Don't stop believing in Journey; the new lead singer fits right in
In addition to his band Journey just finding a new lead singer, Castronovo is doing an interview while driving the streets of San Francisco in his new car.
"It's a beautiful day," Castronovo says while at a stoplight in his BMW M6. "And I'm talking to you. I usually don't get to do interviews, because the others want to do them. But I got this one. And I'm not letting it go."
The good vibes continue as he talks about Journey's new front man, Arnel Pineda.
"I remember when we were looking for a replacement for Steve Augeri," says Castronovo. "(Guitarist) Neal (Schon) didn't know where to start. We all wondered if we should tap into the Internet and find Journey tribute bands. It was crazy. But we found the guy."
The band found Pineda, a native of Manila, Philippines, through YouTube, Castronovo said. Schon had seen videos of Pineda covering Journey tunes and contacted the person who posted the videos.
"It was crazy," Castronovo said. "When he finally realized that we wanted him to audition and that it wasn't a joke, he did. And he blew us away."
The band members were worried about Pineda's personality.
Luckily, Pineda was exactly what the band needed.
"He is the most humble and nice person I have ever met," Castronovo said. "And sure, he can sing the old, staple Journey songs, but on the new songs, he rips!"
Castronovo said finding Pineda is the end of the lead-singer search for Journey, which hit the big time with lead singer Steve Perry in the late '70s through the '80s. In the '90s, Perry rejoined for a reunion album, but then he left again. In 1998, Steve Augeri, singer for a band called Tall Stories, took the Journey gig, only to be let go nearly 10 years later. For a short time, Jeff Scott Soto sang leads, as did, by the way, Castronovo.
"I did some of the songs that needed to be done," said Castronovo, who sang while playing drums. "But now, I don't think they need my voice. Arnel can sing it all. It would be like having me play the drums if Steve Smith was still in the band." Speaking of Journey's former drummer Smith, Castronovo said the band's former drummer is one of his best friends.
"I always tell him that I rip him off every night," Castronovo said with a laugh. "Every stinking rhythm he's played in Journey I have copied."
In addition to a new singer, the band — Castronovo, Schon, Pineda, bassist Ross Valory and keyboardist Jonathan Cain — has released a two-CD, one-DVD collection called "Revelation," which is exclusively available at Wal-Mart. The first CD features 11 rerecorded Journey classics; the second CD is 11 new songs, and the third is a live DVD. It was released last month. The collection is produced by Kevin Shirley, who produced the reunion CD, "Trial by Fire."
Recent comments
I also said all that to say this even thow that was so long ago and...
Veronica | Sept. 19, 2008 at 3:25 p.m.
did anybody forget that journey had number 1 album of the year back...
Anonymous | Sept. 19, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.
The comment that "Steve Perry still is the greatest voice in...
Khan Tot | July 30, 2008 at 11:01 a.m.
