A Backstage Interview With Deen Castronovo of Journey

[dave0000p]

Went to high school w him. Meh.

[1danrobbins]

I love this guy. His humility and self depreciating humor makes him such an approachable guy.



[starlisa777]

So cool and humble.

[1tenten101]

his speaking voice is raspy..cute..

[85Aheadstix]

Pfft!, Evans are overated!, make your toms sound like bongos!, no depth, no treble!, nothing, a dull thud!.

Where is Remo give a nice deep tom! sound.

[outlaw6066]

Haha Deen talks like a crazy homeless guy. Gotta love the man! :D 

[gupper83]

@gluchnurse, perfectly said! Hyprocrisy!!

[AriTheCreator]

ogmomogogmomgomgomg i love vinny CASTRONOVO. hes a dancerrr. mgomogomogomgo♥

[gluchnurse]

Seems like a very neat guy...But how interesting, he has his own bus, yet Schon in the VH1 Behind the Music interview absolutely RAGGED on Perry that he had his own bus when he was trying to maintain his relationship with Sherri Swafford. And Schon said if Arnel needed his own bus with his family along that would be great. So, in other words, it is fine for everyone else, but Schon didn't think it was fine for Perry. I hate hypocrisy!!

[gluchnurse]

Seems like a very neat guy...

[NaturallyFeisty]

Hey Dude......I've just seen you play last nite, just heard you sing (on YouTube)

and all I can say is: "What a Modest Guy, you are!" HA

xoxo D~

[outlaw6066]

"Why?? HEEEEH!!!" :D

[maybelooking]

I started playing drums when I was 13. I quit about 10 years ago. Dean is the reason I have picked the instument up and started playing again. Journey is just incredible and Dean simply rocks the house. Thanks for inspiring a 41 year old to start playing again Dean. I will live that dream of playing out live. I may never play to a crown larger than the local bar scene, but I will do it. Not doubt about it!!!!!

[LOLE1991KOVIN]

One of the coolest drummers EVER!

[EC76209]

but ur observation wood probably hold correct that his mid chord wood sound like what he speaks: horrendous! & the Tibetan monks have worked their lower chord in2 the unmistakable sound they make & sounds like a gutteral bass. They also have the ability 2 use all 3 @ once & can create the most ethereal sounds known 2 man.

[EC76209]

re:relightrecords U answered ur own question. He's using his "speaking voice". Human anatomy 4 some humans shows that they have 3 sets of vocal chords. Speaking could be 1, but its about using a mid chord that is used by some humans as a "singing" voice and is perfect sounding when they have the ability. The upper chord is ur falsetto, which is probably what Deen has worked in2 an incredible high voice. He's worked those higher chord chops enough that he does it w/o thinking,

[prettyinpunk206]

I'm an addroll child..... No, seriously, I take addroll.

But I'm also prescribed to Ritalin.

So go ADHD..... or ADD. Whichever one.

[Maxflashzjourney]

My Name is MAX I worked Hard At APPLE MUSIC in Portland OR. when Deen was playing with a Band Called WILD DOGS getting him all the parts and service He needed. When I met Niel Schon IN 1987 Neil Was getting ready to start bad

engliish, and asked me to join, my pretty young wife was pregnant pregnent And I HAD to turn the job down I suggested He Get Deeno the rest is history good job .

[WeAllReviewMovies]

gotta love this guy.

[bobfreejr]

way to go Deen. It was good to see you on youtube. Its Been a long time ago since WALKER JR HI. Keep the good work . Robert Free

[mclaSWATpd]

You fuckin rock Deen! I didn't know he was so funny! He never talks at the concerts. :( You rock deen!

[Lorerock7]

I can't wait to see ya at Milano this summer!

[dgtegirl]

@Lorerock7

Hope to see you, there, Lorenzo!!!

[lifeson46]

he out perry's perry

[budweiser1961]

Deen Is an awesome drummer and also a Really nice guy.

[thegougeman]

He can also sing better than most lead guys out there.....

[GLWillaims]

watch,dont fish and drive!

[iCe1984zz]

Dean is an awesome drummer! I've seen his instructional video a couple of years back and really inspiring! Having said that, hearing him speak reminds me of The Turtles cartoon :p

[unknowndeoxys00]

Deen is hysterical xD

[MrPUNKLOSER]

dean lives about 3 miles from me~in salem oregon~sold his viper for a new 8 series bmw

[pinkrhythm04]

I love you Deen....

[WarriorMigs24]

Deen is very hamble i like that a lot

[JoeJacari]

Cool stories.

I like the first major gig story.

Great drums.

[BDNWTKFG]

1st Thank you DC for doing the interview. 2nd thank you for reinvigorating Journey. I am a 48 yr old die hard loyal Steve Perry fan, and thought NO F'in WAY. . . until I saw the live in Manilla. . . BRINGIN IT, both DC and AP. Thanks. I needed it more than I can say with all the music sounding exactly the same. If I can only get Eddie and Alex to pull their heads out too that will make life good.

AGAIN - THANKS!

Big Dave

[outlaw6066]

"Hey Steve! I can sing a song check this out! Or Steve Smith. Hey look at this dude check out this drum lick! He'd be like, Why??? HEEEEEH!" :-) Gotta love Deeno.

[antfrk]

the color of his voice is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!

[idrum4jrny]

@dingdongshit...LUCKYYYY !!

awwh I love deeno best drummer out there and what a cool guy:) reason I play:) I'd do anything to meet him

[misterdrum78]

Jones Beach, baby!

[dingdongshit]

Im his neighboor.

[guitar1n1]

"i bought him a couple of ferraris so hes pretty happy" LMAO Deen is the best

[shackisdown1]

i know this guy he live like 10 mins away from me

[Airplay89]

Best Musician ever... In my opinion a better drummer than Dunbar, Prince, Baird and even Steve Smith =)

[MYNAMETAYLA]

Deen seems like a cool Dad.

[Bitziucci]

the man is a phenomenon!!

[WatcherCatcher]

Of course speaking voice is so different from singing voice. You'd be surprise people with good speaking voice sometimes can not even sing. (Or vice-versa) Deen is so cool!!

[idrum4jrny]

Deeno is #1 baby !

[jacqueandmorgan]

your a good man deen, i like your style. i think your funny and a joker too of all the band members..best drummer i've seen

[cchimblo1]

Deen: I think i'm your cousin!

Christine Castronovo Chimblo

I think you are tremendously talented

[Aquahutch]

He'sgoofy. I like him.

[janieusa]

Deen has an absolutely AMAZING voice...just beautiful! He needs to sing MORE in Journey. What a huge asset he is.

[kagome112100]

@janieusa Yes he does!

[sj1778]

I think it's cool how Deen gives props to Steve Smith .

[moviekarateband]

I love to hang out with him for a day...

He seems cool! :)

[Jimmierip2]

What a joker Deen is. All Hail Journey

[joetherocker09]

THIS IS TOOO FUNNYXDXDXDXD

[GuitarMegabob]

dean, bob bemis,.call me in bend or!!!30 guitars .10 Custmized amps& recording studio! do you rember sitting on the bed of a truck poking eacher in the ribs, saying...you are gonna make it!! no,your gonna make I' it!! Great times. when you invited me to your garage 2 jam.. .i was suddenly special! my band HATED that! anyway, you made it!.call me! !in the book,bob &sandra. lets talk old mate! better yet lets jam! I"m 10times the player now! plus I have a wonderful guest room!&drums set! call me!

[H82WERK]

He seems like an everyday guy, like you can just walk up to and start talking about anything. Very humble and yea one of the best singers in our time.

[sexualsylvia]

peter criss, rush hell to the yeah-miss you in the wild dogs.love from your pacific northwest.

[slangworld]

Deen has John Patitucci´s voice. Exactly the same voice. By the way :Killer drumer

[bentlittlefinger]

i used to watch his video 'High Performance Drumming' regularly, which i still have. It had some great ideas and playing on it. Its a shame he never did another one, the guy is a monster drummer.

[swabbles808]

Deen is very humble even as one of the greater drummers in rock. He paid great homeage to Steve Smith, Journey's original drummer.

I got to see Deen in Hawaii for the Journey concert, great guy, fabulous singer, and awesome drummer.

[BassmanII]

@swabbles808 Actually, Aynsley Dunbar preceded Smith.

[BassmanII]

@swabbles808 Actually, Aynsley Dunbar was Journey's original drummer.

[redlightrecords]

how can a guy with a speaking voice like that sing as well as he does?!?!

[antfrk]

the color of his voice is gorgeous!!!

[ervee30]

@redlightrecords

Have you ever heard Ozzy Osborne talk?

[nickerz65]

@redlightrecords because singing and speech happen in different parts of the brain

[BassmanII]

Deen is a worthy successor to Steve Smith. Great fit with the group.

[moviekarateband]

He seems really cool!!

He is awesome!

[MotleyDrew1]

Love this guy!!!!!

[alrats1]

I knew Deen back in the days when we played in garages back in Oregon. Rock on Dean!

[MsKamioo]

@alrats1 u must be from the 503 or Portland, I dated his brother Dave. My best friend is friends with him & helped him carry his drums around in Portland. That's right, rock on Deen! See u in February.

[MsLarry91]

Deen can sing too .. thank God journey has him.

[AynsleyDunbar46]

Hi Deen! Class act.

[omg122448]

He is one of the heros of journey.

[vbnurs]

its so entertaining to watch you play drums and so funny in person.

[MsKamioo]

@vbnurs OMG his brother acts just like him, hysterical!

[MrStycch]

That's why he's good... Neal Peart is one of his influences!

[MsKamioo]

@MrStycch Yep. I listened to All the World's a Stage last night. Deen is incredible.

[Supermonkey22]

Wow. One of the best drummers walking this planet of ours AND a thankful, humble man to boot?!?! Deen is a gift and for one I'm DAMN proud that he's the drummer of one of my favorite bands of ALL TIME!!

[rlf4403tube]

nice person... great drummer!

[frolickfriendster]

love deen's sense of humor :o)

[matthewTmccourt]

i really miss hearing his drums in a small and i mean small room so loud that you hear him 6 hours later when youre sleeping deen would play drums while he was asl;eep his feet did double bass allnight long check out wild dogs reign of terror or dr mastermind for some of deens unrestricted balls to the walls pedal to the metal playing and his first recorded solo is on dr mastermind i love the guy his 17 year ols son is a super durmmer as well his band is called still dead.videos here

[matthewTmccourt]

deen is the total total drummer period man he can play anything when i saw him first he was 16 and blew my mind.. we did many gigs and 4 albums with wild dogs and dr mastermind and had lots of fun on the road

[doc540]

saw him last night....the TOTAL rock drummer, bar none!

[outlaw6066]

Deen has a voice like a crazy homeless guy! hahaha Gotta love the man.

[outlaw6066]

One of the few masters of drumming!!! Deen is a big time influence of mine! Rock on Deen! : )

[lvc15978]

his voice sounds raspy that you can't imagine that he can really sing high.

[sempirfi101]

my friends uncle is deen castronovo

[vanhenry71]

LOL! Love ya Deen, the Ritalin isn't working! LOL!!!

[iJohnnyRoyale]

...continued from previous post.

Said I felt great and he just laughed and told me that he just finished cleaning the rest of the puke of the ceiling and floor. I guess his mother changed the sheets when I puked and took care of me the rest of the night.

Anyway, he wasn't upset and was seriously concerned if I was ok. This is the type of guy he is.

If you read this Deen, Love ya. Please give my love to the family.

You know who I am.

[vanhenry71]

That is totally DEEN!

[iJohnnyRoyale]

I am/was friends with him and his entire family and have tons of great memories and stories from when I lived in Salem.

Fav - We were at his Brown Rd house having a party and someone forgot to get the tap for the pony keg. We busted the cork out and drank it with a straw(s). I ended up passin out in his bed and is mom was so worried about me she made me puke using her finger. I woke up and there was Deen at the end of the bed looking at me and asking if I was ok.

contuine next post

[vorkanz]

Dude, the guy is just so good :D

[emgloria22]

I met him yesterday at their concert and I got an autograph!!! he had a wierd voice though!!

[megatallicadeth]

he recorded Dragon's Kiss with Marty Friedman.... great album!

[KarmicOmen]

I like Deen! I always heard he was a great guy! He's funny -- maybe I should get my kid the drum kit he wants (he idolozes Bonham and Peart). Maybe a piano -- he loves Gregg Rolie!

As a Steve Perry loyalist, Deen blew me away with Mother-Father ... did such justice to THE VOICE of Steve Perry!! I go back and watch it every day (though I watch the original 3x as often)! Powerful pipes Deen! What is he doing only playing drums? DO both! Hey ... if Don Henley could do it, why not Deen?

[krustymark]

I loved Deens playing long before i knew who he was...In the 80s.I used to listen and still do to Tont Macalpine,And deen was drumming on a lot of his material...Truely Awesome.

[sheaa13]

my dad noes him he said he yous to be in some kinda music business!

[monkeypenios]

Knows not nose.

[18rabrfc73]

journey's best drummer!!

[hckynutz]

wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jgemer]

yeah i go to his house like everyday and play on his drumset.

[jgemer]

i don't play his tour set only the one at home and it's electric so can't help ya'.

[Sparkiview2000]

Steve Smith has such class to "opt" out because Steve Perry didn't return.  Deen has so much class as a drummer...glad he is in Journey...not glad that Arnel is there, but Deen is definately great.

[camarofan101]

When he he ends a sentence his voice goes into a raspy rough voice

[S65dude]

Deen , in my book you are in the same category as Steve Smith and all the rest of the greatest drummers who contributed to the world of drums. in my lil' humble opinion.

[victorarellanom]

Is it me or he sounds like Al Pacino? At least as an impersonator... He´s a great drummer though... and a singer too!!! Big fan

[ambienmydog]

He sure is hyper..lol. Back to Ritalin, Deen. Awesome drummer and singer.

[drumplanet]

Is that Steve "the service GOD" L. asking the questions??  Sure sounds like him!!

[NineDayFall]

Sounds like Henry Rollins when he speaks.

[bhelen55]

Thanks for sharing

[entoone]

Very good drummer, great showman. Can sing, they should have picked him to sing instead of the new guy.. just marketing I guess.

[TIBNFJ]

Deen is really a natural born drummer, musician!

I understand when I watched this interview that not only his drumming skill but also his personality itself makes his drumming sound so strong and powerful!

[DiamondGirl9127]

i love deen!!! interviews with him are so rare so thanks for posting this. however, you should change your title to deen castronovo-backstage interview cuz no one would see this when searching for stuff on him. i myself just happened to come across it by chance. just a suggestion =0)

[drumming08]

DEEN!!!!!! what a beast!!! My favorite drummer EVER!!! i hope to someday meet him!