Arnel Pineda: The Journey has just begun

Even if he has been touring with Journey as new vocalist and has just finished recording Revelation, his first album with the group, Arnel Pineda feels that his own “journey” to international stardom has just begun.

“I still have a long way to go with them,” said Arnel in a 15-minute interview by telephone last Saturday (Aug. 16) morning with Funfare while he was about to sleep at a hotel in Pennsylvania, looking forward to the Journey’s concert the next day. “I’m just starting with them,” he added, his voice sounded somewhat weak as if he was ready to slip into slumberland.

As everybody knows by now, Arnel, 40, was discovered last year through the YouTube as replacement for lead singer Steve Perry who quit the Journey in 1996 due to a hip injury. Since then, even if two other singers, Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto, tried to step into what Time magazine called “Steve’s big shoes,” the 33-year-old Journey has never been the same again — until Arnel came along.

Besides Arnel, Journey’s four other members are Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass) and Dean Castronovo (drums).

As recalled by Time, which describes Arnel’s “journey” into the group as a “Cinderella tale of the Internet era,” in the wake of Soto’s dismissal last June for unspecified reasons, Schon (who has been with Journey since it started in 1975) turned to the Web searching for a new vocalist. Voila, as he turned to YouTube, he saw clips of Arnel singing Journey songs with his former band, Zoo. Eureka, exclaimed Schon.

Since early this year, Arnel has been on a concert tour with Journey. And now, the album. Released by MCA Music, Revelation is available in all records stores nationwide.

Hello, Arnel. How have you been doing?

“Okay naman po.”

I understand that Journey is doing another concert tomorrow (the other day, Sunday, Aug. 17). Pang-ilang concert n’yo na ‘yan?

“Marami-rami na rin. I had my first concert with Journey early this year. Since then, we’ve been touring.”

But even if you were busy on the road, you were able to finish Revelation, your first album with Journey.

“We really found time for the album. It was Neal and Jonathan who wrote all the 11 new tracks on the album.”

In a magazine interview, Schon said that “we feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. The new stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”

“It’s nice to hear that. I’m glad that they are happy with my work, that I’m living up to their expectations. I did the vocals for the album.”

Cain was also quoted as saying, “Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey. His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.” Wow, talagang bilib na bilib sila sa’yo, ha!

“That’s why I really did my best. I didn’t want to let them down and the Journey fans who have been waiting for the album.”

How’s your bonding with the four other members so far?

“Okay naman po. No problem. They take good care of me and they really make me feel that I’m one of them. We are like a family.”

How is the reaction of the audience especially to you in the Journey concerts?

“As far as I can see, it’s okay. The audiences are very enthusiastic. I can see that they are happy to see a new member blending very well with the group.”

Some...but only very few, I hope...Journey fans expressed disapproval of your choice as the group’s new vocalist, especially so since you are an Asian.

“Wala ‘yon. I don’t think criticisms or reactions like that will ever go away, although I haven’t heard or seen anybody express that kind of reaction during our concerts. I understand where those critics are coming from. That’s what they think, that’s what they believe in, and I can’t really do anything about. I just focus on trying to please and entertain those who have faith in my talent. I just ignore those who say negative comments against me. Whether I’m doing right or wrong, they would still say the same things against me.”

Does it challenge you to maybe prove them wrong and eventually win their patronage?

“Not really to prove them wrong. That’s hard, because there are fans who insist on what they want you to do. What I consider a challenge is to prove that I am worthy as Journey’s new vocalist.”

Where are you based? Are you with your wife and children?

“I’m based in San Francisco, although I don’t usually stay long in one place because we are always moving, we are always on the road. So most of the time, we stay in hotels. No, my family is not with me yet. They are in the Philippines.”

Don’t you sleep in any of the Journey guys’ house?

“No, I don’t. Nakakahiya naman po. They have their own families.”

When is Journey coming to the Philippines to promote the album?

“Next year, hopefully. Kumusta na lang sa inyong lahat dyan.”

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