Journey kicks drummer off tour - Omar Hakim steps in

[Dan Roth]

First, drummer Deen Castronova was arrested for assault ( http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jou...d-for-assault/ )

Now, a few days later, Journey has booted him off their tour and replaced him with Omar Hakim:

http://www.inquisitr.com/2193047/dru...en-castronovo/

Journey's statement:

We Journey have made the decision to have Omar Hakim play drums for the band’s upcoming U.S. concerts (Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, June 20 and the Stadium of Fire in Provo, Utah on Saturday, July 4), as well as the band's Canadian tour (July 6 – August 3), due to Deen Castronovo’s pending issues. We are very grateful to Omar filling in with his musical excellence.

Omar's statement:

As a long time Journey fan, I must say that I'm surprised and overwhelmed by the turn of events of the last couple of days. Deen is an Amazing Drummer and a Super talented Singer, and my deepest prayers are with my brother in Drums! I've always loved this bands music from day one and I will do my very best to fill in until everything goes back to normal. I appreciate the kind words from the fans and I look forward to seeing you all out there on the tour! Peace and Love to you All! ~OH


Responding to a fan's question about why they didn't get Steve Smith back, someone from the band posted this on the Journey facebook page:

He was asked and said he was doing a Buddy Rich gig that night ....


And on June 21, someone from the band posted this on the Journey facebook page:

We worked our asses off the last 2 days and luckily he (Omar) reads and write charts otherwise I think it would have been an impossible undertaking without a good 3 weeks of work.
Omar is just an amazing musician. Will be insanely great in a few gigs

[SteveSly]

Interesting, but not totally surprising. Along with his drumming Castronovo has a great voice and is a big part of the background vocals live (also sings lead on a song or two), so that will have an impact I would think.

[Digital_Man]

Omar is a highly respected and top notch drummer. I'm sure he'll do a fine job.

[Gerhard]

Omar attended the recent Steven Wilson show in Wilmington, DE. I wasn't there, but I'm told he's friends with Wilson's keyboardist Adam Holzman. Both played with Miles in the 80's, I guess.

Here's a photo from Adam's facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...0353312&type=1

Here's another one Craig Blundell, SW's drummer for this tour, posted:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cc&oe=561EB9BF

[Sean]

Omar is a bit overqualified....

[bobert]

Omar is a bit overqualified....

Sean , I swear that you took the words right out of my mouth , I was just going to post the exact same thing .

[Plasmatopia]

I'm surprised they'd think 3 weeks would be needed for someone of Omar's talents. Especially if he's telling the truth when he says he loves their music.

[No Pride]

Omar is a bit overqualified....

Yeah, but so was Steve Smith. I wouldn't have guessed that Omar was a Journey fan, but that's why I don't gamble. He digs them and he'll be making more money than he does on his jazz gigs, so it's a no-brainer for him.

[Dan Roth]

I'm surprised they'd think 3 weeks would be needed for someone of Omar's talents. Especially if he's telling the truth when he says he loves their music.

What I think they were saying when they wrote "We worked our asses off the last 2 days and luckily he (Omar) reads and write charts otherwise I think it would have been an impossible undertaking without a good 3 weeks of work." was that if it was someone other than Omar, they would have needed three weeks. At least thats how I read it.

[BravadoNJ]

it's insignificant what this bands does at this point.

[Plasmatopia]

What I think they were saying when they wrote "We worked our asses off the last 2 days and luckily he (Omar) reads and write charts otherwise I think it would have been an impossible undertaking without a good 3 weeks of work." was that if it was someone other than Omar, they would have needed three weeks. At least thats how I read it.

That's a good point but I still think they'd be surprised. I've seen drummers who can't read at all and pick up stuff incredibly fast - if they were familiar with the music already (even from just listening) it can come together really fast. But I'm sure they are looking for things to be super tight and flawless, so perhaps the bar is set high.

[ThomasKDye]

Omar is a bit overqualified....

As was Simon Phillips with Toto. Sometimes chops are less important than the fit.

[Scott Bails]

Omar is a bit overqualified....

I would agree, but I think that the guys in Journey have always regarded themselves as "more talented" than their music would have you believe, if that makes any sense.

As was Simon Phillips with Toto.

I don't think I agree with you. I thought Simon was the perfect drummer for Toto - even better than Jeff Porcaro at times.

[BravadoNJ]

what is Aynsley Dunbar doing these days?

[dregsfan]

AFAIK, Omar can't/doesn't sing, at least not like Deen, so the vox will suffer.

[No Pride]

As was Simon Phillips with Toto.

I don't agree either, but even if I did, you could say that about many, many musicians and the bands they work with. Over-qualification is moot; bands need great musicians and great musicians need gigs. A true professional musician knows what to do (and perhaps more importantly, what NOT to do) in any situation; it's about playing what the music calls for. An inside joke amongst us Chicago musicians (based on a true story) is about some wedding band leader saying to an accomplished musician, "we know you can play, just don't do it here!" Show me a great player who only takes gigs he/she is qualified for (as opposed to over-qualified) and I'll show you a musician who has a day job... or a spouse who brings in the bulk of the income.

[dropforge]

AFAIK, Omar can't/doesn't sing, at least not like Deen, so the vox will suffer.

Tapegate II: Electric Boogaloo

[Polska]

Still a great paycheck I imagine, even for being overqualified. Nothing like getting paid great money to play cover songs in a band that is now a tribute band of themselves.

[Scott Bails]

a band that is now a tribute band of themselves.

[Zeuhlmate]

I don't agree either, but even if I did, you could say that about many, many musicians and the bands they work with. Over-qualification is moot; bands need great musicians and great musicians need gigs. A true professional musician knows what to do (and perhaps more importantly, what NOT to do) in any situation; it's about playing what the music calls for. An inside joke amongst us Chicago musicians (based on a true story) is about some wedding band leader saying to an accomplished musician, "we know you can play, just don't do it here!" Show me a great player who only takes gigs he/she is qualified for (as opposed to over-qualified) and I'll show you a musician who has a day job... or a spouse who brings in the bulk of the income.

Or recordings like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album_...m%29#Personnel

[Rune Blackwings]

Bison anyone?

[rapidfirerob]

I'm glad Omar will be making some serious money, and having fun, it sounds like. Nothing wrong with that. He deserves it.
Journey has been boring since album #4, in any case.

[pb2015]

AFAIK, Omar can't/doesn't sing, at least not like Deen, so the vox will suffer.

He does sing although I don't know if his voice would be right for Journey. Here is Weather Report "Where The Moon Goes" live (I believe Omar's voice is in the right channel while on the left is Zawinul with whatever synth device he is singing into.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqNFKiyoTI

[arabicadabra]

Well at least we know he can cut it if they play the song Frontiers..... (all you "Journey aren't all that good" types, have you really listened to that song?)

[dropforge]

Well at least we know he can cut it if they play the song Frontiers..... (all you "Journey aren't all that good" types, have you really listened to that song?)

Easily one of the best songs they ever recorded. Minus Perry's unmistakable pipes, it doesn't sound like the same band that recorded that "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" crap.