I saw "Frontiers" in Charlotte last night

[UncleKG]

Charlotte, NC, has an event downtown called "Alive After 5," and Frontiers was the entertainment last night.

Jeremey (sp?) is the real deal, I have to say. As you all know, his tone, pitch and phrasing are very similar to SP, and I didn't hear him hit a bum note all night. Very impressive.

They did not do the new song, but this was a crowd there to hear the hits (non-paying crowd, as it's held in an open area downtown), and they only played one set, so I'm sure it got the axe from the songlist for this show. They did mention that Jeremey had cowritten a song on the CD and told everyone to pick it up.

Some of this is nitpicking, so take it with a grain of salt.....The band left a lot to be desired. I guess he's hired new sidemen now that he's doing the Frontiers thing fulltime, and last night was their first show. My friend spoke to the guitarist, who was the first to admit that he and some of the other guys still have a long way to go to get fully up to speed.

They were all OK players, but there were definitely some mistakes. To do this thing right, I'd love to see Jeremey find a guy that somewhat resembles Neal (the guitarist is chunky, short hair, with a goatee...and I think he was playing a black Ibanez with a reverse headstock that looked like it belonged to a hair band from the late 80's. I'd like to see the guy play a Les Paul, at least). I know it's more about the sound than the visuals, but I know a lot of tribute bands do their best to have guys that look the part as well. I think you could get away with the other guys not looking like Ross, Steve and even Jon, as long as your Neal and Steve look the part.

The drummer bugged me by not playing Steve Smith's fills correctly. To Steve's credit, the drum parts in Journey's songs are nearly as iconic (to me) as Perry's vocals. In "Faithfully," for it to be right, you've got to replicate Steve's fills. The drummer wasn't even close. Again, I'll cut the guy some slack because it's a new band, but he definitely has to spend some time with the Ipod and LEARN THOSE FILLS!

In no particular order, I remember them playing:

Only the Young (first song)
Edge of the Blade
Don't Stop Believin' (last song)
Faithfully
Who's Cryin' Now?
Lights
Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
After the Fall
Send her my love
Separate Ways
Suzanne
Stay Awhile
Line of Fire
Girl Can't Help It
When you love a woman
Still They Ride

"Stone in Love" was an obvious one they didn't play.

Jeremey was wearing a yellow t-shirt with some design on it and jeans, and was barefoot. He's not a bad frontman, but (again, nitpicking) I think he should smile more. He looks a little "grim" up there.

I also think that, from the visual perspective, Arnel has a younger look than Jeremey, so maybe that played into Journey's decision as well.

Again, I enjoyed the show, but I'd like to see them again after a few months together to see if the music is on par with the vocals.

[Liquid_Drummer]

I can play smitty's parts very well after studying his drumming for the last 20 years. I would gladly go on tour with Frontiers if offered.. Well the money would have to be right for me to quit my job.. I have told Jeremey if the drum throne ever becomes vacant to let me know... I can sing as high as Jeremey but just not as long so I can handle backup vocals for sure... I drum better than I sing.. Not bragging, just confident since Ive been playing for like 25 years now..

Me singing Who's crying now...

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=974090&t=7475

The only stuff online of me drumming is in my floyd tribute which is on hold now because our singer had a bad case of LSD so we fired him..

Floyd is way easy to play on drums so its not a good gauge of how well I could play Journey but here ya go anyway..

http://www.thedarksideofthewall.com/AudioVideo.html

[Jeremey]

Thanks for checking out the show man! All I can say about your concerns is come and see the band in a few weeks at Amos'. This first gig for the band was a complete trial by fire...our van blew up 5 miles from Roanoke and we were 3 hours late to Charlotte. We literally pulled out the guitars and ran onstage and played...Ron is one of the best technical drummers I"ve ever heard, but he was playing on the opening band's drum kit....I told everyone, "Look, I know this is the first gig, and we are going into a terrible situation here, but it will be over in 90 minutes, so let's just have some fun." Everyone pulled through and we were able to finish the gig...Kenny is playing a Fernandes Sustainer guitar he bought just for this gig, in order to best replicate Neal's tone and sound. The new guys are some of the best musicians I"ve ever played with and I think after a few shows on the road, that's going to be evident....PLease come to AMos' June 21st and then let me know what you think!

We are now leaving Charlotte and going to Wilmington where things probably won't be much better tonight - then on to the Music Farm in Charleston on Saturday!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Ewww, having to play on a strange kit sucks big time... I have had to do that b4 and it really can mess up your feel....

I wish I would have known you were putting a whole new outfit together man.. I would have came out to try out.. I already know the damn material anyway and most of the harmonies in every single Journey song..

The Floyd gig is fun but as a drummer it isnt very challenging.

[NealIsGod]

Where are you playing in Wilmington?

[UncleKG]

Where are you playing in Wilmington?

The Frontiers website says it's another "Alive After Five" show.

As I said, Jeremey's very impressive, so now it's up to the band to elevate the music to the level of the vocals. I'm sure some time on the road will do wonders.

[NealIsGod]

Where are you playing in Wilmington?

The Frontiers website says it's another "Alive After Five" show.

As I said, Jeremey's very impressive, so now it's up to the band to elevate the music to the level of the vocals. I'm sure some time on the road will do wonders.

OK, thanks. Not able to make that one then.

[Don Wishon]

Thanks for checking out the show man! All I can say about your concerns is come and see the band in a few weeks at Amos'. This first gig for the band was a complete trial by fire...our van blew up 5 miles from Roanoke and we were 3 hours late to Charlotte. We literally pulled out the guitars and ran onstage and played...Ron is one of the best technical drummers I"ve ever heard, but he was playing on the opening band's drum kit....I told everyone, "Look, I know this is the first gig, and we are going into a terrible situation here, but it will be over in 90 minutes, so let's just have some fun." Everyone pulled through and we were able to finish the gig...Kenny is playing a Fernandes Sustainer guitar he bought just for this gig, in order to best replicate Neal's tone and sound. The new guys are some of the best musicians I"ve ever played with and I think after a few shows on the road, that's going to be evident....PLease come to AMos' June 21st and then let me know what you think!

We are now leaving Charlotte and going to Wilmington where things probably won't be much better tonight - then on to the Music Farm in Charleston on Saturday!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Jeremey,

Any chance you guys will ever make it over to Texas?