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THE JOURNEY ZONE
http://www.journey-zone.com
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NEAL SCHON INTERVIEW
With MelodicRock.Com
January 8, 2003 |
Journey guitarist Neal Schon is a man who is never fan from the musical headlines and 2003 should be no different. Neal recently spoke exclusively with me about what lies ahead for Journey, Planet Us and his own solo work.
First there is the current Journey release - the EP Red 13. It seems the band is pretty happy with the way it has turned out. "I think we've gotten great feedback for what type of EP it is. It was never meant to be a commercial item, just some cool new tunes to add to the live show....and they've been going over great."
"When we put this out, we didn't intend for it to be sold in stores. We were just going to sell it on our website and at our shows exclusively. The distribution deal gave us a chance to test the waters for other products that we'll have coming out."
There was talk of the next Journey release being another EP, but Neal says that has now changed; "We tossed around the idea about putting out another EP, but management was not so fond of it. So a full album would be in order some time, I would imagine, after our next tour."
"I think things are going to start getting interesting here. The new band is really starting to gel. It will be somewhere where we've gone with Red 13 and the hooks of our old classics....we'll make a nice melting pot."
A new Neal Schon solo instrumental album has been on release schedules for some time, but the good news is that it's not far off. It still has to be mixed, but then will be ready to go. "Gary Ciremilli, who mixed and produced Voice, is mixing this CD. Right now the working title is called Eye On You, and it will be available through Higher Octave. So as soon as it's mixed and mastered I assume they will release it."
But what of the planned Sony Music planned, career spanning Best Of compilation? "I've been so damn busy writing that I forgot to write a song for myself. Right now it's up in the air with who John Kalodner wants to sing the song."
"I spoke to John before the holidays and he said it was still on. So I guess as soon as I write a tune, we can start finalizing the order and the songs. It's pretty interesting listening to it....I have got to tell ya. From Santana, through almost every record I've been on."
Possibly the main Schon project for 2003 is Planet Us, the group featuring Neal alongside Journey's Deen Castronovo and Van Halen's bassist Michael Anthony and former singer Sammy Hagar.
Recording of the album is underway; "We are supposed to start around the 9th of January. I've been at home writing and demoing material for the guys to check out. We were going to try to get started to early in December, but, when Deen came into town, he had a terrible bacterial infection in his finger and was not able to pound the skins. But I just spoke to him and he's ready to go."
"I spoke to Mike Anthony and he's also ready and so is Sammy....should be cool! I've got some nice tunes brewing. And yes, it will be a full CD - a conceptual CD."
In between active recording duties, Neal continues to write new music. "Who knows where they will all end up but they're flowing out of me right now so I figured I should lay them down. I've written a couple of things for Paul Rodgers and Bad Company. I also got an interesting phone call form a friend of mine, Paul Pesco, who's working with Shakira. He wants me to write some Latin rock guitar songs for her. I guess she's looking for more of a guitar driven record. So this all could be very interesting, and fun, how this all will pan out."
I would be remiss in not asking about any possible plans the band might have for European live dates. It's still possible says Neal; "We want to go, we just need to get a decent offer. As I have been saying in all of my other interviews, we'd love to open for Bon Jovi or Toto. Promoters have to come to us though. I know the band is game."
Last Updated 02 July, 2007 (DHG)
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