Engineer Brian Kehaw discusses Van Halen History and whats in the Warner Bros. Vault.

[twonabomber]

Watched it this morning. Good stuff

[Rikk]

Huh?

No it's not gone....here it is, uploaded by Sunset Sound...

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5-biL02KxE4

AND....this is just part 1. Part 2 coming within the week they say.

That was weird.

It literally stopped playing last night while I was watching it. Then it was taken down. Now it's up again.

[Terry]

That stuff mentioned - the remixed 1977 demos, alternate takes of several CVH tracks, unreleased CVH studio stuff (the "many" unreleased songs referred to...am wondering if that references songs that were actually completed with vocals, or studio demos that weren't completed/only instrumental/abandoned before vocals were added) - would certainly be stuff I'd want to hear.

I think both Roth and Mike have mentioned they each have plenty of 'vault'/unreleased stuff in their own personal collections. I'd tend to think a lot of the CVH shows were recorded by the band...that Memphis 1981 show that surfaced a decade or so ago looks like something the band had recorded by setting up a stationary video recorder on the mixing board (as opposed to, say, the Montreal 1984 show, which is clearly an audience made bootleg shot from what looks to be a hospitality suite): should that be the case, one wonders how many other shows were recorded in a like manner. Obviously, isn't the same as, say, the pro-shot stuff like Largo 1982 (with multiple cameras at various positions)...but, shit, you take what you can get.

[Terry]

I don't know how much of a rush Warner Brothers will be in to release this stuff now as opposed to in the early 2000s (when this box set was originally being put together), because the business of selling/distributing music has changed in the last 15 years...changed to the point where WB knows the content once publicly released will be leaked onto the internet in multiple ways and downloaded for free by a not insubstantial amount of folks. That happened with both ADKOT and Tokyo Dome to a degree (even though those were both put out by Interscope).

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if this stuff - assuming it actually gets released - is made solely available in digital format. Frankly, that might be for the best, as people are beginning to discover these cds and dvds they were buying in the 1980s and 1990s are beginning to physically rot.

[FORD]

Actually the Tokyo Dome album was released by Warner Brothers. Probably because only three of the songs on the album were from ADKOT, so it would be easier to get permission from Interscope/UMG to include those three on the album than to release the live record on that label and have to pay WB for the majority of it.

Or however that works with rival predatory capitalist media companies. The Stones always had issues combining their 60s catalog with the rest of their stuff, until the mid 2000s when they signed with UMG for new releases, which also distributed their 60s ABKCO catalog.

[DLR Bridge]

I just watched this whole thing. Definitely cool af. I think that Brian Kehew says he wishes that VH made their “White Album” to which the younger guy across from him mentions that VHIII was somewhat experimental, and I think Kehew thought he was talking about WACF.
I love and appreciate the F out of these types of conversations. The guys even say that that’s what helps enrich the history is discussions based on firsthand accounts.

[Rikk]

That stuff mentioned - the remixed 1977 demos, alternate takes of several CVH tracks, unreleased CVH studio stuff (the "many" unreleased songs referred to...am wondering if that references songs that were actually completed with vocals, or studio demos that weren't completed/only instrumental/abandoned before vocals were added) - would certainly be stuff I'd want to hear.

I think both Roth and Mike have mentioned they each have plenty of 'vault'/unreleased stuff in their own personal collections. I'd tend to think a lot of the CVH shows were recorded by the band...that Memphis 1981 show that surfaced a decade or so ago looks like something the band had recorded by setting up a stationary video recorder on the mixing board (as opposed to, say, the Montreal 1984 show, which is clearly an audience made bootleg shot from what looks to be a hospitality suite): should that be the case, one wonders how many other shows were recorded in a like manner. Obviously, isn't the same as, say, the pro-shot stuff like Largo 1982 (with multiple cameras at various positions)...but, shit, you take what you can get.

He was very clear in the video about this.

The 1977 demos obviously have a slew of unreleased material (although much of it is now just alternate versions of material we ended up getting on ADKOT). We all know what's on the '77 demos...it'll just be great to hear it in a new mix with polished sound.

He was clear that there aren't a LOT of unreleased tracks from the six-pack but there are a few from each album...some instrumental, some not.

I've already done the math. You get one CD and a bit from the '77 demos. That means, with 4 CDs of stuff...there's a shitload of stuff still. He said there is a lot more than that in the vaults. But he mixed/compiled 4 CDs worth of "useable", good stuff. This obviously includes the alternate HOT FOR TEACHER with Ed doing bass on the intro and Dave's completely different vocals/lyrics (that would even have a different name), the completely different/alternate version of LITTLE DREAMER (with vocals)...and then a shitload of other things.

You add the unreleased songs (there MUST be BIG TROUBLE from the DIVER DOWN sessions...everyone verified that song was also recorded for that album and the master was left in the vault, I'm assuming Brian found it and mixed it) and the 1984 (or DIVER DOWN) version of IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Ed says in one interview that it was finished but they didn't use it because he wanted 1984 to be only all originals released), an alternate take or two of CATHEDRAL from that full reel of Ed doing take after take of it (these box sets USUALLY never subject people to 30 takes of an instrumental...plus he sounded pretty clear that his 4 CDs of mixed, "useable" material was a good mix of stuff from the six years), an alternate take or two of the LITTLE GUITARS intro (again, a full reel, with some real fuck-ups in there...it would be hilarious to hear Ed playing it, swear and then try a better take), studio jams (he mentioned there are some good ones there and I bet they're mostly from the 1984 tapes...we've heard a few of those and those are the sessions Ed had the most freedom with which to put jams on tape)...and then the few unreleased tracks from each album session he mentioned, some instrumental, some not.

I wouldn't be surprised if any album Wolf is compiling from his Dad's tapes would include the process of Wolf asking Dave to come down and put some vocals on instrumentals (dear God, please don't get Sam to do it...he's already ruined enough great Eddie jams...I was listening to SOURCE OF INFECTION the other night with my wife and she commented to me that this would be a great, great VH song if Dave had put a real vocal on it instead of the drivel Sam put on it and completely wasting it). But for this box set, I'm skeptical of Dave coming down and finishing these archives recordings. But it would be great if he did. Bands do stuff like that. The Doors got Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots to put bass on a really cool ROADHOUSE BLUES outtake they have cut earlier from the SOFT PARADE sessions...then they released it on that box set.

Anyway, some of the unreleased songs DO have Dave vocals on them.

I'm psyched for this stuff. When we'll hear it, I don't know.

I've had the same '77 demos collection on my iTunes for over a decade. I'm now seeking a better-sounding boot (bootleggers and collectors are always finding and/or remastering things like this and putting out there better versions of his material). If someone (HARDROCK, maybe?) has an "ideal" version of the '77 demos to tide me over for a while, I just want something that sounds better than the hissier/compressed version I've been listening to. It'll hold me over until we finally get the remixes and all this other unreleased material.

[Rikk]

Box sets of unreleased material and stuff ARE getting released on CD all the time still. There are still enough collectors like me (and many of the people on this site, not everyone obviously) who are happy to shell out bucks for material they haven't heard.

VH is still a very popular band and a BIG catalog seller. That Led Zeppelin stuff had a lot of slim pickins in the box sets Jimmy was putting out...how many tracklistings were full of fucking ROUGH MIXes that few of us could give a shit about. Not enough unreleased songs...not that Zeppelin had THAT many, plus the vault had already been through one cleaning before. ADKOT was a huge seller...most albums these days don't sell the amount of copies that thing did. TOKYO DOME also sold a respectable amount of copies. And they've now released a 2nd remaster series of the 6-pack (no Sammy still, LOL). They wouldn't keep doing that if people weren't buying them. Think of how many more of those people would buy a box set of unreleased studio material...let alone all the live material and film material that could be found in these and other vaults.

Hell, I just got a new U2 box set, a new Tom Petty box set of unreleased material, two new Stones archival box sets...this stuff is getting released because people buy it.

VH is one of the biggest bands in history and still sell more than most other classic acts. Unreleased Van Halen material with Dave? Gimme a break. Of course it'll sell. Will it sell like 1984 sold in...er...1984? Well, fuck no. Nothing does. But it'll sell enough to justify their doing it.

This hasn't been avoided for years because there's no market for it. No, it's been avoided because few bands (if any) have ever been as closed-minded about going into their archives (let alone doing simple things like keeping in communication with their fans).

[Von Halen]

Well, if WB, Wolf, Janie, Alex, or anyone else wants to really capitalize on this unreleased stuff, they better get on it. The CVH fan base isn't getting any younger. Morrison, Hendrix, Bonham and and the others that died young, had younger fan bases that could wait decades for box sets of unreleased stuff. CVH doesn't have that. Yes, there will always be a market for it, as it is timeless. But to truly capitalize, they need to get on it. This is why I applaud the Petty camp, for not taking forever to start releasing that material. They are in the same boat as CVH fan. Older. LOL. Sorry, but it's true.

I have seen comments recently about the filming of VH shows. Many of you know I have a friend that worked for the band during the CVH era. He has told me there is just not that much Pro shot video. He told me himself, when they used to bring those camera's out and run across the stage with them, "filming", there was no film in them. He said those were old camera's from movie sets and it was just part of the show to get the crowd even more riled up. He says that's why in all these years, you've never seen any actual video released, from those camera's. Of the full shows that were filmed, like Largo, South America, the US Festival and a couple of others, I hope and pray they get to those quickly too. Those are the holy grail to me. As much as I can't wait for all this stuff Kehew is talking about, I really want a quality version of at least, one of these other shows.

[ZahZoo]

This hasn't been avoided for years because there's no market for it. No, it's been avoided because few bands (if any) have ever been as closed-minded about going into their archives (let alone doing simple things like keeping in communication with their fans).

This ^...

That boils down the root cause for the extreme lack of releases from Van Halen. Call it what you will... but it's never been about the material failing to meet some unspecified, lofty quality standard or ability to generate revenue. Let's be transparent... it's always been about a certain guitar player's insecurity and misplaced obsessions.

[Vinnie Velvet]

It will be interesting to see what gets released first.

Obviously it will be CVH stuff. WB doesnt seem interested in rereleasing any of the Van Hagar catalog or any unreleased songs from that era.

They know what will sell and what the general music listening public wants.

Which is interesting to note that - all of the CVH albums are distributed and marketed by Rhino which specializes in reissuing classic albums.

The Van Hagar albums in comparison fall under "Warner Strategic Marketing". This label specializes in compilation albums but unlike Rhino they don't reissue records.

[twonabomber]

A short video from Sunset's channel

[Hardrock69]

I just watched this whole thing. Definitely cool af. I think that Brian Kehew says he wishes that VH made their “White Album” to which the younger guy across from him mentions that VHIII was somewhat experimental, and I think Kehew thought he was talking about WACF.
I love and appreciate the F out of these types of conversations. The guys even say that that’s what helps enrich the history is discussions based on firsthand accounts.

I caught that mistake.

But yes. Hearing such stuff from those who personally witnessed everything is essential.

[Hardrock69]

I've had the same '77 demos collection on my iTunes for over a decade. I'm now seeking a better-sounding boot (bootleggers and collectors are always finding and/or remastering things like this and putting out there better versions of his material). If someone (HARDROCK, maybe?) has an "ideal" version of the '77 demos to tide me over for a while, I just want something that sounds better than the hissier/compressed version I've been listening to. It'll hold me over until we finally get the remixes and all this other unreleased material.

Firstly, all my bootlegs are buried in boxes. I just moved to Portland, OR in January of this year.

Secondly, here. A life support video.

[Seshmeister]

This ^...

That boils down the root cause for the extreme lack of releases from Van Halen. Call it what you will... but it's never been about the material failing to meet some unspecified, lofty quality standard or ability to generate revenue. Let's be transparent... it's always been about a certain guitar player's insecurity and misplaced obsessions.

Yeah the lofty thing kind of went out the window a little with the Tokyo live album...