FULL TILT PROMOTIONS

BANDS - ESCAPE

          ESCAPE ! ...A live musical tribute that faithfully captures the thrill that generations of fans raised on radio remember from performances by one of the world’s greatest concert acts. With a repertoire spanning three decades, ESCAPE fully explores the musical evolution of Steve Perry-led Journey, from 70’s departures like "Lights" and "Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’", through the 80’s musical frontiers like "Don’t Stop Believin’" and "Who's Cryin' Now" to songs from Journey’s "Trial By Fire" reunion in the 90’s.  Now that Journey is continuing without Steve Perry's signature vocalizing and the band is showcasing it's new Steve Augeri-era material, there is a case to be made that ESCAPE sounds more like classic Journey than the real Journey does these days!  Come see what all the fuss is about as ESCAPE celebrates a decade of great tribute performances in California, Nevada, New York, Florida, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona and more!

The Band 
          Like Journey, ESCAPE features five of California’s top rock musicians.   A voice like Steve Perry’s is certainly a rare thing, but singer extraordinaire John Koha not only has the voice, but the look to match Journey’s tuxedo-clad frontman. One of Southern California’s top live and session singers and songwriters, JOHN KOHA is also a popular vocal instructor with a studio in Redondo Beach, CA.  Listen for John's vocal performance of "Don't Stop Believin" during the opening credits of the new  MIRAMAX feature film "View From The Top" starring Mike Myers, Gwyneth Paltrow, Candice Bergen, and Christina Applegate.  Before forming ESCAPE, John led the original melodic rock band Koha, which was produced by Kevin Beamish (of Starship and REO Speedwagon fame.)  One of John’s career highlights was when none other than Steve Perry joined Koha on stage for a vocal duet.
     Musical director STU SIMONE, filling Jonathan Cain’s keyboards/ vocals/ guitar position, began woirking with John Koha as a songwirter and producer before they formed ESCAPE way back in 1996.  As keyboardist/ harmony singer for multi-platinum rock band Poison,  Stu played to audiences averaging 10,000 a night --totaling some half a million people-- on Poison's 1999 and 2000 headlining world tours, and his playing and harmonizing can be heard on Poison's latest CD, "Power To the People."   Other great vocalists that Stu has worked with include the current singers of Foreigner (Kelly Hansen), Toto (Bobby Kimball), and Survivor (Robin McAuley), not to mention recent Journey frontman Jeff Scott Soto.  Other credits include work  with Heaven & Earth, Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds, Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon guitarist), Robin McAuley Group, LA Rocks, Rings Of Saturn, Torie Tyson, and Magic; sessions for movies and TV;  and frontman and lead vocalist of 80s hairband tribute HAir Guitar and original band KEYTAR. 
     ESCAPE lead guitarist/vocalist JAY GORE has established himself as one of LA's top guitarists;   His Studio City house band includes members of Toto and (ex-Deep Purple singer/bassist) Glenn Hughes.  When he's not playing with Escape, Jay tours with Lauryn Hill (THe Fugees) , sexy female sax sensation Mindy Abair and teen singer/actress Hillary Duff ("Lizzy MaGuire" on TV), who made it to #1 on the pop charts.  Besides recent appearances with rock vocalist extraordinaire Glenn Hughes (formerly of Deep Purple),  Jay has played with Sly Stone, Boz Scaggs, Edgar Winter, Seal, and several members of Toto.  Jay's wide variety of  experience comes in handy, enabling him to reproduce the full spectrum of Neil Schon's long and distinguished guitar career, from the searing wah-wah attack of early Journey, through the smooth jazz and blues inflections of late Journey.
     Drummer GARY PONDER is one of the busiest drummers in town, with credits including Gary Wright and Maureen McCormick and recent session s with Bunny Brunell and Tony MacAlpine;  he is endorsed by top drum maker Drum Workshop, among others.   Like Journey's Steve Smith once did, Gary brings incredible technique and a mastery of jazz fusion to the pop & rock party.   
    CLARK SOUTER (bass & vocals) has toured with American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke as well as Christine W, and Clark actually played on the 2001 Journey tour, as he filled in for opening act John Waite's bass player for several dates.  Clark had the opportunity to hang out with Journey's bass man Ross Valory, and picked up a few pointers along the way. 
     Altogether, these five California rockers faithfully capture the look and sound of Journey like no one else.   With a decade of shows across the US behind them, ESCAPE is earning a reputation at the premiere Journey Tribute in the world!  For proof,  just check out the band's demo video (available to booking agents and venues), or better yet call the band hotline # listed below and come to one of their shows.  Show dates, reviews and a bulletin board can also be found at www.tributecity.com.  We'd love to hear from you!   
Also, keep an eye out for the soon-to-be-released documentary on tribute bands, "Tribute:  A Rockumentary,"  which begins and ends with ESCAPE!   For more information, click on tributethemovie.com and check it out...  Anyone that's into tribute bands will love this movie!
 And now it’s departure time for your ESCAPE to the frontiers of the Journey musical evolution...    You won’t believe your eyes...  and ears!

The Songs 
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)... Any Way You Want It ... Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin' ... Who’s Cryin’ Now ... Stone In Love ... Faithfully ... Lights ... Don’t Stop Believin’ ... Wheel In The Sky ... Open Arms ... Be Good To Yourself ... Oh Sherrie ... The Party’s Over  (Hopelessly In Love) ... Send Her My Love ... Just The Same Way ... Stay Awhile ... Walks Like A Lady ... I’ll Be Alright Without You ... Where Were You ... Keep On Runnin' ... Girl Can’t Help It ... Only The Young ... Chain Reaction... Patiently ... Feeling That Way ... Anytime ... La Do Da ... Line Of Fire ... Ask The Lonely ... Still They Ride ... Winds Of March ... Message Of Love ... Escape...

EHigh-Power users (i.e. DSL or cable modem) Click here to play the six-song Escape VIDEO DEMO.   Right-Click and                      select "Save Target As" to download the mp4 audio file.   [ 80 Mb file ] 

  EClick here to play the AUDIO-only version of the Escape Demo medley, recorded by Stu Simone at Stu-Studio,                         Canoga Park, CA.   Right-Click and select "Save Target As" to download the mp3 audio file.   [ 8.4 Mb file ]