Contrary to what his growing multitude of euphoric fans would want to believe and proudly proclaim, there is nothing Filipino in former Olongapo-based band Zoo vocalist Arnel Pineda’s successful personal journey to, well, Journey. And if there ever is, it is only but the individual desire to make it big (the kind associated in capitalist entrepreneurship , that is, success equals money) common to most if not every Filipino.
Hiring a talented copycat to recreate an 80’s rock nostalgia does not promote Filipino music or cultural integrity, it only promotes commercial success – for there is nothing Filipino in Journey or any of its songs no matter how blindly we identify with them.
By stepping into the shoes of Steve Perry – faithfully sounding like him every note, every melody – Pineda’s singing evokes only feelings and memories of songs popularized by a missed idol, not the painful laments, heroic struggles or rich stories of his own people.
It is ridiculous how he could be called the fututre of Journey, as if Journey has not made its name or smelled success. Such extreme hype and premature credit by his fans only further enlarges the shoes he needs to fill and even more constricts the Perry straitjacket he is in. Why prefer the imitation salt when you can get the real thing?
Ahh, but he is rich and popular now, so the fans declare, wowing stunned crowds from Chile to Chicago. Perhaps. Or let us just assume — the stunning feat being arguable. But do his defensive fans eventually get to share his financial rewards or small fame, or whatever trickles down from it, if there is any?
Sad to say, whatever Filipino there is in Pineda’s journey (pun intended) and whatever talent Pineda has – and i am sure he does – they are overwhelmingly buried in the sights and sound of the overpowering rock and roll stage he chose to inhabit and his fans love with open arms.
8 April 2008 at 3:08 am |
“… there is nothing Filipino in former Olongapo-based band Zoo vocalist Arnel Pineda’s successful personal journey to, well, Journey. And if there ever is, it is only but the individual desire to make it big (the kind associated in capitalist enterpreneurship , that is, success equals money) common to the every Filipino man.”
There is NOTHING Filipino about Arnel Pineda? Tell me what is Filipino about you? “Individual desire to make it big”?? You could find a person like that in every country! Of course everyone wants to succeed.
If I’m not mistaken, you share the same thoughts of those hardcore fans of Journey w/ Steve Perry.
“Pineda’s siniging evokes only feelings and memories of songs popularized by a missed idol, not the painful laments, heroic struggles or rich stories of his own people”
How would you expect him to do this with a song already been popularized by someone? You’re talking about the heroic struggles and stories of Filipino? Why would that even be a part of him singing Journey’s catalog? I mean even most Filipino singers doesn’t evoke “the painful laments, heroic struggles……..” Besides, AP’s story already embodies that category.
“It is ridiculous how he could be called the fututre of Journey, as if Journey has not made its name or smelled success.”
It is ridiculous that you wrote this, OF COURSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THEY’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. They’re talking about the “future” since Steve Perry, and don’t tell me you don’t know that. Steve left the band, and Journey hasn’t been that active and wasn’t really revived, and now they are expressing that he is the “future” only means that he’s the one since Steve who might just revitalize this band.
” Why prefer the imitation salt when you can get the real thing?”
Why? can you ask Steve Perry to come back? Would he want to? If you don’t like listening to AP then you can always pop in those old Journey records.
“Ahh, but he is rich and popular now…..”
And by you even writing that part only shows jealousy. Arnel doesn’t sound like Steve (at least to me) if you are a fan of SP you can distinguish the difference.
I read this post several times, and I’ve read a lot of people call him an “imitation” and “impersonator” and I respect their opinions as I give them my own thoughts. But with this entry, it’s just a bunch of jealousy, “crab mentality,” and it’s just plain hatred. You said you’re trying to be a writer, if this is the way you want to get attention, then you could expect others to be sour about this. This was written in very bad taste, and the fact that you just generalize Filipinos as if they’re the only ones to possess that trait if unfair.
And…. you probably have heard their new songs? Did you ever think of this when Steve Augeri was on board w/ Journey? I have always thought that if there is a Steve Perry imitation, it’s SA.
It’s one thing to be critical and but to just write this whole thing about your countryman, and him being rich and popular….. well that’s not an issue about him, it’s about you.
10 April 2008 at 12:14 am |
I agree with Hazel. Your entire discourse went in “FULL CIRCLES” and the bottomline is: your message conveyed jealousy. Let me return your question to you, “What’s Filipino about you?” For me, you are still a Filipino no matter what you do; and being a Filipino, you just have reflected a negative reputation for trying to bring down your fellow countryman (crab mentality), while Arnel Pineda receives praises and admiration for his talent that reflects back a positive reputation to the entire Filipino community as a whole, including you. It’s embarrassing that someone like you could appreciate NOTHING good about what is going on about Arnel Pineda. Like you said, you will indeed keep “searching but not finding, living but not loving” and I pity you. You have eyes but you couldn’t see, ears but your couldn’t hear, and I pity you. I pray that may God touch you.
11 April 2008 at 2:30 pm |
I agree to Hazel and Lou. AP represent bro. You make as proud.
14 April 2008 at 3:20 am |
What is wrong with you, man?
14 April 2008 at 8:18 pm |
diego rojo banaag, if you don’t have nothing good to say , then don’t say anything at all. kaput.
15 April 2008 at 7:17 pm |
Why prefer the imitation salt when you can get the real thing?
Because the salt is out of commission, that’s why.
15 April 2008 at 9:40 pm |
Wow. Diego Rojo Banaag. But I agree with all the responses here. What a pretender and what a shame you naughty boy. I know you want to be famous, so here it is again.. tada… DIEGO ROJO BANAAG !!!!!!! again please .. DIEGO ROJO BANAAG ???
mmm… Diego who?
23 April 2008 at 10:47 am |
Isa kang hangal….DIEGO…
20 May 2008 at 8:56 pm |
You just don’t get it do you? Plain and simple, ignorance, jealousy,curiosity, crab mentality! What else can be the motivation for anyone to write such a ridiculous article, and for what? All I can say is, get a life!! You don’t know a damn thing about Journey or Arnel Pineda obviously….Look who’s calling the kettle black?? Shame on you! Comments like that give Pinoys a bad image if not worse already !!
4 June 2008 at 12:11 am |
Diego.
I read and re-read your post. sorry man, but i don’t find anything sensible with what you’re saying. I’m tempted to point out your flaws point by point but it occurred to me: with the level of intelligence you showed with your post, you may not understand what i might say.
It is obvious that you have a good command of words. But well-crafted phrases do not make a well-written post. Question is: do you have a fair grasp of ideas?
It’s not enough that you’re a wordsmith–you must have something to say. It’s not enough to have anything to say—you must make sense.
You just wasted 3 minutes of my life, so i’m giving you my ten cents’ worth.
Let’s not be racial about this. FORGOT ABOUT MUSIC BEING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE? Love is the key, man. Not hate.
Peace.
5 June 2008 at 6:37 pm |
Your A Douche!
19 December 2009 at 4:30 pm |
Come on people. Where is the creativity and artistic expression in being a mimic/ cover singe/aping? Arnel Pineda wouldn’t have been hired if he isn’t a good cover singer? Face it, Arnel didn’t get famous through his own original work. He only got acclaim when he started to mimic Steve Perry.
Would the “new” Journey fans who happen to be Filipinos be fans at all if Arnel Pineda wasn’t a Filipino?
Kulang lang ba kayo sa pansin ng mga banyaga? Payag na kahit mangagaya?