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By: Dennis Cook
 Journey |
Journey makes great rock 'n' roll, and they've been doing it since 1973. There's a contingency that snickers and belittles enthusiasm for this band that's become a punchline in Will Ferrell movies. But, in order for that punchline to work one should be aware of the worldwide cultural presence these guys have achieved. There's not many spots on the planet where their songs aren't sung and celebrated. From Tokyo to Timbuktu to Tulsa, Journey is a household name, even in places where fans sing the words phonetically. Formed by Santana alumni guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, Journey has shifted personnel numerous times, yet still remains a marquee attraction after 35 years – a neat trick most of their peers from the '70s haven't managed. They've sold over 100 million albums and there's barely a jukebox on Earth that doesn't have "Don't Stop Believin'" on it. At the height of their commercial popularity in the early '80s Bally even released a Journey arcade game, and no night of karaoke would be complete without "Open Arms" or "Faithfully." Love 'em or hate 'em, Journey are a fact of life and for some they are every sweet, sticky thing one loves about mainstream rock.
After the departure of iconic lead singer Steve Perry in 1987, the band went on hiatus until an ill-fated reunion with Mr. "Oh Sherrie" in 1995. When Perry refused to tour, the rest of the band moved on without him, first with gifted soundalike Steve Augeri and last year with Jeff Scott Soto. Neither was a perfect fit but this year the group – now comprised of founding members Schon and bassist Ross Valory, longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain and drummer Deen Castronovo - discovered their guy, Arnel Pineda, a small powerhouse with a golden pop voice from the Philippines. Smitten after a single rehearsal, the group jumped into the studio and cut Revelation, their best, most cohesive album since 1986's Raised On Radio (though there are jewels scattered around the Augeri sung releases, 2001's Arrival and 2005's Generations). Released exclusively through Wal-Mart like The Eagles' last album, Revelation is a new calling card for a band heading into their fourth decade. The new tracks are paired with a pro-shot concert DVD and a disc of re-recordings of Journey hits by this lineup. In nearly every respect, the album and the group's ebullient demeanor in recent appearances and interviews suggests a band anxious to conquer stages and airwaves, and far from prepared to quit the rock life.
Journey is very purely who they are. They write music that connects with a wide spectrum of people. Then in concert, they get those people off in style, which is not as easy as you think. Sometimes a little syrupy, there's enough bite and irresistible melody to seduce all but the most hardened listeners. Set aside looking cool, forget what your buddy will think and just sing along to "Wheel In The Sky" in the shower and your day is off to a fine start.
"[We] write for the fans. We actually get to see the state of this country with each city we visit – how the economy is doing, how people are feeling. It's amazing the perspective it gives you," says Castronovo. "Journey set a precedent years ago, which was writing hooky, catchy songs with integrity. They were always real and always will be."
What It Takes To Win
 Deen Castronovo |
"I've been in the band ten years this past February. It's the best job I've ever had, and I'm so blessed to be doing this. I don't take it for granted to play in a band with the caliber of players I work with. I'm with the sickest musicians on the planet," says Castronovo, pointing out an oft-overlooked fact about Journey, that despite their pop success these guys are serious muthas on their instruments. "I don't like to say we're amazing but I'm amazed at the musicianship! There's nobody in this band that sucks. I've been in bands where the guitarist will suck or someone's the weak link but not with this band. Everybody is on their game, especially right now. Arnel is just frightening!"
Castronovo was singing the signature ballads during last year's tour with Def Leppard, and still sings a couple live ("Mother Father," "Keep On Runnin'"). Vocal interplay is one of the core elements to Journey's sound, from their early back and forth between Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie on through recent years where everyone has gotten into the game and grown as singers.
"It was thrown to me, basically. Stevie [Augeri] was having a rough night and they said, 'Try this and this...' So, it fell into my lap and developed into 'Deen, you're singing this every night.' But let me tell you as much as I love singing, I don't love singing! It's hard. You've got to be Steve Perry Jr. You've got to be that good or they will crucify you," says Castronovo, pointing out the ghost in the room with Journey – the absence of the lead singer that helped put them on top of the charts. "I was lucky, dude, I never got crucified. I was very fortunate. Steve [Augeri] would get crucified every night. Jeff would get crucified every night. So, I'm just thankin' Jesus, man. [Perry's legacy] is daunting. Steve Perry is and was and always will be my favorite singer. I'm a metal drummer and I still think Perry is untouchable. Arnel is amazingly similar and can stand on his own two feet, especially with the new stuff, where he sounds fantastic. But Perry was like a god to me. Still is really."
 Neal Schon |
Pineda's recorded debut is eerily reminiscent of hearing Perry for the first time on 1978's Infinity. From the first track there's no mistaking Pineda is a force to be reckoned with. However, the carefully angled back cover picture on Revelation can't diminish how different the slight Filipino singer is from his beefy, road worn brethren. But, outside of the visual difference, Pineda weighs in with as much moxie and presence as everyone else on the new material, and gives ol' Steve Perry a run for his money on the disc of re-recorded Journey staples. The differences in Pineda's delivery and tone on classics like "Open Arms" and "Separate Ways" are slight, and ultimately he's his own singer not some mimic. What Pineda does better than anyone else they've had since Perry is nail the spirit and mood of the originals.
"He sells it. It's amazing to watch this humble little guy from the Philippines. He speaks English but it's very broken, and then he goes up and effortlessly blazes these songs. And the whole band, every night, is just knocked flat," Castronovo says. "We found him on YouTube. I kid you not. Neal was getting tired and said, 'We're not gonna use a tribute singer and do this tribute band crap. I'm just gonna look around some more.' Thank God for the mighty Internet. We found him at the eleventh hour doing a Survivor song. I swear to God! Then we did a little more poking around and found him doing 'Don't Stop Believin'. Neal called Jon at midnight and said, 'Dude, get online and look at this guy!' Then Neal called me and I looked at him a couple days later and was blown away. We brought him into rehearsals and he was frightening. In two songs we knew he was our singer."
Confidence and enthusiasm for the lead singer is central to Journey. After they moved past their early prog-inflected sound into the mainstream with Perry, that frontman position became the defining focus of the band for many fans. With Pineda, the others seem fired up and ready to charge in together. Free of the enthusiasm dampening final years with Perry or the complicated, never-quite-there combinations with Augeri and Soto, Journey seems renewed. The band is currently headlining one of the biggest tours this summer, playing amphitheatres with fellow FM staples Cheap Trick and Heart. Mock if you will but one suspects there might not be a more enjoyable pure rock bill out there this season. This triple bill is powered by 30-plus years of good times, radio omnipresence and seasoned performing. A single concert that includes "Lights," "Surrender," "Magic Man," "Any Way You Want It," "Dream Police" and "Barracuda" is going to be a fine old time, and depending on one's sobriety, a potentially great one.
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