At one point in the '80s, Journey [ tickets ] was not only one of the biggest bands in the world, but had a palpable impact on radio, songwriting and live performance. The Bay Area-bred band's influence could be heard in the emergence of vocalists who sang in the falsetto of former frontman Steve Perry and in the countless power ballads that followed "Open Arms," and it could be seen on concert stages as production values increased to match Journey's live spectacle.

The quintet (originally known as the Golden Gate Rhythm Section) enjoyed a string of hit albums from 1978's "Infinity" to 1996's "Trial by Fire." The latter preceded an ill-fated attempt at a reunion with Perry, who pulled out of tour plans due to health problems.

Journey is preparing to hit the road with Peter Frampton and John Waite, supporting the recently released album "Arrival" (Columbia). The band's lineup features new blood, including drummer Deen Castronovo--who played with Waite and Journey members Jonathan Cain (keyboards) and Neal Schon (guitar) in Bad English--and vocalist Steve Augeri, who has the unenviable task of following Steve Perry.

Ross Valory, Journey's bassist and an original member of the band, discussed the new album, the new vocalist, and VH1's "Behind the Music" with liveDaily correspondent Don Zulaica.

LiveDaily: How long ago did you write and record "Arrival?"

Ross Valory: Well, a lot of the writing had begun as soon as Steve [Augeri] had joined the band, which was around 1998. The first thing we did was the "Armageddon" soundtrack ["Remember Me"]. But we actually began in March of last year, and we were finished by August.

We went to Avatar Studios in New York, which was the studio of choice by our second-time producer, Kevin Shirley. We rehearsed for just a week ahead of time. Usually, we take about a month to rehearse it at home and beat it up; this time, we decided to leave it a little more spontaneous, and to develop the songs as we recorded them. It only took two weeks to do all the basics.

It shows. It feels loose, much more so than "Trial by Fire."

Right. "Trial by Fire" was something I'm very proud of, but it was on the soft side. The songs were great, but most of them were slower--more ballad, kick-back, dreamy kinds of things. Which is good. But I think this album has got more of a balance, lots of rock and roll, lots of edge to it, and a little more spontaneity.

It's been a while since you've been back out on the road doing the Journey material.

No, actually, it hasn't. In fact, as soon as we did the "Armageddon" soundtrack, we went out in the fall of 1998. Then we went out again in 1999, did some outdoor stuff--arenas, festivals. It's the first time out, certainly, with all the other promotions--the "Behind the Music" thing, and of course, the album release. This is certainly more significant, but it's not like we're starting for the first time. In fact, we've been to Japan twice, and Latin America once as well, in this brief history of the new band.

The "Behind the Music": I read a comment by Neal Schon that it seemed like it was more about Steve Perry than the band.

That may be the way it appears to a lot of people. But then again, there's so many ways the program could have been presented. We did a lot of interviews. There's many, many, many hours of footage. Steve Smith spent much more time than he's represented for, in terms of interviewing. Even myself. There's so many ways it could have been done. But when you get down to it, it's an hour program ... really 44 minutes. One could say it could have been done differently, should have been better, should have been more about the band and its history, or even more about what it's currently doing. I think it could have been focused differently, but nonetheless, it's had its influence, its positive effect. Generally, I'm fairly pleased with it.

And then, as to what you're currently doing, Steve Augeri has big shoes to fill.

Yeah, and he's done well. He's filled those shoes and he's got another pair of his own.

I mean, the first time I put on "Higher Place," those first couple lines ... wow. It was eerie. Almost sounded like he was giving a nice nod to Steve Perry. But by the end of the song, I didn't really notice that at all--he's just a good singer. "My God, they're two different people!"

He is a different guy. He has his own style and his own influences, some of which are in common and some of which are not in common with Steve Perry's background. Of course, part of the requirement--the necessary qualities of Steve Augeri--was to be able to at least cover the classic material that we continue to play. The body of material that we would play in any given evening. ...

What were your first impressions of Augeri? I read that Neal almost drove off the road when he heard Augeri with [Augeri's band] Tall Stories.

Yeah, and we were reminded of Steve and Tall Stories when a common friend gave us a tape of that material, plus his phone number. ... It's sort of uncanny, the similarity [between Augeri and Perry]. I'm sure a lot of people were saying to Steve Augeri, when he was with Tall Stories, "Gee, you sure sound like Steve Perry." When we did acquire Augeri, his fans were basically saying, "This is a no-brainer."

But there is a definite distinction between the two singers. Augeri happens to have those qualities that overlap with Perry, in order to cover the past. But there are new areas of material, we've gone into areas where we haven't gone before with Journey. And I think--more significantly--there's a balance of energetic, up-tempo music to traditional ballads which we're known for.