Kevin Shirley - The MelodicRock Interview

[Red13JoePa]

While Schon is mocked here for his alcohol issues, it's open season (yet again) on him because cryptic remarks made by a disgruntled producer who's had his own bottle battles (ask Frank) are absolute gospel.

[Eric]

While Schon is mocked here for his alcohol issues, it's open season (yet again) on him because cryptic remarks made by a disgruntled producer who's had his own bottle battles (ask Frank) are absolute gospel.

I wonder why he put a fucking firework track at the end of Greatest Hits Live!?!

[Eric]

I promise you if Neal could replace the entire band Journey with Arnel and Deen type subordinates, he would. In fact after this 2011 tour I wouldn't be surprised if we see that happen, LOL.

So....you mean replacing Cain and Valory with younger, hard working talented musicians? Okay.

Yeah, replace everyone and call it the Schon Neelers, cause it sure won't be Journey!!

I do think Cain or Rolie are necessary to keep it Journey....but if they were to replace Valory with a young talented hungry bassist with decent vocals and some song writing skill I think the band would be stronger. Or...lure Jack Blades over!

[sniper16]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

[Michigan Girl]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

[SF-Dano]

If the abraxas pool guys did not get along, it certainly was not apparent at the two shows I saw them at. And as far as Neal not giving up lead time, that is crap too as far as the shows I saw. Plenty of drum, latin percussion soloing to be seen. Plus the jamming between Neal and Greg was a highlight. Now if some of those guys wanted to do an hour long Conga and Timbale solo, well then god bless Neal being a bit selfish.

I would love to read or hear where all the negative info about that project was written or from whom it was told. Not saying it is impossible, just would like a source. Come to think of it, wouldn't mind hearing who the sources of many of the so called "facts" are that have been voiced in this thread.

[Arkansas]

"To hold something gives it value and when you are just looking at your iTunes—which computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway and you are going to loose it all and try to beg iTunes to get it back- you know, what value has that got? It doesn't hold the same value."

While I agree with the notion of owning physical product, this is certainly a ridiculous statement.

To me, he was saying that don't expect iTunes to just give you back everything when your iPod dies. When you're "hand held/computer" crashes, you're outta luck unless you have physical media as a backup. An average healthy lifecycle of most computers is 3-4 yrs. Maybe there are a lot that crash in 2 yrs. I dunno.


later~

[Arkansas]

In those days, steroid use (the shot kind) was prevalent on tours. Journey's tours had tons of shows and tons of shows in a row. I remember a Showtime special where Steve said "I provide myself with preventative medicine" when asked how his voice could stand up. That was during the Departure tour. It's open to speculation what that was, but there weren't and aren't a lot of medicinal things out there that will keep your voice in shape. There just aren't. There are, however, things that can be done once you've overworked it. I know, even today, a lot of people opt for the steroid shots. Supposedly, if it's not over done, then you can get away with it (I'm skeptical about that). But man, with the kinds of tours that Journey was doing, and the range of those songs, I cannot imagine that he was not using steroids.

Doing a ton of shows like that compounds vocal fatigue. At some point it builds up to the point where you have to take a bit of time off just to shut up and let the swelling in your vocal chords go away. The only other way to get rid of it is steroids that I know of. Trust me, though I'm no brilliant singer, but I've tried to find the secret to 'singing every day at your best' without "help" since I first started performing as a kid and I'm an old dude now. The one way that you can POSSIBLY avoid this is by proper vocal technique. But you know, I've heard that for years and even with proper technique being used, people still get vocally fatigued. When you sing vocally fatigued, you have to work harder to 'get there'. Working harder, you push more. Pushing more will get you through the gig, but compound the swelling and it's a vicious circle. Add stress to that. Add age to that and you're GOING to have problems. Keep doing it and those problems become permanent.

Jeremey's the vocal God here, he can probably explain it better n me.

Thanks Bry (who's no slouch himself in the vocal department), just saw this....

RE steroids, yes, I'm sure Perry used them. I KNOW of two instances he used them (when he blew his voice out in Dallas and some midwestern town on Frontiers and ROR tours, according to Cain) and I wouldn't be surprised if they were used on the Escape tour, given his physical appearance during the Street Talk promotions. In fact, if Perry overused them to get through that mammoth Escape tour, it would explain a lot of the change of his vocal sound for the ST and Frontiers records. I also know that Steve Augeri overused them, and suffered one of the most common side effects from overuse (when using a steroid inhaler which was seen on stage during some shows), which was thrush mouth and an infection of the vocal cords.

Didn't Perry deny this? Think he said he'd taken a B12 shot once in Texas, but that was it.


later~

[Michigan Girl]

"To hold something gives it value and when you are just looking at your iTunes—which computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway and you are going to loose it all and try to beg iTunes to get it back- you know, what value has that got? It doesn't hold the same value."

While I agree with the notion of owning physical product, this is certainly a ridiculous statement.

To me, he was saying that don't expect iTunes to just give you back everything when your iPod dies. When you're "hand held/computer" crashes, you're outta luck unless you have physical media as a backup. An average healthy lifecycle of most computers is 3-4 yrs. Maybe there are a lot that crash in 2 yrs. I dunno.


later~

I absolutely agree w/this ...I think he was just throwing a number out there and was, perhaps, a bit short
in his estimation, but I read it as you did!!

[timstar78]

"To hold something gives it value and when you are just looking at your iTunes—which computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway and you are going to loose it all and try to beg iTunes to get it back- you know, what value has that got? It doesn't hold the same value."

While I agree with the notion of owning physical product, this is certainly a ridiculous statement.

To me, he was saying that don't expect iTunes to just give you back everything when your iPod dies. When you're "hand held/computer" crashes, you're outta luck unless you have physical media as a backup. An average healthy lifecycle of most computers is 3-4 yrs. Maybe there are a lot that crash in 2 yrs. I dunno.


later~

Nah, I am taking it literally. He was talking about physical/digital product, and then he segued somehow into computers dying in 2 years. The more I've thought about it, the more it's ludicrous.

As much as I love physical product and understand that portion of what he was saying, physical album sales continue to decline. Meanwhile, digital sales have plateaued, but the medium is disappearing, let alone in 2 years.

So the thought of either digital downloading, or computers, handheld or tablet devices, going away anytime soon is laughable at best. He's true to his moniker on this quote, it's reflective of a caveman.

[timstar78]

"To hold something gives it value and when you are just looking at your iTunes—which computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway and you are going to loose it all and try to beg iTunes to get it back- you know, what value has that got? It doesn't hold the same value."

While I agree with the notion of owning physical product, this is certainly a ridiculous statement.

To me, he was saying that don't expect iTunes to just give you back everything when your iPod dies. When you're "hand held/computer" crashes, you're outta luck unless you have physical media as a backup. An average healthy lifecycle of most computers is 3-4 yrs. Maybe there are a lot that crash in 2 yrs. I dunno.


later~

Nah, I am taking it literally. He was talking about physical/digital product, and then he segued somehow into computers dying in 2 years. The more I've thought about it, the more it's ludicrous.

As much as I love physical product and understand that portion of what he was saying, physical album sales continue to decline. Meanwhile, digital sales have plateaued, but the medium is disappearing, let alone in 2 years.

So the thought of either digital downloading, or computers, handheld or tablet devices, going away anytime soon is laughable at best. He's true to his moniker on this quote, it's reflective of a caveman.

[fredinator]

KS said this on his Facebook page:

"hi kevin..the plugs for maiden and bonamassa and black country around here were huge and well deserved cause they are great artists ..was just wonderin why very lil plugs for the new journey opus ..cause the vibe im gettin is not good..2011 huge yr for journey..i am lookin forward to hearing mr big also..and happy xmas to you and the family..
Saturday at 10:19am · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2)

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Caveman! Not at all - there's a great album on the way - Journey was just not a cut-'n-dried session is all. The vibe is fine..."

[Arkansas]

"To hold something gives it value and when you are just looking at your iTunes—which computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway and you are going to loose it all and try to beg iTunes to get it back- you know, what value has that got? It doesn't hold the same value."

While I agree with the notion of owning physical product, this is certainly a ridiculous statement.

To me, he was saying that don't expect iTunes to just give you back everything when your iPod dies. When you're "hand held/computer" crashes, you're outta luck unless you have physical media as a backup. An average healthy lifecycle of most computers is 3-4 yrs. Maybe there are a lot that crash in 2 yrs. I dunno.


later~

Nah, I am taking it literally. He was talking about physical/digital product, and then he segued somehow into computers dying in 2 years. The more I've thought about it, the more it's ludicrous.

As much as I love physical product and understand that portion of what he was saying, physical album sales continue to decline. Meanwhile, digital sales have plateaued, but the medium is disappearing, let alone in 2 years.

So the thought of either digital downloading, or computers, handheld or tablet devices, going away anytime soon is laughable at best. He's true to his moniker on this quote, it's reflective of a caveman.

He never said that computers or digital downloading would go away or disappear. He simply said that storing music physically is more valuable, than storing it digitally, especially when gear can fail in a relatively short period of time.


later~

[steveo777]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Is that why the guy in the next stall to me taking a piss said " I don't know about this new guy yet" ???

[timstar78]

He never said that computers or digital downloading would go away or disappear.

computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway

Die, disappear, go away. You pick the synonym.

[kgdjpubs]

He never said that computers or digital downloading would go away or disappear.

computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway

Die, disappear, go away. You pick the synonym.

you're taking the words out of context. He said nothing about computers going away. He said you never know when the computer YOU are using is going to die--and you are going to lose all your digital files. Hard drives fail on a regular basis, and getting files back can be difficult.

I thought the interview quote was rather obvious as to what he meant.

[NoMoreTails]

KS said this on his Facebook page:

"hi kevin..the plugs for maiden and bonamassa and black country around here were huge and well deserved cause they are great artists ..was just wonderin why very lil plugs for the new journey opus ..cause the vibe im gettin is not good..2011 huge yr for journey..i am lookin forward to hearing mr big also..and happy xmas to you and the family..
Saturday at 10:19am · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2)

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o
Caveman! Not at all - there's a great album on the way - Journey was just not a cut-'n-dried session is all. The vibe is fine..."

I thought his comments early on regarding the new music were very positive as well.

[slucero]

rumor has it that Itunes will be offering a virtual storage service soon... pretty much kills that concept...

[slucero]

I promise you if Neal could replace the entire band Journey with Arnel and Deen type subordinates, he would. In fact after this 2011 tour I wouldn't be surprised if we see that happen, LOL.

So....you mean replacing Cain and Valory with younger, hard working talented musicians? Okay.

Yeah, replace everyone and call it the Schon Neelers, cause it sure won't be Journey!!

I like "Schoney"....

[fredinator]

KS said this on his Facebook page:

"hi kevin..the plugs for maiden and bonamassa and black country around here were huge and well deserved cause they are great artists ..was just wonderin why very lil plugs for the new journey opus ..cause the vibe im gettin is not good..2011 huge yr for journey..i am lookin forward to hearing mr big also..and happy xmas to you and the family..
Saturday at 10:19am · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2)

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*
*
o
Caveman! Not at all - there's a great album on the way - Journey was just not a cut-'n-dried session is all. The vibe is fine..."

I thought his comments early on regarding the new music were very positive as well.

I thought so, too--very positive. Maybe he explains himself in the 2nd part of the interview; in the meantime I think this is very, very odd.

[timstar78]

He never said that computers or digital downloading would go away or disappear.

computers are going to die like in 2 years anyway

Die, disappear, go away. You pick the synonym.

you're taking the words out of context. He said nothing about computers going away. He said you never know when the computer YOU are using is going to die--and you are going to lose all your digital files. Hard drives fail on a regular basis, and getting files back can be difficult.

I thought the interview quote was rather obvious as to what he meant.

In reading it over again, it seems I am indeed inferring a little too much from his statement. My bad.

[sniper16]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

[fredinator]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

Dang, this sums it all up very nicely.

[portland]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

Dang, this sums it all up very nicely.

You missed one (small) TINY Little point....they show up to hear the songs that Perry made famous with his voice not the "new" material that they have put out with the three replacement singers.

So if you don't get that very clear point then yes you are fooling yourself....


There that sums it up very nicely as well.

[Michigan Girl]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

And you're saying these idiots don't know they aren't seeing/hearing
Steve Perry?!?! Don't insult me ...or them!!

[Glenn]

I promise you if Neal could replace the entire band Journey with Arnel and Deen type subordinates, he would. In fact after this 2011 tour I wouldn't be surprised if we see that happen, LOL.

So....you mean replacing Cain and Valory with younger, hard working talented musicians? Okay.

Yeah, replace everyone and call it the Schon Neelers, cause it sure won't be Journey!!

I do think Cain or Rolie are necessary to keep it Journey....but if they were to replace Valory with a young talented hungry bassist with decent vocals and some song writing skill I think the band would be stronger. Or...lure Jack Blades over!

That is a pretty decent idea.

Arnel
Neal
Gregg
Smitty
Jack


That would work for me

[steveo777]

I promise you if Neal could replace the entire band Journey with Arnel and Deen type subordinates, he would. In fact after this 2011 tour I wouldn't be surprised if we see that happen, LOL.

So....you mean replacing Cain and Valory with younger, hard working talented musicians? Okay.

Yeah, replace everyone and call it the Schon Neelers, cause it sure won't be Journey!!

I do think Cain or Rolie are necessary to keep it Journey....but if they were to replace Valory with a young talented hungry bassist with decent vocals and some song writing skill I think the band would be stronger. Or...lure Jack Blades over!

That is a pretty decent idea.

Arnel
Neal
Gregg
Smitty
Jack


That would work for me

Interesting, there don't seem to be as many people suggesting that they give Arnel the boot lately.

There are three stages that something new goes through:

1.Vehement rejection (oh, hell no!)
2. Criticism
3. Embraced

[Ligzig]

Interesting, there don't seem to be as many people suggesting that they give Arnel the boot lately.

There are three stages that something new goes through:

1.Vehement rejection (oh, hell no!)
2. Criticism
3. Embraced

Journey is currently inactive and, arguably, irrelevant, at this point in time and it's because of that reason that you aren't seeing that sort of behavior. There simply isn't enough interest. I can see the point you are trying to make, but until the world tour starts and this place picks up the pace again, we should withhold any presumptuous statements. You will then see all of the familiar symptoms, both good and bad. Alternatively, I think it's safe to assume that the reason you aren't seeing that sort of behavior isn't because people have embraced Arnel, but because they simply aren't commenting on the fact.

Personally, my assumption is that the people who have interest in Journey and this current incarnation of the band being led by Arnel, are already fans of Arnel. Then there are those who simply don't care, don't know, or simply don't like the idea of Journey being led by anyone other then Perry. (With some exceptions, of course.) I don't think Journey will gain a significant amount of interest or new fans with this next release but there is the possibility that they may lose fans by going in a new direction. (Assuming they actually deliver.)

[Ligzig]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

And you're saying these idiots don't know they aren't seeing/hearing
Steve Perry?!?! Don't insult me ...or them!!

You'd be surprised how dense some (most) people can be. People would be more likely to assume Perry got plastic surgery and went tanning than to come to the conclusion that there is another singer. (or 3...)

[Michigan Girl]

journey can be journey as long as neal is in the band and the singer sounds like perry, most people dont know steve perry isnt there anymore, they just go to hang out, the same could be said if perry was touring as journey without anyone else, 50% of the people dont know,dont care, and about 80% dont buy new music, dont read magazines, or websites, so they dont know whos in the band when they buy a ticket

Don't fool yourself!!

perry played theatres 20 years ago, so much for the big time
journey plays to 10,000 plus a night over the last 10 years or so.
people have shown up thru 3 singers
they come to drink have fun and enjoy the songs as long as it says journey on the marque.

how is that fooling my self

And you're saying these idiots don't know they aren't seeing/hearing
Steve Perry?!?! Don't insult me ...or them!!

You'd be surprised how dense some (most) people can be. People would be more likely to assume Perry got plastic surgery and went tanning than to come to the conclusion that there is another singer. (or 3...)

lmao ...