Arnel - a good fit for Journey???

[Calbear94]

Well, maybe that Jeremey is too much his own man and too talented to be satisified with being nothing more to Journey than a Perry impersonator.

I liked how Jeremey sounded on his own songs, but his efforts on Journey songs sounded forced, not natural. He can sing, so why does he insist on trying to mimic Perry's vocals? If anything, I think you have it backwards. Arnel sings with his natural voice while trying to deliver songs the way the original artists did them, while Jeremey is doing some sort of vocal doppelganger at the end of each line/verse.

[treetopovskaya]

p.s.

gary, dave & howie are the best!! those guys plus jss have awesome chemistry. }:C)

[Calbear94]

Hiring Jeremey would have been a great move, and a great story that would have generated a lot of positive publicity for the band. Hiring Arnel will simply enable them to sell a lot more tickets for their greatest hits shows in Asian countries. No more Journey albums.

Why would hiring Jeremey have been any more of a positive story than hiring Arnel? To my knowledge, Journey only tours Japan in Asia and they have not had any problems drawing fans there anyway.

[Saint John]

Hiring Jeremey would have been a great move, and a great story that would have generated a lot of positive publicity for the band. Hiring Arnel will simply enable them to sell a lot more tickets for their greatest hits shows in Asian countries. No more Journey albums.

Why would hiring Jeremey have been any more of a positive story than hiring Arnel? To my knowledge, Journey only tours Japan in Asia and they have not had any problems drawing fans there anyway.

1) He's American.
2) He pronounces ALL of his words properly.
3) He doesn't say "living just to FOUND emotion" when singing DSB.
4) He's just as good.
5) The American audiences would, in my opinion, find him more visually fitting to front Journey. And is it me or would it seem kind of odd to have Arnel introducing Neal Schon to play his excruciating version of the SSB?

[strangegrey]

5) The American audiences would, in my opinion, find him more visually fitting to front Journey. And is it me or would it seem kind of odd to have Arnel introducing Neal Schon to play his excruciating version of the SSB?

LOL. I gues Neal's going to have to learn the Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Japanese national anthems....he's going to need a different stringed instrument.

[SPFan4ever]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

[ohsherrie]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period...................................................... At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

'nuff said.

[journeywoman]

I love your posts! You my friend have hit the nail on the head!And you have a few hundred new best friends!

[Calbear94]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period...................................................... At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

To which classy retirement move are you referring to? The one where he disappeared for almost 10 years without telling anyone else in the band? Or, the second one where he forced his own firing by not giving a credible timetable for his return, which the band depended on creatively and financially?

[Greg]

Arnel is just not right for Journey. I'll just leave it at that.

[Saint John]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

[Deb]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

LOL. Awwww Dan, ya love him, ya hate him, ya love him, ya hate him. You're posts have been so emotional this past week or so, you pmsing?

[Saint John]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

LOL. Awwww Dan, ya love him, ya hate him, ya love him, ya hate him. You're posts have been so emotional this past week or so, you pmsing?

I have nothing but respect for Steve Perry as an artist and entertainer. My favorite artist and the best I've ever seen/heard. As a "team" player I have a few reservations. I simply don't see him being quite as perfect as everyone else does. Not a slam against him at all. He's human (though I tend not to think so when I'm drinking ) and he has flaws just like the rest of us. I just point them out from time to time. Overall, I think Steve Perry is a quality human being as I have no reason to think otherwise, a fantastic artist and someone I'd like to "hear" from again.

[Deb]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

LOL. Awwww Dan, ya love him, ya hate him, ya love him, ya hate him. You're posts have been so emotional this past week or so, you pmsing?

I have nothing but respect for Steve Perry as an artist and entertainer. My favorite artist and the best I've ever seen/heard. As a "team" player I have a few reservations. I simply don't see him being quite as perfect as everyone else does. Not a slam against him at all. He's human (though I tend not to think so when I'm drinking ) and he has flaws just like the rest of us. I just point them out from time to time. Overall, I think Steve Perry is a quality human being as I have no reason to think otherwise, a fantastic artist and someone I'd like to "hear" from again.

I don't see him as 'perfect' either. Everybody has their flaws, even Perry. I agree with you 95% of the time. I was just teasing ya big guy.

[SPFan4ever]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

If I am not mistaken, he asked them to NOT ruin Journey. And guess what, they have.

[Saint John]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

If I am not mistaken, he asked them to NOT ruin Journey. And guess what, they have.

Nah. They've ruined their personal images. "Journey" is something that people remember from about 1977 to about 1996. Nothing that pseudo-Journey has done since 1998 is relevant or noteworthy. Steve Perry's time in Journey is something that can not be tarnished or tainted. It's in our hearts and memories and NO amount of fuck ups by the band's current members can ever change that. Though they certainly seem to be trying.

[stevew2]

Deb used an excellent word PASSION. Something both Perry and Soto have. In another post I said that both these men commanded the stage and the music. They have presence. I have watched the youtube videos and then I have listened to them. These are videos done during shows which people paid to see. Well I am sorry, I dont see it and I certainly dont hear the passion, charisma and excitment of Perry or Soto. I went to a concert when Augeri was fronting and I left after 5 songs. He was bland to me, boring, no excitment and I feel Arnel is the same. If this was a performance to a paying public, they got ripped off (IMO).

I wonder if the next Journey release will done done in english and fillipino (chances are that will happen - Neal wouldnt back down on a chance to make an extra 50 cents)

If you left after 5 songs, you had to be a loon.Every concert ive been to{19] people liked Steve A,even when lipping. the only time I saw people leaving is when they did the 3 hour tour and they played all the instrumental stuff that the casual fans never heard before. I saw alot of people walk out,but not when Augeri was singing,not one,I must have missed you. I dont want Arnel in the.band either, but I wouldnt link the 2 together.Weither you like it or not SA did front the band for 8 years, some good, some bad, He fucking tried,and did some new material, some of it I like. I thought he was a good performer, the wiggle should have been retiered after the 2001 dvd .

[Red13JoePa]

I haven't been posting here but I feel compelled to respond to this b/c it's so inaccurate it's not even funny.

As usual, WAY to windy. Couldn't get beyond this part.

Be more damn concise.

Actually on second thought, just shut up.

[Eric]

I don't like the fact that Journey was too afraid to go into more of a new direction with JSS or Augeri either...HOWEVER.....what makes Jeremey a better singer than Arnel and how is he not an impersonator?

Uhh...Eric, I think that the opinion of my singing as being "dime a dozen," and being a "two bit bar singer" and being an imposter/impersonator/(my personal favorite)clown was tossed around quite a bit as much, if not more, than the debate that's been going on around here with Arnel for the past couple days. Replace "asian" or "filipino" with "fat" and "ugly," and you'd get close to the same argument many of you had about me as well (I just can't hide behind the "racist" argument for being called ugly). I have a pretty balanced view of this whole situation, but there is a bit of a double standard that goes both ways.

Not sure what you are asking of me Jeremey? I don't think you are fat or a clown and I don't make fun of Arnel. I do feel you are more of a Perry impersonator than he is. Anyway, the knock I have on Journey if they hired you is that it sounds like they just want a Steve Perry clone and they're not interested in any new music. Its not much different in the case of this Arnel. I just don't know how someone could argue that you are a better singer than Arnel...or vice versa, except to say that they prefer the sound of one to the other. Honestly, do you feel based on the clips of you versus the clips of Arnel that you would be the better the choice? Try to imagine that the clips of Arnel is all most of us had to judge you by. I honestly think Arnel sounds better. I don't think I prefer him over you, because I can talk to you on here, but I do prefer Arnel's sound. My buddy who is a musician said he preferred you, but based it on overall presence. Explain to me if there are techniques I'm missing.....

[conversationpc]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

If I am not mistaken, he asked them to NOT ruin Journey. And guess what, they have.

...with a small assist from Perry, thanks to him not touring with the guys in '96-'97.

[Eric]

remarks on your attendance. Bullshit. Prove it, I'll say. Do you have the numbers? Journey's attendance has gone down for every tour following the arrival tour....this is immediately clear in cases where the band toured on its own. Let's see a weighted averge on tours with other bands (Styx, REO tour and the Def Leppard tour for example). Not only that, but the size and quality of venue has gone down too, unless they were lucky enough to have a band with a decent draw on tour with them...again, styx, reo, DL.

I could ask you if you have the numbers too. I know that they averaged 6,600ish for their 80+ dates ALONE in 2005. I know that I went to SPAC in 2001 for the Arrival tour and there was 7,800 for them, Frampton and Waite. In 2005 when they were alone, they drew 12,200. They drew 8,800 alone at Darien Lake in 2005 on a cool Tuesday night when they only drew 9,200 WITH hometown Foreigner in 1999 on a summery Friday night. They played similar venues all of those years, but didn't do the Fair run at the end of 2005 like they did in 2001. In 2005 the crowds kept growing. I was amazed. 2002 was a joke as far as I'm concerned. SO many fans say it was their favorite tour but it was SO aimless. Tiny dumps, same setlist night after night. They were on their own but still only played 2/4 songs off their EP. Shitty year as far as I'm concerned.....

As far as the disgraceful shit since 02.....read up, bro. There's plenty to support that out there...from tapegate, to soto-gate, to the people that have had their throats slit for even questioning the judgement of cain, schonbag or mgmt....there's too much to go into in one thread.

I apologize - I wasn't clear here. I just didn't understand the "emerged from Nomota" part. Is that a legal entity they began in 2002? Is that No More Tails? Was that their private "label" for Red 13?

[Rockindeano]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period...................................................... At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

You are allover the fucking map Sherrie. Give me a fucking break already.

[Matthew]

They should have left the name "Journey" alone, period. Here they are, trying to get the Perry sound but in the mean time they are treating all the replacements like crap. They are still touring like they are back in the 70's. If the old men want to continue touring, fine but give a new singer the glory they deserve but with a different name. They have blown it big time, IMO. At least Steve Perry retired with some class.

Really? You sure? He left his "brothers" in Journey, their label, and their fans out in the cold when he decided not to tour in support of TBF. I'll believe Herbie Herbert on this one when he told Neal something to the effect of "I'll get on my knees and kiss your ass if Steve Perry tours." Herbie knew it would never happen. IF that's true, it's hardly classy. Broke my fucking heart, that's for sure. Doubt I'm alone.

If I am not mistaken, he asked them to NOT ruin Journey. And guess what, they have.

...with a small assist from Perry, thanks to him not touring with the guys in '96-'97.

Or maybe Perry knew that touring might have ruined Journey's reputation ...and his own...had his voice fallen short of what was required.

[yak]

I was incredibly pissed at Journey too & I still am. But Arnel is a rare talent & I can't believe they've been so lucky to find him. They couldn't pass up that much talent. If u don't hear it, get ur prejudice out of the way & really listen. If u still don't hear it, get ur hearing checked.

1) I don't hear it, like a lot of others here.

2) I am not prejudiced. Because one has a different opinion than some here, does not mean they are prejudiced. Kind of cheeky to suggest such a thing, don't you think?

3) I did listen, I really listened, and he does nothing for me........ including the fact that this guy has absolutely no stage presence whatsoever, and despite the fact that I have already stated here...I have excellent hearing!

Maybe it's time for some of you who think he is the greatest thing since peanut butter, to get your hearing checked!

[Jeremey]

Not sure what you are asking of me Jeremey? I don't think you are fat or a clown and I don't make fun of Arnel. I do feel you are more of a Perry impersonator than he is. Anyway, the knock I have on Journey if they hired you is that it sounds like they just want a Steve Perry clone and they're not interested in any new music. Its not much different in the case of this Arnel. I just don't know how someone could argue that you are a better singer than Arnel...or vice versa, except to say that they prefer the sound of one to the other. Honestly, do you feel based on the clips of you versus the clips of Arnel that you would be the better the choice? Try to imagine that the clips of Arnel is all most of us had to judge you by. I honestly think Arnel sounds better. I don't think I prefer him over you, because I can talk to you on here, but I do prefer Arnel's sound. My buddy who is a musician said he preferred you, but based it on overall presence. Explain to me if there are techniques I'm missing.....

Im sorry I went off a little there, Eric....The point of my post wasn't directed at you. I just got a lot of bullshit thrown my way when my name was in the running, and now I see my name come up here and there again with people trying to make the point, "why was it okay for jeremey but not arnel...etc" and the point I was trying to make was that my recollection was that not too many people thought it was "okay" for me a couple months ago, and over the passage of time, wanted to point out that I had a pretty rough go of it as well.

[Escape Artist]

Some of you know my husband Norm and you will get a kick out what he said after I showed him a youtube video of Arnel.

He said and I quote"Fuck no, I'm not giving my money to see him. He sucks"
They had the best, Jeff, and screwed up big time. I'm done."

You know, the more listen to the you tube stuff of Arnel's I tend to agree w/ your husband.
discard the accent, "the look" and all the BS about nationality and racism, it still comes down to the guy not being in the same league as you would expect from someone being considered for a band like journey.

In short one might say and I quote"Fuck no, I'm not giving my money to see him. He sucks"

[strangegrey]

You know, the more listen to the you tube stuff of Arnel's I tend to agree w/ your husband.
discard the accent, "the look" and all the BS about nationality and racism, it still comes down to the guy not being in the same league as you would expect from someone being considered for a band like journey.

In short one might say and I quote"Fuck no, I'm not giving my money to see him. He sucks"

Another thing to consider is that people may not be able to put their finger on it...they feel something's off, but can't quantify the fact that there's different leagues in mention....so they may voice that gut feeling with *other* less concerns, nationality, pronunciation, etc...

Also, some people refuse to accept the fact that if he *was* in the same league, you wouldn't hear people fixating on nationality, height, etc. Think about it....if it was some tribesman from some bumfuck african village came out to San Francisco and sang the living shit out the material, sounded JUST like Perry...to the point where you could close your eyes and not tell the difference....would there be less reservation? Sure...absolutely.

There'd be one or two guys making spear-chucking comments....but there'd be far less reservation....

Look at Seal....here's a guy that actually fits the above description (in appearance) He really does look right off the african boat....scars on his face.....but he opens his mouth and your jaw drops at how good he is.


The comments regarding arnels heritage/background can very well be quantifications of someone's reservations about Arnel's legitimate ability to handle the position. It's that simple.

[Eric]

Not sure what you are asking of me Jeremey? I don't think you are fat or a clown and I don't make fun of Arnel. I do feel you are more of a Perry impersonator than he is. Anyway, the knock I have on Journey if they hired you is that it sounds like they just want a Steve Perry clone and they're not interested in any new music. Its not much different in the case of this Arnel. I just don't know how someone could argue that you are a better singer than Arnel...or vice versa, except to say that they prefer the sound of one to the other. Honestly, do you feel based on the clips of you versus the clips of Arnel that you would be the better the choice? Try to imagine that the clips of Arnel is all most of us had to judge you by. I honestly think Arnel sounds better. I don't think I prefer him over you, because I can talk to you on here, but I do prefer Arnel's sound. My buddy who is a musician said he preferred you, but based it on overall presence. Explain to me if there are techniques I'm missing.....

Im sorry I went off a little there, Eric....The point of my post wasn't directed at you. I just got a lot of bullshit thrown my way when my name was in the running, and now I see my name come up here and there again with people trying to make the point, "why was it okay for jeremey but not arnel...etc" and the point I was trying to make was that my recollection was that not too many people thought it was "okay" for me a couple months ago, and over the passage of time, wanted to point out that I had a pretty rough go of it as well.

You have every right to go off on anyone...especially when I'm typing that I am leaning towards Arnel. I mean, you're talented and you're human. Who would want to read that in your shoes? The fire is good. And.....maybe Perry impersonator isn't my thing for Journey's new lead singer, but in NO way is that a negative label overall. If you played near me I'd be to every one of your shows with 10 friends (okay 10 people who know me) Furthermore, I'd die to be able to do what you do. Its weird talking to a down-to-earth person and then analyzing your favorite band's situation. I'm doing like a big picture analysis of my own thoughts and then what I'm writing hurts you. Just because you're not my first choice doesn't mean I think bad of you or that I don't wish you luck and wouldn't give you a chance if you were the new singer. Although if what is indicated is true, it will be hard to follow them period if they aren't interested in creating anything new.

[Just_Plain_Eric]

Hey Jeremy,


My take is that you have risen to stuff that most of us only dream about, so whatever the backlash there may be most here really respect what you do and the chances/sacrifices that you have made through the years. As you know Journey is just such a touchy subject now


Keep on singin and dreaming!

E

[ScarabGator]

Jeremey, I love your sound and your show and I appreciate what you do. I cant wait for you guys to come back to Atlanta. IT would have been great if Journey named you the new singer. Just so you know, you had a lot of us Gators pulling hard for you man! A Suburban full of us came up last August! You are still the favorite around here. I think my wife is still pissed that you wont be the singer, she refuses to give Arnel a chance in hell!!!!