annie89509 wrote:Listen, NIG ... uh oh, here we go with another debate. First of all, I don't think HOTS was being literal when she said that ... just trying to get into your (the "Journey Goons") skins. You must admit, in those days, things were pretty heated on this board. Journey (and SA) fans outnumbered Perry fans 5-to-1. I, myself, only lurked for fear of being stepped on. The tone of this board only changed (to SP's benefit) when Tapegate hit (thanks to Deano).
I don't think HOTS is a bad egg either. She said the "sidemen" sentence as a way to fire back. God knows we and most visibly me, laid into her ad nauseum. I never hated HOTS and actually thought at times HOTS had some good points. Fast forward to the time after Tapegate, and my vision of the band goes into the toilet. These guys get zero respect from me. Neal, Jon and Ross are scumbags. Each of these assholes parties with me, tells me what a great fan I am, how I want to see my band thrive, blah blah blah, then each rips me in the news media, magazine, radio, wherever. Deen was associated to this, although he didn't speak out, was no better than these three, but I can kind of see his position too. As a drummer, and a non speaking point man, he gets a pass from me on this. Steve Smith also is a class guy, who had nothing to do with the sleaze that is Journey. Steve Augeri, another who is idolized here, also is guilty as sin. Like Deen, this was his only gig, and I feel for him, losing his pipes, and basically having to choose between mouthing the vocals or being unemployed. I was harder on him than anyone, however, that guy does have a heart and soul, and I bet he would speak out and apologize to us if he were allowed to. Steve Augeri, the man who was the point man in the lipping scandal, but
not the brains behind it (see Irving Azoff), is forgiven by me, and not for this reason- after we lost our son Trevor, Augeri sent me a personal email; and at the time I was friends or buddies with the Journey clowns, the only person to send me an email, a real honest to good email, was Steve Augeri, and of course Jeff Scott Soto. Both of those guys are class individuals. He has been freed of the filth that is the Journey organization, and that includes that big piece of shit Irving Azoff, who is still in Springsteen's cross hairs and is nowhere close to escaping that wrath and public stoning. Journey is a name that is supposed to mean "evolving" and never ceasing. Azoff is currently sprinting with the filthball. That brings us to Steve Perry. Perry is no angel, let's get that straight right now. Some of you Loons think he is as pure as Mountain Spring water, but he is anything but innocent, however, having said that, I can summarize the problems in two eras; before lip syncing and after. There are always problems in a band, especially one that goes the democratic way, like Journey. Unlike a band where there is one clear leader, like Bruce or BA for example, where those guys call all of the shots, Journey was a 5 man think tank(6 with Herbie) in the Perry era. Of course with egos like Perry, Schon and Friga, there was going to be altercations and disagreements. Perry had his "problems" while with that group. Perry retires from said group, and he is free of the problems. The group forges on, creating new scandals and problems and pure bullshit every step of the way. The question one must ask is if that is a coincidence? I say no it isn't, because the problems/scandals with New Journey still occur all the time. Steve Perry continues to be talked about, even when retired, and although he doesn't do much in the way of releasing new stuff, the things he does touch, ie, Houston '81 are beautiful. He doesn't smear the band. He doesn't act in a juvenile way, like Neal and Friga do. Re recording the classic songs was a big "fuck you" to Espee.
So HOTS, PP, and Pf may be a diehard Loons who battled for SP every hour of every day. You "Goons" I seem to remember being called, of which I used to be one myself, battle for your guys. I should PM all three of those gals and wholeheartedly apologize for my harsh words against them. I actually miss them.
As for the "Perry's sidemen" comment. Let's analyze this a little bit ... again, not taking it "literally."
I am a bit out of order in this post, but I don't think Hottsie was being serious either. Hard to say Schon, Smith and Friga are sidemen. As much as I loathe all three as well as Skeletor on bass, those three guys are extremely talented. It's tough to slam them on talent alone, in fact you can't, except Friga-Cain's cheesy songwriting.
So ...Journey becomes "the most popular band in America" in 1983. SP comes out with his solo album in 84 -- wildly successful. The talk was Steve might bolt .... Jon started writing for Journey's next album (with a similar vibe as ST) before they even got back together for ROR. And, of course, we all know all the other concessions that was to come out of the ROR experience -- probably to picking the name and album cover, too.
Great point. Very well thought out. I would say the similarities are partly if not mainly due to Perry being the leader of the band. He was IMO the leader, albeit not like a Springsteen or Adams, but he was the one they were building their sound around and for good reason, his voice was changing and they had to play to that. Also, he(Perry), was smart enough to see the need to change up their ways. Raised on Radio was at least an attempt to do that, with saxaphone added in on Positive Touch, as well as a different interior sound. It was Perry's vision to change a bit, in order to stay relevant. Fast forward to Arrival, Generations and especially Revelations. Those all sound dated, especially Revelations. Red 13 was produced horribly, but that was a testing disc to see if they could change their direction a bit. Had they not been so cheap, they could have made an entire album, taken their time with it, properly produce it and had a nice new direction. Then you have Soto take
that direction and run with it.
What has this got to do with Jeremey Hunsicker's departure from MR? Nothing at all. This was a deliberate attempt to take this thread off on a tangent to deflect attention from Jeremey. Ok, it was a rant that just kept on ranting.
Yesterday I wanted to come in here and say fuck you to Jeremey, but that would have been dumb. We have had our differences, but he is a good dude. IIt's hardly appropriate for me to slam JH on departure speeches, as I have done that shit 3 times already. i am an emotional guy, and take MR way too seriously. Jeremey isn't going anywhere. If he says he is, I will keep slamming him here so that he has to come back and defend himself.
Sadsplash said Jeremey was leaving because of the negative comments. I don't know if that's true, but I will say that Jeremey doesn't handle the negative comments well. I was being truthful when I said I hated his version of Winds of freedom, and still don't. Big deal? Jeremey, go read the comments on Springsteen's SB show on Youtube. He gets praised, hailed and slammed all in the same page. Everyone in music gets blasted. I laid into Soto on his first gig with Journey. He struggled mightily. I have blasted Augeri because he sucked for a year. I blasted Friga-Cain)like the hyphenated married last name?), for being a cheesy lyricist. I blast everyone. I also praise those who in my eyes deserve it. When JSS was sent packing, I slammed Journey guys, but never their playing abilities. I remember riding around with Soto, and asked him, "dude, are they that talented, where they can hear something and just start playing it?" He said they were incredibkly gifted and talented. He was in awe as well, and if you ask him today, he will say the same thing, despite the fact he was canned from the band. Jeremey, grab a bottle of Rose, some extra strength vicodin and stick around. Re enter the MR atmosphere baked, boozed and pilled up. Someone said earlier that boozing/pill popping Hunsicker is funnier than anything. It is dude. I remember you blasting your now wife Sabrina about 3 years ago. I still laugh at it. You typed like stevew2.
I am frankly tired of folks leaving. I even miss Gator boy. He is over the top on University of Florida shit, but all in all, a good dude. I wish he too would return. I wish all these pussies would come back.

Pf, Properry, Hottsie, Gator, Sherrie, Yak all of them.
So fuck you Jeremey. If you don't come back, I am posting a picture of your cock. Where did I get it from? GI Jim. He has an entire collection he told me.
Just wish there was some way for them to get back together and unite the fanbase.
Steve Perry cares about the legacy, the pride and the body of work. He cares about the fans. I can't say the same thing for Journey. It's all about money for them. However, you are right. If Steven cam back, there would be a lot of good vibes everywhere, except maybe the Phillipines.
*Note- Going to email PP, PF, Hots and Gatorette right now. And get my two sisters from San Francisco back on here. They are more insightful to the Perry era than anyone.
PPS- Where are those two Chicago Fags?