Movie Review: Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey

How Journey found their new lead singer, Filipino Arnel Pineda. Journey needed a new singer as they were headed back to the studio which would lead to a new tour and the fans wouldn't allow a poor imitation of the amazing, legendary Steve Perry so the “journey” to find their next lead singer began.

 

Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey is a documentary about the '80s rock band and their pursuit to find a replacement singer to keep the band intact. I shows us the process that Lead Guitarist Neal Schon, Keyboardist Jonathan Cain, Bassist Ross Valory, and Drummer Deen Castronova that lead to the hiring of Filipino Arnel Pineda to replace legendary singer Steve Perry and try to mimic that amazing tenor sound that few can imitate. Journey formed in 1973 and Arnel Pineda would be it's 4^th lead vocalist.

YouTube makes the world a small place

Neal Schon was the reason that Journey found a “cover” band singer half way around the world. Neal spent hundreds of hours and pretty much exhausted every avenue and overturned every rock finding Arnel Pineda. Neal was at the point of giving up and so was the band and it wouldn't be hard to blame them as they were on the impossible mission, trying to replace legend vocalist Steve Perry. Neal one night was on the internet and stumbled upon a Journey tribute band in the Philippines called “The Zoo.” Neal listened and immediately knew he found the “next Steve Perry.” Flying to the other of the world to a third world country was a leap of faith and so many things could go wrong but Journey took that journey.

Coming to America

In 2007, Arnel comes to San Francisco to try out with Journey. Knowing little English and having one week to impress the band that he has the voice and the showmanship to lead one of the most popular bands is about the worst bet any gambler would make. The tryout doesn't start out with much hope as Arnel's voice is flat probably due to a combination of nerves, the travel and anticipation. By the end of the week's tryouts, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain know they found their next lead singer after Arnel duplicates what Neal saw that night on the YouTube videos.

Chile, S.A. is his opening night

Performing in front of a small audience in the Philippines, hitting the right notes in a controlled environment like a studio is a lot different than playing in front of 20,000 people. People who know the band's music by heart and can detect the slightest change in pitch or tone. The smartest move Journey made was introducing Arnel Pineda to his new fans in Chile, South America. At least Journey would have some time to quell the naysayers and give Arnel a decent chance at succeeding when they play before a loyal, devoted base of Steve Perry fans. Arnel “kills it” in Chile and brings an energy to an otherwise aged band as the members of the band sigh in relief.

We Follow

We are allowed to now follow the evolution of Journey and watch the fans come to accept Arnel and seem to forget that Steve Perry was ever a part of the band. Arnel brings energy with his running around the stage and seems to make the old rockers on the stage look younger. It's easy through this dynamic to see that each member has their own strength they bring to the band and Arnel's is vigor and youth. Jonathan Cain watches the physical well being of the members. Nealis the creative mind. Ross Valory brings the soul and drummer Deen Castronova brings direction. Arnel is the symbolic “son” of each guy on stage and they are the surrogate father's with Arnel being born from a part of each of them.

Transformation

Not only does the band transform and re-invent itself again. Arnel is saved from the ghetto of the Philippines and is rescued from a life full of sadness and disappointment. Fast-forward 7 years and today, we meet Arnel and his lovely wife and family. They bought a home in the Philippines and there has been talk of Steve Perry rejoining Journey. Arnel seems okay with steeping aside as he has achieved his Cinderella story and nobody ever stopped Believing. Seems the journey isn't over for Journey, only beginning again.

Review: Rick Springfield Concert at the Mac Center June 6 2014

Rick Springfield concert with Eddie Money and The Little River Band.  My First Rick Springfield Concert opening by Eddie Money and the Little River Band at he Mac Center on June 6, 2014 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. I became interested in Rick Springfield because of his fan subculture and had to see it for myself.

 

Two Australian rock bands meet a New York City rocker. Rick Springfield and The Little River Band are the bands from Oceania accompanied by Eddie Money, former NYPD Brooklyn Police Officer turned rocker. These acts are playing at The Mac Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 6 2014. All of these entertainers are in their mid-60's and living on a dedicated fan base that knows every word to every song. I am intimately familiar with Eddie Money and Rick Springfield, not so much with The Little River Band.

Felt like I needed a Flux Capacitor and Michael J. Fox as a wing-man

Back in the '80s, I was a young gun into the NYC party scene like The Palladium, The Roxy, The Limelight and of course Studio 54 in Manhattan. I worked at Escapes which was one of those all-male revues like Chippendale’s, that was for women celebrating bachelorette parties, but less theatrical and famous. So to say this was my first concert of an '80s band would be slightly inaccurate but if you said that it was the first time I saw a bunch of 60 year olds playing 30+ year old songs, that would be extremely accurate. I, now, live in Las Vegas so if I do catch a show, it is probably more mainstream like Rod Stewart, Elton John, U2, Celine Dion or even Brittany Spears. Maybe I am a bit jaundiced when it comes to celebrities because to run into a few celebs a few times a week is par for the course living here especially since I cover most of the concerts and shows for review. Which brings me to my problem writing this. I really didn't like the show. And that makes me sad.

My disappointment

Ok, so I didn't like the show. And for that I apologize. I am not sure when certain rockers need to be mandatory retired but in the case of Eddie Money and The Little River Band, if you check on their mics, I am sure you can see the faint expiration date and if you squint you will see their days of being fresh, relevant or even a semi-draw are at best in their distant past. They all did their hit songs and Eddie Money was definitely trying but, the vocals aren't there anymore and to watch a 65 year old try that hard was heartbreaking. Would have been better off just lip synching to his 8-tracks. The Little River Band was greeted by, “I forgot they did that song.” The was almost the same thing said by everyone between songs and these were “music people.”.

How I came to be at The Mac Center in Iowa

Recently rediscovering Rick Springfield and writing two article about him for Yahoo! Music and Yahoo! Movies, I was really up here in the middle of nowhere in Council Bluffs, Iowa to see Rick Springfield. It's my first Rick Springfield concert that was born from a movie I saw on Netflix. Read about that movie in my Yahoo! Movie article, Movie Review: Rick Springfield: “An Affair of the Heart”. I kinda wrote these articles on Rick Springfield in reverse order after experiencing the fan sub-culture first hand after the first article was published. Read the first article I wrote on Yahoo! Music, Rick Springfield..'80s Rocker to Spiritual Leader of Rock and Roll and see my epiphany first hand.

Highlight of the night but still was a bit disappointing

I came here for two reasons. First to experience Rick Springfield and get a further understanding of what fuels a subculture as loyal as the Rick Springfield fan base. The second was to watch the fans. For me, these fans are a bigger story than the artist. I wanted to see them sing along, cry when he jumped on the stage and throw him the bouquets of flowers that he uses to mimic Pete Townsend's “windmill move” and decapitate the flower heads from the stems on he guitar strings. I wasn't disappointed with the fans. They brought an energy and they knew Rick. You could tell the same audience would have been there even if Eddie Money and Little River Band weren't. Rick was the attraction and I get why. He plays to his fans and he does that in respite of his own performance. Many songs with choruses that were solely sung by his fans. An extended version of "Don't Talk to Strangers," was good and resulted in the “death” of many flowers but it seemed too rehearsed. It was my first show, but I had that deja-vu experience that I saw this before. Maybe it was my vantage point seeing the show from backstage. I will see if that changes next weekend when I attend the concert in Primm, Nevada and it is just Rick and I am in the audience like the rest of his fans.

Highlight of the night but still was a bit disappointing

Rick was the definite draw for me and his 75 minute show was good but I was a bit disappointed. I am positive I wasn't alone because I saw it as I decided to take a walk thru the first and second mezzanines and the further I got from the stage the more disconnected the fans were. As I walked back towards the backstage area, I realized why. Rick was playing to only a small part of the audience. He was concentrating so hard on the VIP fans in the front row areas that he neglected the rest of the Arena. I can see why he does this because the high paying fans that pay for the additional, “Meet and Greet” and the “Sound Check” VIP packages are the devout and they are the ones that Rick uses to insulate himself. His sound on the stage is ok. But like I said, it is filled with too much audience singing sessions and fits of laughter from him, which was weird. I felt like I was a a Jimmy Buffet show where the crowd ran the place.

Before you get upset at this review

This isn't a review, but more of a report. I am not being critical of Rick, Eddie or the River Little band. I can't do what they do and therefore reserve judgment on grading their talent. I am just telling you what my first experience was with Rick Springfield and one of his concerts. I am in a vacuum with this report. I have no benchmark for comparison and need more experiences to see if the show is different depending on he venue and the size of the arena. It's impossible to say that these factors wouldn't factor in. It's like trying to compare a minor league baseball game to one at Yankee Stadium. So now I have some explaining to do to some “Rick Chicks.” I am sure 107.7 MIXX Radio Personality Doreen Harkema will be disappointed that I was not thrilled. Maybe because I am a guy and don't droll over his looks like some fans do. Maybe because I tuned in so late to Rick's talent. I appreciated the show. Was it the best I have ever seen, probably not. I would say a few nights at Madison Square Garden, like a recent U2 show and the 25th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert were amazing shows and this one was okay.

Bear with me

Might take me sometime to get to the next level. I am no giving up yet and plan on continuing trying o figure out this whole Rick Springfield “thing.” You all have a huge head-start on me and need o cut me some slack and wait till I get some concrete experience. I am looking forward to the next show on June 14^th and hoping that this performance without other entertainers brings out he real Rick Springfield. Let me figure this out and please reverse judgment on my report and allow us to agree o disagree if you were a his show and thought it was the greatest show in your life.

Best Karaoke Bars and Private Rooms in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has many venues for late night entertainment and has Karaoke bars scattered across the valley. Some cater to the tourists on Las Vegas Blvd. but the best ones pamper the locals and surround the Strip. Knowing where to go can be a vacation saver. Go to the wrong Karaoke place and you will have a wasted evening filled with experiences that approach the surreal. Let a Las Vegas local guide you to the best Karaoke bars in town. Save yourself some time and money and enjoy your night out.


Best Las Vegas Karaoke Bars

Dino's

• 1516 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, 89104


• Directions


• Phone: (702) 382-3894


• Karaoke hours: Thurs-Sat. 10PM-???


• Host: KJ Danny G.


• Facebook


• Website

Easily the best place to do Karaoke in Las Vegas and the last of the neighborhood bars in existence. It is a bit of a dive joint in a shady part of town in Naked City, a few blocks north of the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. Popcorn on the bar, buckets of beer and a monthly contest for "Drunk of the month" make this place a must visit for any one visiting Las Vegas who loves Karaoke. Video gaming on the bars and a pool table room highlight why Dino's has been around for over 50 years. Danny G., the KJ, is what makes this venue special with the small stage facing a crowd of 50 people sitting at small round tables and high bar stools adding charm with it's intimate atmosphere. Rating 10/10.

 

Hot Shots Bar

• 3430 E Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89121


• Directions


• Phone: (702) 547-6600


• Karaoke hours: Call for details


• Host: KJ Frankie


• Facebook


• Website

Another "Dive bar" so don't think it's a palace. Dark and smoky but has a cool vibe with Cheez-its on the bar to compliment the cheap priced drinks. Two pool tables, a Jukebox and a Golden tee arcade system gives the non-singer gives alternative ways to have fun. KJ Frankie has a huge book of songs to choose from it's charming set-up that most singers will enjoy. The bartenders are super friendly, so bring a group of friends and I guarantee you an awesome night that won't break the budget and will be a nice vacation from the Strip and it;s over priced commercialism. Rating 8/10


XO Karaoke Room

• 4550 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas NV 89119


• Directions


• (702) 739-9011


• Karaoke hours: Call for details


• Host: Rotating


• Facebook


• No website

Near University of Nevada Las Vegas main campus does attract a younger crowd but it is very affordable and has a great selection of drinks and food. It is a private Karaoke place with your own rooms so ideal for the publicly shy or the person working on their routine for the next Karaoke contest. A huge book of songs and a great place to come and make your own party. Free water to keep those vocal cords in good shape. These also offer an option to record your songs and take home your own CD of top hits. Awesome!! Rating 9/10 because of the inadequate air conditioning.

The Best Karaoke Bars Have 5 Qualities in Common

We all know what Karaoke is and I am quite sure we all have an opinion. It's usually, you either love it or hate it, it normally doesn't afford a gray area. The movie "Duets" with Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow put Karaoke in the mainstream. Most bad Karaoke experiences aren't judge by the quality of the evening's performers, as they shouldn't be judged by their singing talent but by the level of fun they bring to the song. Is it really about singing? If it is for you, maybe American Idol is calling and you might want to lighten up a bit. The host of the karaoke is the most important ingredient for a great night.

 

Karaoke places aren't all equal

A karaoke D.J. is called a K.J. and they are the hosts. They set the stage for how the evening will evolve. Had to get that out of the way if someone just landed here from outer space. A K.J. can make or break an evening. The professionalism of the K.J. will be noticed by any person who has been a few times. You have your low rent K.J. or fill ins for the main K.J. that can butcher an evening. Bad karaoke is easy to spot. Good karaoke is tougher to recognize because a professional K.J. does it seamlessly. Some of the qualities that make a good karaoke place great.

• Song selection-- The number one thing that makes a great place. The worst thing to hear when requesting a song is the repeated, "Nope, Don't have that."

• A good K.J. doesn't hog the mic when there is a long wait. Karaoke can get frustrating if there are a lot of people, at 3 minutes a song on the low side, that's only 15 singers an hour if moving along. If there are 60 people in the place wanting to sing, there could be an issue and some might miss a chance to participate.

• A good K.J. doesn't play a random songs between singers. Never understood why some did this, people come to sing and hear others sing, not some pop tune from Brittany.

• A good K.J. doesn't have 6 minute songs in their play list. They just kill an evening if a few people choose the long play songs like "Freebird or "Green Grass and High Tides" or songs with long instrumentals where the singer is swaying to the drum solo uncomfortably for 3 minutes between verses.

• A good K.J. is punctual with their start times. Nothing worse than knowing Karaoke starts at 10PM and the K.J. finally gets the first singer on stage at 11PM because he was to busy meeting his fans and ignoring his responsibilities as a proper host.

Signs you found a good Karaoke bar

A good karaoke spot will have a clear sign up process for singing and start on time. A good K.J. will pay attention to the singer sign-up order and not accept tips so people can cut the line. A good K.J. will have a trimmed well rounded, song list and make proper use of everyone's time by not hogging the mic talking, playing songs between singers, or singing themselves unless it is a duet. A good K.J. knows who the real stars of the evening are and makes everyone feel like a Grammy award singer.