Another Argument Added In Journey’s Current Feud

Journey’s internal conflicts extend beyond financial disputes over American Express cards. The bandmates, Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon, are now clashing over who should be playing drums.

On August 2, Deen Castronovo, Journey’s drummer, missed their Toronto concert for reasons that weren’t initially explained. According to setlist.fm, Steve Toomey, the band’s drum tech, stepped in due to a “family incident.” Castronovo returned to the stage a few days later when Journey performed at Fenway Park in Boston on August 7 and at Citi Field in New York for their most recent show.

The substitution was brought up by lawyers during an initial hearing in a Delaware court, where Cain’s latest lawsuit against Schon was discussed. Cain is pushing to restructure Journey’s tour management company to address their ongoing financial issues, while Schon dismissed the accusations as “BS.”

The Chancery court judge, J. Travis Laster, declined to get involved in the band’s personnel matters. “I’m not qualified to decide who the drummer ought to be,” Laster remarked during the hearing.

Interestingly, Toomey’s role as a substitute shouldn’t be controversial. He has previously filled in for Castronovo, notably during Journey’s appearance on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2022 when Castronovo tested positive for COVID. Toomey is also well-connected to the band, as the son of longtime former Journey tour manager John “JT” Toomey.

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Castronovo has expressed his confidence in Toomey, who also tours as a drummer with Revolution Saints, Castronovo’s side project where he showcases his vocal talents. Castronovo once said about Toomey:

“That guy knows my playing inside out—all of my chops and all of my modules.
“It’s like watching a little mini Deen. … He’s a beast! He’s a better drummer than he is drum tech.”

The Delaware judge hopes to resolve Journey’s management deadlock before their next tour leg. The band is scheduled to play four shows in Japan in October, though concerts in the U.K. and Ireland were abruptly canceled this week. The next court hearing is set for the first week of September, with a discovery appointment arranged to review submissions from both legal teams.