New Cain Interview

[SusieP]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

JSS stepped in for Augeri on that tour, remember. So the size of venue chosen was nothing to do with his popularity in this case as you seem to be hinting. The venues were booked before Augeri fell ill.

JSS 'helped' British fans to see the band who hadn't visited us for sixteen years. And for the record, the UK gigs were storming! JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.
So - even though I personally hate arena gigs, I can see why the band management have booked them into larger venues this year irrespective of who is singing.

I remember the Augeri dates there were nuts! Too bad it was phoned in...
Damn, that just bums me out so much.

Yep - I was too far away from the stage to know that at the time. The venues were small, but large enough not to see his lips.
As I said, most of us were just so thrilled to have Journey over here after all those years - and it kind of burst the bubble a bit when we found out the truth.

[Saint John]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

I was here when the Jeff announcement was made.
Long time posters NIG and Monker didn't want JSS at all.
Deano even initally told Jeff that he wasn't the right man for the job.
Like Saint John, you just make shit up.

Amend my first answer. Maybe it does include you. LOL j/k

I believe the combo of Schon/Soto/Cain had what it takes to take Journey someplace else musically, and not just run on the fumes of the dead.
We'll never know.

So, why would there be promotion. Also, that would probably be bad p.r. to promote a replacement singer or as Jeff would say, the replacement for the replacement.

As a point of fact, press releases were sent out announcing Jeff stepping in, as well as when he became the official singer.
My issue is you comparing venue size under Arnel to make Jeff seem somehow inadequate.
It's dishonest and desperate, especially since the Jeff-era was strangled while still in the cradle.
Nobody ever said Jeff would save Journey simply by showing up.

[The_Noble_Cause]

And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that.

A fact that is not in any ways the result of Arnel's (untested) talent, so what exactly does this prove?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Nobody ever said the inclusion of JSS would automatically propel Journey back to the top.

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

There were quite a few people who stated it.

Not so.
The idea that Jeff could propel Journey to the top without an album or tour to support it is insanity.
Nobody thought Jeff would save Journey just by showing up on stage.

[Saint John]

I was here when the Jeff announcement was made.
Long time posters NIG and Monker didn't want JSS at all.
Deano even initally told Jeff that he wasn't the right man for the job.
Like Saint John, you just make shit up.

Bullshit. I believe that Monker still thinks he wasn't right for Journey, and Dean and NIG only became fans when Soto started doing lunches, handing out tickets and backstage passes, drinking with people, and making house calls. Before that no one thought he was shit except Behshad. Behshad is the only one that I can think of that stood behind this dude vocally from day 1.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I was here when the Jeff announcement was made.
Long time posters NIG and Monker didn't want JSS at all.
Deano even initally told Jeff that he wasn't the right man for the job.
Like Saint John, you just make shit up.

Bullshit. I believe that Monker still thinks he wasn't right for Journey, and Dean and NIG only became fans when Soto started doing lunches, handing out tickets and backstage passes, drinking with people, and making house calls.

I'm not going to speculate as to what made NIG and Dean have a change of heart, tho many here warmed up to Jeff as he became progressively stronger.
That said, you do realize what you stated merely confirms my initial point, right? - That NOBODY here took Jeff to be this band's savior on blind faith.
So tell me, just what exactly did I say that is "bullshit"?

[amaron]

Nobody ever said the inclusion of JSS would automatically propel Journey back to the top.

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

There were quite a few people who stated it.

Not so.
The idea that Jeff could propel Journey to the top without an album or tour to support it is insanity.
Nobody thought Jeff would save Journey just by showing up on stage.

Please don't make me go back and find the exact quotes.

[styxman]

Bigger venues, leave it out Clyde Auditorium is a medium sized venue as are most of the others, you ain't made it until you've played The SECC, NEC or Wembley arena, etc. FYI, Jeff played (with Journey) the same Scottish venue as they're playing now. So the inclusion of Arnel in relation to filin' larger venues is total bullshit.

Susie....glad to hear we're both holding onto our money and not wasting it in June

[Tito]

Travelling across the border to catch a couple JSSB shows next month, but won't be travelling to see a Journey show

You better not be a f-ckin' illegal!!!

Note: See avatar.

Wrong border!

Note: See location.

6% of the illegal population is from Canada.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Please don't make me go back and find the exact quotes.

Nobody on this forum ever expected Jeff to make this band relevant again simply by singing Perry's hits.
Not even Jeff -

"What I'll be able to contribute into hopefully, not necessarily reinventing Journey, but kind of reopening what once was: because obviously they haven't had any real major radio hits or major video play, that type of thing....I'm hoping to help turn it around the same way Sammy Hagar turned Van Halen around. That people are just as excited to see new stuff."

[The_Noble_Cause]

So the inclusion of Arnel in relation to filin' larger venues is total bullshit.

Yup. Total straw argument.
Amazing how any fan would still pick up the cudgels for a Journey singer in this day and age, when its been proven they may be gone in the blink of an eye.
My recommendation - be a fan of Ross, Neal or Consolo... someone you at least know will be around for awhile.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Bullshit. I believe that Monker still thinks he wasn't right for Journey, and Dean and NIG only became fans when Soto started doing lunches, handing out tickets and backstage passes, drinking with people, and making house calls. Before that no one thought he was shit except Behshad. Behshad is the only one that I can think of that stood behind this dude vocally from day 1.

Actually, there were 2 that stood behind this change from day 1...
I was right there w/Behshad and, though I like what I hear from
Arnel so far, I STILL think that a writing combo of
Cain/Schon/Soto could've taken this band to bigger and better
places "musically" than they ever will w/ Arnel.

But hey, it's done. It's water under the bridge, right?

[Tito]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

JSS stepped in for Augeri on that tour, remember. So the size of venue chosen was nothing to do with his popularity in this case as you seem to be hinting. The venues were booked before Augeri fell ill.

JSS 'helped' British fans to see the band who hadn't visited us for sixteen years. And for the record, the UK gigs were storming! JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.
So - even though I personally hate arena gigs, I can see why the band management have booked them into larger venues this year irrespective of who is singing.

I thought these shows were booked after or around the time, Soto was officially hired. They did European shows with Augeri in '06, but '07 was Soto's. Correct or am I wrong?

[SusieP]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Everyone in that venue looked wowed to me.
Journey WAS the draw, I believe I made that point clear - the UK waited SIXTEEN YEARS to see the band. Venues were booked before Augeri fell ill, tickets were booked before JSS stepped in. And I have made no secret that I had no clue who JSS was before last year. So he wasn't the draw for me. Nor was Augeri. I just wanted to see the band I have loved since I first heard Escape. And, yes I did know Perry had left, you bugger.
And I won't stand in that corner because I suspect you have taken a leak in it. I love you but I will not stand in your stale pee.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Arnel so far, I STILL think that a writing combo of
Cain/Schon/Soto could've taken this band to bigger and better
places "musically" than they ever will w/ Arnel.

Yup.
At most we can now anticipate a retread of "Arrival", - oh, for what could have been.

[styxman]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

JSS stepped in for Augeri on that tour, remember. So the size of venue chosen was nothing to do with his popularity in this case as you seem to be hinting. The venues were booked before Augeri fell ill.

JSS 'helped' British fans to see the band who hadn't visited us for sixteen years. And for the record, the UK gigs were storming! JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.
So - even though I personally hate arena gigs, I can see why the band management have booked them into larger venues this year irrespective of who is singing.

I thought these shows were booked after or around the time, Soto was officially hired. They did European shows with Augeri in '06, but '07 was Soto's. Correct or am I wrong?

Correct

[Tito]

And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that.

A fact that is not in any ways the result of Arnel's (untested) talent, so what exactly does this prove?

Agreed. It proves Journey is a machine. And bigger than any member.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Arnel so far, I STILL think that a writing combo of
Cain/Schon/Soto could've taken this band to bigger and better
places "musically" than they ever will w/ Arnel.

Yup.
At most we can now anticipate a retread of "Arrival", - oh, for what could have been.

Yep, take songs from World Play and Jef & Neal's BIM collaboration,
throw in some serious writing contributions from Cain (his FULL efforts, not the lazy shit
he did for Generations) and "what coulda been" coulda been pretty fucking amazing

[Tito]

Journey WAS the draw, I believe I made that point clear - the UK waited SIXTEEN YEARS to see the band. Venues were booked before Augeri fell ill, tickets were booked before JSS stepped in. And I have made no secret that I had no clue who JSS was before last year. So he wasn't the draw for me. Nor was Augeri. I just wanted to see the band I have loved since I first heard Escape. And, yes I did know Perry had left, you bugger.
And I won't stand in that corner because I suspect you have taken a leak in it. I love you but I will not stand in your stale pee.

Thank you.

[SusieP]

Bigger venues, leave it out Clyde Auditorium is a medium sized venue as are most of the others, you ain't made it until you've played The SECC, NEC or Wembley arena, etc. FYI, Jeff played (with Journey) the same Scottish venue as they're playing now. So the inclusion of Arnel in relation to filin' larger venues is total bullshit.

Susie....glad to hear we're both holding onto our money and not wasting it in June

I waited 16 years to see Neal, Jonathan and Ross - the guys who were on the first album I heard of Journey.
I saw Augeri with them and enjoyed the show until my bubble was burst with all that lipsynching furore.
I hadnt planned to see them again last year but they came to Nottingham Royal Centre - 40 minutes away from me, so I did - and I thoroughly enjoyed that show. JSS put on a great show IMO. He was different from Augeri and Perry and I liked that.
I was excited when I thought he was permanent, then I felt gobsmacked when he was shitcanned like that.
And I kind of lost my passion for Neal & Jon after that.
I have ordered the new CD, because I want to hear the new stuff.
I have no opinion on Arnel yet because I cannot judge from youtube and shitty laptop speakers.
I love him doing Zep's Rock n Roll - because the sound quality on that youtube clip is good - but I'm not going to see him with the band this year because I hate arena gigs.
I'd rather see the DVD - which is why I'm disappointed we aren't getting it with our Revelation CD.

[stevew2]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Thats only cause they are sharing the bill with Heart and maybe Cheep Thick.{doubt it} Journey by themselves couldnt even fill 1/3 of a big venue

[Saint John]

So tell me, just what exactly did I say that is "bullshit"?

That I "make shit up."

[Tito]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Thats only cause they are sharing the bill with Heart and maybe Cheep Thick.{doubt it} Journey by themselves couldnt even fill 1/3 of a big venue

They did well in '05 on that 30th anniversary tour. They had a packed house at the Charter One Pavilion in Chicago by their dammies. I won't be UNREALISTIC and say they would've soldout 20, 30, or even 10 thousand seaters on this tour by themselves. But, they would've come close to the 10,000 seats in at least some markets.

[SusieP]

Journey WAS the draw, I believe I made that point clear - the UK waited SIXTEEN YEARS to see the band. Venues were booked before Augeri fell ill, tickets were booked before JSS stepped in. And I have made no secret that I had no clue who JSS was before last year. So he wasn't the draw for me. Nor was Augeri. I just wanted to see the band I have loved since I first heard Escape. And, yes I did know Perry had left, you bugger.
And I won't stand in that corner because I suspect you have taken a leak in it. I love you but I will not stand in your stale pee.

Thank you.

The Nottingham Royal centre gig last year was a stormer. So they have come back to Nottingham arena because the demand for tickets was so great for them last year - NOT Because Arnel is now the lead singer. As you say - its the band who is the draw here.

I think I am in the minority regarding knowing who JSS was over here, though, because I have since learned that he has a huge European fan base.
I must have had my head under a rock in the past because I have since taken a lot of stick from Brits saying, "What do you mean you never heard of Jeff Scott Soto????????"





I hadn't but now I have and I like him very much.

As I said, Arnel - I don't know yet. Ask me when Ive played the CD.

[SusieP]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Thats only cause they are sharing the bill with Heart and maybe Cheep Thick.{doubt it} Journey by themselves couldnt even fill 1/3 of a big venue

Heart & Cheap Trick aren't on the bill with them here - so that can't be the reason they have gone to larger venues. We are getting John Parr.
And from what styxman has said, it looks like it is only in my nearest city that they are playing a bigger venue than last year anyway.

[stevew2]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Thats only cause they are sharing the bill with Heart and maybe Cheep Thick.{doubt it} Journey by themselves couldnt even fill 1/3 of a big venue

They did well in '05 on that 30th anniversary tour. They had a packed house at the Charter One Pavilion in Chicago by their dammies. I won't be UNREALISTIC and say they would've soldout 20, 30, or even 10 thousand seaters on this tour by themselves. But, they would've come close to the 10,000 seats in at least some markets.

They did so so, depends where you went. They packed Wolf Trap near DC, {they always do there} but only had about 1800 in State Collage Pa.

[Saint John]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Everyone in that venue looked wowed to me.
Journey WAS the draw, I believe I made that point clear - the UK waited SIXTEEN YEARS to see the band. Venues were booked before Augeri fell ill, tickets were booked before JSS stepped in. And I have made no secret that I had no clue who JSS was before last year. So he wasn't the draw for me. Nor was Augeri. I just wanted to see the band I have loved since I first heard Escape. And, yes I did know Perry had left, you bugger.
And I won't stand in that corner because I suspect you have taken a leak in it. I love you but I will not stand in your stale pee.

I stand corrected. Apologies, ma'am.

[stevew2]

JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.

Don't you dare speak for everyone. Furthermore, if you wanted "more" you could have easily joined the 50 or so people per show that saw him during his last go around a few months back. You, like many others, fail to realize that Journey was the draw, not Jeff. And the fact that they're now playing even bigger venues with a singer that has never even stepped foot in Europe is proof of that. Go stand in the corner now.

Thats only cause they are sharing the bill with Heart and maybe Cheep Thick.{doubt it} Journey by themselves couldnt even fill 1/3 of a big venue

Heart & Cheap Trick aren't on the bill with them here - so that can't be the reason they have gone to larger venues. We are getting John Parr.
And from what styxman has said, it looks like it is only in my nearest city that they are playing a bigger venue than last year anyway.

My mistake. I was talkin about The US

[Tito]

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

Like Saint John, you just make shit up.

Amend my first answer. Maybe it does include you. LOL j/k

I believe the combo of Schon/Soto/Cain had what it takes to take Journey someplace else musically, and not just run on the fumes of the dead.
We'll never know.

I do not make shit up. As a long time lurker, these are my (accurate) observations of many on this board.

Now, look at your next answer. Schon/Soto/Cain had what it takes... Although not as over the top as others, point being, you still think this thing could've taken off. Again, not saying it was impossible, but realistically probably not. Not to mention, Soto has never had any commerical success. Soul Sirkus w/ Schon and Soto didn't do anything, and each person has their opinion of the quality of that disc. So, what would change now? The missing ingredient, the much maligned, Jon CAIN?