Support for Arnel.

[mistiejourney]

First and foremost, at a Journey concert you want to hear "singing". Arnel can certainly sing. So with that in mind Journey will probably "sound" better than they have in years. Add some live digital voice processing and I'm sure he's going to sound so close to the classic voice it will be scary. And I'm SURE they will spend a few months outside of the USA working on his stage presense, delivery, etc. But let's keep in mind, Steve P or Steve A really didn't jump around that much and get all crazy on stage, it was still just as impressive when they stood still and simply belted out a tune. Music wise this line up is going to sound amazing. Add in some stage showmanship, etc, and you just might have something truly amazing again. And when are you guys going to let up on the boys for wanting to jam still? These guys can still rock better than guys half their age!!

Perry was all over the place on stage when I saw him. Doing his spins, running out on the stage extensions. He didn't stand still much. Augeri was more reserved. He does a nice piano flop.

The first time I saw Steve Augeri, he climbed on top of a huge speaker, shirt open and hair flying and belting out the song. Floored me right then and there! And I'm talking vocals here My friends had the pleasure of saying "I told you so!". I had the pleasure of enjoying Steve Augeri for eight years. He was pretty active in the beginning!

[AR]

Arnel looks like a lame American Idol contestant. God speed to any of the lemmings supporting this joke.

[StoneCold]

First and foremost, at a Journey concert you want to hear "singing". Arnel can certainly sing. So with that in mind Journey will probably "sound" better than they have in years. Add some live digital voice processing and I'm sure he's going to sound so close to the classic voice it will be scary. And I'm SURE they will spend a few months outside of the USA working on his stage presense, delivery, etc. But let's keep in mind, Steve P or Steve A really didn't jump around that much and get all crazy on stage, it was still just as impressive when they stood still and simply belted out a tune. Music wise this line up is going to sound amazing. Add in some stage showmanship, etc, and you just might have something truly amazing again. And when are you guys going to let up on the boys for wanting to jam still? These guys can still rock better than guys half their age!!

Perry was all over the place on stage when I saw him. Doing his spins, running out on the stage extensions. He didn't stand still much. Augeri was more reserved. He does a nice piano flop.

The first time I saw Steve Augeri, he climbed on top of a huge speaker, shirt open and hair flying and belting out the song. Floored me right then and there! And I'm talking vocals here My friends had the pleasure of saying "I told you so!". I had the pleasure of enjoying Steve Augeri for eight years. He was pretty active in the beginning!

When was that? I read a post saying the Vacation's Over tour was pretty good.

[mistiejourney]

First and foremost, at a Journey concert you want to hear "singing". Arnel can certainly sing. So with that in mind Journey will probably "sound" better than they have in years. Add some live digital voice processing and I'm sure he's going to sound so close to the classic voice it will be scary. And I'm SURE they will spend a few months outside of the USA working on his stage presense, delivery, etc. But let's keep in mind, Steve P or Steve A really didn't jump around that much and get all crazy on stage, it was still just as impressive when they stood still and simply belted out a tune. Music wise this line up is going to sound amazing. Add in some stage showmanship, etc, and you just might have something truly amazing again. And when are you guys going to let up on the boys for wanting to jam still? These guys can still rock better than guys half their age!!

Perry was all over the place on stage when I saw him. Doing his spins, running out on the stage extensions. He didn't stand still much. Augeri was more reserved. He does a nice piano flop.

The first time I saw Steve Augeri, he climbed on top of a huge speaker, shirt open and hair flying and belting out the song. Floored me right then and there! And I'm talking vocals here My friends had the pleasure of saying "I told you so!". I had the pleasure of enjoying Steve Augeri for eight years. He was pretty active in the beginning!

When was that? I read a post saying the Vacation's Over tour was pretty good.

It was in the very beginning - at San Jose State University. It was in the very early stages of Steve's tenure. I know "Remember Me" had been released, but I don't think the concert was part of the Vacation's Over tour. It was on a college campus and not a sold - out crowd. Sorry I don't have the exact date - I have a photo of me holding the ticket, but can't read it!

[pedro]

I'm willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt because he obviously has the chops to sing the songs. Where my hesitation lies is in his stage presence and ability to connect with American audiences. Before Pedro or anyone else comes in and calls me racist, that's just an observation, that from the videos I have seen, he is a pretty reserved guy on stage, and unlike some, I do have difficulty determining what is true emotional sincerity in his voice and what is mimicking the notes and delivery - Only because it is difficult to connect emotionally to the meaning of what you are singing in a foreign language. I am sure if David Lee Roth went out and covered a bunch of French love songs, there would be a major part of what he did that would be phonetically repeating words and phrases rather than a deep understanding of what he was singing. The great thing about Journey, however, is that those melodies are universal, and it is not difficult to feel the music and find a place inside yourself that moves you to sing. The stage presence is another issue, though, as Arnel's background is one very familiar to many musicians....Entertaining for business class audiences in hotel bars and on cruise ships is very different from stirring an entire ampitheater of spirited, energetic fans. I'm sure with the right work and coaching that he can develop a "routine" to keep the audience involved, though truly captivating an arena full of fans may be something he has to find while out on the road. And there lies my ultimate concern with their selection, in that I was sure there were more than a handful of known and unknown singers out there used to working a crowd and giving a show-stopping performance that could have covered the material and would have been fabulous as well. In this choice, and through my personal experience, I feel like the band may have made the selection based in part on someone that could be molded, developed, and to some degree controlled, in order to "get the job done." Aside from that - As I've said, Arnel's an excellent vocalist and one that can definitely bring the Journey sound, so I am willing to give him a chance.

I have never called you a racist. I actually think you are a good guy but hearing a comment like this from someone who has auditioned and competed for a spot Arnel possibly may have already taken IMHO, sounds like sour graping to me. Do you know Arnel enough to say he is just going to be a "puppet" thats going to be easily controlled by the band?

[AR]

I'm willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt because he obviously has the chops to sing the songs. Where my hesitation lies is in his stage presence and ability to connect with American audiences. Before Pedro or anyone else comes in and calls me racist, that's just an observation, that from the videos I have seen, he is a pretty reserved guy on stage, and unlike some, I do have difficulty determining what is true emotional sincerity in his voice and what is mimicking the notes and delivery - Only because it is difficult to connect emotionally to the meaning of what you are singing in a foreign language. I am sure if David Lee Roth went out and covered a bunch of French love songs, there would be a major part of what he did that would be phonetically repeating words and phrases rather than a deep understanding of what he was singing. The great thing about Journey, however, is that those melodies are universal, and it is not difficult to feel the music and find a place inside yourself that moves you to sing. The stage presence is another issue, though, as Arnel's background is one very familiar to many musicians....Entertaining for business class audiences in hotel bars and on cruise ships is very different from stirring an entire ampitheater of spirited, energetic fans. I'm sure with the right work and coaching that he can develop a "routine" to keep the audience involved, though truly captivating an arena full of fans may be something he has to find while out on the road. And there lies my ultimate concern with their selection, in that I was sure there were more than a handful of known and unknown singers out there used to working a crowd and giving a show-stopping performance that could have covered the material and would have been fabulous as well. In this choice, and through my personal experience, I feel like the band may have made the selection based in part on someone that could be molded, developed, and to some degree controlled, in order to "get the job done." Aside from that - As I've said, Arnel's an excellent vocalist and one that can definitely bring the Journey sound, so I am willing to give him a chance.

I have never called you a racist. I actually think you are a good guy but hearing a comment like this from someone who has auditioned and competed for a spot Arnel possibly may have already taken IMHO, sounds like sour graping to me. Do you know Arnel enough to say he is just going to be a "puppet" thats going to be easily controlled by the band?

Arnel sucks.

It's like the Filipino nationalists have sent there propoganda machine to this website. If you think Arnel doesn't have the diction and doesn't look the part or have stage presence then you are labeled a racist. Very convenient.

Kamala rules. The Ugandan headhunter will get the job.

[AR]

For the record I want Journey to chose Arnel. When this fails miserably I am going to be so delighted.

[pedro]

I'm willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt because he obviously has the chops to sing the songs. Where my hesitation lies is in his stage presence and ability to connect with American audiences. Before Pedro or anyone else comes in and calls me racist, that's just an observation, that from the videos I have seen, he is a pretty reserved guy on stage, and unlike some, I do have difficulty determining what is true emotional sincerity in his voice and what is mimicking the notes and delivery - Only because it is difficult to connect emotionally to the meaning of what you are singing in a foreign language. I am sure if David Lee Roth went out and covered a bunch of French love songs, there would be a major part of what he did that would be phonetically repeating words and phrases rather than a deep understanding of what he was singing. The great thing about Journey, however, is that those melodies are universal, and it is not difficult to feel the music and find a place inside yourself that moves you to sing. The stage presence is another issue, though, as Arnel's background is one very familiar to many musicians....Entertaining for business class audiences in hotel bars and on cruise ships is very different from stirring an entire ampitheater of spirited, energetic fans. I'm sure with the right work and coaching that he can develop a "routine" to keep the audience involved, though truly captivating an arena full of fans may be something he has to find while out on the road. And there lies my ultimate concern with their selection, in that I was sure there were more than a handful of known and unknown singers out there used to working a crowd and giving a show-stopping performance that could have covered the material and would have been fabulous as well. In this choice, and through my personal experience, I feel like the band may have made the selection based in part on someone that could be molded, developed, and to some degree controlled, in order to "get the job done." Aside from that - As I've said, Arnel's an excellent vocalist and one that can definitely bring the Journey sound, so I am willing to give him a chance.

I have never called you a racist. I actually think you are a good guy but hearing a comment like this from someone who has auditioned and competed for a spot Arnel possibly may have already taken IMHO, sounds like sour graping to me. Do you know Arnel enough to say he is just going to be a "puppet" thats going to be easily controlled by the band?

Arnel sucks.

It's like the Filipino nationalists have sent there propoganda machine to this website. If you think Arnel doesn't have the diction and doesn't look the part or have stage presence then you are labeled a racist. Very convenient.

Kamala rules. The Ugandan headhunter will get the job.

I bet Ugandans have better grammar and spelling skills than you do
P.S. I'm Mexican

[AR]

I'm willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt because he obviously has the chops to sing the songs. Where my hesitation lies is in his stage presence and ability to connect with American audiences. Before Pedro or anyone else comes in and calls me racist, that's just an observation, that from the videos I have seen, he is a pretty reserved guy on stage, and unlike some, I do have difficulty determining what is true emotional sincerity in his voice and what is mimicking the notes and delivery - Only because it is difficult to connect emotionally to the meaning of what you are singing in a foreign language. I am sure if David Lee Roth went out and covered a bunch of French love songs, there would be a major part of what he did that would be phonetically repeating words and phrases rather than a deep understanding of what he was singing. The great thing about Journey, however, is that those melodies are universal, and it is not difficult to feel the music and find a place inside yourself that moves you to sing. The stage presence is another issue, though, as Arnel's background is one very familiar to many musicians....Entertaining for business class audiences in hotel bars and on cruise ships is very different from stirring an entire ampitheater of spirited, energetic fans. I'm sure with the right work and coaching that he can develop a "routine" to keep the audience involved, though truly captivating an arena full of fans may be something he has to find while out on the road. And there lies my ultimate concern with their selection, in that I was sure there were more than a handful of known and unknown singers out there used to working a crowd and giving a show-stopping performance that could have covered the material and would have been fabulous as well. In this choice, and through my personal experience, I feel like the band may have made the selection based in part on someone that could be molded, developed, and to some degree controlled, in order to "get the job done." Aside from that - As I've said, Arnel's an excellent vocalist and one that can definitely bring the Journey sound, so I am willing to give him a chance.

I have never called you a racist. I actually think you are a good guy but hearing a comment like this from someone who has auditioned and competed for a spot Arnel possibly may have already taken IMHO, sounds like sour graping to me. Do you know Arnel enough to say he is just going to be a "puppet" thats going to be easily controlled by the band?

Arnel sucks.

It's like the Filipino nationalists have sent there propoganda machine to this website. If you think Arnel doesn't have the diction and doesn't look the part or have stage presence then you are labeled a racist. Very convenient.

Kamala rules. The Ugandan headhunter will get the job.

I bet Ugandans have better grammar and spelling skills than you do
P.S. I'm Mexican

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

[Crazie Scarab]

Arnel is probably a good guy..

It's Journey that sucks.

[Andrew]

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

Unacceptable AR. There are ways to deal with things and there are ways not to. I don't want this on my board. Don't take the bait...

[Rick]

For the record I want Journey to chose Arnel. When this fails miserably I am going to be so delighted.

Here Ed, you should enjoy this.

MP3

[AR]

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

Unacceptable AR. There are ways to deal with things and there are ways not to. I don't want this on my board. Don't take the bait...

A 9 post shit stirrer with an agenda. I know you don't want it on your board. I wonder where these people are turning up from and question if this person is even Mexican. It seems like there is a lobby turning up here.

[Voyager]

I think we'll know more after they start their tour and some youtubes are posted. He might just kick ass. I can't get who I want behind that microphone, so I'm going to at least see what this Arnel guy brings before I say any more. I know this is a departure from what I've said in the past, but it's ridiculous for me to do that to someone without giving them a chance. Everyone deserves one.

I hope you have a great time, Rick, and give us all a full report!!!!

I know one very possible scenario that will have us ALL there.

Don't tell me - you'll line up a gig at Loffler's in Anaheim and get Deano to be the host? It just might work. If you can get JSS to show up too, it would definitely work. And if you can get Andrew to show up also, I'll be there.

[AR]

For the record I want Journey to chose Arnel. When this fails miserably I am going to be so delighted.

Here Ed, you should enjoy this.

MP3

I was looking for that!

[Rick]

For the record I want Journey to chose Arnel. When this fails miserably I am going to be so delighted.

Here Ed, you should enjoy this.

MP3

I was looking for that!

It's very catchy.

[treetopovskaya]

people maybe should respect one another's opinions & thoughts without telling each other to f-off, eat shit, suck my whatever. doesn't make anyone sound intelligent. why when someone has a different opinion (different from "the mob" they are called baiters. maybe this is why many people just don't post. i posted an opinion not that long ago & was accused of having an agenda. bait card, race card, agenda card... too many cards.

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

Unacceptable AR. There are ways to deal with things and there are ways not to. I don't want this on my board. Don't take the bait...

[treetopovskaya]

what about jeremey. jss was still thinking he was part of the band when they were talking to jer. that doesn't sit right with me. if it were me & j called me up i would have talked to jss about it... straight away. i just don't buy it.

I've listened to just about anything I can find of Arnel's and honestly can't see why they would have ever replaced JSS for this.

Please... just to clarify. Jeff Scott Soto was not fired so that Arnel could be hired. Two distinctly separate things. Jeff was long gone before Arnel was even under consideration, from what I understand.


As far as supporting Arnel in Journey, I just can't buy it. When I imagine Arnel (a petite Asian dude) singing for the powerhouse that Journey is/once was, I cannot force from my mind an image of William Hung (a petite Asian dude) singing on AI. I just can't get past that to see anything other than a joke. I know he's very talented. It's not fair, I know, but it's how I feel.

[wastingbeerz]

I still want Perry to make a band with Tickner, Jackson, Smith, and Rolie..

I've been wanting Rolie back in Journey for some time. I think if there ever is to be a true Journey reunion, it wouldn't be able to happen without Rolie and Dunbar.

[wastingbeerz]

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

Unacceptable AR. There are ways to deal with things and there are ways not to. I don't want this on my board. Don't take the bait...

Seriously, you're absolutely right, bashing is NEVER acceptable, especially to this degree.

[wastingbeerz]

First and foremost, at a Journey concert you want to hear "singing". Arnel can certainly sing. So with that in mind Journey will probably "sound" better than they have in years. Add some live digital voice processing and I'm sure he's going to sound so close to the classic voice it will be scary. And I'm SURE they will spend a few months outside of the USA working on his stage presense, delivery, etc. But let's keep in mind, Steve P or Steve A really didn't jump around that much and get all crazy on stage, it was still just as impressive when they stood still and simply belted out a tune. Music wise this line up is going to sound amazing. Add in some stage showmanship, etc, and you just might have something truly amazing again. And when are you guys going to let up on the boys for wanting to jam still? These guys can still rock better than guys half their age!!

Perry was all over the place on stage when I saw him. Doing his spins, running out on the stage extensions. He didn't stand still much. Augeri was more reserved. He does a nice piano flop.

The first time I saw Steve Augeri, he climbed on top of a huge speaker, shirt open and hair flying and belting out the song. Floored me right then and there! And I'm talking vocals here My friends had the pleasure of saying "I told you so!". I had the pleasure of enjoying Steve Augeri for eight years. He was pretty active in the beginning!

Also what everyone needs to keep in mind is the extraordinarily tiny stages that all of Arnels youtube footage has been shot on. It can be very difficult to have a proper energetic stage presence on a stage that size.

[Andrew]

Fuck off jack ass. I'm not writing a term paper here. You are a fucking piece of shit. At least I can pronounce the songs Arnel can't. Fuck you asswipe and your nine posts. Lick my hairy ass.

Unacceptable AR. There are ways to deal with things and there are ways not to. I don't want this on my board. Don't take the bait...

Seriously, you're absolutely right, bashing is NEVER acceptable, especially to this degree.

And there is absolutely ZERO reason for anyone else to comment once I have delt with it.

[JDrums]

As someone in a Journey tribute band I can safely say there simply has to be first and foremost a good vocal presentation when performing Journey's music. I've seen pretty much all of Arnel's youtube performances and he has the talent vocally to pull it off. But I do question some of those high notes. He seems to be using too much of his "chest voice" to reach those high notes in songs like "Separate Ways". He's almost screaming in one of the versions I've seen. He's going to have to learn to reach those high notes in more of his head voice if he's going to perform those songs several times a week.

As someone metioned before, performing on a small stage in front of a 50-100 people can be daunting and sometimes intimidating. It's actually easier to perform in front of 1000's of people because at that point you don't have any direct connect with individuals, it's just a sea of people so it's easier to lose yourself and just get into it. Sure you can play to the first few rows, but otherwise you can just look out in the crowd and not focus on anything. I'm sure before he performs in the USA, he'll have several shows behind him overseas performing with Journey. And it wouldn't surprise me if John or Ross takes over the vocal banter between songs.

[Crazie Scarab]

Sure you can play to the first few rows, but otherwise you can just look out in the crowd and not focus on anything.

That's not Journey. Journey, be it SP, SA or JSS were all able to see out quite a ways and be able to connect. Heck, the entire band was and probably still is capable of it.. Hell, Neal always looks to the rear.. especially if it's a good lookin' woman!

[finalfight]

As someone in a Journey tribute band I can safely say there simply has to be first and foremost a good vocal presentation when performing Journey's music. I've seen pretty much all of Arnel's youtube performances and he has the talent vocally to pull it off. But I do question some of those high notes. He seems to be using too much of his "chest voice" to reach those high notes in songs like "Separate Ways". He's almost screaming in one of the versions I've seen. He's going to have to learn to reach those high notes in more of his head voice if he's going to perform those songs several times a week.

As someone metioned before, performing on a small stage in front of a 50-100 people can be daunting and sometimes intimidating. It's actually easier to perform in front of 1000's of people because at that point you don't have any direct connect with individuals, it's just a sea of people so it's easier to lose yourself and just get into it. Sure you can play to the first few rows, but otherwise you can just look out in the crowd and not focus on anything. I'm sure before he performs in the USA, he'll have several shows behind him overseas performing with Journey. And it wouldn't surprise me if John or Ross takes over the vocal banter between songs.

He's already been performing those songs at several shows a week, some lasting 3-4 hours for many years now. The guy can easily handle it.

Rick, AR - Just listened to that Kamala mp3 - he sounds like a cross between Elvis and Barry White, awesome!

[LAKERSFAN]

Also what everyone needs to keep in mind is the extraordinarily tiny stages that all of Arnels youtube footage has been shot on. It can be very difficult to have a proper energetic stage presence on a stage that size.

Remember too they're shot in asia where crowds are reserved sit-down sing along people. Perry was more reserved in Japan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-EYS1LV10o only a little bit of stomp there.

Augeri did the knee-dance thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8WP4GGj0_4

Here's Arnel dancing and jumping. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrwKZv7LBMw he can do it.

[Razor]

I still want Perry to make a band with Tickner, Jackson, Smith, and Rolie..

That one made me laugh!

[Vladan]

Support Arnel? no chance, Schon and Cain will hire Brian Peppers next and everyone will jump on the bandwagon again... when will the slaughtering of classic Journey songs end. Probably never at this rate. With all due respect, the Journey has been over for a long time now.

They are going to do another Michael Jackson. As MJ kept mutilating his face, Jourmey will keep mutilating their legacy.

[rdekker]

Even if Schon was replaced and Perry would return then it could not be called Journey. Neal is Journey. He's not trying to replace Perry, he just wants someone who can sing the songs effortlessly, Augeri couldn't do it, JSS couldn't either. The songs are amongst the hardest songs to sing in rock business, maybe Arnell can't do it either, Perry can't anymore. So maybe the search continues after this.. and it will until Neal decides to call it quits. You can agree with this or you can't but it's Neal's call and noone else's.

Hi to everyone!
I think Arnel will be fine. He's a great singer and people bashing him because of his ethnicity... come on people...
Now if they can just replace Cain and Schon! I just don't feel inclined to give those two nuttyasses any more dough.
"Cover Band"? I can't agree with this. If they fired their main singer, got another, blew his voice and reputation away, got another, fired him, now have another.... I'm not sure how that makes this a cover band. If Perry came back, it'd be the real deal, but he ain't, so either the band hangs it up (my vote) or they go on. This is their living and they're entitled to it.

[Fire99]

For me its not specifically about this guy Arnel or Jeremey or any other potential replacement.
Sadly for me sitting on the outside the whole Journey thing has become a bit of a joke. First with the 'Tape-Gate' thing and then JSS stepping in, being announced as the best thing since sliced bread and becoming the full time member of Journey, only to outed almost 5 minutes later.

Its about credability for me and Journey seem to have spunked that up the wall!

Im sure there are thousands that dont give a damn but for me a 'band' is more than the sum of the parts.