Arnel- Anybody else notice??

[Voyager]

I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying.

By this time next year we'll probably be saying the same thing about the Arnel faction for the same reason. Just like we were tired of the Augeri faction whining and crying this time last year (for the same reason).

[Saint John]

I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying.

By this time next year we'll probably be saying the same thing about the Arnel faction for the same reason. Just like we were tired of the Augeri faction whining and crying this time last year (for the same reason).

If that's the case I'll tell them the same thing.

[Matthew]

Fair enough. I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying.

Well said, Saint John...I'm so over it too....and even Augeri's fans seem entertaining in comparison now....

[donnaplease]

This guy has a good voice but from the clips I saw he looks lost on stage, goofy like. I can't picture him with Journey playing live.

Why did they let Jeff go for this guy??

Geesh, can we give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and flourish? As with anyone starting a new job or a new career (and this IS a job, a career), you bring certain gifts to the job and others you learn on the job and grow your gifts and talents. I would like to give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and excel.

Arnel is supposed to be a professional with 20 years of experience. He should not need a chance to 'learn and grow and flourish'. Now, either he's all that and a ham sandwich, or he's not. Which is it?

BTW... Welcome to MR.

[ieie]

What the hell happened to you Dan. You were one of the most fun guys here. Always full of piss and vinegar and now it seems that someone neutered you into a wimpy little wuss bt'er. To say I'm disappointed is grossly understating things.

Fair enough. I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying. They're doing the same thing that the Wiggler fans did after he was ousted. And I don't give a fuck why or how he was ousted because it's not going to change things, it's none of my business and it isn't worth the energy. I haven't changed, YOU have. You've joined the faction of whiny Wigglers and sobbing Soto'ers.

Dan - those are 2 completely different situations and you know it.

[Saint John]

What the hell happened to you Dan. You were one of the most fun guys here. Always full of piss and vinegar and now it seems that someone neutered you into a wimpy little wuss bt'er. To say I'm disappointed is grossly understating things.

Fair enough. I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying. They're doing the same thing that the Wiggler fans did after he was ousted. And I don't give a fuck why or how he was ousted because it's not going to change things, it's none of my business and it isn't worth the energy. I haven't changed, YOU have. You've joined the faction of whiny Wigglers and sobbing Soto'ers.

Dan - those are 2 completely different situations and you know it.

Correct, but why is it that the Soto faction, like the Augeri faction, attempts to mandate that I care? I simply don't nor do I have to. He got screwed...ok...time to move on. Read Footprints In The Sand.

[donnaplease]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Just outed yourself, huh...

This version of Journey will bomb. Period. Arnel will go back home with his tail between his legs. THAT is the Journey legacy...

[Matthew]

This guy has a good voice but from the clips I saw he looks lost on stage, goofy like. I can't picture him with Journey playing live.

Why did they let Jeff go for this guy??

Geesh, can we give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and flourish? As with anyone starting a new job or a new career (and this IS a job, a career), you bring certain gifts to the job and others you learn on the job and grow your gifts and talents. I would like to give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and excel.

Arnel is supposed to be a professional with 20 years of experience. He should not need a chance to 'learn and grow and flourish'. Now, either he's all that and a ham sandwich, or he's not. Which is it?

BTW... Welcome to MR.

JSS sounded like crap during his first few gigs with Journey....even though he had twenty years experience....and there were people who made that exact same argument...until JSS eventually won them over.

What's more...you haven't even heard Arnel sing even one song with Journey yet.

Anyway Donna...you've admitted that you're hung up on the nationality thing anyway so it doesn't matter what he sounds like to you does it?

[mistiejourney]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. IMO, you either have "it" or you don't. I've seen lots of footage of JSS playing for the little, before he played the big with Journey. Had the stage presence back then also.

To be fair....JSS did sound awful for Journey in the first few shows though, Deb....

No rehearsal!!!! At least that's what I read - he jumped right in.

[Matthew]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. IMO, you either have "it" or you don't. I've seen lots of footage of JSS playing for the little, before he played the big with Journey. Had the stage presence back then also.

To be fair....JSS did sound awful for Journey in the first few shows though, Deb....

No rehearsal!!!! At least that's what I read - he jumped right in.

He jumped right in..and sounded dreadful....for a number of shows. And the clips were played on this forum and the majority of people complained that it didn't sound like Journey and he couldn't reach the high notes and this was disrespecting the legacy....

...and now...it's like he was the best thing to ever happen to the band and people still type angrily away each night about how unfair it all is that JSS isn't in the band and how Journey will never recover from the hammer blow of his departure.

My point is..most of the the die-hard fans will always adjust....and given a bit of time even the most unpopular singer can win people over.

[donnaplease]

This guy has a good voice but from the clips I saw he looks lost on stage, goofy like. I can't picture him with Journey playing live.

Why did they let Jeff go for this guy??

Geesh, can we give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and flourish? As with anyone starting a new job or a new career (and this IS a job, a career), you bring certain gifts to the job and others you learn on the job and grow your gifts and talents. I would like to give Arnel a chance to learn and grow and excel.

Arnel is supposed to be a professional with 20 years of experience. He should not need a chance to 'learn and grow and flourish'. Now, either he's all that and a ham sandwich, or he's not. Which is it?

BTW... Welcome to MR.

JSS sounded like crap during his first few gigs with Journey....even though he had twenty years experience....and there were people who made that exact same argument...until JSS eventually won them over.

What's more...you haven't even heard Arnel sing even one song with Journey yet.

Anyway Donna...you've admitted that you're hung up on the nationality thing anyway so it doesn't matter what he sounds like to you does it?

That's not the point, Matthew. We have been told repeatedly by his supporters how great he is and how much experience he has. If that's the case, he doesn't need to 'learn and grow and flourish'. It should already be there.

If I'm not mistaken (and I wasn't around here then so I may be) Jeff was called in with very little time to rehearse to jump in the middle of a big tour. He hadn't been covering Journey songs for the past 10 years (except maybe SHML). That is not the case with Arnel. He was supposedly picked because of his ability to sound just like SP. He has also been singing these songs '5 nights a week for 4-5 hours a night' (or whatever has been said here) so he certainly should be up for the job.

What does the nationality thing have to do with it? Either he is a professional and can get the job done, or he isn't. That remains to be seen... doesn't it?

[RedWingFan]

Just wait til AP gets on here and starts handing out M&G's like candy. People will get on the AP train then

[Matthew]

That's not the point, Matthew. We have been told repeatedly by his supporters how great he is and how much experience he has. If that's the case, he doesn't need to 'learn and grow and flourish'. It should already be there.

If I'm not mistaken (and I wasn't around here then so I may be) Jeff was called in with very little time to rehearse to jump in the middle of a big tour. He hadn't been covering Journey songs for the past 10 years (except maybe SHML). That is not the case with Arnel. He was supposedly picked because of his ability to sound just like SP. He has also been singing these songs '5 nights a week for 4-5 hours a night' (or whatever has been said here) so he certainly should be up for the job.

What does the nationality thing have to do with it? Either he is a professional and can get the job done, or he isn't. That remains to be seen... doesn't it?

Sure Donna...but I think that poster was just responding to the criticism of the guy before anyone has even heard him sing a single note for the band. They might also be talking about stage presence which remains a worry....

As for JSS...he knew the catalogue back to front. We kept being told what a Journey 'super fan' he was. I hardly think he needed much practice to sing Don't Stop Believin'. Even I could sing that one at a moment's notice....

What's nationality got to do with it? I couldn't care less because my sense of identity isn't so fragile I need to wrap myself up in a flag....and I'm not American anyway....but you were one of the few posters here who had the honesty to say that yes...natiionality is an issue...that you wanted an American citizen to sing for a band that is an American institution in many ways...and that whether he was talented or not doesn't matter.

So when you post cartoons of people vomiting when the appointment is announced...well, you can see why some of us might think you're doing it for 'patriotic' reasons.

[mistiejourney]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. IMO, you either have "it" or you don't. I've seen lots of footage of JSS playing for the little, before he played the big with Journey. Had the stage presence back then also.

To be fair....JSS did sound awful for Journey in the first few shows though, Deb....

No rehearsal!!!! At least that's what I read - he jumped right in.

He jumped right in..and sounded dreadful....for a number of shows. And the clips were played on this forum and the majority of people complained that it didn't sound like Journey and he couldn't reach the high notes and this was disrespecting the legacy....

...and now...it's like he was the best thing to ever happen to the band and people still type angrily away each night about how unfair it all is that JSS isn't in the band and how Journey will never recover from the hammer blow of his departure.

My point is..most of the the die-hard fans will always adjust....and given a bit of time even the most unpopular singer can win people over.

Actually, I missed all the hubbub of the last few years - wasn't on any forums, just got my info from the official site. I was blown away by JSS and yes, while he was dropped for whatever (unfair) reason, I just decided I personally had had enough of Journey. I had followed them through three lead singers "faithfully" and I don't feel like doing it again.

It's not that Journey won't "recover", it's that they won't recover in my book.

Once things get going with Arnel, I'll be here less and over at the JSS board more.

Arnel is a really good singer, frankly I don't think he will flop, Journey will sell concerts that they co-headline with one or two other bands, there will just be a new face in front.

Until he gets sick, loses his voice, needs time for a family emergency or Neal gets tired of him or Jon doesn't appreciate his take on the classics night after night.

No hard feelings to those who support Journey!! It's just not a priority for me anymore. I'd rather follow JSS' career and see what SA does in the future.

[Voyager]

Fair enough. I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying.

Well said, Saint John...I'm so over it too....and even Augeri's fans seem entertaining in comparison now....

Amen - I am totally done with and over it. It's so last-year.

[Matthew]

No hard feelings to those who support Journey!! It's just not a priority for me anymore. I'd rather follow JSS' career and see what SA does in the future.

Mistiejourney...I'll bet my house that you'll still be here next year with us on this forum talking about the new album and the Journey show you've just been to. You don't get to escape that easily....

[mistiejourney]

No hard feelings to those who support Journey!! It's just not a priority for me anymore. I'd rather follow JSS' career and see what SA does in the future.

Mistiejourney...I'll bet my house that you'll still be here next year with us on this forum talking about the new album and the Journey show you've just been to. You don't get to escape that easily....

LOL - I was pulled into the Augeri era kicking and screaming and wound up loving the guy. I'll make my "Escape" while Journey takes on new "Frontiers"!

(PS - how nice is your house? )

[Voyager]

You don't get to escape that easily....

[donnaplease]

Sure Donna...but I think that poster was just responding to the criticism of the guy before anyone has even heard him sing a single note for the band. They might also be talking about stage presence which remains a worry....

Again, he's a professional. He should have the stage presence thing down pat.

As for JSS...he knew the catalogue back to front. We kept being told what a Journey 'super fan' he was. I hardly think he needed much practice to sing Don't Stop Believin'. Even I could sing that one at a moment's notice....

Doesn't matter. Jeff isn't the one who had been making his living singing Journey songs 5 nights a week. There's a difference between karaoke and fronting a band. I know the dirty dozen back to front, too, but I doubt seriously Journey would want either one of us trying to sing them.

What's nationality got to do with it? I couldn't care less because my sense of identity isn't so fragile I need to wrap myself up in a flag. But you were one of the few posters here who had the honesty to say that yes...natiionality is an issue...that you wanted an American citizen to sing for a band that is an American institution in many ways...and that whether he was talented or not doesn't matter.

I don't have a fragile sense of identity. I am very proud to be an American, and I know exactly who and what I am. It seems to me that you're doing a little baiting here tonight, Matt. But yes, I stand by my previous statements.

So when you post cartoons of people vomiting when he appointment is announced...well, you can see why some of us might think you're doing it for 'patriotic' reasons.

That's a stupid comment, Matthew. I am against this decision for many reasons, YOU are the one making it about patriotism.

[Matthew]

Again, he's a professional. He should have the stage presence thing down pat.

And given the right gig and the right band...maybe he has.

Doesn't matter. Jeff isn't the one who had been making his living singing Journey songs 5 nights a week. There's a difference between karaoke and fronting a band. I know the dirty dozen back to front, too, but I doubt seriously Journey would want either one of us trying to sing them.

Oh come on...JSS has done more cover versions that I've had hot dinners. I feel like all I saw this year was You Tube clips of JSS doing covers.

I don't have a fragile sense of identity. I am very proud to be an American, and I know exactly who and what I am. It seems to me that you're doing a little baiting here tonight, Matt. But yes, I stand by my previous statements.

No - I'm just responding to some pretty ungracious and closed-minded posts. Slag the guy off by all means if the new album is a dog and he sounds like a karaoke singer live. That's fine. I can respect that. But making out you're actually revolted by the decision to hire him based on a lack of an American passport and a couple of amateur You Tube clips...well, it's not that much of a surprise that someone will take issue with you.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Fair enough. I'm simply tired of the Soto faction whining and crying. They're doing the same thing that the Wiggler fans did after he was ousted.

THANK YOU. I just cannot get past this comparison. It is the exact same thing. Ridiculous rationalization, threatening to be "done with Journey," the works. I've heard the same people on this forum saying they're done with Journey basically every single day since JSS was let go. In almost every single thread.

[donnaplease]

No - I'm just responding to some pretty ungracious and closed-minded posts. Slag the guy off by all means if the new album is a dog and he sounds like a karaoke singer live. That's fine. I can respect that. But making out you're actually revolted by the decision to hire him based on a lack of an American passport and a couple of amateur You Tube clips...well, it's not that much of a surprise that someone will take issue with you.

How do you know what I was responding to? Perhaps I find it revolting that Neal Schon said he was 'frustrated at not having a singer' after the pathetic way that the previous singer was tossed aside. Or perhaps it was the fact that someone as established in the music business as NS has to resort to sitting in front of the computer for 2 days trying to find a singer off of YouTube. (And even worse that he would actually admit it!) Or perhaps it was the faggoty comment that Friga made about Arnel's 'great smile and big heart'. Then again, perhaps the fact that they were also 'stoked' about the music they were making with Jeremey, who many of us consider a great guy, and find that comment just a little sickening.

I am not interested in hearing a new album, Matthew. You are making this an Arnel issue. I don't see it that way. It's not a JSS or a Jeremey issue either. It's a Journey issue to me. I am disgusted, heartbroken, and sickened at the way they have destroyed their legacy, IMO. As far as you taking issue with me, well, I could really care less.

[Deb]

Wrong! SJ I've talked to on the phone and have gotten to know. You on the other hand I couldn't care less about. I just want him to tell me what the problem is.

Too bad. Dave (Journeyman28) is a long-time respectful poster. I for one, enjoy his posts.....whether I agree with them or not.

[conversationpc]

What the hell happened to you Dan. You were one of the most fun guys here. Always full of piss and vinegar and now it seems that someone neutered you into a wimpy little wuss bt'er. To say I'm disappointed is grossly understating things.

It seems to me that the only reason people are pissed at him is because he doesn't agree with the people that seem to want to keep stumping on the "Hate Journey As Much As Possible" campaign.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Just outed yourself, huh...

This version of Journey will bomb. Period. Arnel will go back home with his tail between his legs. THAT is the Journey legacy...

Hey, I'm open minded, you could be right. But then again you might be wrong. We'll just have to wait and see.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Ahhhh.... so much for the longtime Journey fan who just happened to be strolling by Wikipedia and found a link to this forum.

You're not the same person who registered the Arnelians username are you?

I'm sure that Arnel will bring many more of his fans to the Journey forums than Steve Augeri ever did. Remember how the BackTalk forums exploded into chaos after the few Augeri fans initially infiltrated it? Well, there is no more BackTalk forum, so I guess the Arnel fans have to find somewhere. Maybe Andrew should create an Arnel forum to keep the two factions away from each other?

Hey there Voyager,

I didn't find this site on Wiki. I found it while punching in a few key words on MSN. But eventually I did check to see if Arnel appeared on Wiki after the fact and I was amazed first off that he was on there, and second, I was amazed that there was some information on it that is not so correct. But that is neither here nor there and I'm not going to get involved and change or add anything to it.

Also I've never registered as any other user name but Cal-Jams on this site.

All the best, KV

[Saint John]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Someone just showed his ass. How could Arnel have played at any of the clubs in the YouTube videos for "ten odd years straight?" Those clubs are in the Philippines. My understanding is that Arnel lived and worked in Hong Kong from 1990 to 2006 when he moved back to the Philippines to form the Zoo Band. Care to explain that, sir?

[ForceInfinity]

To be fair, the jury is out still from my perspective on Arnel. No denying that he does have a good voice. The stage presence didn't look that great on the you tube clips, but then some of the Frontiers stuff looked a little stilted as well. (To be fair, there are clips were Jeremey is alot more animated on stage and has the presence). My big hang up on this whole thing isn't that Arnel is singing for Journey now, but how we got to this point in the first place. I still hate that JSS and SA got sacked the way they did.

JSS is a gifted singer in my opinion with a good deal of versatility. I'll continue to be a fan of his going foward as I enjoy listening to his work. I'll say this...if it weren't for Journey, I may not have developed the curiosity into his back-library that I have now, and probably miss out on alot of good music in the process. I'm greatful for the short amount of time with the band.

I'll be curious to see what Kevin Shirley can do with this band. If he plans to whip their behinds in the shape. Great. I'm all for it. But I'm going to take a wait and see approach.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Someone just showed his ass. How could Arnel have played at any of the clubs in the YouTube videos for "ten odd years straight?" Those clubs are in the Philippines. My understanding is that Arnel lived and worked in Hong Kong from 1990 to 2006 when he moved back to the Philippines to form the Zoo Band. Care to explain that, sir?

When you say Arnel worked, what do you think that he did? It was my understanding that those Youtube videos were filmed in Hong Kong, and since that was my understanding, it made sense that the club that he was singing in for the ten years that he was in Hong Kong was the one in the video. Simple missunderstanding on my part only.

[Saint John]

Arnel played that club for ten odd years straight. He was probably just tired of being up on that same stage. I guarantee, the performance you'll see Arnel exhibit in Journey will blow that YouTube stuff clean out of the water. Arnel's performance with Journey is going to be much like the videos of Arnel performing with AMO Band in CalJams in the 80's will demonstrate, that is when they are finally released publically for the first time. KV

Someone just showed his ass. How could Arnel have played at any of the clubs in the YouTube videos for "ten odd years straight?" Those clubs are in the Philippines. My understanding is that Arnel lived and worked in Hong Kong from 1990 to 2006 when he moved back to the Philippines to form the Zoo Band. Care to explain that, sir?

When you say Arnel worked, what do you think that he did? It was my understanding that those Youtube videos were filmed in Hong Kong, and since that was my understanding, it made sense that the club that he was singing in for the ten years that he was in Hong Kong was the one in the video. Simple missunderstanding on my part only.

Hmmmmmm. I guess I'll buy that.