Arnel In Perspective

[Saint John]

I spoke to someone really important in the music industry today. Of course I had to ask about Journey and their current situation. Apparently, against what I was dreaming for, Arnel Pineda will be Journey's next singer. He was selected, by chance, after Jeff Scott Soto was terminated. Arnel has a wife and several children, including a newborn. For the better part of 20 years he has idolized American AOR. He covers Journey, Bryan Adams, Survivor, Bon Jovi, Heart, The Eagles and countless other American bands. He, like Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto before him, is living out a dream. How long, if at all, it will last, is anyone's guess.
Fast forward to right now. Arnel is currently several thousand miles from home holed up in a hotel away from his family, his country and his home. He's here to do what Steve Augeri and JSS before him did so well. Carry the Journey torch that Steve Perry lit. It's time to give all of the negative bullshit, name calling, and bickering a rest. The dude, I've been told, is scared shitless. I can't imagine what leaving your country, your home and your family behind must be like. The least we can do is show the man the common decency of indifference. If you don't like him, fine. Don't support him, the band or their shows. But when the fuck is the nonstop abuse gonna stop? Let's judge this dude when he performs with Journey and not prior to. If you listen purely to his voice, his tone, and his range, there is NO doubt he's immensely talented. Sure he has diction issues, but afford him the benefit of at least officially performing with the band before you crucify him. Personally, I think Augeri, Soto and Hunsicker pale in comparison to this guy's vocal capabilities. And while he might not be much taller than Neal Schon, he's got King Kong sized balls for travelling halfway around the world to chase his dream. I'm behind this guy 100%. "Pineda's Posse" has a nice ring to it. Goodnight and God bless.

[Rip Rokken]

I wish him all the best, and envy anyone who has that chance. I'll be looking forward to seeing what he can bring to them.

[nolippin]

Very well said. I agree.

I spoke to someone really important in the music industry today. Of course I had to ask about Journey and their current situation. Apparently, against what I was dreaming for, Arnel Pineda will be Journey's next singer. He was selected, by chance, after Jeff Scott Soto was terminated. Arnel has a wife and several children, including a newborn. For the better part of 20 years he has idolized American AOR. He covers Journey, Bryan Adams, Survivor, Bon Jovi, Heart, The Eagles and countless other American bands. He, like Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto before him, is living out a dream. How long, if at all, it will last, is anyone's guess.
Fast forward to right now. Arnel is currently several thousand miles from home holed up in a hotel away from his family, his country and his home. He's here to do what Steve Augeri and JSS before him did so well. Carry the Journey torch that Steve Perry lit. It's time to give all of the negative bullshit, name calling, and bickering a rest. The dude, I've been told, is scared shitless. I can't imagine what leaving your country, your home and your family behind must be like. The least we can do is show the man the common decency of indifference. If you don't like him, fine. Don't support him, the band or their shows. But when the fuck is the nonstop abuse gonna stop? Let's judge this dude when he performs with Journey and not prior to. If you listen purely to his voice, his tone, and his range, there is NO doubt he's immensely talented. Sure he has diction issues, but afford him the benefit of at least officially performing with the band before you crucify him. Personally, I think Augeri, Soto and Hunsicker pale in comparison to this guy's vocal capabilities. And while he might not be much taller than Neal Schon, he's got King Kong sized balls for travelling halfway around the world to chase his dream. I'm behind this guy 100%. "Pineda's Posse" has a nice ring to it. Goodnight and God bless.

[Crazie Scarab]

I spoke to someone really important in the music industry today. Of course I had to ask about Journey and their current situation. Apparently, against what I was dreaming for, Arnel Pineda will be Journey's next singer. He was selected, by chance, after Jeff Scott Soto was terminated. Arnel has a wife and several children, including a newborn. For the better part of 20 years he has idolized American AOR. He covers Journey, Bryan Adams, Survivor, Bon Jovi, Heart, The Eagles and countless other American bands. He, like Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto before him, is living out a dream. How long, if at all, it will last, is anyone's guess.
Fast forward to right now. Arnel is currently several thousand miles from home holed up in a hotel away from his family, his country and his home. He's here to do what Steve Augeri and JSS before him did so well. Carry the Journey torch that Steve Perry lit. It's time to give all of the negative bullshit, name calling, and bickering a rest. The dude, I've been told, is scared shitless. I can't imagine what leaving your country, your home and your family behind must be like. The least we can do is show the man the common decency of indifference. If you don't like him, fine. Don't support him, the band or their shows. But when the fuck is the nonstop abuse gonna stop? Let's judge this dude when he performs with Journey and not prior to. If you listen purely to his voice, his tone, and his range, there is NO doubt he's immensely talented. Sure he has diction issues, but afford him the benefit of at least officially performing with the band before you crucify him. Personally, I think Augeri, Soto and Hunsicker pale in comparison to this guy's vocal capabilities. And while he might not be much taller than Neal Schon, he's got King Kong sized balls for travelling halfway around the world to chase his dream. I'm behind this guy 100%. "Pineda's Posse" has a nice ring to it. Goodnight and God bless.

I guess we owe it to Arnel that we wish him all the best. Good post there!

Time will tell how well he's being treated by the rest of Journey.. I'm hopeful, but still not happy. Journey has a lot of respect lost here.

[dcvader]

Dan, What are you fucking smoking. You sound like Oprah.

No Arnel for me. I'll still fucking pound beers with you though.

[pedro]

This post is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

[dcvader]

This post is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

Pedro, Enjoy your Journey.

[heardonthestreet]

...............

[fredinator]

You and your ilk Soto All The Way have turned ANDREW'S FORUM into a joke. Your posts are illiterate and stupid and reflect badly on us Americans who read and post here and who have legitimate, thoughtful things to say. Any response you have to my post is going to look dumb, so why don't you stifle yourself.

[Saint John]

Dan, What are fucking smoking. You sound like Oprah.

No Arnel for me. I'll still fucking pound beers with you though.

I agree. He wants my respect and the band wants my respect, they need to RE-EARN it. This fucker can't sing half as good as JSS or SA at his prime. And atleast those two could speak fucking the language we all speak; american!!!!!!! I'm going with waht Goood Ole' Dice Man used to say, "If they can speak the fucking language, kick em' in the ass and tell them to get the fuck out of the country......"

There were and are plenty of American (soil) singers that they could have given a chance. He's fucking up an already fucked up band. They are a complete joke. Does Neal lok for singers or people that aren't taller than him? I don't get it????

I think I'm starting www.ArnelIsNotForJourney.Com tomorrow with a tone of negativity that Friga and Fro and now he deserves.

e-

This is part of my point. You're lumping Arnel in with the other members and he has not done ANYTHING to anyone. Bash the others til you have a boner that could cut diamonds, but what has Arnel done other than accept an invitation to live out a dream? He has a wife, a family and he's made a career change. How does that justify the vitriol being slung at him?


PS And we speak English, not "American." Arnel could've probably told you that.

[RedWingFan]

If you can't deal with the change like an adult instead of a 7 year old. There's an nearly empty Soto forum to play in.

[Soto All The Way]

If you can't deal with the change like an adult instead of a 7 year old. There's an nearly empty Soto forum to play in.

Yeah, it's about as full as the Raider's chnace for a 500 season.....get a grip....

e-

[RedWingFan]

If you can't deal with the change like an adult instead of a 7 year old. There's an nearly empty Soto forum to play in.

Yeah, it's about as full as the Raider's chnace for a 500 season.....get a grip....

e-

Well thought out response! May I suggest next time rubbing those 2 braincells together for a couple more minutes before attempting to post.

[lidobar]

This is part of my point. You're lumping Arnel in with the other members and he has not done ANYTHING to anyone. Bash the others til you have a boner that could cut diamonds, but what has Arnel done other than accept an invitation to live out a dream? He has a wife, a family and he's made a career change. How does that justify the vitriol being slung at him?

Wow, that's a change. In another thread you were harsh to us Journey fans who still support the band. I'm all for Arnel and can't wait to see 'em in concert. This Journey is better than NO Journey at all.

[Strange Medicine]

Nicely done.

[Crazie Scarab]

This Journey is better than NO Journey at all.

Time will tell. I'm not holding my breath on that and I'm tired of the same old Journey songs being played over and over and over again. If there is no new material coming out, it's definitely over for me.

[T-Bone]

While I enjoy the hits and other tunes from the back-catalogue, I was looking forward to new music with JSS. If they're only going to become a tribute band to themselves, the future looks bleek at best...

[mistiejourney]

I spoke to someone really important in the music industry today. Of course I had to ask about Journey and their current situation. Apparently, against what I was dreaming for, Arnel Pineda will be Journey's next singer. He was selected, by chance, after Jeff Scott Soto was terminated. Arnel has a wife and several children, including a newborn. For the better part of 20 years he has idolized American AOR. He covers Journey, Bryan Adams, Survivor, Bon Jovi, Heart, The Eagles and countless other American bands. He, like Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto before him, is living out a dream. How long, if at all, it will last, is anyone's guess.
Fast forward to right now. Arnel is currently several thousand miles from home holed up in a hotel away from his family, his country and his home. He's here to do what Steve Augeri and JSS before him did so well. Carry the Journey torch that Steve Perry lit. It's time to give all of the negative bullshit, name calling, and bickering a rest. The dude, I've been told, is scared shitless. I can't imagine what leaving your country, your home and your family behind must be like. The least we can do is show the man the common decency of indifference. If you don't like him, fine. Don't support him, the band or their shows. But when the fuck is the nonstop abuse gonna stop? Let's judge this dude when he performs with Journey and not prior to. If you listen purely to his voice, his tone, and his range, there is NO doubt he's immensely talented. Sure he has diction issues, but afford him the benefit of at least officially performing with the band before you crucify him. Personally, I think Augeri, Soto and Hunsicker pale in comparison to this guy's vocal capabilities. And while he might not be much taller than Neal Schon, he's got King Kong sized balls for travelling halfway around the world to chase his dream. I'm behind this guy 100%. "Pineda's Posse" has a nice ring to it. Goodnight and God bless.

Nice post. Arnel sounds like a nice guy. I'm done with Journey, but I have nothing against Arnel.

[Pstburp]

This post is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

listerine post...

[hoagiepete]

Ahhh the tide is turning and they haven't even performed one concert. I'm not sure who it was, but someone predicted this would happen. I figured it would be after the first couple of shows, but here we go!

I guess that's why everyone on this board is here in the first place. Should be no surprise. WTF. If i can relive the good ol days, I'll do it. You'll do that when you get to be half way to ninety. Bring em on. I'll buy a ticket. Buy too many overpriced beers. Get caught up in the moment. Go home and read this stuff again until the next year. Do it all again. Life has become predictable. It will be worth it if my wife has fun at the concert though. This all reminds me of a long running soap opera. Ten years later, the story line is the same and people tune in daily knowing such.

By the way, nothing against Arnel. Congrats and good luck.

In retrospect, this internet shit has screwed up many things. In 1979, I'm sure glad I didn't have to read about the pissed off fans when Journey dumped Ansley Dunbar, or when they ran off Rollie. Back when you just waited for the next album or tour. But here I am, so what the F am I complaining about.

[stevew2]

Who gives a shit

[Crazie Scarab]

Ahhh the tide is turning and they haven't even performed one concert. I'm not sure who it was, but someone predicted this would happen. I figured it would be after the first couple of shows, but here we go!

I guess that's why everyone on this board is here in the first place. Should be no surprise. WTF. If i can relive the good ol days, I'll do it. You'll do that when you get to be half way to ninety. Bring em on. I'll buy a ticket. Buy too many overpriced beers. Get caught up in the moment. Go home and read this stuff again until the next year. Do it all again. Life has become predictable. It will be worth it if my wife has fun at the concert though. This all reminds me of a long running soap opera. Ten years later, the story line is the same and people tune in daily knowing such.

By the way, nothing against Arnel. Congrats and good luck.

In retrospect, this internet shit has screwed up many things. In 1979, I'm sure glad I didn't have to read about the pissed off fans when Journey dumped Ansley Dunbar, or when they ran off Rollie. Back when you just waited for the next album or tour. But here I am, so what the F am I complaining about.

I guess I forgot to say... I will not be going to any shows UNLESS there's new material being played. I'm sick & tired of the same old stuff being played over and over again. Been there. Done that! Seen/heard it enough already! I'll be going to Journey shows only WHEN they have the balls again to play new music. I'm not paying another dime to see "Don't Stop Believin'" again.

[texafana]

Neal shreds, Deen rocks, John smokes the keys...hell yah I'm looking forward to a show soon!! HELLS YAH!

[Carlitto H@kk]

Neal shreds, Deen rocks, John smokes the keys...hell yah I'm looking forward to a show soon!! HELLS YAH!

Neal shreds every chance of making this band relevant again by making shitty decisions.
Deen rocks at acting like the "hired help" Jon and Neal expect him to be by letting them run this band into the dirt.
Jon blows smoke up everyone's asses with all his talk and "good guy" image, when in reality he's got a bigger power-trip
than Neal and is even more content than Neal to just live off of the Perry-era Magic.

Arnel, probably a good guy about to make a really bad decision that he will regret in a few years.
Sure, he'll make some money, get to play to some big crowds and get to play w/ some great musicians.
But it will all end badly for him when either Neal and Jon decide to put this band to rest permanently after
a few years of Arnel only being allowed to sing Perry's material or they will just get rid of him.

Good Luck, Arnel. You may want to "carry the torch Perry lit" but don't be surprised if it burns your ass

[tammy]

I've always been open to every Journey singer, even 'tho I remain a devoted SP fan (to me he was Journey)...and, I was looking forward to seeing Jeff with the band - didn't get that chance.
I wish Arnel good luck & happiness in living his dream. I've only heard a bit of his singing on youtube, so I can't really form an opinion...obviously he can sing. I can't say for sure if I will see Jrny again - something has fizzled out for me & I can't feel excited about them anymore so why bother...I don't know, maybe I'd go just to hang with the other MR fans - there's some cool people.

[texafana]

Neal shreds, Deen rocks, John smokes the keys...hell yah I'm looking forward to a show soon!! HELLS YAH!

Neal shreds every chance of making this band relevant again by making shitty decisions.
Deen rocks at acting like the "hired help" Jon and Neal expect him to be by letting them run this band into the dirt.
Jon blows smoke up everyone's asses with all his talk and "good guy" image, when in reality he's got a bigger power-trip
than Neal and is even more content than Neal to just live off of the Perry-era Magic.

Jeesh...did your lady cheat on you with one of these guys or what?????

[ieie]

There's an nearly empty Soto forum to play in.

This statement is uncalled for - debate as much as you want, but don't disrespect others in the process.

[Saint John]

Neal shreds, Deen rocks, John smokes the keys...hell yah I'm looking forward to a show soon!! HELLS YAH!

Neal shreds every chance of making this band relevant again by making shitty decisions.
Deen rocks at acting like the "hired help" Jon and Neal expect him to be by letting them run this band into the dirt.
Jon blows smoke up everyone's asses with all his talk and "good guy" image, when in reality he's got a bigger power-trip
than Neal and is even more content than Neal to just live off of the Perry-era Magic.

Arnel, probably a good guy about to make a really bad decision that he will regret in a few years.
Sure, he'll make some money, get to play to some big crowds and get to play w/ some great musicians.
But it will all end badly for him when either Neal and Jon decide to put this band to rest permanently after
a few years of Arnel only being allowed to sing Perry's material or they will just get rid of him.

Good Luck, Arnel. You may want to "carry the torch Perry lit" but don't be surprised if it burns your ass

Carl, this post reeks of sour grapes. Why is it that when Jeff accepted the gig it was OK? Why wasn't it a "really bad decision" then? Oh wait, I know why. Because coming on the heels of TapeGate we didn't know Jon, Neal and Azoff management weren't sinister, cunning, cut throat businessmen. Riiiiggghhhtt. Jeff chose to take a chance at working with guys he KNEW were less than honest. He had to know because the only reason he got the opportunity in the first place was because their smoke and mirrors show was outed. Still, he took it because he knew it's the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm sure he'd tell you that he'd do it all over again and I'm also pretty sure that if they asked him back he'd accept. Why? Because it's probably the best longterm decision for his career and his family, which is EXACTLY why Arnel is doing the same.

[knox]

Support Arnel all you want.
Support Journey Current all you want.
Wish for Jeff to come back.
Wish for Augeri to come back.
Wish for Perry and Smith and Rollie to come back.

It really doesn't matter.

I don't believe Journey will do well on tour any more. The will sell out small venues, but they SEEM to be a shell of what they once were. I would accept that if it were merely AGE that turned them into what they are now. But that isn't what did it.

It's the way this band (Perry included) has handled things since Perry dissed the Trial By Fire tour. It all went downhill from there.

The 2 bright spots?

Augeri and Arrival (though I don't care for him as a singer).
Soto bringing excitement to the band again (that turned out well, huh?).

I won't make judgements on Arnel, but Journey doesn't seem to have any real respect anymore. Wait, they didn't when Perry was there, either.

But they sold a crap load of albums and tickets back then.

[Saint John]

Support Arnel all you want.
Support Journey Current all you want.
Wish for Jeff to come back.
Wish for Augeri to come back.
Wish for Perry and Smith and Rollie to come back.

It really doesn't matter.

I don't believe Journey will do well on tour any more. The will sell out small venues, but they SEEM to be a shell of what they once were. I would accept that if it were merely AGE that turned them into what they are now. But that isn't what did it.

It's the way this band (Perry included) has handled things since Perry dissed the Trial By Fire tour. It all went downhill from there.

The 2 bright spots?

Augeri and Arrival (though I don't care for him as a singer).
Soto bringing excitement to the band again (that turned out well, huh?).

I won't make judgements on Arnel, but Journey doesn't seem to have any real respect anymore. Wait, they didn't when Perry was there, either.

But they sold a crap load of albums and tickets back then.

Perry will be coming back, but sadly it won't be with Journey. I disagree with you on one thing though. A Perry comeback in Journey WOULD be huge. A pretty well respected promoter said that only a Beatles reunion (which we know is impossible) or a Zeppelin tour would be bigger than Perry in Journey. It would dwarf the largely successful Van Halen tour.