Enjoy all the Journey favorites on July 14
By Jill Alexander
DSB. This acronym stands for Don’t Stop Believin’ – a nod to lyrics by the band Journey. It’s also the chosen name of Journey tribute band DSB, named after the music sensation of yesteryear.
DSB will play all the hits from Journey on July 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hoyt Park as part of the Scripps Ranch Symphony in the Park summer concert series.
“DSB is the moniker to the song,” said Juan Del Castillo, DSB co-founder, and lead vocalist. “A lot of the Journey fans give abbreviations to the songs like WINTS (‘Wheel in the Sky’…). ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ is one of Journey’s most popular and biggest songs.”
DSB recently celebrated its 15th year together, a major milestone for the five-member group that has earned the title of World’s Greatest Journey Tribute Band, Del Castillo said.
He said DSB hasn’t played Scripps Ranch since 2018 and it is excited to return for many reasons.
“Let’s face it, Journey is not going to come to Scripps, so this is why we need to come out and play the way it is supposed to be played in a live setting.” Del Castillo said. “It’s always great to appear in front of the hometown crowd and it’s a good time.”
Del Castillo grew up in California and said his parents still live in Fallbrook.
“When I first started, it didn’t matter if I was out with friends, or we were doing karaoke … people went nuts for what we or I was singing. I was always compared to Steve Perry … I was humbled by that and still am,” he said.
DSB performs more than 100 shows a year, ranging from festivals to summer concerts, cruise ships and theaters.
“I love what I do, but it’s never been about fame or money,” Del Castillo said. “I have devoted my life to music and there’s that saying that if you love what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life. I’m a strong advocate of that sentiment.”
Other members of DSB are equally talented. One member plays with jazz icon Dave Koz, while others are involved with various recording studios.
Del Castillo has been a Journey fan forever, and was influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, other ’60s artists, and of course, Perry.
“As an artist when living in LA, you’re also looking for a constant stream to outlet your music, and I found a nice niche when tributes were popular in 2006,” he said.
While Journey’s music might be decades old, people still love it and DSB likes to play its songs, Del Castillo said.
“The songs are 40 years old, but people love the music of Journey and I think now it’s multigenerational. You have young teens who recognize songs from movies out there now and then the generation of 20s-30s, and then original fans of when it first came out. It’s really music for all ages,” he said.
Del Castillo said he met members of Journey once while in Las Vegas.
“I have met them all – but not Steve Perry – and it was one of the best moments of my life, shaking hands with those who are most responsible for what we do,” he said.
DSB has been able to sustain and continue to “keep it organic.”
“All the guys are world-class musicians, and the nice thing is that Journey is not putting out new music, so we stick to the core that made them popular, and that continues to resonate with the public,” Del Castillo said. “Our objective is to play Journey music with integrity and accuracy. We’re still trying to emulate their recordings and may throw in a live ending, but for the most part, we play the way people remember it.”
The DSB concert on July 14 will be sponsored by U.S. Bank. Those attending may bring picnic baskets, cloth blankets and low-back chairs so everyone can see the band. No pets are allowed, and no plastic tarps are allowed since they kill the park’s grass. Visit symphonyinthepark.org.