MR

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/gran ... ?FORM=ZZNR


GRAND RAPIDS ENTERTAINMENT
Grand Rapids Movies, Music, Reviews, TV Shows, Event Listings

Neil Schon of Journey says band's secret to success is 'We're not a downer; we're an upper'
by John Sinkevics | The Grand Rapids Press
Sunday August 23, 2009, 6:51 AM

GRAND RAPIDS -- In a strange sort of way, Journey has never been hotter than it is today.

The '70s/'80s rock band has sold out some concerts on its latest world tour, recently was hailed as having the best-selling digital single in history ("Don't Stop Believin'") and has started writing songs for yet another studio album with its newest member, highly touted lead singer Arnel Pineda.

"We've just been having an amazing run," marveled guitarist and founding member Neal Schon. "We had amazing success with our last record ('Revelation'). It went platinum a while ago, and it's still selling like crazy. And we're excited about going back in the studio when we get done (touring) in October.

"We definitely have got a second wind here and coming on stronger than ever."

Go figure.

Maybe it's the addition of the dynamic, 41-year-old Pineda, a native of the Philippines who Schon discovered two years ago through a series of YouTube videos and who can match former lead singer Steve Perry's ethereal vocals note for note.

"I heard his voice and the hairs immediately went up on my arm," Schon recalled.

Or maybe the resurgent success can be traced to a bevy of teenage and 20-something fans who have newly discovered and embraced Journey's classic power ballads, including "Lights," "Who's Crying Now" and "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'."

"We've got such young kids in our audience right now that it would blow your mind," Schon said in a phone interview from a Texas tour stop. "I love playing to the little kids. The other night, some little kid stood on a chair all night, and he had his KISS shirt on and he was air-guitaring in front of me. That's just rock 'n' roll."

Or maybe it's just that Journey has as much enthusiasm for its music and performances today as it did during its early heyday. Even critics -- some of whom once dissed the chart-topping group as "dead on its feet" and "perfectly calculated to be inserted into FM radio playlists" -- have described recent concerts as "all-professional, solid and tight" and a "potent brew of crowd-pleasing hits" with "dynamic showmanship."

Those hits include, of course, the 1981 Top 10 single "Don't Stop Believin'," which recently became the top-selling catalog track in iTunes history and the only one to exceed 2 million units in sales.

"It's pretty amazing. I was pretty blown away to have the most downloaded song of all time. That's crazy," said Schon, 55. "I would have never imagined that, but it's a great song and an uplifting song. That's why so many people come to our live shows. We're not a downer; we're an upper."

Schon said the band -- Pineda, Schon, Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass) and Deen Castronovo (drums) -- has changed the stage set-up for its most recent tour to enhance sound quality. The band performs Tuesday in Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena, with Heart, fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson, opening the show.

"I decided to do something different and do away with the big giant screen and go more nuts and bolts like we used to," he said. "I'd rather spend more money on sound and lights. In the past we've had a screen in the middle and I think it's really distracting. The show's right here on the stage."

More important, Pineda, who left his native Phillipines to join Journey in 2008, has grown comfortable touring with the band, earning rave reviews from fans.

"He's like one of us. He fits in amazingly well. He brings it night after night. He's a total pro," Schon said. "The first tour may have caught him off-guard, but now he's getting it. ... He's amazing. Without over-hyping anything, you've just got to see it to believe it."

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."


E-mail John Sinkevics: jsinkevics@grpress.com


JOURNEY AT VAN ANDEL

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St.

Opening Act: Heart

Tickets: $35-$125 ($24.75 each for a family four-pack), arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, (800) 745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Nice interview with Neal.

Neal seems to be really engaged with the fans this year. Really seems he is enjoying life again. This is great because I know there were some very dark times for him in recent years. What seems to be missing is egos. These guys are just a great fit together and either they're damn happy or great actors.

Hmm...warms the cockles of my heart to hear the Grand Rapidians giving the J-Boys some love.


K-Dub, you should have been all over this one.

I'll be at this show tonight....sitting in Heart fan club seats!!

steveo777 wrote:Neal seems to be really engaged with the fans this year. Really seems he is enjoying life again. This is great because I know there were some very dark times for him in recent years. What seems to be missing is egos. These guys are just a great fit together and either they're damn happy or great actors.

I like this Neal!!!

I will be at the show tonight, cant wait!!!!

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."

Man, I hope this is true! I cant wait to hear it!

Since 78 wrote:

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."

Man, I hope this is true! I cant wait to hear it!

I think Revelation was a step in the right direction as far as branching out a little bit and recording some more diverse material. They say that they are going to do this every record, with varying degrees of success. It will be interesting to see what this new record brings. I'm just glad to hear there will be another record.

Joke's on all those people who thought that hiring Pineda meant living off the greatest hits and never recording a new album.

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Since 78 wrote:

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."

Man, I hope this is true! I cant wait to hear it!

I think Revelation was a step in the right direction as far as branching out a little bit and recording some more diverse material. They say that they are going to do this every record, with varying degrees of success. It will be interesting to see what this new record brings. I'm just glad to hear there will be another record.

Joke's on all those people who thought that hiring Pineda meant living off the greatest hits and never recording a new album.

Unless they score another Wal-Mart type deal, making money off of another album will probably be a wash. Most acts just release new material to appease their die-hard fans, with the knowledge that they will probably lose money on the release itself but will recoup that money by touring. How many songs are they playing live from the post-Greatest Hits years, something like four songs from their last four albums?
When they pull a Van Halen and drop 90% of the Pre-Arrival tunes from their set list, then we can say they are no longer living off of their greatest hits.
If their new album hits Platinum with out the benefit of a free GH package thrown in, I will be very impressed. It might happen, the Eagles last release is at 7X Platinum and that was only a few years ago. The change in current musical trends didn't seem to hurt their sales very much.

Gunbot wrote:

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Since 78 wrote:

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."

Man, I hope this is true! I cant wait to hear it!

I think Revelation was a step in the right direction as far as branching out a little bit and recording some more diverse material. They say that they are going to do this every record, with varying degrees of success. It will be interesting to see what this new record brings. I'm just glad to hear there will be another record.

Joke's on all those people who thought that hiring Pineda meant living off the greatest hits and never recording a new album.

Unless they score another Wal-Mart type deal, making money off of another album will probably be a wash. Most acts just release new material to appease their die-hard fans, with the knowledge that they will probably lose money on the release itself but will recoup that money by touring. How many songs are they playing live from the post-Greatest Hits years, something like four songs from their last four albums?
When they pull a Van Halen and drop 90% of the Pre-Arrival tunes from their set list, then we can say they are no longer living off of their greatest hits.
If their new album hits Platinum with out the benefit of a free GH package thrown in, I will be very impressed. It might happen, the Eagles last release is at 7X Platinum and that was only a few years ago. The change in current musical trends didn't seem to hurt their sales very much.

If they really care about where the sales go they need to carefully consider how it will be marketed. A hint for them; we live in the digital age. Not getting on iTunes is to miss the boat. If the Eagles can do it, Journey can do it. I still like the Walmart deal, since it gives much more to the artists, but there oughta be a way to get out on the digital front too.

The Eagles are aligned with Amazon Music as they don't care for Itune's practice of breaking up the albums into single tracks for purchase, whether the artists agrees with it or not.

Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Four minutes of silence would be a worthy replacement for Dead Or Alive. I'd even rather listen to Jonathan Cain practice his scales.

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Do you mean Dead Or Alive, or "Dead" Open Arms?

steveo777 wrote:

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Do you mean Dead Or Alive, or "Dead" Open Arms?

Open Arms isn't going anywhere. It's the albatross Schon wears around his neck when he enters a room full of his peers. Many guitarists have had hit ballads but has one ever been so impossible to remove from the set-list like OA?

Jubilee wrote::D
Hmm...warms the cockles of my heart to hear the Grand Rapidians giving the J-Boys some love.


K-Dub, you should have been all over this one.

Yep I should have been I was too busy trying to find tickets for my two Sons so they could go too. Got them this morning now the whole family will be there singing some good old Journey tunes. Ill let you all know how it was as soon as I can.

Hot off from Neal's blog at Journey Forum:

Quote
See u tonight in Grand Rapid MI
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 12:51 pm - neal_schon
Gonna be a rockin show... maybe something else slipped in tonight? See what we have at sound check . . .
Unquote

Looks like they are cookin' somethin' for tonight's show!

Perhpas Neal is granting GB's wish.
("Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.")

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Four minutes of silence would be a worthy replacement for Dead Or Alive. I'd even rather listen to Jonathan Cain practice his scales.

I don't like Dead or Alive. I hate Dixie Highway.

Since 78 wrote:

Due to Pineda's versatility, Schon said Journey's next album will be "completely wide open" in terms of style and musical approach.

"We're not just writing inside the box. He can sing some heavier stuff," Schon said. "It's easy for us to keep on redoing the same song over and over, but that's not necessary."

Man, I hope this is true! I cant wait to hear it!

I'd love to hear some heavier stuff! I know Deen can play hard stuff better than any other drummer! It'd be interesting to hear some hard metal Journey! lol

Jana wrote:

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Four minutes of silence would be a worthy replacement for Dead Or Alive. I'd even rather listen to Jonathan Cain practice his scales.

I don't like Dead or Alive. I hate Dixie Highway.

DANG IT Jana. We disagree again. I love Dixie Highway and Dead or Alive.

RocknRoll wrote:

Jana wrote:

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Gunbot wrote:Has Journey added WYLAW back to the setlist yet? Or WDILYL? Or WIN? (I won't even ask about TDTWT) Are they only playing those in the casinos and only doing predominately harder numbers when Night Ranger opens for them? Any one of those songs would be a worthy replacement for DOA.

Four minutes of silence would be a worthy replacement for Dead Or Alive. I'd even rather listen to Jonathan Cain practice his scales.

I don't like Dead or Alive. I hate Dixie Highway.

DANG IT Jana. We disagree again. I love Dixie Highway and Dead or Alive.

Me too!

Setlist anyone?

It's obvious Journey is not going to pull another wally world deal. This is the legacy time, a chance to pull it all together for a final few years. After things start slowing down, only then will we see any hope of a "one more chance at a reunion" with Perry. And then my friends...after that....it's over. My guess is we should enjoy the next 2-3 years, after that I bet Neal and co will go their separate ways, unless Perry and Neal stroke each other's ego....one final time.

texafana wrote:It's obvious Journey is not going to pull another wally world deal. This is the legacy time, a chance to pull it all together for a final few years. After things start slowing down, only then will we see any hope of a "one more chance at a reunion" with Perry. And then my friends...after that....it's over. My guess is we should enjoy the next 2-3 years, after that I bet Neal and co will go their separate ways, unless Perry and Neal stroke each other's ego....one final time.

I wouldn't be running to Vegas and putting a bet on that if I were you...

Journey will be around far longer than 2-3 years from now, with this lineup, barring any unforseen circumstances.

Sounds like Deen did "Higher Place" at Grand Rapids.

RocknRoll wrote:Sounds like Deen did "Higher Place" at Grand Rapids.

Missed it by a couple of shows. Love that song, and would like to hear Deen's take on it.

RocknRoll wrote:Sounds like Deen did "Higher Place" at Grand Rapids.

Where is the setlist? I'd love to hear Deen on this one!

RossValoryRocks wrote:

texafana wrote:It's obvious Journey is not going to pull another wally world deal. This is the legacy time, a chance to pull it all together for a final few years. After things start slowing down, only then will we see any hope of a "one more chance at a reunion" with Perry. And then my friends...after that....it's over. My guess is we should enjoy the next 2-3 years, after that I bet Neal and co will go their separate ways, unless Perry and Neal stroke each other's ego....one final time.

I wouldn't be running to Vegas and putting a bet on that if I were you...

Journey will be around far longer than 2-3 years from now, with this lineup, barring any unforseen circumstances.

Jonathan Cain, in an interview recently, mentioned something about the next ten years. They are definitely looking towards more than two to three years.

Crazy4Ross wrote:

RocknRoll wrote:Sounds like Deen did "Higher Place" at Grand Rapids.

Where is the setlist? I'd love to hear Deen on this one!

No setlist It was in a comment on Neal's JF blog. Too bad they didn't throw this one in there a couple shows agaon. Sigh!