Marin Journal - Article on Journey & Jon
http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_9496839
Cain, Journey experience a revelation
Rich Freedman
Article Launched: 06/05/2008 11:05:50 PM PDT
Toothbrush. Check. Shaving stuff. Check. Clothes. check.
Wait É Oh yeah É Keyboard and guitar. Check.
Taking his life on the road isn't something new for Jonathan Cain. Not when you're in one of the most popular rock bands in the history of the planet.Ê
And the Novato musician is psyched for road life that starts July 9 in Denver, ends Oct. 4 in Albuquerque, and stops Sept. 24 at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, Sept. 26 at the Sleep Train in Sacramento, and Sept. 27 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View.
Ho hum, just another four-month, 50-concert U.S. tour.Ê
Not quite. There's a new release, "Revelation," a double-CD/DVD recording peddled globally by Wal-Mart, and a new guy on lead vocals, Arnel Pineda from the Philippines, plucked from his virtual audition on YouTube by Journey co-founder and guitarist Neal Schon.Ê
"It's a cool tour," Cain said by phone just before leaving for a monthlong tour of the United Kingdom. "New music from a new CD, which is always a kick. And a familiar sound with a new voice."
Cain, as excited about touring as he is about his new backyard vineyard, said that, yep, he's got it all down.
"You basically know as you go along what to expect," he said. "You look at the checklist and things that can go wrong. Instrument wise, you cover yourself."
Then there are the hits - "Who's Cryin' Now" "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways," "Open Arms," "Faithfully," "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'," "Lights," "Wheel in the Sky"
Êas well as the new tunes. In a review of "Revelation this week, the New York Times wrote that "the band seems to have taken rock vitamins: It feels alive."
This is the first major tour with Pineda after the 40-year-old from Quezon City was anointed as Journey's frontman on Dec. 5. Pineda replaced Jeff Soto, who had replaced Steve Augeri, who had replaced Steve Perry.Ê
So far, so good, Cain said.
"He's diligent," Cain said, offering his sage advice to Pineda: "Be quiet after the shows. Get your sleep and don't go too crazy with the meet-and-greets. Eat the right stuff. Don't get too caught up with all the after-show stuff."
Because Pineda's Filipino band, the Zoo, played mostly clubs, the vocalist needed to learn to be more animated for larger venues, Cain said.
"You have to play it differently when you use the big stage," Cain said. "It's trial and error. Whatever works for him ... what looks natural. It's different than playing a club in Manila. It's all just a process."
Fans don't want Pineda to be a Steve Perry clone, Cain said.
"They don't want him to do anything but be comfortable up there and sing songs the band is famous for," Cain said. "A lot are checking him out for the first time. He'll have to earn their respect every night. We went through that with Steve Augeri in 1998. It's 'Show me,' with their arms folded. By the end of the show, they'll be eating out of their hand. I believe he's the guy."
Cain, who previously enjoyed fame with the Babys, has been Journey's guy on keyboards since replacing Gregg Rolie in 1981. A premiere songwriter, he's not just penned many of Journey's top tunes, he's written songs performed by Michael Bolton, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Rogers, Heart, Conway Twitty, Mariah Carey and Peter Frampton.Ê
It's always good to know the artist, Cain said.
As for creating a tune for an artist he's familiar with, "I'll pitch the songs if I think it's right," Cain said.Ê
Cain & Co. start their American tour with Heart and Cheap Trick on July 9 in Colorado.
Though Journey will play shorter sets than it is used to because Heart and Cheap Trick are on the same bill, "for the entertainment value, it's a winning package," Cain said. "The three bands probably represent 100 million units sold."Ê
With the marketing punch of Wal-Mart, Journey's sales numbers on the new albums could soar. That means that Cain is likely to be recognized even more than he is now.
"It is sort of flattering," he said. "I was walking home the other day and a guy who saw me on TV stopped and gave me a ride home."
And if anyone sees Cain at a restaurant, let the guy eat first.
"People come up in the middle of breakfast and I've got eggs in my mouth. I used to draw the line there," Cain said. "But it's sort of a flattering moment to be asked for my autograph. You work all your life to make a name for yourself."
Cain, Journey experience a revelation
Rich Freedman
Article Launched: 06/05/2008 11:05:50 PM PDT
Toothbrush. Check. Shaving stuff. Check. Clothes. check.
Wait É Oh yeah É Keyboard and guitar. Check.
Taking his life on the road isn't something new for Jonathan Cain. Not when you're in one of the most popular rock bands in the history of the planet.Ê
And the Novato musician is psyched for road life that starts July 9 in Denver, ends Oct. 4 in Albuquerque, and stops Sept. 24 at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, Sept. 26 at the Sleep Train in Sacramento, and Sept. 27 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View.
Ho hum, just another four-month, 50-concert U.S. tour.Ê
Not quite. There's a new release, "Revelation," a double-CD/DVD recording peddled globally by Wal-Mart, and a new guy on lead vocals, Arnel Pineda from the Philippines, plucked from his virtual audition on YouTube by Journey co-founder and guitarist Neal Schon.Ê
"It's a cool tour," Cain said by phone just before leaving for a monthlong tour of the United Kingdom. "New music from a new CD, which is always a kick. And a familiar sound with a new voice."
Cain, as excited about touring as he is about his new backyard vineyard, said that, yep, he's got it all down.
"You basically know as you go along what to expect," he said. "You look at the checklist and things that can go wrong. Instrument wise, you cover yourself."
Then there are the hits - "Who's Cryin' Now" "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways," "Open Arms," "Faithfully," "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'," "Lights," "Wheel in the Sky"
Êas well as the new tunes. In a review of "Revelation this week, the New York Times wrote that "the band seems to have taken rock vitamins: It feels alive."
This is the first major tour with Pineda after the 40-year-old from Quezon City was anointed as Journey's frontman on Dec. 5. Pineda replaced Jeff Soto, who had replaced Steve Augeri, who had replaced Steve Perry.Ê
So far, so good, Cain said.
"He's diligent," Cain said, offering his sage advice to Pineda: "Be quiet after the shows. Get your sleep and don't go too crazy with the meet-and-greets. Eat the right stuff. Don't get too caught up with all the after-show stuff."
Because Pineda's Filipino band, the Zoo, played mostly clubs, the vocalist needed to learn to be more animated for larger venues, Cain said.
"You have to play it differently when you use the big stage," Cain said. "It's trial and error. Whatever works for him ... what looks natural. It's different than playing a club in Manila. It's all just a process."
Fans don't want Pineda to be a Steve Perry clone, Cain said.
"They don't want him to do anything but be comfortable up there and sing songs the band is famous for," Cain said. "A lot are checking him out for the first time. He'll have to earn their respect every night. We went through that with Steve Augeri in 1998. It's 'Show me,' with their arms folded. By the end of the show, they'll be eating out of their hand. I believe he's the guy."
Cain, who previously enjoyed fame with the Babys, has been Journey's guy on keyboards since replacing Gregg Rolie in 1981. A premiere songwriter, he's not just penned many of Journey's top tunes, he's written songs performed by Michael Bolton, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Rogers, Heart, Conway Twitty, Mariah Carey and Peter Frampton.Ê
It's always good to know the artist, Cain said.
As for creating a tune for an artist he's familiar with, "I'll pitch the songs if I think it's right," Cain said.Ê
Cain & Co. start their American tour with Heart and Cheap Trick on July 9 in Colorado.
Though Journey will play shorter sets than it is used to because Heart and Cheap Trick are on the same bill, "for the entertainment value, it's a winning package," Cain said. "The three bands probably represent 100 million units sold."Ê
With the marketing punch of Wal-Mart, Journey's sales numbers on the new albums could soar. That means that Cain is likely to be recognized even more than he is now.
"It is sort of flattering," he said. "I was walking home the other day and a guy who saw me on TV stopped and gave me a ride home."
And if anyone sees Cain at a restaurant, let the guy eat first.
"People come up in the middle of breakfast and I've got eggs in my mouth. I used to draw the line there," Cain said. "But it's sort of a flattering moment to be asked for my autograph. You work all your life to make a name for yourself."
