New Cain Interview

[Tito]

The bottom line is that without Perry's voice, Journey doesn't exist, and Andrew doesn't have them listed ANYWHERE on this website, period, END OF STORY!
John from Boston

There was a Journey before Perry. But, to the main point, and I mean this as no disrespect to this website or any of the bands mentioned on it. Considering some of the bands that are talked about and promoted here, I think it's safe to assume a Perry-less Journey would still be mentioned on this website.

[Tito]

Captain Friga

Cain.

[bionic]

I've kept my appreciation for their talent, but I've lost my passion for the group.

What a great way to express it!
That's how I feel, too.

Yeah sums my feelings up as well.

[Tito]

The issue with Jeff isn't so much that he's no longer the lead singer in Journey. That's subjective and it's the band's decision on what they want vocally from a frontman. It's how Neal and Jon went about it that rubs most people raw.

How do you know what happened? I read a nice press release wishing him well. What inside info do you have? WHO told you?

Jeremey stated in a post (not long ago) that he got a call from Jon Cain telling him about his writing credit on NWA and that Neal sent him a text message. Basically healing any potential ill feelings. What, they can't do the same thing for Jeff? You know, the guy who saved their financial asses on a huge tour?

Jeremey was never officially and (keyword) legally part of the band. He auditioned. Period. Soto was officially and (once again keyword) legally part of the band. Big difference. Whenever there is a potential for lawsuits and even when there aren't, rarely do employers talk to former employees. At least in an official capacity. Actually, regardless of an employment situation, anytime there is ever a threat of a lawsuit, you shut the f*ck up.

[Tito]

The music industry is a megasorusgodzillaterranahsorusrex (just made that up ) business, that god himself doesn't even know how it REALLY runs. It's so out there, planet earth doesn't even know where to begin...and that goes for ANYTHING that exists in this world when it comes to figures. There's one thing wrong with this world today...and that's money..throw in a close second fucked up specimen in the mix, and that's people. When the two clash, it isn't going to be pretty!!

Which comes to my point. These guys are business men...more-so business men, than they are people. Not only that, they are a WELL RECOGNIZED part of American and world history where they can NOT afford to throw themselves to a pact of wolves given any situation thrown at them. (Tape Gate, Perry, Records, Management, JSS, Jeremey, Herbert, Arnel, Augeri) and the list goes on.

You think they give a flying fuck that they announced JSS as a lead singer to their rock -n- roll band to soon dump him for another singer? No. You think they give a shit about using tapes for Augeri to keep on touring year in and year out? No. And most of all, do you think they give a rats ass about what some fan has to say about them on a message board? HELLLL NO.
This business is their LIFE and nothing more. They will never be reconized as normal people (not even to themselves) and that's the risk you take of being apart of something such a big deal. They are the planets own Ginny-pigs..to be apart of the music industry opens them up to criticisms amongst many. They will ALWAYS protect themselves no matter what...NO MATTER WHAT. And if one person who is registered on these boards were apart of it, you'd do the same damn thing. No one really knows what these guys have to go through on a day to day basis...throughout life..and that goes for any top dollar organization on earth. It's either their way....or the highway. PERIOD, and that's the way it will continue to be.

With that rant said... if you want to have a good life that these guys probably don't have..then stop worrying about what some piano player said or did about someone. It will make your life so much easier. Love them for who they are... MUSICIANS..and hot damn is this group one of the BEST IN THE WORLD..that's why we love them so much, so WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT!!

long live Journey!

YoungJRNY -out

Wow! This is our Runnerup for Post Of The Year. I still give the edge to Bobby in TN.

[Tito]

Travelling across the border to catch a couple JSSB shows next month, but won't be travelling to see a Journey show

You better not be a f-ckin' illegal!!!

Note: See avatar.

[Red13JoePa]

The issue with Jeff isn't so much that he's no longer the lead singer in Journey. That's subjective and it's the band's decision on what they want vocally from a frontman. It's how Neal and Jon went about it that rubs most people raw.

How do you know what happened?

He or she DOESN'T know.
Nobody who's posting does.

[Tito]

When you eat a hamburger from McDonald's, do you think about the teenager who made it for you, and judge him for toking up every night after work?

Seriously! When I listen to Journey music, I don't sit there and think "Man Neal has commitment issues" or "Cain needs to come down to earth" or anything... I enjoy the tunes and let them make me feel how it makes me feel. No more, no less.

Where do you live? They still have teenagers working at your McDonald's. All I see are illegals in mine.

Also, Neal is not the one with commitment issues.

[Michigan Girl]

When you eat a hamburger from McDonald's, do you think about the teenager who made it for you, and judge him for toking up every night after work?

Seriously! When I listen to Journey music, I don't sit there and think "Man Neal has commitment issues" or "Cain needs to come down to earth" or anything... I enjoy the tunes and let them make me feel how it makes me feel. No more, no less.

Where do you live? They still have teenagers working at your McDonald's. All I see are illegals in mine.

Also, Neal is not the one with commitment issues.

Just when I think I'm starting to agree w/SOME of the things you say...you say something like
this....

[Tito]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

I soooo hear ya on that! I'm sure artists would rather be playing arenas, but from a fan's point of view nothing beats a smaller venue. The JSSB shows I saw last September were GREAT........enjoyed it better than the huge arena show of Bon Jovi's I saw. There is just something about enjoying a concert from a few feet away compared to a quarter mile back. Seeing JSSB (joined by EM) next month in a smaller venue

To steal one of my favorite Rockin' Deano quotes of all-time (in regards to Eddie Money touring/size of venues), Llike he's got a f-ckin' choice.

[Tito]

Winds Of Freedom was all i needed to hear to convince me even more that Jeff wasn't right. It was also a very piss poor song imo.

Was that the "400 years ago" song?

[Tito]

Cain can be the biggest jerk in the world, but he still wrote "Still She Cries".

Correction: Cain wrote a great piano solo in Still She Cries. Perry and Schon also WROTE that song. Perry, the lyrics, Schon the guitar parts. I know Cain would LOVE to take credit for the entire song, as he tries to do with so many, but he's no more totally responsible for this one, than 99% of their Escape era HITS. Faithfully is the ONLY popular song he wrote music and lyrics for entirely. Sorry to blow his cover!

Agreed on this point. That's why they are THEIR songs. Not just Perry's as some would say.

[Tito]

It was the only bargaining chip the fans ever had.

What? Are we union now?

[Tito]

Such a gimmick will tide over the Perry-reared masses, but Jeff was their chance to rise above all that and blaze new trails.
The songs on 'World Play' come from an earnest place of creative expression, not paint-by-numbers crap like "Never Walk Away".

More like go down in a blaze of glory (and stretching the definition of glory).

I have to respectfully disagree with you on the World Play CD. IMO, the CD was not good. Average at best. I saw them live and it was fine, but not memorable.

[The_Noble_Cause]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

Your blind hubris is wearing thin.
Nobody ever said the inclusion of JSS would automatically propel Journey back to the top.
The fact of the matter is, most people see Journey just to hear the catalogue - regardless of the singer.
With a proper album and tour under his belt, who knows where Jeff might have taken them.
Arnel's inaugural tour is being accompanied by a full-fledged media blitz and album, luxuries Jeff was never afforded.
There is no comparison between their tenures.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on the World Play CD. IMO, the CD was not good. Average at best. I saw them live and it was fine, but not memorable.

Not a bad song on it. In some respects, its more of a Journey album than Generations.

[conversationpc]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on the World Play CD. IMO, the CD was not good. Average at best. I saw them live and it was fine, but not memorable.

Not a bad song on it. In some respects, its more of a Journey album than Generations.

"World Play" blows "Generations" away, easily.

[Tito]

When you eat a hamburger from McDonald's, do you think about the teenager who made it for you, and judge him for toking up every night after work?

Seriously! When I listen to Journey music, I don't sit there and think "Man Neal has commitment issues" or "Cain needs to come down to earth" or anything... I enjoy the tunes and let them make me feel how it makes me feel. No more, no less.

Where do you live? They still have teenagers working at your McDonald's. All I see are illegals in mine.

Also, Neal is not the one with commitment issues.

Just when I think I'm starting to agree w/SOME of the things you say...you say something like
this....

Where am I incorrect? Anyway, I was referring more towards someone else than Neal.

[brywool]

Cain, wake the f up... you guys were caught with your pants down and there's massive proof.
Don't be a dickhead...

He can't help himself. I saw him at DFW airport, gathering his things as he had just cleared the security check point and I recognized him immediately and was looking straight at him. He looked up and saw that I knew who he was and he looked at me with such disdain, like "Good fucking lord, not this shit again." I decided not to bother him. I saw Ross a few seconds later, and was actually standing right next to him, but after Cain's expression I didn't have the heart to bother him either. Ross probably would have been cool about it though.

what an ass. I can understand, I guess that it's their personal time. I get that. But to look like that at people that put you where you are... come on. All he had to do was just say "Hi, I'm sorry, but I'm super busy. Thanks for understanding".

[Tito]

Nobody ever said the inclusion of JSS would automatically propel Journey back to the top.

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

The fact of the matter is, most people see Journey just to hear the catalogue - regardless of the singer.

Agreed...to a point, but most of it. That is why they want to stay close to the sound. They don't want to hear just anybody sing it.

With a proper album and tour under his belt, who knows where Jeff might have taken them.

Amend my first answer. Maybe it does include you. LOL j/k

Arnel's inaugural tour is being accompanied by a full-fledged media blitz and album, luxuries Jeff was never afforded.
There is no comparison between their tenures.

Jeff was the equivalent of a minor league callup. He joined them after the tour started, it was not his tour originally. So, why would there be promotion. Also, that would probably be bad p.r. to promote a replacement singer or as Jeff would say, the replacement for the replacement.

Let's give it time before we can fairly compare the two tenures, but you'll probably be right. There will be no comparison.

[Tito]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on the World Play CD. IMO, the CD was not good. Average at best. I saw them live and it was fine, but not memorable.

Not a bad song on it. In some respects, its more of a Journey album than Generations.

I don't know about that and even if it were true, isn't that like being the tallest midget?

[Saint John]

"World Play" blows "Generations" away, easily.

Saying a pile of dog shit is more appetizing than a pile of dead maggots doesn't necessarily make it fine cuisine.

[amaron]

Nobody ever said the inclusion of JSS would automatically propel Journey back to the top.

Maybe not you, but there are some on this board who truly believe that.

There were quite a few people who stated it.

[Arkansas]

The comment about Jeff was simply idiotic! As someone else already pointed out...If these guys really thought of Jeff as a "relief pitcher", why the hell would they announce the guy as the "permanent lead singer"? The comments these guys make NEVER cease to amaze me. Someone pointed out in the Augeri thread that these guys were somehow "loyal", which is the most fucking absurd thing I've EVER heard! These guys are loyal to their wallets and bank accounts, and NOTHING else! Neal made some ridiculous comments about Perry in his latest interview, and now this. These guys REALLY need to hire a PR firm or simply shut their pieholes!


John from Boston

I will grant you guys this one point, and I said this at the time, I did not understand why they announced Soto as the new singer and then let him go a short time later. Now, that may have been done for legal reasons or a condition from the promoters, who knows? I personally don't know or care.

As far as them being loyal to their wallets and bank accounts...um, yeah. This isn't charity work. Also, regardless of what one may think of Neal's comment, it was accurate.

I always figured it was simply a direction change due to a matter of timing. Maybe they fully intended to move forward with JSS, and so made the lead singer announcement. But then came the WalMart deal and maybe there were stipulations and pre-reqs that had to be met before the deal was in concrete. (Wasn't the original deal simply a greatest hits remake?) Or maybe they just changed their minds and decided to go with a Perry clone (or as close as they could find at the time) for the WM deal.

Always thought there was a lot of fan negativity infused in last year's lineup change unnecessarily. I think it all just kinda happened and there was no conspiracy at all.


later~

[mistiejourney]

Cain can be the biggest jerk in the world, but he still wrote "Still She Cries".

Correction: Cain wrote a great piano solo in Still She Cries. Perry and Schon also WROTE that song. Perry, the lyrics, Schon the guitar parts. I know Cain would LOVE to take credit for the entire song, as he tries to do with so many, but he's no more totally responsible for this one, than 99% of their Escape era HITS. Faithfully is the ONLY popular song he wrote music and lyrics for entirely. Sorry to blow his cover!

LOL - I should have been more specific, as it is the piano in that song that really gets me!

[conversationpc]

The comment about Jeff was simply idiotic! As someone else already pointed out...If these guys really thought of Jeff as a "relief pitcher", why the hell would they announce the guy as the "permanent lead singer"? The comments these guys make NEVER cease to amaze me. Someone pointed out in the Augeri thread that these guys were somehow "loyal", which is the most fucking absurd thing I've EVER heard! These guys are loyal to their wallets and bank accounts, and NOTHING else! Neal made some ridiculous comments about Perry in his latest interview, and now this. These guys REALLY need to hire a PR firm or simply shut their pieholes!


John from Boston

I will grant you guys this one point, and I said this at the time, I did not understand why they announced Soto as the new singer and then let him go a short time later. Now, that may have been done for legal reasons or a condition from the promoters, who knows? I personally don't know or care.

As far as them being loyal to their wallets and bank accounts...um, yeah. This isn't charity work. Also, regardless of what one may think of Neal's comment, it was accurate.

I always figured it was simply a direction change due to a matter of timing. Maybe they fully intended to move forward with JSS, and so made the lead singer announcement. But then came the WalMart deal and maybe there were stipulations and pre-reqs that had to be met before the deal was in concrete. (Wasn't the original deal simply a greatest hits remake?) Or maybe they just changed their minds and decided to go with a Perry clone (or as close as they could find at the time) for the WM deal.

Always thought there was a lot of fan negativity infused in last year's lineup change unnecessarily. I think it all just kinda happened and there was no conspiracy at all.


later~

Did they announce Soto as the official lead singer before or after they did the European tour in 2006/2007? If they did so beforehand, perhaps it was to get him to stay in the band long enough to use his services to complete the European dates.

[Deb]

Travelling across the border to catch a couple JSSB shows next month, but won't be travelling to see a Journey show

You better not be a f-ckin' illegal!!!       

Note:  See avatar.

Wrong border!   

Note:  See location.

[brywool]

I'm sure Captain Friga read Andrew's interview. He and Neal get on here quite a bit and read, and even post (in Neal's case).

How do you know? gee there sure are alot of experts on here about Journey band members.
If you guys think they are such low lifes why are you even here?

Cain said in an interview that Neal surfs the message boards for "every little bad thing that's being said about him". We also have Jeremey's old blog of his audition experience where he said Neal and Jon arrived at the rehearsal and were humorously quoting derogatory names they were being called on the MR forums. Kevin Shirley even went so far as to issue a glowing report about the new album's recording sessions when they heard about the negative assumptions about the upcoming Revelation album.

Thats how we know.

The issue with Jeff isn't so much that he's no longer the lead singer in Journey. That's subjective and it's the band's decision on what they want vocally from a frontman. It's how Neal and Jon went about it that rubs most people raw. Cain's assertion in this interview (should it be confirmed that it is a real interview, since there's no link to it anywhere) that Jeff was merely a relief pitcher when he was officially named lead singer, a photo session of him posing with the band on their website, Neal talking about the future with Jeff as front man in his own interviews at the time, just adds salt to the wound of their atrocious behavior.

Jeremey stated in a post (not long ago) that he got a call from Jon Cain telling him about his writing credit on NWA and that Neal sent him a text message. Basically healing any potential ill feelings. What, they can't do the same thing for Jeff? You know, the guy who saved their financial asses on a huge tour?

That's what's at issue. As artists, I admire them. As people, not so much.

Bingo. The way they handled the JSS thing sucks. Just to kind of replace him like that.
However, many bands do this. It's not that unusual in the music business. The band obviously had a change of heart, probably from The Sopranos deal. I mean, I can picture Cain watching that and going "man, we simply can't have a guy that doesn't sing these songs like the original recordings. It's not us". If the band was Soul Sirkus, that's one thing. Up and coming new band, excitement all around, new direction, new attitudes.... but if it's an established band like JOURNEY, a band that is known for "THAT SOUND", then there's no way it was going to work with JSS. I don't care how good he was as a front guy, I don't care how good he was as a singer. It didn't sound like Journey. Sounded good doing new stuff (ss) but with Journey, it didn't sound like them.

They may regret their decision in time, but I highly doubt it. I think that many people here have said that if Augeri was up to the job, the band would've kept progressing, but because he was basically on the DL, the band couldn't really do anything new or different or even old (at the end). With Arnel, they have a chance to do the old and the new. With JSS, it was really only the new in my opinion. The guy simply did not sound like Journey.

Relief pitcher really isn't that much of a slam in my opinion. Haven't you ever decided something and then realized it was the wrong decision? Not to stand up for Cain because he's a SCUMBAG, but still, as a business move, having a guy that can do the old (especially for what amounts to a nostalgia act these days) is really the best move they could've made. Journey will MOST LIKELY never be on top again. Not just because Perryaugerisoto isn't with them, but because THE CLOCK HAS MOVED ON. It's no longer 1986 and most people that buy CDs are not into this kind of stuff anymore. So the band really has no choice but to ride the nostalgia horse all the way into the sunset.

I'd LOVE to be wrong on this and I'd LOVE to see the band do big BIG numbers with my favorite little shit at the helm (hey, it's a term of endearment, I love the guy!). But unless management, money, and the frigging planets are behind them, it's not going to happen.

As for Jss, I'd love to see the guy do amazing, but with music going the way it is, none of these guys really has a shot at selling huge numbers and being on top, at least in the US. The mass's choice in music these days has nothing to do with guitars, drums, bass, etc. It has everything to do with image and repetition.

I heard a Mariah Carey song yesterday that was 3 chords played over and over and over. All staccato, with her improving over the top of it, also all staccato. Lyrically and emotionally brain dead and as far as imagination... none. I realize I sound like my parents, but seriously, for this gal with that incredible voice to be singing what amounts to a f**king ringtone is ridiculous. I remember when she first came out. She sang some pretty good SONGS (Vision of Love or something) and sang them great. Now, even someone like that has been reduced to singing what amounts to video game music.

Personally, I hope that Journey, JSS, Styx and all of em stay below the radar. They're too good for the bullshit that passes as popular music.

umm, I think I got off point...

[SusieP]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

JSS stepped in for Augeri on that tour, remember. So the size of venue chosen was nothing to do with his popularity in this case as you seem to be hinting. The venues were booked before Augeri fell ill.

JSS 'helped' British fans to see the band who hadn't visited us for sixteen years. And for the record, the UK gigs were storming! JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.
So - even though I personally hate arena gigs, I can see why the band management have booked them into larger venues this year irrespective of who is singing.

[brywool]

They are playing my nearest city, but when they played with JSS last year it was a smaller venue, this year it's the arena.

So much for Soto helping them. Journey seems to be doing fine, if not better.

JSS stepped in for Augeri on that tour, remember. So the size of venue chosen was nothing to do with his popularity in this case as you seem to be hinting. The venues were booked before Augeri fell ill.

JSS 'helped' British fans to see the band who hadn't visited us for sixteen years. And for the record, the UK gigs were storming! JSS wowed us all.
All sold out and we were left wanting more.
So - even though I personally hate arena gigs, I can see why the band management have booked them into larger venues this year irrespective of who is singing.

I remember the Augeri dates there were nuts! Too bad it was phoned in...
Damn, that just bums me out so much.