Interview of JOURNEY in Manila (Guys sing Lights a capella)

[Jana]

I was providing a humorous comment in response to your post. You didn't get it though. That's okay, nobody else probably does either.
(well maybe Jana does, she is has been taking a quick crash course in GB's Dark Humor series)

I got it. But maybe an emoticon would help.

[la michelona]

And in fairness, English is one of the toughest languages to learn and speak for non-natives...

... especially when you consider that we have 42 phonemes represented by only 26 graphemes. Since we don't have a one-to-one sound/letter correspondence, it makes teaching people to read quite daunting.

[Carla777]

Sheena Easton, Celine Dione, even Filiipina Lea Salonga all sing with out an accent even though their regular speaking voices carry it (although Lea's is barely noticeable). If Arnel would stick to a routine he could overcome it, but he just seems to have so many distractions that get him off track.

I was a very good Spanish student for 7.5 years, up through some mid-level college classes (tested out of the early ones... Catholic schools fucked me in math but made me great at Spanish ). Haven't read, spoken, or heard a lick since 05. I basically forgot everything. You gotta immerse yourself constantly for a while. He def. needs a routine that helps and immerses him in English.

That's true! spanish is also a very difficult language..all that need is practice i guess..

I kinda regret giving up on Spanish. I was very good at written stuff... listening and speaking were not as good, but if I would have spent a few months immersed in it I would have probably become relatively fluent at truly speaking it. Listening to more experienced people speak a foreign language is definitely the toughest thing to get down! Now I'd be lucky if I could even conjugate the trickier verbs in the preterite or any of those other crazy tenses! Definitely lost a lot of the vocab too

No te des por vencido sigue practicando tu español, cualquier problema con el idioma no dudes en consultarme.
Saludos!

[mdaemon]

Arnel can't speak with an American accent in the Philippines because he will be perceived as arrogant. Pinoys are alright with people speaking in American twang if:

1) you are an American
2) you are a cute 16 year old Pinoy-American aspiring to be an actress/actor and you're trying very hard to speak in Tagalog with an American twang. People there will actually find it very cute
3)You have lived most of your life in America

...in Arnel's case, he's been in America for about an hour so he can't talk with an American accent especially on that radio show. It's AM radio and people listening there tend to be older and a bit more traditional than the younger ones. He's alright to sing with an American accent as people understand that that is the way some songs need to be sung.

[Esc]

Arnel can't speak with an American accent in the Philippines because he will be perceived as arrogant. Pinoys are alright with people speaking in American twang if:

1) you are an American
2) you are a cute 16 year old Pinoy-American aspiring to be an actress/actor and you're trying very hard to speak in Tagalog with an American twang. People there will actually find it very cute
3)You have lived most of your life in America

...in Arnel's case, he's been in America for about an hour so he can't talk with an American accent especially on that radio show. It's AM radio and people listening there tend to be older and a bit more traditional than the younger ones. He's alright to sing with an American accent as people understand that that is the way some songs need to be sung.

i hear ya.
i cringe whenever i hear OFWs speak with an american accent.
i dig pinoys with a british accent though.
dunno why.

[Don]

I don't care if he speaks with an accent, just would like him to lose it when he sings. He had lost it for a while but it seems to be creeping back in. David Foster needs to spend some time with him. That dude has Charice sounding like she grew up here when she sings.

When Sheena Easton first hit it big here, everyone who watched her first interview on MTV was shocked that some one who sang so clearly had such a deep accent when speaking. She is proof that It can be done.

[etcetera]

here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuOqtYJG ... r_embedded

Nice version of OM(D)HAF.

Journey did the (FM) radio rounds right after this (AM radio) interview yesterday afternoon. Happened to catch 2 or 3 of their stops streamed online through links thrown into AP's Shout Box by (probably) some insider Anon. The stalking chat participants had fun feeling for the band who had to recount the same YT story (with zest) again and again lol.

Btw, prior to this interview, the guys gave a press conference at an SM mall. Found this short pre-presscon clip on AP's site:
http://arnelpineda.ning.com/video/journ ... e-block-sm

[SherriBerry]

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

It is sad b/c you and Neal were in Soul SirkUS together and were friends.

Neal's comment about "sit-in singer" didn't impress me either - what is that about? Why not take the high road and at least be courteous enough to acknowledge JSS and show him the respect and consideration he deserves for being a part of Journey? It isn't an admission of guilt to speak well of someone and simply say you were sorry it didn't work out. Not using his name won't erase it from Journey's history, but they did make him an official member of the band and dismissing him now as a "sit-in singer" is unbelievably rude.

It was nice to see Arnel in good form and singing so well now - I'll bet the concert in Manila will be amazing. Hopefully they're filming it for DVD consideration, because Journey will have a very appreciative and excited audience celebrating their local hero!

[Esc]

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

It is sad b/c you and Neal were in Soul SirkUS together and were friends.

Neal's comment about "sit-in singer" didn't impress me either - what is that about? Why not take the high road and at least be courteous enough to acknowledge JSS and show him the respect and consideration he deserves for being a part of Journey? It isn't an admission of guilt to speak well of someone and simply say you were sorry it didn't work out. Not using his name won't erase it from Journey's history, but they did make him an official member of the band and dismissing him now as a "sit-in singer" is unbelievably rude.

let me take a shot at it.
- i think he had a lot going through his mind. (i need a pussy)
- he didnt give a damn about the radio program he was in. (who is this fag interviewing me with a weird accent saying "taynk you por putting the pilipins in the world mop"
- he knows that no one in the philippines listening to the radio knows the name jeff scott soto.

[SherriBerry]

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

It is sad b/c you and Neal were in Soul SirkUS together and were friends.

Neal's comment about "sit-in singer" didn't impress me either - what is that about? Why not take the high road and at least be courteous enough to acknowledge JSS and show him the respect and consideration he deserves for being a part of Journey? It isn't an admission of guilt to speak well of someone and simply say you were sorry it didn't work out. Not using his name won't erase it from Journey's history, but they did make him an official member of the band and dismissing him now as a "sit-in singer" is unbelievably rude.

let me take a shot at it.
- i think he had a lot going through his mind. (i need a pussy)
- he didnt give a damn about the radio program he was in. (who is this fag interviewing me with a weird accent saying "taynk you por putting the pilipins in the world mop"
- he knows that no one in the philippines listening to the radio knows the name jeff scott soto.

That will be remedied when Andrew writes and publishes his biography of Journey

[mdaemon]

Arnel Pineda and The Journey.

LOL

Stop being so negative !

At least I didn't allude to the "sit in singer" comment.

Just to remind you!!

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," says Journey in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."

Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future." Detroit Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, In the Moment, due out the summer of 2007.
www.journeymusic.com"

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

It is sad b/c you and Neal were in Soul SirkUS together and were friends.

Didn't JSS sue Journey when they let him go?

(that's a legitimate question btw. I'm a new fan so I have an excuse for now knowing)

[stevew2]

I started learning Spanish 20 years ago and I still have difficulties with my r-controlled vowels, among other phonemes (just ask Carla). Although I have achieved a fairly decent level of communicative competency, my "accent" is firmly grooved into my pronunciation and is never, ever going away. I wonder how many of you who keep harping about accent actually speak any other languages - and by speak, I mean having an ability greater than being able to ask where the restroom is.

I just feel that if he is going to be Journey's frontman, he needs to sound like Jouney and not someone just singing Journey with an accent. I believe it's easier to sing rather than speak without an accent. Look at the Scorpions. AP did a great job last year except for one word in SW, which only bothered me the first time I saw them and then I expected it. and it was OK.

I'm sure he's going to be just fine on this tour.

Me, too. I can't wait to see them. Of course, it would also be lovely if Neal could learn how to pronounce "genre" (not "gendre") and if Jon used correct syntax, i. e. "he's very hard worker".

Yea what is this "hard worker' bullshit,what does he was Friga laundry or something??

[Aaron]

Dude,

Do you really think there is anyone on this board that doesn't know this story inside and out? Especially Tito? Pointing out the obvious just gives folks that are not your biggest fans more ammunition. Everyone here is well aware that you were the official singer for 11 months and that bastards bent you over. You are your own worst enemy at times.

Aaron

Arnel Pineda and The Journey.

LOL

Stop being so negative !

At least I didn't allude to the "sit in singer" comment.

Just to remind you!!

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," says Journey in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."

Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future." Detroit Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, In the Moment, due out the summer of 2007.
www.journeymusic.com"

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

[la michelona]

I don't care if he speaks with an accent, just would like him to lose it when he sings. He had lost it for a while but it seems to be creeping back in. David Foster needs to spend some time with him. That dude has Charice sounding like she grew up here when she sings.

When Sheena Easton first hit it big here, everyone who watched her first interview on MTV was shocked that some one who sang so clearly had such a deep accent when speaking. She is proof that It can be done.

Sure it can, with large amounts of articulation training at a relatively young age. The age of the subject when the intervention occurs makes all the difference.

[EightyRock]

Journey doing press at a mall. How entertaining.

As far as Neal's remark about Soto's tenure w/ the band....it's par for Neal. Once an ass, always an ass. Drunk or sober, he's the same arrogant dude that uses people and discards them. Karma will level his playing field one of these days. He portrayed Soto as one of his best buds, then kicked him to the curb.

[rdekker]

Journey doing press at a mall. How entertaining.

As far as Neal's remark about Soto's tenure w/ the band....it's par for Neal. Once an ass, always an ass. Drunk or sober, he's the same arrogant dude that uses people and discards them. Karma will level his playing field one of these days. He portrayed Soto as one of his best buds, then kicked him to the curb.

Get over it, being as great as Neal is you deserve to be arrogant

[Behshad]

Journey doing press at a mall. How entertaining.

As far as Neal's remark about Soto's tenure w/ the band....it's par for Neal. Once an ass, always an ass. Drunk or sober, he's the same arrogant dude that uses people and discards them. Karma will level his playing field one of these days. He portrayed Soto as one of his best buds, then kicked him to the curb.

Get over it, being as great of an ass as Neal is you deserve to be arrogant

Very True

[Vocalsmanvocals]

Great vid of the guys! The singing was awesome!

[etcetera]

Journey doing press at a mall. How entertaining.

As far as Neal's remark about Soto's tenure w/ the band....it's par for Neal. Once an ass, always an ass. Drunk or sober, he's the same arrogant dude that uses people and discards them. Karma will level his playing field one of these days. He portrayed Soto as one of his best buds, then kicked him to the curb.

Here's a pic.

[Tito]

Thank you.

Dude,

Do you really think there is anyone on this board that doesn't know this story inside and out? Especially Tito? Pointing out the obvious just gives folks that are not your biggest fans more ammunition. Everyone here is well aware that you were the official singer for 11 months and that bastards bent you over. You are your own worst enemy at times.

Aaron

Arnel Pineda and The Journey.

LOL

Stop being so negative !

At least I didn't allude to the "sit in singer" comment.

Just to remind you!!

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," says Journey in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."

Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future." Detroit Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, In the Moment, due out the summer of 2007.
www.journeymusic.com"

Quite funny how he can't say my name anymore though...not funny actually.....sad!

[stevew2]

Whos the chick?? i bet GB is slammin the ham right now

[brywool]

That was a tight off the cuff delivery of Lights into shitty radio station mics. Arnel has got an amazing fucking voice and the background vox were right on.

Amen. I don't hear what you guys are hearing that didn't like it (and I'm very critical of them lately!). They kicked ass in this clip. JMHO.

well, it's Arnel and not Perry, Jss, Augeri, Eric Martin, or Jeremey. It HAS to suck, right?

[S2M]

That was a tight off the cuff delivery of Lights into shitty radio station mics. Arnel has got an amazing fucking voice and the background vox were right on.

Amen. I don't hear what you guys are hearing that didn't like it (and I'm very critical of them lately!). They kicked ass in this clip. JMHO.

well, it's Arnel and not Perry, Jss, Augeri, Eric Martin, or Jeremey. It HAS to suck, right?

You know, I'm gonna chime in. And you're not gonna like it.

If a couple of tracks were released off revelation - but it wasn't Journey, but some new melodic group - everyone would be stoked. Even me. But knowing that it is Journey, where you have a a great schism among the fans - you don't get that. You get division. Plus the fact that the whole package really isn't up to prior(very prior, in fact) standards - you get more division, and negative feedback.

A good percentage of the hype is from Pinoy nation, and rightfully so. And the remainder is mostly from people who travel to see the band, and love the fact that they have continued opportunities to get together, drink, and run amok. And for the latter, it doesn't make a damn difference who is fronting the band.

[brywool]

That was a tight off the cuff delivery of Lights into shitty radio station mics. Arnel has got an amazing fucking voice and the background vox were right on.

Amen. I don't hear what you guys are hearing that didn't like it (and I'm very critical of them lately!). They kicked ass in this clip. JMHO.

well, it's Arnel and not Perry, Jss, Augeri, Eric Martin, or Jeremey. It HAS to suck, right?

You know, I'm gonna chime in. And you're not gonna like it.

If a couple of tracks were released off revelation - but it wasn't Journey, but some new melodic group - everyone would be stoked. Even me. But knowing that it is Journey, where you have a a great schism among the fans - you don't get that. You get division. Plus the fact that the whole package really isn't up to prior(very prior, in fact) standards - you get more division, and negative feedback.

A good percentage of the hype is from Pinoy nation, and rightfully so. And the remainder is mostly from people who travel to see the band, and love the fact that they have continued opportunities to get together, drink, and run amok. And for the latter, it doesn't make a damn difference who is fronting the band.

Not sure what you're saying here, so it doesn't really bug me (I'm pretty thick). Personally, I think Revelation stands up against Generations and certainly TBF. I think it's better than both of those albums actually. But yeah, there are just these 'factions' that never stop with comparing it to this or that or u constantly hear "Well, so and so could've done it better". Maybe that's true, but you know, so and so didn't get the gig, so it really isn't worth talking about. It'd be nice if people took it for what it is, which is a pretty solid album. The re-records are one thing- I think Arnel did a great job with them but the production really was pretty ragged.
Obviously, peeps can think what they want and post what they want, but I can see why peeps have burned out on MR because almost every post degenerates into a singer comparison. Kind of like in the Styx forum everything turns into a DeYoung protest (one way or the other). As for the Pinoy nation, I've read people slagging the guy or the band JUST because his country's proud of Arnel, which I don't get. I'd think that fans of Journey would be happy about all the press. So what if it's Arnel that's getting the focus? He's REALLY the only STORY in Journey that's interesting or isn't covered with some kind of wart. I mean, I think it'd be tough to make Neal the focus because he seems so abrasive, Cain because he's really not interesting, Ross-- um, yeah... I dunno. Arnel's story is pretty newsworthy and from what I can tell (Like Augeri) he's GREAT with the fans and deserves some kudos.

Yeah, yeah, I know... I keep beating the Arnel drum, which surprises me as much as anyone, I just don't get the constant dislike of the guy who's really keeping this band alive.

[jrnyman28]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

[brywool]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

It seems obvious that there's some bad blood there. Maybe Neal didn't want to mention his name as it would open that whole subject up for interviews. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it.
But yeah, it wasn't the best thing to say, totally agree.

[S2M]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

That is unless you are the Jonas Bros. or Miley Cyrus.....

[brywool]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

That is unless you are the Jonas Bros. or Miley Cyrus.....

Or it's 1983

[Onestepper]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

It seems obvious that there's some bad blood there. Maybe Neal didn't want to mention his name as it would open that whole subject up for interviews. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it.
But yeah, it wasn't the best thing to say, totally agree.

I'm gonna guess that this has more to do with the fact that a lawsuit was filed. I think if JSS had just left and not sued them, they most likely wouldn't be afraid to mention him by name etc. I'm amazed at how members of this band (past and present) hold grudges. Especially given how charmed their lives really are. I'd hate to live my life that way.

[Ehwmatt]

Neal didn't have to mention JSS by name, but he is totally downgrading the fact that JSS did become an official member of Journey. He would have been better off simply calling JSS "another singer" or a "previous singer".

Journey, on another note, must be loving the superstar treatment over there. That kind of stuff really doesn;t happen here.

It seems obvious that there's some bad blood there. Maybe Neal didn't want to mention his name as it would open that whole subject up for interviews. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it.
But yeah, it wasn't the best thing to say, totally agree.

Indeed it wasn't the best thing to say, but I'm gonna post what I just did over at another forum here:

Look, it wasn't a very classy remark. But have you ever heard the adage, "Don't meet your heroes... you might be afraid of what you may find?"

Whether it's some cocksucking, but talented athlete turning down a single autograph request from a little boy or a rock star like Neal with an overinflated ego, you just can't take 'em seriously. Enjoy watching them hit or shoot the ball or light up the fretboard.

Nothing more really needs to be or ought to be expected. For those that go the extra mile and sign 20 autographs after a tough loss or 3 hour show, more power to 'em, their fans will appreciate it even more. A lot of these guys never even had the chance for a normal college growth experience or even high school experience. Neal's a dick, but I mean shit, if I were running around jamming with Santana and Clapton, making millions by my mid-twenties, and never really having a normal young life, it might be tough for me to have some perspective and tact too.

I'm not excusing the behavior, just contextualizing it. It's not Neal's job to be a carefully spoken ambassador.