Neal Schon Sparks Speculation with “Journey Beyond” Announcement
Neal Schon, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Journey, has recently ignited fan excitement with a new image shared on his social media platforms. The image features the phrase “Journey Beyond” and is accompanied by a succinct caption on Twitter that reads: “Into the future.”
Trademark Filing Raises Questions
This latest post has led many to wonder whether it signifies Schon’s intention to explore new avenues separate from the iconic band he helped establish in the early ’70s. Intriguingly, a filing for trademark protection for the phrase “JOURNEY BEYOND™” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office adds another layer of intrigue.
The trademark application, which Schon’s team submitted in April, seeks to cover a variety of categories related to music, including:
- Musical sound recordings
- Downloadable musical sound recordings
- Compact discs featuring music
- Musical video recordings
- Pre-recorded CDs, video tapes, laser disks, and DVDs featuring music
As of now, the trademark has not been granted, as it is still awaiting assignment to an examining attorney, according to the independent trademark research tool uspto.report.
Is ‘Journey Beyond’ a New Band?
Speculation about “Journey Beyond” being a potential offshoot band is fueled by Schon’s history of creating side projects. Previously, he founded a band called Journey Through Time, which featured former bandmates and performed a repertoire mainly focused on their classic hits. The band was active between 2018 and 2019, and they recently released an album in 2023, showcasing performances from their debut show.
With Journey currently experiencing a rare year without a major tour, having only played a few one-off shows, Schon has the opportunity to delve into solo projects. Meanwhile, his long-time collaborator Jonathan Cain has shifted his focus to solo faith music, leaving fans curious about the future of Journey’s music, especially following their last album, “Freedom,” released in 2022.
Connections to Past Tribute Bands
The name “Journey Beyond” isn’t entirely new; it was previously used by a tribute band formed by Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna. This tribute band debuted in 2020, focusing primarily on classic Journey material before eventually rebranding to “Beyond Frontiers.”
Conclusion
Neal Schon’s “Journey Beyond” has certainly captured the attention of fans and music enthusiasts alike. Whether it leads to a new band, a fresh musical direction, or simply remains a creative venture, the possibilities are exciting. As he navigates this new chapter, fans will be eagerly watching for updates and developments.
FAQs
What is “Journey Beyond”?
“Journey Beyond” is a phrase recently shared by Neal Schon, which he has filed for trademark protection. It has sparked speculation about potential new music or projects.
Has the trademark for “Journey Beyond” been approved?
No, the trademark application is still pending and has not yet been assigned to an examining attorney.
Is Neal Schon planning to form a new band?
While it’s unclear if “Journey Beyond” will result in a new band, Schon’s history of creating offshoot projects makes it a possibility.
What was Journey Through Time?
Journey Through Time was an offshoot band created by Neal Schon that performed classic Journey songs and featured former bandmates. They were active from 2018 to 2019 and released an album in 2023.
What is Jonathan Cain currently working on?
Jonathan Cain has been focusing on solo faith music and is reportedly working on new songs, though it’s uncertain if they will lead to new Journey material.
