Is Journey's new singer tiring of the job?

Is Arnel Pineda homesick or not? A few days after Rolling Stone magazine quoted Journey's new lead singer admitting he was homesick and tired of the grueling tour schedule, another band member argues that he was misquoted.

"I am quite comfortable with the stage now, but, for me, it's still a very grueling tour. I haven't done this before," Pineda said in a Rolling Stone interview. "It's very stressful. It's a very, very challenging job. It's a fantastic job, but at the same time it's a curse. Trying to fill up very, very big shoes."

Pineda goes on to admit he's lonelier than he had imagined he'd be when he took the job offer.

"It is very, very sad. There are days I would break down and cry," he says. "But, you know. I just have to be man enough to face that this is a job I'm doing for my family. That's all the consolation that I'm getting. That's the only thought."

However, Neal Schon, founding member and guitarist for Journey, disputes the article. "They took a segment of what he said in the interview and erased all the good stuff he said in between. It has happened to me a million times in my career," Schon told Asian Journal Online. "It's his first tour. None of us knew what it would be like. We didn't know what kind of strength he had in a long duration like he's been. We've been out here for a solid four months with no breaks in between."

[AP photo]

Comments

[billyshakes]

I'm amazed at the sound of Arnel Pineda and from the clips I've seen, he has a good stage presence. I hope he hangs in there...I for one am happy to hear Journey making great music again. It is too bad they can't catch a break in this new Payola system because I think "Never Walk Away" stands up fairly with many classic Journey tunes. Too bad it'll never get played.

[Jeff in Cuba]

I'll cut Arnel a good deal of slack on this one. Besides, I don't think his comments are too revealing. What exactly was he supposed to say? That working an international tour with Journey wasn't that much different than playing Manila club dates with his cover band? That would make him some sort of self-absorbed, pompous jerk.

Hmmm, "self-absorbed, pompous jerk"; "Journey lead singer"

Why does that sound so familiar?

[Rick]

Complete non sequitur, but thanks to Steve sharing the secret past of Ricky Gervais, I have had an earworm ever since: Seona Dancing's "More to Lose."

I just can't shake it, though it is pleasant enough.

Thanks, buddy.

[steve p]

arnel,dont stop beliving

[Bassnote]

Having seen Journey with Arnel (although I missed the last third of their set), he is fantastic. His voice is amazing, and he gives the old material new life. I was particularly blown away by "Ask the Lonely" and "Stone In Love". I hope he sticks with the band because they have a great future together.

[Mathel]

Arnel Pineda is just being true to himself and honest. And this should not be interpreted as being ungrateful and weak. This man always had expressed his deepest gratitude to all his fellow band members who took him under their wings and took good care of him. Let us face it,coming from so far away and waking up in different cities almost everyday can be so grueling and very lonely. And although he is such a good singer with such wonderful voice and personality, there are still a lot of people who ridiculed him because of being different. But he took all of these in stride and still with a big smile in his face. More power to you, can't wait to watch you again. You have inspired a lot people with your life story and struggles. Just always remember there are millions of people who love you. You are far more a man than whoever told those lies about you. Stand tall and be proud of who you are.

[tina nicor]

He's been doing a great job, and I give him all the credits for his hard work, and I fully understand him if he missed his filly awfully as most filipinos will given the same situation. I just hope he stays as long as journey is alive. "God Bless Arnel" I will pray that he will be bless with more strenght and endurance. "GO ARNEL SOAR HIGH!!!!" LOVE YOU!!!

[Iyot PekPek]

journey's music helped me spread some legs back in the day

[Bubba]

He needs to hang in there, when the tour is over he'll have plenty of cash and notoriety... anxious to hit the road again.

[Semaj]

Take anyone who is not used to always being near home and see what happens. I used to travel for work and the road is a lonely place. He is learning the ropes of the road and taking care of his family while paying a personal price. This is what a parent does for their family. Nothing wrong with what he said even if taken out of context.

[don in tulsa]

arnel has also come out and said that his quotes were taken out of context. he was describing some of his feelings of being away from family and not seeing the cities where they were playing. he also spoke about all of the positive things but how interesting that they were left out. seriously, rolling stone magazine sucks and like any bigtime magazine nowadays they just want something to sell copies whether it's true or not.

[Anthony K]

I've yet to hear Pineda with Journey except for on YouTube. I don't really think his comments were revealing. Being on the road isn't easy to begin with, and that's when you're just playing a single region. An big internationally touring band is definitely stressful. It does take a toll on the body and the mind.

i dont understand why rolling stone is putting down arnel pineda? come on it's normal to miss your family when your away for a couple of months. everything is new to arnel. he dont know the lifesyle here. he's being careful for what he's saying for sure coz he knows they gonna use that againts him. but i dont believe he will say something bad to journey. he really love his bandmates and very proud that he's the journey lead singer. so i hope rolling stones can give him a chance. he deserve it i hope someday you write something nice to arnel pineda. not all bad publicities. he's doing a great job for bringing journey's back .so please give him a chance

[diana]

I feel sorry for mr pineda,because of the grueling hard work he endures,but no one said it was going to be easy,trying to fill steve perrys shoes is hard enough,then touring constantly on top of that Neal should have known better than to hire an amature to do the work of a proffesional so fast,good luck Arnel