve's voice wasn't perfect and they enhanced some of his vocals on the DVD, but I will bet you they will do the exact same thing for Arnel just to try to make him look sensational to win over the fanbase.

Also, I agree with Deano that they will be very hesitant to play anything new and will rely on the dirty dozen live. If they were really interested in moving ahead and being creative, they could have made it work with Jeff, and Augeri for that matter. But, that didn't happen and they went back to another guy who can bring the "Journey" sound ala Perry.

Unfortunately, they are not going to cater to the diehard fan, because most of the concert tickets being bought are by the casual fan who remembers hearing "Faithfully" or "Open Arms" at their high school prom. That is what they have been relegated to, and in all honesty they aren't the only ones. Many of the bands from that era [and before] do nothing more then go out and play their greatest hits tour after tour, to a point that you can guess the setlist before the tour even starts. Some that come to mind that I have seen over the past years are Chicago and Def Leppard, but there a lot more. Chicago did "Chicago XXX" within the last couple years and you were lucky to hear one or two songs live because nobody cared about hearing new material, and the CD wasn't half bad, but they cater to their older fans who don't want to hear their 80's to present material. Same for DL. Nobody wants to hear anything off of "X" or whatever their last original studio album was, they want to hear every hit off of Hysteria. Journey is no different, and whether the band is happy about being in that situation or not, I certainly don't know, but it's the GH that make the house and allomony payments. So, for that reason, as much as I wouldn't want to hear hit, I am sure that is why they will redo the GH with Arnel.

[Voyager]

A band that hires a sound-alike singer to sing the songs that the former singer made famous is still considered a "tribute band" last time I checked.

[Rick]

A band that hires a sound-alike singer to sing the songs that the former singer made famous is still considered a "tribute band" last time I checked.

Was Van Halen a tribute band with Sammy?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing Arnel with Sammy, but my point is, if they're recording new music, then the tribute thing is moot.

I know not everyone is happy with this new direction or regression as some see it, and I'm sure people are still reeling that it isn't Jeff or Jeremey fronting, but none of it is going to change now. We may as well get on with it. Let's see what Arnel's got. You might like it dude. These guys may have the social skills of a turnip, but they are great artists.

[Saint John]

A band that hires a sound-alike singer to sing the songs that the former singer made famous is still considered a "tribute band" last time I checked.

Arnel is being paid to sing songs that Steve Perry can no longer sing or no longer wishes to sing. For you to admonish the remaining members that want to work and perform songs THEY helped write and record is selfish and assanine. They have simply chosen a singer that they think can replicate the sound fans of the band have become accustomed to, while at the same time record new music without deviating too far from said sound. It's really a fairly simple concept.