Journey’s Dean Castronovo Basks In Interview Spotlight
— July 13, 2008 7 484Journey drummer Dean Castronovo says he does not usually get to do interviews since the other members of the group usually want to do them, but Castronovo seems more than happy to have his say for a change, and does so in a recent interview with the Deseret News.
Not surprisingly, there’s much talk about the group’s new singer Arnel Pineda. Finding Pineda through the internet by viewing videos of his performances with his band in the Philippines convinced the band that he was the guy they were looking for, but at the same time, they worried a bit about how he might fit in with the rest of the band. When you fly someone you’ve never met half-way around the world for an audition, it is easy to understand those kinds of concerns.
It has all turned out just fine, reports Castronovo. Pineda “is is the most humble and nice person I have ever met,” he says.
Journey has surely had their share of changes where lead singers are concerned. After splitting with original lead singer Steve Perry, they group hired Steve Augeri, who was a good replacement for Perry, but ended up leaving the band after ten years. There was a brief stint with Jeff Scott Soto as frontman, with Castronovo sharing some of the vocal duties as well.
Castronovo also mentions his good friend and former Journey drummer, Steve Smith, and humbly reveals that he has copied Smith’s style, and often jokes with him about how he has “ripped him off.”
When Castronovo talks about his early influences, he mentions seeing KISS drummer Peter Criss and his massive drum kit. However, on at least on occasion Castronovo was in attendance when Rush was opening for KISS, and Castronovo was quite impressed with Neil Peart’s ability to actually play his entire massive kit. It’s kind of hard to imagine Rush opening for KISS, but I guess you have to start somewhere.
Speaking of Neil Peart, I recall reading not all that long ago on one of the many news updates on his site that he has great admiration for Steve Smith’s ability. That’s a compliment that must make any drummer feel pretty damn good.
Dean Castronovo sounds about as happy as anyone can possibly be with their job. “I don’t know of any other job I’d rather, or should I say, I can do. Life is good,” he says.
For more of the interview, check out the Deseret News.
7 Comments
Dean Castronovo, humble man,awesome drummer, wonderful singer…dude..YOU ROCK!
hey man im 46 been drumming since i was ten i can hold my own and love playing studied some great drummers like steve smith buddy rich earl palmer and have been a journey fan for along time any way my wife and i saw the band in oklahoma city july 23 great show and i just wanted to say that you are one the most powerful and energetic along with being technical drummers ive seen and heard thank you ps ever need a fill in be more that happy to help out keep slammin johnny
I was lucky enough to catch Journey this past weekend at Mountain View Shoreline Ampitheatre. What a tremendous set from Journey! Dean was phenomenal. He has got to be one of the best drummers of all time. i have heard Dean play on many peoples’ albums over the last 20+ years and he still pumps out such skilled, inventive chops.
Thank you, Dean. You rock, my friend. Keep it up!
Patryk deRosa
I may be 54 but……….I saw you in concert on TV and when you played the way you did ……I went WOW!…..but then when you sang Mother/Father……you absolutely blew me away………..You are something else and I really enjoy your style and vocals………..Two of my girls saw you in Charlotte ,NC………..Ilove the shirt with all of you on it……..listening to you guys really gave me a break in the present and took me back to a time I wish I could go back to…..if just for a day.
God Bless all of you…………be humble but be proud……….what a talent!!!!!!!!!! I told my girls………..hey you may fuss at me for never going anywhere……………but if dean shows up at my door………i’m out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!!even if i can”t pronounce his last name right.
Deen is all that!!! Love his talented energetic part in the awsome band Journey. I love the new frontman . He is fantastic and sings with full heart, full passion, full soul. He is a perfect fit with Deen and the other band members.
Dean has to be one of the greastest drummers of all time,I have been playing drums for 30yrs now and have seen journey 10 times with both dean and steve smith and they are both great!
I have had the privilege to meet Dean and have a drink with him at City Slickers in Salem, he is awesome and a great guy and wonderful drummer.