In a recent chat with The Real Music Observer, Deen Castronovo gave updates on the dispute between Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain. Earlier in 2023, the resolution of their issues seemed uncertain, but according to Castronovo, things recently got better for his bandmates.
The trouble between Schon and Cain began following legal disputes over Journey’s finances last year. Asked whether everyone was finally in harmony, the drummer said:
“Everybody, dude. I mean, John and Neil mended fences. Everything is great. You know, to see those guys embrace each other like hugs and stuff, everybody [gave] a sigh of relief. Thank God, man. ’Cause it’s not fun to be on the road and know that there’s an animosity. It’s like you dread going to work because you don’t know what you’re gonna face, and it’s gone.”
He added:
“John and Neil are working together with Michaele [Salahi] and Paula [White]. We’re doing this all together, and we’re just gonna go, man. We’re working hard. Arnel [Pineda] sounds great still. He’s in the Philippines, so I don’t really have a lot of contact with him, but Neil and I are always talking. Yeah, it’s great again, bro. For real, it’s great.”
Journey Remained Together Despite The Feud
Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain started to fall out when ex-Journey vocalist Steve Perry filed against them over the trademark of the band’s 20 songs. Tension increased after the guitarist accused the keyboardist of secretly setting up an AmEx card and excluding him from key financial decisions.
Despite the offstage tensions, Journey continued to perform and make new music by releasing 2022’s ‘Freedom.’ Discussing the band’s dynamic amid these issues, Castronovo told Ultimate Classic Rock last year:
“We have a job to do. We’ve got to go out there and play the best we can, and we do. We leave it at the door, and we go up and play, and it’s a beautiful two-hour show, and then everybody just kind of goes their own way. And it’s working. It really is. When it’s time to go on stage, and everybody’s smiling, that’s for real. We’re having a blast. When everybody comes offstage, they all go to their separate corners, and we travel to the next city.”
Peace Seemed Almost Impossible
During the same chat, the drummer also shared how hard and heartbreaking it was for him to see the feud between his bandmates. He wished to be a ‘peacemaker’ but felt the resolution needed to come from Schon and Cain themselves. Then, he explained:
“But I realize it’s going to take a miracle from God to fix this, so I’m just waiting for God to fix this. It’s like, ‘I just pray you work everything out because this thing is beautiful, and I’d love to end my career with you guys.’”
Now, with the tensions seemingly eased, Journey is gearing up for a new series of performances. Their next tour will kick off on February 9 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
