New Journey BIO (Official)

[jrnyman28]

REVELATION should bookmark one of the most challenging chapters of Journey’s legendary career. Instead, the new album offers a lasting testament to Journey’s legacy, and a striking glimpse of their brilliant future.

The first album with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, REVELATION is Journey running on no less than twelve cylinders, a fine-tuned offering that sounds every bit like a band hitting their stride. Yet Pineda hadn’t even joined the band when the album’s first songs were written in mid-2007, and founding guitarist Neal Schon is quick to admit, it wasn’t always easy to stay optimistic when the band wasn’t sure what the future held.

“I was getting frustrated with not having a singer, but still wanted to move forward and knew that we had a big year in front of us. There were times I got frustrated, but I never lost hope,” recalls Schon. “I wanted a guy that could convey the classic songs with a similar texture to his voice, and a tenor voice, but someone who puts his own spin on it. Which is exactly what Arnel does.”

Pineda’s discovery is already etched into Journey’s lifelong musical history, as Schon scouted literally hundreds of singers via online video website YouTube before finding the band’s new frontman. “When I heard Arnel, I knew I had found our singer and immediately called management,” says Schon. “Next, I call Cain. And before we knew it, Arnel was on his way to the U.S. to audition. By the third day of full rehearsals with the band, it was a slam-dunk. Then, we proceeded into the studio where Arnel sang six Journey songs in one day. He sounded simply amazing. I looked at Cain and said, ‘there he is. This is our guy.’" Cain agreed.

Between the two of them, Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on REVELATION. There is no lack of chemistry in Journey, beginning with the songwriting core of Schon and Cain. “I felt strongly about moving forward and writing new material. It was time,” Schon states. Schon then put the call into Cain and started the song writing process which has now become the album, REVELATION. “There’s an innate trust and respect for what we each do as we weave our way through this music,” says Cain. Schon adds, “In the alphabet, I might be a Z and Jonathan the A, that’s just how opposite we are musically sometimes. I write mostly rock and Jonathan writes most of the ballads, but when you combine the chemistry of us together, you’ll find that it is the nucleus and sound of what is and has been Journey. And now, with the right voice in place, we have all the right ingredients.” Cain adds, “We’ve been doing this for so long together, we both know what we want to hear, and we both know what works for the band.” Neal agrees. “By now I think we should be able to do it in our sleep.”




“Never Walk Away” kicks REVELATION off with the resilient air and upbeat optimism fans have come to expect from Journey, a melody-soaked and guitar-driven anthem sure to ignite the live circuit just as it lights up the new release. The heartwarming sentiment offered by “Like a Sunshower” gives a more poetic and reflective look at relationships. It’s an uncharacteristic ballad from the more hard rock-inclined Schon. There’s even an instrumental, “The Journey Revelation),” at the request of Producer Kevin Shirley, who returns to the fold after working with the band on TRIAL BY FIRE (1996) and ARRIVAL (2000), the band’s first instrumental since DEPARTURE (1980) and EVOLUTION (1979). “This is a special song for me,” Schon says of the sprawling track, “it was extremely gratifying to express myself on my instrument in this way.” This is a great performance from everyone in the band and truly a majestic track.

Lead singer Pineda still does plenty of head turning of his own throughout the new recordings, as well as the 11 classic hits that the band re-recorded as the second disc of the three-disc set. The third disc is a live concert DVD, Pineda’s fourth show with Journey, recorded in Las Vegas in March 2008.

“It’s so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world,” says Pineda. “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,’ but that will never happen. I know there’s only one Steve Perry in this world.” While that may be the case, Pineda breathes new life into the band’s heralded catalog, from the soaring stretches of “Only The Young” and the full vibrato that introduces the small town girl and city boy from South Detroit in “Don’t Stop Believin’,” to the pristine tones of “Open Arms” and “Faithfully” and the driving rhythm of “Separate Ways.”

“Not only can he cover our old material, but he’s such a diversified performer that it leaves everything wide open to where we can go,” marveled Schon of his new singer. “He’s got tremendous abilities and he’s an outstanding performer, which people will soon find out.”

Not to be outdone, every member of Journey shines on REVELATION. Cain’s keyboards elevate “After All These Years” to new emotional heights. “What I Needed” is a power ballad, driven by heavy guitars, reminiscent of the early Journey that so many bands have modeled themselves after. Deen Castronovo drums up a frenzy during the hard-driving rock song, “Wildest Dream.” The talented Castronovo also sings most of the high harmonies heard throughout the album, proving that not only is he an amazing drummer, but he’s a dynamic vocalist as well. Schon’s smoking guitars rip through this track with a cool, eastern flavor. Bassist Ross Valory is steady throughout, a stabilizing force through the albums more driven highs and heartfelt lows.

REVELATION: The album to look for. The future looks bright once again.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Pretty good bio. I liked the opening of "REVELATION should bookmark one of the most challenging chapters of Journey’s legendary career. Instead, the new album offers a lasting testament to Journey’s legacy, and a striking glimpse of their brilliant future." Where is this posted?

But one of the songs is called "Like A Sunshower"? I would guess this is a Cain-penned track?

[E5C4P3 4 U]

Wow great read, where did you find this? Love the info on the new tracks Like a Sunshower, What I Needed, and The Journey Revelation. Although I think just Revelation would've been a sufficient title for that track

[E5C4P3 4 U]

So here is an updated album summary given all the info we've recieved in the past month:

1. Never Walk Away- Guitar-Driven Rock Anthem
2. Like A Sunshower- An uncharacteristic Schon ballad, but Arnel's vocals should Soar.
3. After All These Years- The next When You Love A Woman/ Faithfully
4. What I Needed- Power ballad driven by Heavy Guitars.
5. Wildest Dream- Rock song driven by Dean Castronovo's furious drumming and Neal's Guitar.
6. What It Takes To Win- Revealed by Cain to be a Sports anthem of some sort (Barely Made The Album)
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. The Journey Revelation- First instrumental on a studio album since Departure.

Tracklisting may not be accurate, but this is just a list combining all of the information I've gathered recently.

[Jeremey]

But one of the songs is called "Like A Sunshower"? I would guess this is a Cain-penned track?

The heartwarming sentiment offered by “Like a Sunshower” gives a more poetic and reflective look at relationships. It’s an uncharacteristic ballad from the more hard rock-inclined Schon.

[E5C4P3 4 U]

I hope, since Schon wrote Like a Sunshower, that its nothing like Pride of The Family. I personally did't like that track at all.

[ProgRocker53]

I think "The Journey Revelation" should be shortened to just "Revelation."

It was mentioned as being "sprawling" and Neal loves it... this must be the "prog" track!

[kgdjpubs]

as well as the 11 classic hits that the band re-recorded as the second disc of the three-disc set.

Anyone else pick this one up? Sounds MUCH better to have the new material be the lead-off disc in the package...

[ProgRocker53]

Also... hundreds of singers? How much do you all want to bet that Phen was in Schon's top five choices at one point, if not the whole time?

[jrnyman28]

The bio is courtesy of the Generations Forum...it is a preview of what will be posted on the Journey website. I imagine it will also accompany the sampler when it goes to press.

[jrnyman28]

I am waiting for Strangegrey to see the "eastern flavor" comment. I know how much he loves TBF for that!! (If I am mistaking the person, my apologies!)

[Pelata]

Not to be a buzzkill, but this record is gonna tank...

[jrnyman28]

Also... hundreds of singers? How much do you all want to bet that Phen was in Schon's top five choices at one point, if not the whole time?

Personally I think Arnel was the first, and likely only, singer he checked out. After all, Arnel had been talked up for months here. Why would Neal start elsewhere and then end with Arnel after hundreds of singers? He had all the links he needed right here!

[jrnyman28]

Not to be a buzzkill, but this record is gonna tank...

Buzzkill!

In all seriousness, what would you consider a success for this CD? How many do they have to sell for you to consider it 'not tanking'?

[Pelata]

I think a lot of people are thinking that the Wal-Mart deal makes them a shoe-in for triple platinum or something (of course, being a 3 disc set, they only have to sell 1 million to get triple platinum)...I think it'll do OK because of the Wal-Mart deal alone, and I'm sure it'll do better than 'Generations' in terms of units, but the double-digit millions The Eales & Garth Brooks have enjoyed via Wal-Mart ain't happening for Journey...I could always be wrong, of course.

The Eagles & Garth both have 2 releases in the Top 25 Best Selling Albums Of All Time...that type of "household name" status alone woud spur multi-platinum sales (especially selling mult-disc sets @ $12)...PLUS, and this is my own viewpoint, The Eagles & Garth Brooks are both heavily entrenched in the Country Music market (Wal-Mart's "target audience", so to speak) & Country fans are ridiculously loyal...that loyalty has allowed Kenny Chesney to release the same album 4 times & go multi-platinum each time.

Again, I could very well be wrong, but I see Journey going platinum (around 333,000 3-disc sets sold), which would be the bands biggest payoff since 'TBF', but they're not hitting Garth or Eagles numbers...not even close.

[Pelata]

I also want to add that, if it were not for the newly recorded Greatest Hits & the live DVD coming with it, they'd be lucky to 100,000 copies even with Wal-Mart pushing it...and I would bet money that a LARGE chunk of the people who buy it will completely ignore whatever sticker is on the shrinkwrap with Arnel's name on it and think Steve Perry is still in the band...

[jrnyman28]

That's fair Shawn, I think along the lines of 300-500,000 as well. I forgot that it would mean Platinum if it is 333,000. (Although DVD's have different rules than Audio so I am not sure how that works!) But nowadays, a platinum CD would be considered a success.

[jrnyman28]

I also want to add that, if it were not for the newly recorded Greatest Hits & the live DVD coming with it, they'd be lucky to 100,000 copies even with Wal-Mart pushing it...and I would bet money that a LARGE chunk of the people who buy it will completely ignore whatever sticker is on the shrinkwrap with Arnel's name on it and think Steve Perry is still in the band...

Here we disagree. WalMart will Point-Of-Purchase sell this disc. It is about impulse buys. The price point makes it even more attractive. If it were not a 3 disc package it would likelye sell for $8.88 or so. Still an attractive price for a new Journey CD. Still attractive enough for that impulse. Arrival sold 250-300,000 with some buzz. But I think there is more buzz this time around...and less backlash since Perry is so much further removed.

[Pelata]

Oh, just having the word "Platinum" next to a Classic Rock bands name in 2008 is a huge success...I was meaning "tank" more in the sense of in comparison to Eagels/Garth numbers.

And, I think even though the 3rd disc is a DVD it still counts as a disc...I *think* the same numbers apply to DVD's (500,000 = Gold, 1,000,000 = Platinum)...

[jrnyman28]

Oh, just having the word "Platinum" next to a Classic Rock bands name in 2008 is a huge success...I was meaning "tank" more in the sense of in comparison to Eagels/Garth numbers.

And, I think even though the 3rd disc is a DVD it still counts as a disc...I *think* the same numbers apply to DVD's (500,000 = Gold, 1,000,000 = Platinum)...

No, DVD's only have to sell half the numbers for the same "status": 250,000 for gold, 500,000 for platinum.

I agree that when you compare Journey to Eagles or Garth it is unfair. But I do not see this release "tanking". Still, I doubt we will ever get solid sales numbers either. We still don't have a "real" number on Arrival!

[Pelata]

Arrival sold 250-300,000 with some buzz.

On Sony/BMG putting it in every store in the country INCLUDING Wal-Mart.

Also, and this has been discussed before around here, MOST people (not the MR.com crowd, not the ones who've seen Journey live in the last 10 years, but everyone else) think Journey fell off the face of the earth in the 80s. I know people who are "Journey fans" that had no idea 'TBF' existed, let alone anything else. Because of their age/responsibility level/etc, they stopped paying attention to music years ago. They'll stroll into Wal-Mart and think "Journey??!? I remember them!!" and, as you said, "impulse buy" the set having no idea who's even in the band...

[Pelata]

No, DVD's only have to sell half the numbers for the same "status": 250,000 for gold, 500,000 for platinum.

I stand corrected. Don't know how that'll play into the sales numbers. If they count differently, Journey will have to move 500,000 units to get a true "Platinum Album"...which, again, would be awesome for them.

[jrnyman28]

Because of their age/responsibility level/etc, they stopped paying attention to music years ago. They'll stroll into Wal-Mart and think "Journey??!? I remember them!!" and, as you said, "impulse buy" the set having no idea who's even in the band...

Journey will have to move 500,000 units to get a true "Platinum Album"...which, again, would be awesome for them.

I think it is doable. And for Journey that would be a huge success.

[Pelata]

Because of their age/responsibility level/etc, they stopped paying attention to music years ago. They'll stroll into Wal-Mart and think "Journey??!? I remember them!!" and, as you said, "impulse buy" the set having no idea who's even in the band...

Journey will have to move 500,000 units to get a true "Platinum Album"...which, again, would be awesome for them.

I think it is doable. And for Journey that would be a huge success.

It would indeed. I wonder how much more logevity a 500,000 seller would give them with the general public (not the MR.com fans)...

[Marzdog]

You can bet that the minimum number of pieces needed to buy was set by Journey/Azoff in order to do the exclusive deal. There are 4,400 Wal-mart and Sam's Club's combined in the US. Going with the 500,000 pieces to be platinum, 114 "pieces" per store fulfills that number.

I don't believe that Journey/Azoff would do an exclusive for 500k pieces, but, who knows; they've done dumber things, right?. When you have an exclusive, there is give and take on both sides, creating risk for both. Journey has risk by having only one retailer sell their goods, while Wal-Mart has risk of taking on 1 million pieces/3-packs.

Another part of the equation is how much advertising does Wal-Mart get from Journey while the band is on tour this summer? Does this mean that the new package doesn't get sold at the concerts this summer?

[slucero]

I think the band is more think about "net profits" than total unit sales... which is the rule nowadays that the labels are dino-ing themselves....

a 60% net on 500,000 @ $20 is a nothing to sneeze at... plus the additional evergreen sales it will generate.

[Saint John]

I love the paradigm shift here. The package will be pushed hard because Journey has been pre-paid a set amount and every sale after the "break even" point is money in Wal Mart's pocket. That reason alone, coupled with how cheap it is to advertise in your own store, should see this album sell fairly well. I'm curious as to what the sales numbers will be like. Overseas, specifically in the Asian countries, I see this package selling extremely well. I suspect the Euros will buy a fair amount also.

[Deb]

Between the two of them, Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on REVELATION.

I don't know why, but this just screams extreme ego to me. No colaborating with the lead singer (who is the one who's going to sing the songs)? I think I understand a little better.................because I just can't see them handing the 11 over to JSS.........here, do what you're told, sing these. God bless him, I sure hope Arnel's got somebody looking out for his interests.

[Saint John]

Between the two of them, Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on REVELATION.

I don't know why, but this just screams extreme ego to me. No colaborating with the lead singer (who is the one who's going to sing the songs)? I think I understand a little better.................because I just can't see them handing the 11 over to JSS.........here, do what you're told, sing these. God bless him, I sure hope Arnel's got somebody looking out for his interests.

I don't think Jeff would have said a fucking thing. It would be just plain dumb to do so. These are senior members of a megaband. Jeff and/or Arnel don't have any sort of background to warrant altering the creative lyrical input. Perry? Absolutely.

[Loneman1]

I'm really hoping this won't turn into a shitstorm by saying this, but didn't Jeremey say he came up with the whole "Never Walk Away" premise in a some thread shortly after the Vegas clips? I think he said that Cain was struck by that phrase he came up with if I'm remembering right. If thats the case, he better get some sort of writing credit for that, and whatever else he contributed to the song's beginning.