Conventions
Exclusive Interview with Steve Augeri.
photo by Marty Moffatt
Thank you for granting us this interview Steve – you have many fans in the UK and Europe they love to hear news of you and Tall Stories.
JRUK - We are so pleased to be able to get more Tall Stories music Steve – did you always plan to revisit those lost songs left in the can?
Steve - Yes, I did one way or another. I always felt we left some really good songs and performances on those tapes back when the band was still intact the first time. So either as Tall Stories or some other incarnation be it a solo venture or a brand new band. The longer you stick around the more songs you acquire thru the years. It’s like a sock drawer. Some time you need to get in there and pair off the strays and reincorporate them back into your wardrobe. In this case it was that Sunday suit that never made it out of the closet until now and personally, I always liked the way it fit.
JRUK - Is Tall Stories a venture that is simply unfinished business or is it something you see as another long term project?
Steve - I’m afraid this is an ongoing mystery that still hasn’t played out yet. Perhaps I’m not as good a self manager than I thought I might be so things are taking a bit longer to fall into place while I’m entirely at the helm so to speak. Back in the day it was Jack that used to take care of the majority of the day to day business and I used to be the flighty lead singer with his head in the clouds most of the times. Now I’m steering the ship and learning as I go. It’s an eye opener if nothing else. It’s a hell of a time to grow up and start taking responsibility for yourself, but, better late than never. So, to answer your question…yes and I’d like it to be.
JRUK - Skyscraper is such a diverse and fresh album is there one track on there that could be described as your unique Augeri writing style?
Steve - Well, one thing I personally enjoy incorporating in my music, when called for is rhythm, a touch more percussion as ear candy when possible. I think I learned that early on from my Brazilian friends that originally formed the band with me in the late 80’s. So, perhaps “Eternal Light”. Another “Augeri touch” is probably I little blues infusion as well. That’s pretty evident throughout the record. Just to spice things up a little and keep them interesting. Especially on the European bonus track, “SUPERMAN” or “YOU SHALL BE FREE”. Nowadays though, it would probably my admiration for keys, especially that classic Hammond and Leslie combo sound as well as orchestral instruments. I have to thank Apples “Garageband” for that. I was like a kid in a candy store when I first encountered that program. Brilliant technology at your fingertips.
JRUK - Are you planning more writing with Jack? Have you been inspired to write another album with Tall Stories? Please don’t make the fans wait so long again!!
Steve - We’ve already started a hand full of song ideas that seem promising and
on par with what we’ve done in the past. I think we’d work together whether Tall Stories existed of not. I like Jacks instincts and I like to think the feeling is mutual. Kevin Totoian is a wonderful songwriter as well. He wrote “STAY’ which is one of my faves on the CD. I’d like to keep the nucleus of the writing team together. We worked best when we hammered things out together and got different perspectives on what might normally be a “normal” song. It was actually our very first drummer, Magrus Borgess who instilled in us to reach a little bit further and explore a bit more. You can find Magrus on the latest Bebel Gilberto recordings. An extremely creative man. Crazy as the day is long.
JRUK - The feedback from Frontier’s distributer here in the UK is that the album is selling well - Was there a predetermined agreement by Frontiers for releasing Skyscraper in Europe before the USA?
Steve - Yes, that was the agreement. Not something I would do again but, as I said, you live and learn. Overall we’ve been very pleased with Frontiers Records and plan on working with them again in the future.
JRUK - Did the gig at Firefest live up to your expectations? A crazy, rushed weekend so different from your Journey years, was it a shock for you or an exciting taste of nostalgia?
Steve - Well, aside from getting an opportunity to travel and visit England, again which is always a big attraction for me, it gave us, them chance to spend some quality time together and rekindle our relationships that had come to a close some years ago. The rehearsals were one thing but to travel again an break bread together is always the time to bond or self destruct. I’m happy to report that no one self-destructed that weekend in Nottingham and we’re all still speaking with one another. (LOL)
JRUK - Do you think that with the re-emergence of the band it naturally generates new interest in the first Tall Stories album and consequently a case for a re-release?
Steve - Sure, in fact, shortly after I joined Journey, Tall Stories was re-released in Japan for a while. We are working on getting it released via itunes here in the US.
JRUK - Do you plan to tour Skyscraper or your solo release in the US and Europe?
Steve - To be announced, although Jack and I are presently lining up a few acoustic shows until then.
JRUK - Is the solo album something you are still working on?
Steve - I‘ve been working on the musical direction somewhat. Yes, still chipping away. It’s not the writing that’s consumes the time but more the “freedom”. The freedom to go in so many musical directions. The luxury of not having deadlines and concrete schedules to adhere to. It’s a blessing and a curse. For me, probably more the latter. I’ve always said I was an “Underachiever” and well…it’s taken me three weeks just to get to this interview. My bad!
I’ve also had so many wonderful musicians and writers approach me and offer their services and to them I’m honored and tickled pink to know they are there at the ready for me. Add indecisive to underachievement and you’ll see my picture in the dictionary. I’d just like it to be as close to perfect possible. I think it’s called “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”.
JRUK - After writing within the creative restraints of the classic melodic ‘Journey’ sound did you find it easy to get back into writing alone?
Steve - Writing for me has always been and will always be: turn on the switch and let it flow. Let it take itself where it naturally needs to go before you direct and dictate to it. You never know where and when the next masterpiece is going to appear. Naturally, if you’ve written ten songs and three of them seem Journey worthy, both in style, not to mention quality, you lead with those first. But, sometimes it’s the songs that you least expect any reaction from that get the most attention. The one that comes to mind is “BUTTERFLY” from Generations. That was a period of stagnation for the band as far as I was concerned. You could just sense and feel it. Neal seemed bored and was looking
elsewhere for musical stimulation. He seemed to have found it temporarily in Soul Sirkus. Then he and Jon got an ear of some of my demos I was working on in Garageband that seemed to inspire them to start writing and creating for “Journey” again and get our asses back in the studio.
Also, I recall writing sessions with Jon and Neal were like running with the bulls. Not an easy task at first. You learn to bring you “A” game or no game at all. It was an incredible learning experience. One that I try to draw on as often as possible.
JRUK - After your long tenure with Journey have you mentally set a limit on touring? The mighty monster that organizes the tours for such a big band is timed and every minute detail is covered, is that something you would want to have more control of?
It’s the old adage, “If I knew then what I know now”. But, we don’t. And you learn as you go. You do start to notice signs along the way and you take note. Instead you say to yourself, I’ll just buck up a little more and prepare a little more and work harder at it. There are times when you speak up,20but, there’s a really important show and that will lead to a bigger tour and it’s “all for one and one for all”. It’s a band. You work for the community. In essence and in nearly every sense of the word, it’s a “family”. You eat sleep and breath Rock and Roll for now less than 3 to 4 months at a time. 5 shows a week. 2 1/2 hours a night. Add minimum 30 to 50 additional people on the payroll or the “family” and you don’t speak up as much as you know you really
should…and, well the next thing you know it you’re lying in a hospital bed staring at the ceiling wondering how did I let this happen? That’s what it finally took to cancel the first show while I was singing with the band. It was a huge festival in Chile. Without even getting into what put me there in the first place, I will tell you it made me prioritise my life and remind me who my real family was and that I needed to get healthy for them. My wife and my son. I’m happy to report that I’m feeling 99% better nowadays and working on the other 1%.
Would I change a thing, sure. But, life takes its turns when it wants to. Lefts, rights then lefts again. We don’t know what’s going to meet us around that next curve. Enjoy it. Savour it. Have fun while you can. Fall in love along the way if you’re lucky. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity and to have achieved all that I have while singing and working with the band. I don’t know if I’d still be swinging a hammer necessarily but, it that would have been a strong possibility. (By the way I enjoy swinging a hammer).
It’s brought me to several continents, allowed me perform to thousands of people and express myself through my art form and put a roof over my head and feed my family at the same time. It’s great work if you can get it. Just ask Mr. Pineda, who by the way, I think is doing an incredible job. Arnel, you’ve got it hands down and with your eyes closed. Do take care of yourself, my man.
JRUK - Here’s question a lot of the UK fans ask about – thinking back to the first UK concert in Edinburgh Playhouse in 2006. Were the guys in the band apprehensive about playing in the UK after such a long time? Then after the show and the reception you had, what was the atmosphere like back stage?
From what I recall, and without sounding too cocky, I think we knew that each and every seat in the theatre was filled with people, fans that really wanted to be there. That’s the case 9 out of 10 times. They wanted to hear Journey music. Plain and simple. Some that had travelled from all parts of Europe to be there at the first show of the tour. So,speaking for myself, it was an energy that you wish you can replicate each and every show day. Sometimes you’re lucky and you do. It doesn’t change the way you approach the show. You always walk on stage and put 110% into it. But, when the audience is throwing it back at you ten fold the way you guys did in Edinburgh or for that matter most of the shows that tour… it was a welcome that we will not forget any time soon. It is one of many cherished memories I have singing with Journey.
As far as the mood backstage… I seem to recall a glass or two raised to the occasion. And I raise one to you all now!
Oh, and one more thing before we conclude our interview…
SKYSCRAPER!
SKYSCRAPER!
SKYSCRAPER!
“til we meet again”
JRUK - Thanks again for the interview Steve and Good Luck with the sales of Skyscraper around the world.