We caught up — thanks to the Internet superhighway — with Journey founder and guitarist Neal Schon while he and the band were on tour in Japan.

Here, via e-mail, Schon answers five questions, and sounds off on new lead singer and Steve Perry-sound-alike Arnel Pineda joining the band.

He also tells of what it's like to be making a comeback and why he can't wait to get to the Islands. ("It's always been such an awesome place for all of us with lots of great memories, and we're looking forward to the new ones.")

Oh, he also confirmed, but didn't discuss how the band discovered Pineda on a YouTube video. Pretty cool stuff.

TGIF: You're coming to Hawai'i for five shows. We've got a huge Filipino population, which might account for some of your fans here now, but the Islands have always been filled with Journey fans. The first show sold out in two hours, the second in less than an hour. When you had to keep adding concerts here, what did that feel like? Has this happened in other markets for you?

We love it! Hawai'i has been one of our very favorite places to play since the very beginning. Our musical relationship with the Islanders goes back to the early 1970s at the Crater Festivals. We have definitely attained the same popularity in other cities. Sometimes the early bookings will not let us hang out for two or three days, but the drawing power is still there and getting stronger all the time. This is indeed a new beginning with Arnel (Pineda).

TGIF: There's no mistaking the band's popularity with its power ballads in the 1980s, but it seems like when you found Pineda, you recaptured a lot of fans and gained some new young ones. How is touring with Pineda different from touring with Steve Perry?

Both Steve and Arnel are the greatest singers I've heard in our genre. The difference between them would obviously be their individual personalities and just the fact that Arnel is doing it now as opposed to doing it in our heyday with Steve in the '80s.

TGIF: Of all the hits Journey has had — and I can't think of one that hasn't withstood the test of time — "Don't Stop Believing" seems to have the most enduring appeal. What is it about that song that separates it from the others? What's the story behind the initial recording?

"Don't Stop Believing" was originally brought in by Jonathan Cain, then Steve (Perry) and I contributed to it in rehearsal to finish it the way it is. Why does this song still remain so strong? Personally, I feel it's the good-natured message the song conveys, mixed with great melody and strong musicianship from all.

TGIF: What are some of the other hits you enjoy playing these days?

I enjoy playing everything in our repertoire. And really enjoy playing the new material off our latest CD, "Revelation." Having our fans react to our newest creation really is the coolest. It's great knowing we have a brand new life musically, and that there's a lot more where that came from. The future looks very bright indeed!

TGIF: Had any Journey members been to the Philippines before meeting Arnel?

We'd never been to the Philippines before this, but I'm loving the people. They're very kind and warm-hearted.