Snuff the torch?

[fryingdutchman]

OK....DLR has been back in the VH fold for 8 years. When he returned, this website went nuts and declared "the return of the Mighty Van Halen." Those were some dizzying days to be sure, and our voracious appetites were (temporarily) sated.

But, as is customary for humans, we always want more.

Now....the battle drums are beating for the return of Michael Anthony. "It ain't Van Halen without Michael Anthony" is the new call to arms, at least for many here on this site.

With that, I ask...should the VH Torch remain lit? 8 years ago, it was set ablaze in the triumph of Roth's return. But now, it would seem that many don't even acknowledge this particular incarnation of the band.

Has the tribe spoken? Should the torch be snuffed?

[Von Halen]

You forgot "Fire SpanishGay Guy".

[vandeleur]

You need a " if Dave was killing it ( see warfs crossroads vid) would we even be talking about mike " button

[DONNIEP]

It's not that some of us "don't even acknowledge this particular incarnation of the band". Not at all. We were here going nuts when Dave got back in the band. We had "gig nights" for most of the shows on the last tour - people texting out the setlist from the show and updates from the show to another member who'd post them here. Then uploading video from the shows the next day - or later that night. We went to the shows, bought the T Shirts, sat here on Cafe Wha? night trying to stream the show (which didn't happen) and staying in multiple threads all at once updating all of them and banging the refresh button like coked up monkeys. Then we bought the last record (most of us in multiple formats), and went to the shows again.

But man, this has been 8 years of Wolfie in the band. Yay, he's the greatest bass player on earth and is the leader of the band and can perform miracles. So what. We all paid up and put enough cash in that kid's pocket so he can literally sit and play video games until he's 100 years old if he wants to. And some of us want to see a real reunion before Dave gets to where he can't so much as sing Happy Birthday. I don't buy into the "be happy with what you got" attitude. If I did I would have been "happy" while Slappy was in the band or when Gary was in the band. Ed said those were the definitive versions of Van Halen too.

And honestly, at this point after almost 40 years of being a fan of a band that broke up in 1985 yeah I don't think it's asking too much to want to see Mikey back up there. Of course Ed won't do it 'cause he's got to play with his son. Which is fine, his choice. And you only see that kind of dysfunction in VH. So if they tour I'll probably sit this one out, unless they drop a few bucks on a real stage and maybe a couple lights AND revamp the set list.

[vandeleur]

To be honest I couldn't give a shit either way .
Am from England where the history comes from , van Halen don't even know where that is.
They don't play here or exist in any tangible form here , there like Middle Earth or some other fantasy thing.
If I mention van halen to rock fans they are as likely to mention a sammy tune as a dave.
It's like being a member of a cult.

The only place van exist is on here or on my cd player it's not like they are real or anything.

Dave or the grave sounds a funny thing to say these days

[fryingdutchman]

It's not that some of us "don't even acknowledge this particular incarnation of the band". Not at all. We were here going nuts when Dave got back in the band. We had "gig nights" for most of the shows on the last tour - people texting out the setlist from the show and updates from the show to another member who'd post them here. Then uploading video from the shows the next day - or later that night. We went to the shows, bought the T Shirts, sat here on Cafe Wha? night trying to stream the show (which didn't happen) and staying in multiple threads all at once updating all of them and banging the refresh button like coked up monkeys. Then we bought the last record (most of us in multiple formats), and went to the shows again.

But man, this has been 8 years of Wolfie in the band. Yay, he's the greatest bass player on earth and is the leader of the band and can perform miracles. So what. We all paid up and put enough cash in that kid's pocket so he can literally sit and play video games until he's 100 years old if he wants to. And some of us want to see a real reunion before Dave gets to where he can't so much as sing Happy Birthday. I don't buy into the "be happy with what you got" attitude. If I did I would have been "happy" while Slappy was in the band or when Gary was in the band. Ed said those were the definitive versions of Van Halen too.

And honestly, at this point after almost 40 years of being a fan of a band that broke up in 1985 yeah I don't think it's asking too much to want to see Mikey back up there. Of course Ed won't do it 'cause he's got to play with his son. Which is fine, his choice. And you only see that kind of dysfunction in VH. So if they tour I'll probably sit this one out, unless they drop a few bucks on a real stage and maybe a couple lights AND revamp the set list.

I hear ya Donnie. I was right here with everyone during the craziness of the reunion. I had my laptop on my kitchen island trying in vain to stream the Café Wha? show. I saw all of the pictures....of WARF touching Dave's microphone, etc...

I heard the odd clueless Asian dude yelling "NEW SONG!! NEW SONG!!" when they launched into "She's The Woman"...not realizing it was a recycled tune from the vault.

But you keep misquoting me. I never said "be happy with what you got." You did it up in the chat box too. I said "sometimes you have to take what you got." You don't necessarily have to be thrilled with it, but by the same token you don't need to completely implode about it either.

I always thought that in this joint, it was all about ROTH. So I just assumed that most were happy...even if it was a reluctant happiness without Mike Anthony.

And it seems like the linchpin in this whole thing is the use of the word "definitive." If that's the word that Ed used, then discard it. We all know by now not to listen to anything Ed says and take it seriously. By way of example...

- Everybody who Ed described as a "brother" is out of this band.
- Ed is not playing the tuba
- Dave has no need for a cup

And so on, and so on...

Admittedly, I was away for awhile and I know attitudes change. I just never thought there would be this level of discontent with a DLR-fronted Van Halen. At least not at the Roth Army.

I'm not saying Wolf is great or that he's a superior replacement for Mike. He's not...and he never will be.

I guess what I'm saying is that I haven't lost my appreciation for what he did in getting those two Dutch fucks off their asses, and getting us as close as we've ever been to Classic Van Halen since 1984.

[DONNIEP]

But you keep misquoting me. I never said "be happy with what you got." You did it up in the chat box too. I said "sometimes you have to take what you got." You don't necessarily have to be thrilled with it, but by the same token you don't need to completely implode about it either.

No, what you said was, and I quote, "Donnie - be happy with what you got because it's betterer than the REAL Van Halen and I am jealous of your cool shoes!" I know that's what you said.

I took what I got, paid money, enjoyed the shows I went to. I ain't about to "implode" over a band that really doesn't even exist anymore. VH is like New Kids On The Block or New Edition at this point - they tour every 5 years or so to fill up the bank accounts lol.

I was thrilled when Dave got back in the band. And as I've said recently - going to a live VH show these days doesn't suck. It's still fun as hell and a great time. But I'm not interested in seeing them again, doing basically the same damn show and some 20something up there in an original member's spot. I'm sure Wolf is a great kid, nice guy, all that stuff. He just has no business being in Van Halen. So what if he put some magic ear buds in Ed's ears and healed him? Hell, I could have done that. Does that mean I should be the bass player? Wait...yes, yes it does! I SHOULD be the bass player in VH! I'll even bring back Mikey's solo and hop all over the stage like a coked up monkey!

DB - come on babayyy! We're goin' on tour!

[Von Halen]

I can't speak for everyone fryingdutchman, but I think most of the discontent is from this bands lack of respect for its most hardcore followers. Sometimes it seems they just flat refuse to give us what we want, just to be dicks. Basically Wolf is now suffering for what he was responsible for giving us. I think most of us appreciate him getting Dave back in the band. For renewing his Dad's interest in the classic and timeless stuff. For probably saving his Dad's life. Yes, even for playing bass in the band, and doing those tours. What we don't care for, is the embracing of the past, while at the same time ignoring it. To call this live album "definitive" is a joke enough. But to not even throw so much as a bone to us, by including a show from the original VH, is beyond belief. Their expectation that we are just supposed to support their laziness, because they're the mighty Van Halen, is ignorant on their parts. They 100% should have packaged this live album, with an old show. Then, they top it off by releasing what was probably one of Dave's worst performances.

I'm not buying it. Literally and figuratively.

[DONNIEP]

I still say we have a giant black cock coming out of the top of the torch...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

I agree with the others, it's extremely frustrating, especially considering the barrage of extensive material that fans of other bands are given.....


But I will also say this, would you rather have the alternative, with fucking Hagar back up there, singing "dig it ya'll, come on, love, love, love, tequila, love, love, love" ???


It sucks, but it's far better than the alternative.....


Keep the damn thing lit.....

[DONNIEP]

But I will also say this, would you rather have the alternative, with fucking Hagar back up there, singing "dig it ya'll, come on, love, love, love, tequila, love, love, love" ???

Sammy has better hair. You can't deny that.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Sammy has better hair. You can't deny that.

And no dance floor.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

what torch?

[DONNIEP]

And no dance floor.

And performs RWTD about 50 times a year...wonder how much he has to pay them for that?

[fryingdutchman]

They 100% should have packaged this live album, with an old show. Then, they top it off by releasing what was probably one of Dave's worst performances.

I'm not buying it. Literally and figuratively.

You think Tokyo was one of Dave's worst performances? I disagree. It wasn't stellar by any means but I think they did better shows in Japan. This was discussed in another thread that Dave knew they were recording for a live release and actually worked hard at singing and avoided the straining.

And I don't think that packaging an old show alongside the new show would be a good idea. Would you want to put the gold standard up against what they're doing today? It would only emphasize how far they've fallen.