VH Cancels Dates

[sirDaniel]

..when they were good, they were very, very good. And when they were bad they were:

H O R R I D

[jisham]

From Van Halen News Desk:

Just when we all were beginning to think we were going to get a killer Van Halen album and an entire tour without any drama whatsoever, look what happens!

Yesterday, Van Halen POSTPONED (not canceled!) most of their Summer tour dates with no reason given. Immediately, speculation ran wild. Fans wondered if there were health issues. Rolling Stone quotes a mysterious “source with knowledge of the tour” who supposedly said the band members “hate each other” and are “arguing like mad.”

The Van Halen News Desk now has some answers form our trusted and proven sources. Other than those Summer dates having to be moved, it’s actually good news.

First off, no one in the band is sick. No health problems.

Second, we knew right away that Rolling Stone’s “source” is completely wrong, and can not possibly be a person with actual inside knowledge of the tour, because all four band members have been getting along splendidly throughout the entire tour. Roth and the Van Halen’s talk every day, and they are all smiles on stage. Everyone who’s seen the tour or even youtube videos can confirm that.

In fact, the band is on such a high from playing together this year and they were really taken aback by the Rolling Stone quote. They’re older and wiser and haven’t had any issues with one another.

Why were these dates postponed? The band has been working tirelessly for the last 18 months – writing and recording “A Different Kind Of Truth”, filming the “Tattoo” video, rehearsing, putting together the show themselves (lighting, the videos, the stage, routing the tour, and lots of behind the scenes stuff that most people don’t even know about). The band wants the second leg to be as awesome as the first. And for that to happen they want to put more time into the planning of it. Not just continue on with the same show.

Van Halen is very enthusiastic about the rest of the tour and wants be on the road for a long time. Just how long remains to be seen, but we’ll say that the tour will probably continue into next year. They are now considering touring Australia and Japan in the near future.

As it stands now, the 31 postponed US shows are due to be rescheduled. There should be some sort of official announcement forthcoming.

[BTMN]

If ya ask me the 5 year contract came up for renewal and terms and egos, taking credit for the reent success, reduced the Mighty Van Halen to ruins AGAIN. think about it they toured in 2007 and then threw this album together that isn't to bad but it is kinda thrown together old riffs reworked or finally recorded as I have read.

PURE SPECULATION ON MY PART.

Maybe Sammy Hagar isn't to busy.

I didn't catch the tour and my budget thanks me. The new FB might not have been possible. Have not bought the new cd either. I kinda decided a while ago that they had gotten all the money I wanted to give them. I did however buy a $5 copy of Van Halen 2 about a week ago and have been digging that cd with total 1979 flashbacks and renewed interest in that set of songs. You're No Good. Oh the riffs!!

Who knows when these cats will be able to get along. Gotta say that some of Dave's stage antjcs would get very old after to many nights. Check this vid of The Full Bug and watch Dave prance in front of Eddie.

KAPOW!!! And I'm not even that kinda guy.

[svl]

They got along just fine at the two Chicago shows I saw them at in the last coupla months, and the album is faaaaaar from thrown together old riffs (the album took almost two years from beginning to final mix, and is brilliant). This was a hard thought out and pre-meditated sonic assault, and it was a massive success.

All good as far as I'm concerned, though I am hoping for one more pass thru Chicago. I'd buy tix again in an instant- they fucking ROCKED!

[kizanski]

...working tirelessly...filming the “Tattoo” video...

Absolutely. That video had to take at least a half hour to make.

[elduave]

Gene, love ya but I don't see anything wrong with Dave's behavior in that clip. In fact, I thought it all kicked ass.

[conorb]

I saw them two weekends ago in Tacoma; they were awesome. It was really fantastic and a definite highlight for me.

During Eddie's solo I was mesmerized by his playing and skill. I remember reading that when they were starting out that David would tell Eddie to turn around so that other guitarists couldn't cop his licks; well if someone gave me the tape of his playing and the close-up video of both hands - in slow-motion - and I studied it for the rest of my life; there is no way I would ever be able to do that.

I'm listening to the new album right now; just picked it up today.

I hope they get back on track soon. It was an absolute treat to watch DLR and Eddy on stage together. A watershed moment.

conorb

[killerteddybear]

Ha! All smoke and mirrors.

Nothing's wrong with anyone. Postponing shows gets them back in the news.

There's no such thing as 'bad' publicity...

[specialk]

DLR looks like he could be a member of the Beach Boys in that clip. Not a good thing.

[hamerhead]

Ha! All smoke and mirrors.

Nothing's wrong with anyone. Postponing shows gets them back in the news.

There's no such thing as 'bad' publicity...

There ya have it.

[BTMN]

Gene, love ya but I don't see anything wrong with Dave's behavior in that clip. In fact, I thought it all kicked ass.

That's Cool with me. We all have a differant perspective.

Edited to add: Just found this...

http://www.vhnd.com/2012/05/18/van-halen-getting-along-fine-taking-a-break-and-planning-to-extend-tour/

[Brentrocks]

This fucking blows...i have great seats for the Grand Rapids, MI show.....i'm sure the tour will eventually be canceled.

[MCChris]

Gene, love ya but I don't see anything wrong with Dave's behavior in that clip. In fact, I thought it all kicked ass.

That's Cool with me. We all have a differant perspective.

Edited to add: Just found this...

http://www.vhnd.com/...to-extend-tour/

Did you not notice that Jaye posted this an hour before the post you made last night?

I made the mistake of basing my reaction on a Rolling Stone article that was chock full of quotes and info from anonymous sources. The fact that the use of which has become commonplace these days is a scourge on all forms of journalism, A "reporter" can essentially put anything he/she wants into the public realm with zero accountability. All "news" these days is mere publicity.

[tommy p]

Gene, love ya but I don't see anything wrong with Dave's behavior in that clip. In fact, I thought it all kicked ass.

I was waiting for a KAPOW-worthy moment but didn't see it either. I think we all still kind of expect the worst when Eddie and Dave get together.

[sirDaniel]

i have relegated VanHalen to achive status. It totally reminds me constantly of the best of times growing up. They were at the top during my high school years. I enjoy the new disk, because it sounds like VH blueprint of old. But buy a ticket? I would only be disappointed. I would rather they cancel and regroup then end the tour with a bunch of burned out dates

[princeofdarkness56]

Well I am a bit skepitcal. You have a brand new release that is selling well, you are out on the road and the reviews are good with people lined up to see you and you want to postpone 30 plus dates in the middle of the tour so you can keep it fresh ?? Sounds a bit fishy to me. Most groups soldier on and add dates when things are going well. Maybe these guys are just out of shape and need a break. Hope nothing worse than that.

[Crimsontider]

Give Dave a wig.

What a lame audience. Far, far removed from the woman and children first tour videos.

[MCChris]

Give Dave a wig.

What a lame audience. Far, far removed from the woman and children first tour videos.

Indeed. 32 years removed.

[kizanski]

Give Dave a wig.

What a lame audience. Far, far removed from the woman and children first tour videos.

Indeed. 32 years removed.

HAHAHAHAhahahah..........

[BTMN]

That is Madison Square Garden's audience.

Yeah, I did not read Jaye's post.

I LOVE the music in that video I posted the lil shuffle Dave does in front of Eddies as Dave is headed to Stage left I found irritating. I dont know why but it does. At least he isn't wearing the Copper and Gold metallic pants he wore when he and Sammy tour together. Van Halen sound really good. I have watched the full show from Indy that is on Youtube and most of a N.C. show. I want to buy into the New Van Halen and they are slowly dragging me back. When a guitar riff makes me squirm in the seat and pat my feet to two dfferant parts of the song I'm in. VH2, the $5 cd I got at Wallyworld last week, does that. Right now as a matter of fact. Bottoms UP INDEED!!!

[jisham]

Update from Diamond Dave:

http://vimeo.com/42480835

[kizanski]

"The band is winning, but the schedule has been sidelined for Unnecessary Roughness."

Great quote.

[svl]

It sucks getting old, I know from personal experience. But at least they have the balls to recognize and deal with it properly.

Looking forward to Round 2 and the "Monster Truck Pull"!

[BTMN]

Alright DLR I can't wait to see the main event.

1982 St. Paul Civic Center

[Crimsontider]

If I was in their sound department, I would have a Michael Anthony vocal track on every song, which I am sure they own. I never had proper respect for Michael until I saw a Chicken Foot concert, not only can he sing but he has the groove to keep up with the best in improvisations. Considering the multi musical generations and gene's of the Halen's, I imagine Woolf is as good or better technically than Anthony was at this stage, but M.A's piercing harmonies are instrumental in reproducing the aesthetics of early Van Halen.

I think the bass solo from the 1st Van Hagard VHS concert hurt his credibility. Not sure whos idea it was but it was basically a feedback laden effects free for all triggered probably by Eddie backstage somewhere.