Despite skepticism, Journey fans have welcomed group's latest lead singer with open arms

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - Journey bassist Ross Valory realizes that there's a point when a band is no longer a band, but merely a half-note, shadowy version of its old self.

His band, Valory insists, is a long way from that moment.

To be sure, Journey has endured criticism and doubt since its 2007 hiring of Arnel Pineda _ he's the band's third replacement singer since Steve Perry left in 1998.

Given that the band found the Philippines native via YouTube, and that his voice is seamlessly interchangeable with Perry's, the debate has only been heightened over whether employing a sound-alike is a good creative move _ or just a karoake-style attempt to capitalize on its heyday.

The members of Journey, Valory says, realized their decision to bring in Pineda could be met with objections.

"He's another singer from another country so, yeah, we knew some people would view that with a certain amount of skepticism," Valory says. "But it's no issue to us _ we know what we have and we know that once people see him perform a song or two they'll be happy."

Journey formed in 1973; Perry wasn't the band's original or only singer (there have been five) but he is, inarguably, the one who made it famous with power ballads such as "Open Arms," "Separate Ways" and "Don't Stop Believin'."

Perry left Journey after a degenerative hip condition forced him to stop touring. In the decade since, the band's remaining members _ Valory, guitarist Neil Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain and drummer Deen Castronovo _ struggled to find someone who could not only sing Perry's trademark tunes but make them his own.

Although Pineda's most distinguishing feature is his ability to emulate the band's classic songs note-for-note, Valory says he also manages to elevate them beyond mere copycat renditions.

"Arnel carries the signature of the band quite well, but he also makes those songs his own," Valory says. "He sings from his heart, and I think people are responding to that."

Indeed, the band's latest album, "Revelation," reflects the warm reception fans have given Pineda. The three-disc set features new songs, a live concert DVD and 11 of Journey's biggest hits, re-recorded with Pineda. The album, released in June, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard album chart and No. 1 on the independent album chart. Not too shabby for an album that's available only via Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

The discount store deal, Valory says, was a way to circumvent many music- industry woes. "The business has really changed, and there's rarely anything successful when it comes to working with the middleman (such as) a label," he says.

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By using Wal-Mart as a distributor, Valory explains, the band retained the rights to its music as well as a bigger chunk of the profits.

"This way we are the record company."

Now, as Journey prepares to wrap up its tour and take another turn in the studio, Valory expects that the band's sound _ and Pineda's role _ will evolve.

"Neil and Jonathan have been the (primary) songwriters but I'm sure that, given his intuitiveness and the heart with which he performs our music, Arnel's talents will translate to a real creative role with the band," Valory says.

"He's becoming quite the performer in his own right."

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© 2008, The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.).