Excited about Journey's future?

[The Sushi Hunter]

I'm excited about Journey now for my own personal reason, but down to it, it's really too bad that Journey couldn't have stayed as an all original member band. Having them stay as all original makes them extra special in my opinion anyways.

Hiring Arnel was a very risky move I think. But since Arnel cuts the mustard, the gamble turned out for the most part in their favor, though there are still lots of people who are not sold on it. Big question is how long will it last. I hope a fair amount of time. Arnel is over ten years younger then the original members. Not so sure how long these original members are going to be able to pursue this career at this degree. For sure the Journey name will outlast most of the active members. Sort of like the band Runs & Goses, the name exists but there's only like one original member left in it.

I hope all the best for Journey's future. And we'll all pretty much know the direction of Journey after we've got a chance to listen to the upcoming CD/DVD release. The last time I was thoroughly dissapointed in an album was when I went out and purchased that Generation Swine album. Absolutely stunk!

[jrnychick]

I just feel ambivalent about it right now. Not excited, not pissed off, just really don't care all that much. I totally bought in when SA joined the band, and did so again when JSS joined. I was excited about the band doing something new. I'm not so ready to jump in with another new singer. I'm one of those people who isn't interested in a Perry clone. I don't need the songs to sound exactly as they did 25 years ago. I was at those shows 25 years ago, and they were special for that moment in time. Will I buy the CD set? Probably. Will I watch the DVD or listen to the re-recordings? Probably not. I'm only interested in the new music. The old songs are special as they are, and I think they should have been left that way. Will I go to a show this summer? Probably. Will I pay big bucks for tickets? Probably not. Will I travel for a show? No.

[RebornJrny]

I'm excited about Journey now for my own personal reason, but down to it, it's really too bad that Journey couldn't have stayed as an all original member band. Having them stay as all original makes them extra special in my opinion anyways.

Hiring Arnel was a very risky move I think. But since Arnel cuts the mustard, the gamble turned out for the most part in their favor, though there are still lots of people who are not sold on it. Big question is how long will it last. I hope a fair amount of time. Arnel is over ten years younger then the original members. Not so sure how long these original members are going to be able to pursue this career at this degree. For sure the Journey name will outlast most of the active members. Sort of like the band Runs & Goses, the name exists but there's only like one original member left in it.

I hope all the best for Journey's future. And we'll all pretty much know the direction of Journey after we've got a chance to listen to the upcoming CD/DVD release. The last time I was thoroughly dissapointed in an album was when I went out and purchased that Generation Swine album. Absolutely stunk!

The real question is will there still be Journey when Neal Schone retires? I really think this will be the end of the road for Journey.

[mistiejourney]

I'm much more looking forward to JSS' new cd than I am Journey's.

you know what? me too! i was thinking about this the other morning, when will we be treated to the JSS experience?!

I'm basically apathetic about journey now, which totally sucks, but oh well.

I'll willing to give the Journey studio album of NEW material a listen. Like I said before, you can't force it - either it hits me or it doesn't. The NEW studio music just might do that given Arnel's voice.

Yesterday, my best friend and I spent an hour figuring out how to get to Nottingham for Firefest V. For JSS (and Augeri AND Hugo, btw). We decided we could follow JSS all over the place for the same amount of money here in the US.

I really don't think of JSS and Journey in the same sentence anymore - I'm just not enthusiastic about the seeing them again. The NEW music, I'll buy in a minute if it is good. I don't need another DVD or the rehash CD.

[mistiejourney]

Most definitely excited. For a long while I've been able to separate what "was" with what Journey has become. Journey with Perry was another place and time - It all means something different to each of us. But I am excited that the band has a singer that can really wail on the songs and I shouldn't have to go to a Journey show and wince and cringe everytime a high note was ducked or blown out. I'm looking forward to the CD. As I said when JSS was with the band - It's a different Journey, and I can separate that from those old days of re-renting "Frontiers and Beyond" from the corner video store several times a month just to look on in amazement at all that I missed out on.

OMG - I rented "Frontiers and Beyond" so many times that one day my husband bought the only copy at the video rental store! I had my folks watch it - my dad loved it!

[The Sushi Hunter]

I'm excited about Journey now for my own personal reason, but down to it, it's really too bad that Journey couldn't have stayed as an all original member band. Having them stay as all original makes them extra special in my opinion anyways.

Hiring Arnel was a very risky move I think. But since Arnel cuts the mustard, the gamble turned out for the most part in their favor, though there are still lots of people who are not sold on it. Big question is how long will it last. I hope a fair amount of time. Arnel is over ten years younger then the original members. Not so sure how long these original members are going to be able to pursue this career at this degree. For sure the Journey name will outlast most of the active members. Sort of like the band Runs & Goses, the name exists but there's only like one original member left in it.

I hope all the best for Journey's future. And we'll all pretty much know the direction of Journey after we've got a chance to listen to the upcoming CD/DVD release. The last time I was thoroughly dissapointed in an album was when I went out and purchased that Generation Swine album. Absolutely stunk!

The real question is will there still be Journey when Neal Schone retires? I really think this will be the end of the road for Journey.

True. But I still think that the name Journey will continue to be used. A theory that I just thought of is the original AMO Band that Arnel is from, every member in that band was sensational. I'm wondering if Arnel would replace a departing member with one from the original AMO Band. For sure however, when the main man of Journey departs, so will the use of the band name by Arnel. I got this feeling that if Arnel and Journey are no longer one, we will continue to see Arnel, either as a solo artist or form a whole knew band with past AMO Band members for a U.S. based band. This is my guess on the whole future of Arnel and Journey.

[Jeremey]

True. But I still think that the name Journey will continue to be used. A theory that I just thought of is the original AMO Band that Arnel is from, every member in that band was sensational. I'm wondering if Arnel would replace a departing member with one from the original AMO Band. For sure however, when the main man of Journey departs, so will the use of the band name by Arnel. I got this feeling that if Arnel and Journey are no longer one, we will continue to see Arnel, either as a solo artist or form a whole knew band with past AMO Band members for a U.S. based band. This is my guess on the whole future of Arnel and Journey.

I think I understand what you are saying....However, I am pretty sure Arnel is just an independent contractor hired by the band...I don't think he really has any rights to the name or could really replace any players in the band...

[The Sushi Hunter]

True. But I still think that the name Journey will continue to be used. A theory that I just thought of is the original AMO Band that Arnel is from, every member in that band was sensational. I'm wondering if Arnel would replace a departing member with one from the original AMO Band. For sure however, when the main man of Journey departs, so will the use of the band name by Arnel. I got this feeling that if Arnel and Journey are no longer one, we will continue to see Arnel, either as a solo artist or form a whole knew band with past AMO Band members for a U.S. based band. This is my guess on the whole future of Arnel and Journey.

I think I understand what you are saying....However, I am pretty sure Arnel is just an independent contractor hired by the band...I don't think he really has any rights to the name or could really replace any players in the band...

Your absolutely right, I don't think Arnel has any say in replacing anyone in the band. But since they got a new album coming out soon, I would love to see what the contract says in regards to any rights Arnel's got. If he's got just a little and if the album works out really good and then perhaps another is to follow where he's worked out a new and improved contract with the band, his rights may increase as his demand increases as well.

In all reality, I'm sure before five years has past, Arnel won't be with Journey. But that doesn't mean Arnel won't be either a solo artist in the U.S. or in a completely new/different band. I've got this feeling Arnel's going to make this stint with Journey very well and then be placed in a position where he's got to move on to something else. He'll go on to do something within the U.S. and a very high probability that he will turn to incorporate some of his band mates of the AMO into his new band.

However, there is this other possibility that Journey's pianist and Arnel together will keep the Journey torch going long after all the rest have left the band, much like Air Supply for example. When I watched the lead in piano bits to some of those classic Journey tunes they played in Chile, the sound and style spoke volume in my opinion.

[lparn]

Journey would not be known as they are..or for what they..if not for what Steve Perry brought to the table. Same with DDY and Styx.

Walk up to anyone and mention Journey and you will not have a conversation without Steve's name being brought up.

Walk up to anyone and mention Styx..they will bring up a DDY song.
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very valid point, I have seen styx without DDY and DDY solo over the psat few years.
I have to agree with you that most people remember and recall the songs that DDY wrote because they defined the styx sound that people remember. I agree that Lawerence Gowan is an awesome singer, however it seems they are getting away from the sound that made them famous. There were some good songs on that cd they did in 03 however it was missing that element that DDY has in his writing.
I agree that if it were not for what Steve Perry brought singing and songwriting wise there would be no Journey to speak of and that is why it makes no sense to rerecord what he created especially at this point.

[lparn]

not excited in the least. I am not happy with the decisions that the band has made over the past 2 years and the way that they handled things with the departure of the last 2 singers and the lies we were told about the 06 tour.
I do not feel that they care about what the loyal and long time fans think or care.
I have spent alot of time and money on this band and traveling to see them over the past 5 years. I do not think that they care nor do they appreciate the fans.
I have lost alot of faith in them as a band and individuals,
I think what they are doing now with the package and the dvd and cd should have been done over the past 8 years especially rerecording the older songs.
I think they are concentrating on the dirty dozen and the past and the journey name.
I do not get excited about their music anymore and heard DSB on vh1 tonite and felt a sense of sadness rather than excitement.
Grateful to SP for the music he helped create. and to Steve Augeri for what he contributed.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I totally agree with your post . I cant even watch the 2001 DVD right now. If other fans are loving it ,thats fine for them, it dosent do it for me. I do like one new song, I dont need the dirty dozen sung again by a 3rd lead singer. Fuck how many times do you want to hear fucking Open Arms for Petes sake?

I can;t either. I have not listened to journey in a long while. It just makes me sad and angry.
I had a real hard time in 98 when they continued without sp, and then came to admire and respect Steve Augeri's talents as a singer and songwriter and performer. I enjoyed his "take" on the classic songs and the new ones from the 3 cds.
To me he was the best choice and to me it is not Journey without him or Steve Perry,.
If it was not for SP talents there would be no journey. Between the marathon tours until SA became sidelined, the comments in the interviews both ns and jc gave last year and the lies that he would rejoin the 06 tour to save tix sales I have lost faith and respect for them,. I feel they used him to continue to tour nonstop playing the DD and when he could not do it they cast him a side. It is like a slap in the face to him and to his fans to redo these songs with all this time cultivating new material and getting this package and promo thing together, when it could and should have been done when he was in the band. I have a couple of bands that I am interested in however I have no interest in attending shows anymore. It is not worth the effort to get involved and enjoy and follow a band anymore like with Journey as it
is too difficult to be disapointed again. People like it that is cool, to me without sp or sa it is not journey.