With JOURNEY releasing new album this year, all eyes are on their singer Arnel Pineda.
It was reported by the band that Pineda has been struggling with live shows and the problem has been resolved by recruiting a vocal coach to help Pineda adopt a more efficient approach to singing.
This was addressed by drummer Dean Castronovo in a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock.
Here’s what Dean said:
“He’s been struggling, and we brought a vocal coach out who is fantastic. He came out and was coaching Arnel with how to deliver a little bit differently. A lot of it was mental as well as physical, but once we got [a new] soundman and once things got turned down and he was able to hear, [everything was different]. To think that he’s been struggling with this for 14 years, he said. I had no idea. I think it was something that he didn’t know if he had the liberty to say, ‘Hey, I need to fix this’ or ‘You guys need to try something different here,’ either get a new soundman or whatever. But once we got this guy, Tom, everything changed. He’s a different guy. [Pineda’s] a different guy. Oh, my God, it blew us away. I think it’s been 15 shows since that [change], and every night, he sounds amazing.
“Before, he was always trying his best and he would get there, but it was just him not being able to hear. Once they got that fixed, you can see the weight lifted off the kid. He’s just happy again. He and I are goofing around onstage, probably more than we should. [Laughs] We were goofing off all night because it’s just like a weight has been lifted. To have that kind of pressure stuck on you and not knowing what to do, it’s like, ‘How come I can’t do this?’ That’s what it took.”
Dean further talked about Pineda’s vocals on the upcoming album, saying:
“It’s definitely not your typical Journey [music] or ‘Escape’, ‘Frontiers’, or even ‘Revelation’. Arnel’s vocals on this … . There are songs on there, I was listening and going, ‘Who is that singing?’ I really did. I forget what the song was, but [I thought] that doesn’t even sound like Arnel, because he took it to a totally different place. I never knew that he could sing like that. He had that really bluesy, thick and syrupy blues thing. He’s really come into his own. It sounds amazing. He’s definitely not the Steve Perry clone. He’s made this stuff his own.”
46 comments
There will never be anyone that can sing anywhere near as good as Steve Perry. I don’t care what sound man or voice coach you have!!!
Steve Perry is gone!! Move on people!!….
Yeah he is GONE he ABANDONED Journey
He didn’t abandoned Journey. His hips were done he couldn’t tour anymore. We are not in the band so really we only know what we hear. Let’s be honest Journey is no angel they smuggled Perry in when their lead singer went to washroom to hear him sing then gassed the original singer lol
you are right without Ariel Journey can’t survive.
He didn’t at all he had health issue and the band got rid because Perry couldn’t tour at the time. In any profession no matter what it is health comes first, Perry did the right thing for himself
No, Steve Perry will always be Journey
Perry can never be Arnel too!
I agree!!!
Of course I know that Steve is American Portuguese and Arnel is Filipino 🤣
I’m a Steve Perry fan but I wonder if he can still sing the way he used to sing now that he’s old. I doubt it! 🤔😏
Steve Perry is still Steve Perry. a very distinctive voice in the likes of Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra et alia
also we don’t call people “old”
with respect to a very talented gifted kind singer like Steve Perry, his voice is still there at an older age 🙏
Your musical evolution might stagnate if you insist on adhering to outdated principles, refusing to embrace change even when your favored artist is no longer capable of providing entertainment through singing and performing.
Hahahahaa! Nah ! Steve is super …. But Arnel has been putting it out there for waaay longer than Steve ever did…Steve eft in his own to “Make it bigger” on his own…
No need bash Arnel or anyone who admires Steve just as much as Arnel does…. Just saying facts…
Every singer and everyone of us is unique. There will never be another Steve Perry the same way that there will never be another Arnel Pineda. No one can force you or me what to like. But you should learn to appreciate singers or friends who love the music of Journey especially knowing how hard it is to sing.. so do not put them down especially if they are doing a decent if not better because of your loyalty to SP as a personal preference. Go take a hike sonewhere else if you don’t like the the journey now
Amen to that
YOUR PERRY ABANDONED JOURNEY.. AND THERE’S PINEDA THAT CAN’T SING LIKE YOUR PERRY BUT BETTER THAN YOUR PERRY!
A 74 years Old Perry vs Arnel Now ! Ha ha ha You make me Laugh about 30 kilos!😅🤣
Absolutely correct!
Once Neal stopped drowning everyone else out…….
Arnold is no Steve Perry and never will be
Schwarzenegger?!? Of course not!😂
I totally agree, he isn’t a Steve Perry clone, he’s a Steve Perry impersonator.
Really people? C’mon, don’t be too harsh on Arnel. It’s never been his interntion to impersonate or clone Steve Perry. He didn’t even apply to be a band member. He was discovered because they clearly saw his talent!
Steve Perry got hurt. His hips were giving him trouble. The group is not the same anymore. Steve Perry made Journey. Without his voice, journey would not be the same.
I won’t even watch any of Journey’s video’s or listen to any of the music post Perry !!!! Journey is dead to me !! R.I.P Journey !!!
So?
Let’s hear it for Journey’s sake and how he’s changed his singing approach!
Haters, (or more like racists?) your idol (Steve Perry) has long been done. Gone. Move on.
How the hell is this racist? Stop being a Dumb A**?
They should have released an album a long time ago instead of sticking him with Perry music. He needs his own sound, his own music to make popular, not be forced to ride on Perry’s coattails. Neil Schon is the jerk here.
Chicago, VanHalen to name a few, changed to fit their lead singers. Journey needs to as well.
No…..He is not…That is not the issue … Arnel IS Arnel who has shown his admiration for Steve…..in person…. and does this job he was hired to do….. Does it with love and strives to do the the Very best that one can… remember that there was a long search for Steves position. Which has allowed Journey as a band to continue doing what they love to do…. Sharing their Music….. and Paying the bills, raising their families….. enjoying life, bringing happiness to thoses whom have llve for Journeysʻ Music……
Very well said!
To all you nay sayers with out Arnel the Journey would have come to an end as it did when they flew to the Philippines to get him. Deen is the only other person that can carry that band vocally. Steve is 74 if you still like the magic of the Journey experience Steve can not do what Arnel does every night!
we just need to broaden our mind.
Steve will also be criticized if he will sing for Journey now and not able to deliver fans expectation
What is the name of the new vocal coach? Would love to look him up on YouTube or somewhere on the Internet?
We already pass that level of Steve Perry thing.. that’s given no one like him.. at this stage of their career they don’t need him anymore.. and Perry’s ok with that! He’s just receiving all the royalty of his songs forever..
Arnel does his best to sing these songs and has 3 X the vocal ability that the modern day Steve Perry has. That being said 70’s 80’s Steve Perry is something nobody can sound like these days. Give Arnel a chance….After All These Years is one of my favorite Journey songs of all time…..
Arnel Pineda best ever
Arnel is a Filipino and its not his fault his talent was seen to replace the main vocalist who left. In fairness to Arnel he’s got what it takes otherwise this Journey group has long been disbanded
Dean the drummer should be out of the band!!!
If you are a fan of journey you dont have to spoil or critic anyone when one man out and another one comes in. You must be thankful that somebody like arnel pineda saves to continue the existence of the band journey. When you criticise this guy, who are you? And I challenge you to audition to fill-in the missing guy and replace Arnel Pineda. Can you?
I agree. Arnel Pineda is special. He’s voice is original.
Journey is dead or never exist, you’re old enough .. Arnel is very amazing voice & pilipino singer, without arnel journey band are never heard.
Racist go to hell. Nobody & nobody is perfect in this world. You must be thankful that Arnel Pineda a Filipino singer came to your band to continue your shows for your fans. His voice is fantastic like Steve Perry alive.
Move on people, just enjoy the music
You may crush Mr. Pineda, but you cannot break his spirit! Yes, he’s an outsider, and he doesn’t need to endure your tirades. Fire him! Let him go. Better yet.