JOURNEY - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

[Rick]

Schon agrees, "We feel reborn. And by "reborn" I don't mean 'renewed"...I mean....all slimy and covered in stuff we can't identify.

Okay, I was chuckling and having a good time reading that thing until this ^.
That one sent me right over the edge and I think I might need new panties.

*looks in panties* Yep. I knew it. Brb.

[donnaplease]

Okay, I'm as much a journey fan as the rest of us. I've actually quite enjoyed each era of the band, and Bought "Arrival" the day it came out. I was much looking forward to the Soto era, but knew it would eventually falter. Having said that, the following is all in good fun, but I had to do it......just for fun.


JOURNEY WELCOMES ARNEL PINEDA WITH "OPEN ARMS, AND PUPPET STRINGS":

Official Press Release / After much speculation…the wait is finally over. Again. the two hundred and forty fourth incarnation of the band that once could have passed for Journey, but now just uses the name to sell tickets to people in their fifties...--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums)--is proud to introduce fans all over the world to their sixty seventh lead singer, Arnel Pineda. Pineda is three-foot-two, weighes 104 pounds, speaks no english, and is sixty-seven years old, making him the youngest member of the band. Pineda replaces Jeff Scott Soto, the replacement singer they SHOULD have kept, the only singer they ever had besides Steve Perry that actually had talent besides sounding like Steve Perry....who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, the forty-fifth lead singer for the band, who had to leave the band in 2006 for what the BAND said was medical reasons, but it was later revealed that he actually received death threats from the Steve Perry fan club members. Steve Augeri initially replaced Steve Perry, who also left the band for medical reasons, his actually legitimate and understandable, but even as he was the most popular and talented singer for the band, he still wasn't the original lead singer, rather a replacement for what we THINK was the lead singer, Gregg Rolie, but can't guarantee that, because they keep changing the story and their lead singer more often than they change their underwear.
.
Arnel hails from Quezon City in the Philippines and has been singing Journey songs--in addition to original material--with his band, The Zoo, for the past couple of years in clubs all over his homeland. Joining the legendary band is a dream come true for him, as it was for the two hundred and forty three musicians before him.

"It's so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It'll be a lot of hard work on my part and I'm actually looking forward to the scrutiny I'll get from the hardcore Journey fans. I know they'll expect me to sound exactly like 'the voice' (Steve Perry), but that will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world." With that statement, a fan yelled "Perry Rocks, You Suck" and took a failed attempt on Pineda's life before being taken down by Castronovo with a ninja drumstick.

When it was time for Journey to look for a new lead singer, the internet came to their rescue. It was fairly easy to find a singer via the internet, as most fans of the band are in their sixties, and don't use the internet, so there was very little traffic. Guitarist Neal Schon said he wanted someone new to the music business, because he wanted a person with a clean slate and a clean mind, so he could brainwash them properly. "Any thinking on his own part" said Schon, referring to Pineda, will result in him being locked in a cage for 'time-outs. Being from the Phillipines," continued Schon, "Arnel knows all about that". Schon said he turned to YouTube. After finding Arnel singing "Faithfully," he knew he had found the perfect frontman, speaking very little english, andn having an obvious affinity for working with small crowds, which is generally what Journey draws now.

"I was frustrated about not having a singer," explains guitarist Neal Schon, "so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, 'he can't be that good.' But he is that good, he's the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn't sound synthetic and he's not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter. Having nearly Three hundred singers in this band , it gets a little difficult to contact anyone and say "hey, wanna try out" because everyone thinks its a big joke, much like my career is now, and this band soon will be.

Arnel Pineda picks up the story: "My friend Noel picked up the message on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I ignored it. Having seen thousands of people in the band, I figured they'd SURELY retire with SOME dignity. But...Noel said, 'what if it really was Neal and he wanted to offer you the chance of a lifetime?' So I e-mailed Neal back and the rest is history, much like any aspirations or career goals I had.

"Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey," continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. "His personality is very well-suited to our music. He can't speak for himself, so he'll fit our puppet role well. He's a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart, which is something we could never convince Soto to be, because he had a mind of his own. I think fans are really going to love him. Arnel's soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound, like we have many times before, but we think it'll last longer than two weeks this time. "

Schon agrees, "We feel reborn. And by "reborn" I don't mean 'renewed"...I mean....all slimy and covered in stuff we can't identify. I think there's a lot of chemistry between the five of us, but that could be the prescription medication. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it's escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material that we'll never be able to pull off live...much like Augeri. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone's so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel."

Journey is currently working on a new album with legendary producer Kevin Shirley, which they hope to release by spring/summer 2008. Details will be announced early next year, followed by the album release. The band then plans to tour through the summer, fire Pineda, start new rumors about Steve Perry coming back....then eventually fade into obscurity for another six months....before they find another singer and start all over again.

OMG!!!! THAT IS HILARIOUS!!!!

[Crazie Scarab]

what arnel said really goes without saying. it's cool that he is also a journey fan... and did he really refer to sp as "the voice"? i LOVE that!

I am doubtful that any of those quotes actually came from a member of the band. It is possible but their publicist gets paid to write that stuff.

Lora.. so sweet and simply straight to the point! I gotta love that!

[bluejeangirl76]

I am doubtful that any of those quotes actually came from a member of the band. It is possible but their publicist gets paid to write that stuff.

It sounds like they used the Augeri and JSS PRs and just changed the names.
It's the exact same pom pom-waving and dick-stroking we were reading last year at this time.

[Crazie Scarab]

I am doubtful that any of those quotes actually came from a member of the band. It is possible but their publicist gets paid to write that stuff.

It sounds like they used the Augeri and JSS PRs and just changed the names.
It's the exact same pom pom-waving and dick-stroking we were reading last year at this time.

I like U! Yep!

[Moon Beam]

it gets a little difficult to contact anyone and say "hey, wanna try out" because everyone thinks its a big joke, much like my career is now, and this band soon will be.

Now this seems like the truest statement in that little write up.

[m]

I am doubtful that any of those quotes actually came from a member of the band. It is possible but their publicist gets paid to write that stuff.

It sounds like they used the Augeri and JSS PRs and just changed the names. .

haha, so those were eraser marks....

[stevew2]

He is the real deal? Thats the same line Neal said about Jeff. Stupid little funk , he forgot to mention that heard about Arnel here,not just randomly searching You tube. Is back talk open yet? I cant wait

[Rick]

Is back talk open yet? I cant wait

I really really really doubt that BT will reopen.

[FishinMagician]

lmao lmao what is neal's youtube screen name?

[stevew2]

I bet it will once they start touring, Thery are recording "The Greatest Hits so they will have tapes to use when they burn his voice out, Just like they did with Steve A ,this time they will do it way ahead of time

Is back talk open yet? I cant wait

I really really really doubt that BT will reopen.

[tammy]

"Any thinking on his own part" said Schon, referring to Pineda, will result in him being locked in a cage for 'time-outs. Being from the Phillipines," continued Schon, "Arnel knows all about that".

"Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey," continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. "His personality is very well-suited to our music. He can't speak for himself, so he'll fit our puppet role well.

Schon agrees, "We feel reborn. And by "reborn" I don't mean 'renewed"...I mean....all slimy and covered in stuff we can't identify.

I don't know who you are but this was hilarious!!!

LOL! I thought so, too.

[larryfromnextdoor]

lmao lmao what is neal's youtube screen name?

what ever Soto set him up with when jeff taught him to search .. LovesSoto or something...

[Rip Rokken]

Schon agrees, "We feel reborn. And by "reborn" I don't mean 'renewed"...I mean....all slimy and covered in stuff we can't identify.

Ahhhhhhhh! You mean THIS kind of "Reborn":

[Crazie Scarab]

Is back talk open yet? I cant wait

I really really really doubt that BT will reopen.

They'll rename it BC... for Butt Crack!

[knox]

I bought this for JSS.

I am not buying it this time around.

There is no way Arnel has the passion for this music that Jeff had. Jeff sang with his soul.

I don't know why I keep coming here (Journey's site, not your's as a whole, Andrew). Perhaps to keep peace of mind that I am not the only one on the planet who feels the way a lot of us do.

[texafana]

"I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like ‘the voice’ (Steve Perry), but that will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world."

Very true. Welcome Arnel! Looking forward to the tenor voice singing the classics and new songs. The best voice Journey has had since Steve Perry!

[fredinator]

Andrew, did Journey give you the announcement first? They don't have anything new on their website...

[Andrew]

I bought this for JSS.

I am not buying it this time around.

There is no way Arnel has the passion for this music that Jeff had. Jeff sang with his soul.

I don't know why I keep coming here (Journey's site, not your's as a whole, Andrew). Perhaps to keep peace of mind that I am not the only one on the planet who feels the way a lot of us do.

Thanks Knox.
Conflicting emotions for me printing this news. I still feel for my long time bud JSS and he knows that. But this is the music business and it isn't always fair.

I've been a Journey fan for so long...i just want to hear some music now...see what flies.

[ebake02]

I wish Arnel all the best and I will certainly give him a chance like I did with Augeri and JSS. I'll hold my final judgement until after I hear him live and on the new album. Judging from the youtube clips he sounds pretty damn good to me.

[AR]

I bought this for JSS.

I am not buying it this time around.

There is no way Arnel has the passion for this music that Jeff had. Jeff sang with his soul.

I don't know why I keep coming here (Journey's site, not your's as a whole, Andrew). Perhaps to keep peace of mind that I am not the only one on the planet who feels the way a lot of us do.

You come here because there is other music talked about, plus off topic threads and comedy.

[AR]

I bought this for JSS.

I am not buying it this time around.

There is no way Arnel has the passion for this music that Jeff had. Jeff sang with his soul.

I don't know why I keep coming here (Journey's site, not your's as a whole, Andrew). Perhaps to keep peace of mind that I am not the only one on the planet who feels the way a lot of us do.

Thanks Knox.
Conflicting emotions for me printing this news. I still feel for my long time bud JSS and he knows that. But this is the music business and it isn't always fair.

I've been a Journey fan for so long...i just want to hear some music now...see what flies.

Fly in for the 1/5 show at Rams Head.

[Adikeo]

eh...whatever.

[DesertRose1405]

I'm curious to see what is written when major outlets pick up this story. Probably won't be all that kind to Journey...

I think we already know what they'll say--it's exactly the smae thing the fans have been saying: Journey is finished, and they've become a laughingstock.

I thought this Arnel thing was a joke. Are they serious? Neal is more brain-dead than I thought.

[venomnation]

Thanks for the compliments on "my'' press release guys. BTW, My name's Steve...I've been a fan of Andrew and the board for a LONG time, even sent him a few headlines here and there.....(Check March 19, 2007...that's my "M.R. Claim To Fame" LOL (Randy Rhoads). But...anyway....thanks, I enjoyed poking a little fun at them...someone had to. I'm a pretty big fan of a lot of the bands that are featured in the forums here...(Journey, Styx, Def Lep, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Ryche)...I'll try and make an effort to post more...

Now my next question is simply this....and I'll take it back on topic here.

If Neal Schon spent that many hours working on Youtube trying to get a new singer....what the hell took him to Arnel Pineda when Jeremy Hunsicker was staring him right in the face? This guy is AMAZING. I've produced music for bands for going on ten years....I like to think my ear is pretty well trained...and this guy, at points if you close your eyes, can fool MY ears into thinking he's steve perry.....so what's up? He's SO MUCH a better fit for Journey than Arnel. In fact, I'd dare say...I'd almost pay TOP DOLLAR to see Jeremy front the band...not so much with arnel.

Now, I understand there may be some people not realizing who I'm talking about...that's cool.

go to http://www.journeytributeband.com - go to audio or video - and download this stuff.....it'll blow your frickin minds! Soto was good...damn good...still one of my favorites (I"m a HUGE Queen fan, and he's the only one to me that has ever done Queen 'justice'), but hunsicker is just bad-ass......and the obvious choice...and he's ALL OVER youtube...(search for "Frontiers tribute") -

Anyway....what do YOU think?

[AR]

stevek2007, nice job on the bogus press release. I got an amazing amount of PM's from people thinking I wrote it. (I sort of have that kind of rep here).

Nice job and highly amusing!

For the record I was not posting as Arnel in that other thread either. Andrew can tell.

I've been under the weather and dealing with shit on my own site lately. Haven't posted in 3 or 4 days I think until tonight.

Ed

[Liam]

Hey SteveK. Great job on the "Press release". Fuckin' funny read.

Welcome aboard.

[tinylights]

Official press release says: Neal wanted a singer who was new to the music biz??? "Translation: Someone who won't talk back!"

WTF??? Arnel had a major label deal thru MCA/Universal and his own personal management! Since when does that qualify as new to the business?

Also - what a load of shit that they found him on youtube... That makes a great little Cinderalla story for the media, but the fact is, Irving Azoff ran MCA and still has all the connections - is Journey actually going to try and sell us on the idea that Azoff didn't have a clue who Pineda or The Zoo was?

They had to buy Arnel out of a major label recording contract, and his management contract. This was a busines negotiation by Azoff from the top down... This wasn't some no-name singer magically found on youtube by Neal!

Press release also says Neal was frustrated at not having a singer, so he spent days on youtube.

Hey Neal, wake up... you had a singer a few weeks before that, his name was Jeremey Hunsicker, but you f*cked that right up!

And you had one a few months before that as well, his name was Jeff Scott Soto, but you f*cked that up!!!

And you had one before that, his name was Steve Augeri, but you wore his voice out by over-touring to compensate for the money your weren't making selling records. And instead of sticking by your singer and letting his voice heal while you took a year off, you f*cked that up!!!

Oh, and as I recall, you pulled the same thing on Steve Perry, when he needed a hip replacement surgery!

But poor Neal was frustrated that he didn't have a singer? Boo Hoo Hoo...

Well guess what buddy - you're about to be frustrated at the idea of not having any more F*CKING FANS!!!javascript:emoticon(':shock:')

At this point I don't care who Journey hires as a singer. I'm done with em. They screwed me on Red 13, and they screwed me even worse on Generations (Ross Valory vocals - Jesus, what were they thinking?).

I'll be seeing Frontiers live when I need to hear some "real Journey" - as far as I'm concerned the're just as good for 1/4 the ticket price, and none of the bullshit!!! My hard earned money is about to start going to musicians who are doing this for the love of the music and for the right reasons.

Let Journey sell t-shirts to Phillipino children for all I care!javascript:emoticon(':twisted:')

[larryfromnextdoor]

Thanks for the compliments on "my'' press release guys.

i hate to be the one ,, but your gonna have to change your name,, we are all covered up with steves.. we dont have any Mikah's though ,, if thats the one you want...

[Andrew]

Now, I understand there may be some people not realizing who I'm talking about...that's cool.

G'Day Steve, FYI - Jeremey was also auditioned and posts here....do some searching, you shoudl be able to find his stories...