Journey drummer Deen Castronovo and vocalist Arnel Pineda. Image: Instagram/@deenjcastronovo
Arnel Pineda received support anew from another bandmate, this time Journey’s drummer Deen Castronovo, who came to the former’s defense against critics of his earlier poor performance in Brazil.
Castronovo aired his sentiment on the matter via his Instagram page on Tuesday, Sept. 24, days after Pineda offered to leave the band.
“Arnel has risen to the challenge of Journey’s catalog, night after night, year after tiring year! He gives to you all and Journey, the best that he can give you,” Castronovo said.
“Out of maybe a handful of shows in 17 years, Arnel has faced the facts. The voice is a biological instrument, subject to weather, fatigue, virus, bacteria, jet lag etc. Sometimes it does not, cannot or will not cooperate when needed,” he continued. “So, what’s the point of hammering a human being over something they have no control over?”
The drummer then repulsed the “overinflated opinions” of trolls and dared them to be the ones to “do better.”
The musician further underscored that while everyone can voice their opinion, they should still consider if it is “kind, truth, and necessary.”
“I know very few who can pull off what Arnel does without ego and with passion and grace. Back off trolls!” Castronovo stressed. “You are messing with my family now and I am a rabid protector of my own!”
“To the people who get it, thank you, we appreciate you! To the inept, prove it and walk it or shut it!” he concluded.
Pineda previously initiated a voting poll for fans to decide if he would “go” or “stay” in the band, after he was criticized for struggling to hit the high notes of the band’s song “Don’t Stop Believin’” at a music festival in Rio de Janeiro.
Journey’s keyboardist Jonathan Cain also earlier expressed his support for Pineda, saying the latter “is not going anywhere.”