The Storm

[youkeepmewaiting]

After reading KC's right wing nut job twitter I felt dirty and needed to be reminded of how great a singer he is. I was very happy to find this live concert I'd never seen before. Quality isn't great, but wow, that band were good.


https://youtu.be/EO-8Z0AOhs0

[scarab]

True story, I started buying "rock" cds at "Great American music" and Musicland, back when there were actually music stores.
I bought hem on a whim just mainly from the cover art and the name, 2nd most memorable was Prophet, which i knew nothing about but thought the name was cool and Cycle of The Moon was cool, little did i know later they had a pretty widespread MTV hit with the sound of a breaking heart, a great song. To bad I never heard it on the radio, cause AOR was dying.

But the 1st memorable was the Storm, once again I knew nothing about this band but took a chance.
I remember getting home and the back cover said something about Herbie Herbert being the Manager.

Then I was in shock opening the CD liner notes and it said Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory and Steve Smith as the band members.
I still remember to this day listening to "You Keep Me Waiting" as the first track and that intro of thunder and rain and a voice that sometimes rivaled Perry and the same for Ramos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUf8OKxugps

Though the first album they did was great the Rolie songs were average at best and it was sad that the follow up "Eye of The Storm" got no attention. This album was 2x greater then the debut.

For me Two Fires was a let down, a few good songs on both there releases.


Yeah and on any sides just rock.

[Memorex]

Off the original topic but on Scarab's topic, One of the CD's I bought on a whim never having heard any of it was Jude Cole's self-titled CD. Been a lifelong fan ever since and consider him in my top whatever. It does make me wonder what I did not discover though.

Loved the first Storm album, have never been able to get into the second. Maybe I will go back and give it a chance.

[Onestepper]

Off the original topic but on Scarab's topic, One of the CD's I bought on a whim never having heard any of it was Jude Cole's self-titled CD. Been a lifelong fan ever since and consider him in my top whatever. It does make me wonder what I did not discover though.

Loved the first Storm album, have never been able to get into the second. Maybe I will go back and give it a chance.

Jude Cole has always been one of my favorite solo artists that no one knows. That debut album of his was great.

Also, when I was right out of college, I managed a night club in Illinois. We brought in The Storm for a concert during their second tour. We highlighted Rollie's connection to Journey and the place sold out. Wasn't a large venue, but large enough to have a great concert. Nice guys, although a bit removed, which is natural.

Side bar, we also brought in "New Kids on the Block" right as they were hitting it big. Less than 6 months later, they were playing sold out stadiums.

[scarab]

and speaking of "you keep me waiting"
in the line, "Those two little words you find so hard to say"

Call me stupid but what are the two little words?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Sigh. What could have been. Band should have listened to Herbie and had KC front this band. Guy has always been the real deal.

As for KC's political views....he released a christian album before Cain jumped on that bandwagon, so I'm not completely surprised he leans to the right. He's always been pretty accessible to fans too. If you have an issue with his "nut job" views, no harm in challenging him.

[Memorex]

and speaking of "you keep me waiting"
in the line, "Those two little words you find so hard to say"

Call me stupid but what are the two little words?

Maybe "I Do".

Or "Untie Me".

[youkeepmewaiting]

I've only just remembered where I got my username from all those years ago

[Aaron]

We can all talk about what's happened over time. What I will say is I saw Chalfant in The Storm when they opened for Brian Adams. He was killer, the songs we're great and he nailed every song live. The Storm was a great band with two great singers.

All the other crap is crap.

[hgwy407]

What interview? Link?

[FamilyMan]

Who's that drummer? I thought Smitty was the drummer for The Storm.

[RedWingFan]

and speaking of "you keep me waiting"
in the line, "Those two little words you find so hard to say"

Call me stupid but what are the two little words?

"I'm sorry"
"Now minutes turn to hours, hours turn to weeks. I said I'm sorry, but still you won't speak"

[Art Vandelay]

Who's that drummer? I thought Smitty was the drummer for The Storm.

Smith recorded the first album with them, but that was the extent of his involvement (at least to my knowledge). Ron Wikso was the touring drummer, and recorded the second album with them. I found this out the hard way when I bought tickets to see them open for Bryan Adams...specifically to see Smith play. When the drummer showed up with really long hair, my heart sank. It was still cool to see Ross and Gregg live and hear them play Just the Same Way, but it was definitely not the experience I was hoping for.

Modern Drummer did an interview with Smith around the time of the first album, and from what I remember it wasn't a very positive or exciting experience for him. He was more focused on Vital Information and the Buddy Rich tribute album and concert that he was part of at that time.

[scarab]

Did they play other Non-Storm songs live?
Like 707? Figuring they didnt do the Steel Breeze hit.
Or any other Journey songs?

Its amazing they pulled of two radio hits but still little album sales. Dont even think it went gold and peaked at 133.

[Art Vandelay]

Did they play other Non-Storm songs live?
Like 707? Figuring they didnt do the Steel Breeze hit.
Or any other Journey songs?

Its amazing they pulled of two radio hits but still little album sales. Dont even think it went gold and peaked at 133.

When I saw them, they did Just the Same Way and Black Magic Woman. Kevin ended JTSW exactly how Perry did on the Captured album (with the "woh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhh"). The rest of the set was from The Storm album. They got a good pop from the crowd when they introduced Ross and Gregg as former Journey members. I don't think many people realized who they were seeing. They were, after all, the opening act and I don't think word was spreading that much about them outside of the Journey fan zone. I even knew a couple of people who went to the show late to avoid the opening act, not knowing who The Storm was, and being pissed when I told them it was kind of a Journey spin-off band. Ross was hamming it up on stage and really looked like he was happy to be back up and playing. He yelled "what's up, Philly, did you miss me?" when he was introduced. That got a big cheer. Looking back, I was really glad I got to see Gregg play. He did a nice solo on the harmonica, but I forget for which song...maybe during In the Raw?

[Monker]

Who's that drummer? I thought Smitty was the drummer for The Storm.

Smith recorded the first album with them, but that was the extent of his involvement (at least to my knowledge). Ron Wikso was the touring drummer, and recorded the second album with them. I found this out the hard way when I bought tickets to see them open for Bryan Adams...specifically to see Smith play. When the drummer showed up with really long hair, my heart sank. It was still cool to see Ross and Gregg live and hear them play Just the Same Way, but it was definitely not the experience I was hoping for.

Modern Drummer did an interview with Smith around the time of the first album, and from what I remember it wasn't a very positive or exciting experience for him. He was more focused on Vital Information and the Buddy Rich tribute album and concert that he was part of at that time.

Steve Smith had no intention of touring with The Storm. He was only in the band for the recording of the one album. If you read his interviews from back then you will find that he was absolutely not interested in rock or pop music in any capacity other than a session drummer. His main focus and love was Jazz and Vital Information. This is also why he left Journey following TBF....he set a certain amount of time aside to do Journey. After that time expired, he felt his Jazz career was suffering and he left "Journey" (or whatever was left of it) to rebuild his Jazz career. There are even interviews where he says joining Journey was a bit of a fluke because he never considered himself a rock drummer...if he were not in Journey, he would not be in a rock band. So, Journey was very blessed to have him in the band for so long back then...and that he came back and did the tours recently.

[scarab]

After TBF (even though I guess he was fronted a decent amount of $) I read in an interview that he had no interest in a Journey without Steve Perry, but maybe what he really meant if they had Perry and toured he would make much more $.
And he was mostly right, when Augeri first started they couldnt sell out State Fairs or casinos.

[jrnyman28]

After TBF (even though I guess he was fronted a decent amount of $) I read in an interview that he had no interest in a Journey without Steve Perry,

He did say that much later, but he maintained all along that he signed on for an album and tour. When the tour was canned he was done.

[jrnyman28]

For me Two Fires was a let down, a few good songs on both there releases.

I enjoyed the songs from the Two Fires albums but the production was pretty poor.

[Monker]

After TBF (even though I guess he was fronted a decent amount of $) I read in an interview that he had no interest in a Journey without Steve Perry,

He did say that much later, but he maintained all along that he signed on for an album and tour. When the tour was canned he was done.

Well, this is combining two issues.

Yes, when it was obvious they were not going to tour, Steve Smith was done. He wanted to get back to VI and Jazz.

In the interview, he was NOT saying that he was not interested in Journey without Steve Perry. That was not his point. What he was saying is he was interested in a reunion. Without Steve Perry, there was no reunion, so what's the point? In other words, he could have said, without Neal Schon, what's the point? Without Jonathan Cain, what's the point? For Steve Smtih, TBF was about the "reunion". He was not trying to express some type of loyalty to Steve Perry. If he truly felt that way, he would not have helped the band out when Dean had to quit.

[The_Noble_Cause]

If he truly felt that way, he would not have helped the band out when Dean had to quit.

A few things....

1) He didn't help out. Omar Hakim filled in initially.

2) Joining Journey with Augeri would have been a career gamble. Joining Journey with Arnel was a safe bet and an easy paycheck. When the going got tough, arguably Smitty got going. The rest of the guys did the hard work.

3) Smitty explained his return to the band on FB...

"I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it's essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he'd like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I'm a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I've been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I've met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say "yes" to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new line-up similar to the Escape and Frontiers era -- and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I'm sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It's going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!"

[youkeepmewaiting]

Really seems like a good guy.

He didn't want the grind of touring with a band playing music he didnt love. Dont blame him for that

[kgdjpubs]

After TBF (even though I guess he was fronted a decent amount of $) I read in an interview that he had no interest in a Journey without Steve Perry,

He did say that much later, but he maintained all along that he signed on for an album and tour. When the tour was canned he was done.

Well, this is combining two issues.

Yes, when it was obvious they were not going to tour, Steve Smith was done. He wanted to get back to VI and Jazz.

In the interview, he was NOT saying that he was not interested in Journey without Steve Perry. That was not his point. What he was saying is he was interested in a reunion. Without Steve Perry, there was no reunion, so what's the point? In other words, he could have said, without Neal Schon, what's the point? Without Jonathan Cain, what's the point? For Steve Smtih, TBF was about the "reunion". He was not trying to express some type of loyalty to Steve Perry. If he truly felt that way, he would not have helped the band out when Dean had to quit.

Exactly. There are interviews at the time saying just that. The amount of money being thrown around by Sony for the "classic Journey lineup" probably didn't hurt either. Smith's position at the time was that if everyone else was going to do it, he'd be part of it as well for the fans even though he had basically moved on from Journey and was perfectly happy with where he was. Once anyone left the classic lineup though, he was gone. It just happened that Perry left. His interest was in jazz, not being part of a rock band.

[WalrusOct9]

After reading KC's right wing nut job twitter I felt dirty and needed to be reminded of how great a singer he is. I was very happy to find this live concert I'd never seen before. Quality isn't great, but wow, that band were good.


https://youtu.be/EO-8Z0AOhs0

am I hallucinating but did they play "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" then play it 10 minutes later as an encore? I know they didn't have a ton of songs at that point but...that's awkward.

[Monker]

Wow.

Yeah, I said 'help out'. Use whatever words you want to for "graciously joined Journey". It makes no difference to me because it isn't the point. The point is that if Steve Smith had some type of loyalty for Steve Perry and something against a Perryless Journey, he wouldn't have done it.

"When the going got tough, arguably Smitty got going. " What an insult towards Steve Smith. I have never read anything to indicate this was true. If there is something that indicates Steve Smith did not join the Arrival version of Journey because the work would be too hard (or whatever), I'd love to read it. EVERYTHING I have read from Steve Smith says the same thing, over and over: he left the reunion to go back to Jazz. He felt he wasted two years and his Jazz career had suffered for it. He had no interest in Journey outside of a reunion. In fact, he had no interest in joining ANY pop/rock band.

If he truly felt that way, he would not have helped the band out when Dean had to quit.

A few things....

1) He didn't help out. Omar Hakim filled in initially.

2) Joining Journey with Augeri would have been a career gamble. Joining Journey with Arnel was a safe bet and an easy paycheck. When the going got tough, arguably Smitty got going. The rest of the guys did the hard work.

3) Smitty explained his return to the band on FB...

"I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it's essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he'd like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I'm a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I've been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I've met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say "yes" to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new line-up similar to the Escape and Frontiers era -- and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I'm sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It's going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!"

[youkeepmewaiting]

After reading KC's right wing nut job twitter I felt dirty and needed to be reminded of how great a singer he is. I was very happy to find this live concert I'd never seen before. Quality isn't great, but wow, that band were good.


https://youtu.be/EO-8Z0AOhs0

am I hallucinating but did they play "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" then play it 10 minutes later as an encore? I know they didn't have a ton of songs at that point but...that's awkward.

I thought I'd imagined that

[The_Noble_Cause]

Wow.
Yeah, I said 'help out'. Use whatever words you want to for "graciously joined Journey".

"Help out" sounds like they were in a bind (ex. Soto filling in for Augeri last minute). It's just not accurate.

The point is that if Steve Smith had some type of loyalty for Steve Perry and something against a Perryless Journey, he wouldn't have done it.

On Behind the Music, he seemed opposed to the idea of moving on in general. Alot of time has passed. If I can find the quote/clip, I will post it.

EDIT: At about 59 min mark of VH1 BTM, Smitty talks not being interested in a post-TBF post-SP band, says he gave his answer right over the phone. Now, it's entirely possible that he was not interested due to his jazz career, but he does not seem that enthused about the idea overall. That's my take.

https://youtu.be/kJivmiZIY6o

[Onestepper]

People's priorities and desires change over time. Not surprised that Smitty changed his mind as the years wore on. I'd like to see that from some other stubborn artists as well, but won't hold my breath.

i was watching the Foo Fighters documentary on Netflix the other day. And the one consistent thing I took away from it, in relation to how Journey has evolved over the years, is that these guys all make knee jerk decisions that often they admit to regretting later in life.

Perry is one of the very few (outside of admitting he should not have gotten rid of Ross and Smith for ROR) that seems to be comfortable with just walking away and basically not having any interest in ever reuniting.

[Monker]

Wow.
Yeah, I said 'help out'. Use whatever words you want to for "graciously joined Journey".

"Help out" sounds like they were in a bind (ex. Soto filling in for Augeri last minute). It's just not accurate.

The point is that if Steve Smith had some type of loyalty for Steve Perry and something against a Perryless Journey, he wouldn't have done it.

On Behind the Music, he seemed opposed to the idea of moving on in general. Alot of time has passed. If I can find the quote/clip, I will post it.

EDIT: At about 59 min mark of VH1 BTM, Smitty talks not being interested in a post-TBF post-SP band, says he gave his answer right over the phone. Now, it's entirely possible that he was not interested due to his jazz career, but he does not seem that enthused about the idea overall. That's my take.

https://youtu.be/kJivmiZIY6o

And, earlier in the same video, Steve Smith talks about the fact that he was doing studio work and that his band, "Vital Information" was now touring....so there was a downside to the reunion, too. All of that had to be put on hold. He also talked about the frustrations of waiting for Perry to make a decision on his hip.

What you are not accepting is that Steve Smith did not move on from Journey in 1998. He moved on from Journey in 1986 and built a successful career in Jazz. Again, earlier in the same video Steve Smith says that he looks back and sees that that entire time in Journey he was really still learning...alluding to his following career in Jazz. His loyalties were to Jazz, not to Journey. He didn't need Journey, as Ross did, for example....he was doing fine without Journey. He wouldn't even tour or become a member of The Storm...of course he's not going to do it in the aftermath of TBF....and delay his Jazz career even longer.

[The_Noble_Cause]

And, earlier in the same video, Steve Smith talks about the fact that he was doing studio work and that his band, "Vital Information" was now touring....so there was a downside to the reunion, too. All of that had to be put on hold. He also talked about the frustrations of waiting for Perry to make a decision on his hip.

That doesn't change anything I said. When the brotherhood reunited against all odds, he bailed. That doesn't discount his valid professional or personal reasons for doing so. It is what it is.

What you are not accepting is that Steve Smith did not move on from Journey in 1998. He moved on from Journey in 1986 and built a successful career in Jazz. Again, earlier in the same video Steve Smith says that he looks back and sees that that entire time in Journey he was really still learning...alluding to his following career in Jazz. His loyalties were to Jazz, not to Journey. He didn't need Journey, as Ross did, for example....he was doing fine without Journey. He wouldn't even tour or become a member of The Storm...of course he's not going to do it in the aftermath of TBF....and delay his Jazz career even longer.

I don't care. Once Schon and Cain has successfully rebuilt Journey, he came back on-board. When they were touring theaters and Augeri was receiving death threats, he was nowhere to be found.