Do you think they are recording ?

[Calderone]

I think they are atttempting something at the studio
at least there are some rehearsals recorded

[cvh 2007]

i think so i hope they come out with 6 more albums hell maybe more

[fryingdutchman]

I think they're more concerned about rehearsing for a quality live performance than they are about recording anything.

[bueno bob]

Admittedly, a new album would put some distance between them and the Michael Anthony issue. Something from the studio would be seen by the general public as a form of cement for the new Van Halen lineup, which has been traditionally quite unstable since 1996.

A new studio album's importance should not be ignored by any of them. To that end, they should keep this tour as short, sweet and simple as they can, use it specifically as a warm up for Wolfgang's new life as a touring musician/band member. After that, release something and do a full on world tour, whatever; Wolf will have had his cherry popped for road life and at that point Ed and Al and Dave will already know between the three of them whether pushing the Van Halen brand name any further is really worth the effort.

Hell, even an internet EP of a few re-recorded songs with Wolfgang on bass would add at least further solidarity. Make that a FREE internet EP (download, stream, burn it, upload it, whatever) so that people don't feel forced to buy it and they'd probably win over a few more of the naysayers.

[jharp84]

Originally posted by bueno bob
Admittedly, a new album would put some distance between them and the Michael Anthony issue. Something from the studio would be seen by the general public as a form of cement for the new Van Halen lineup, which has been traditionally quite unstable since 1996.

A new studio album's importance should not be ignored by any of them. To that end, they should keep this tour as short, sweet and simple as they can, use it specifically as a warm up for Wolfgang's new life as a touring musician/band member. After that, release something and do a full on world tour, whatever; Wolf will have had his cherry popped for road life and at that point Ed and Al and Dave will already know between the three of them whether pushing the Van Halen brand name any further is really worth the effort.

Hell, even an internet EP of a few re-recorded songs with Wolfgang on bass would add at least further solidarity. Make that a FREE internet EP (download, stream, burn it, upload it, whatever) so that people don't feel forced to buy it and they'd probably win over a few more of the naysayers.

AGREE 200% However, Unfortunately we all know we will NOT BE THAT FUCKIN LUCKY!!!!! We have to go back to the goddamn "BABY STEPS" in my opinion to make this non-pasture work out!!! Thanks for the optimism! I'm with ya there!

[BrownSound1]

I don't think they are working on an album right now. I think they are wanting to get their "legs" back with this tour, then work on an album. It makes sense because they haven't worked together in so long that the chemistry isn't back to the point of recording a quality record. Remember, they had been playing together for quite some time before the first album was recorded.

I think they are going about it the right way. Go out, do a tour playing stuff you know, then come back when everything is gelling and cut some new stuff.

[bueno bob]

Originally posted by jharp84
AGREE 200% However, Unfortunately we all know we will NOT BE THAT FUCKIN LUCKY!!!!! We have to go back to the goddamn "BABY STEPS" in my opinion to make this non-pasture work out!!! Thanks for the optimism! I'm with ya there!

Well, I can see a few (very few) ways for them to make this thing solid. Although I'm a pretty vocal naysayer about the whole thing, there ARE things that could be done to solidify their position a bit.

Now, if they were to do all that, AND Michael made a statement giving Wolfgang his blessing and saying he was happy to move on and wished them all the best in the future, he was ready to leave and this is for everybody's best, blah blah blah, that would be a world of difference, I think.

To my knowledge, of course, Mike's only said that he "wasn't invited", which is admittedly a far cry from a blessing. If Mike's departure and/or feelings about all this were completely amicable, a lot of the naysayers might certainly feel different.

Of course, Mike giving his blessing and some form of studio output from the new lineup isn't impossible, per se - admittedly, we are very early into this new business. Anything is still possible, which is both the strength and weakness of this whole situation.

There's no harm in hoping for the best while preparing for the worst; such is practically the Van Halen way of life...

[binnie]

I imagine they will be recording live rehearsals, but not new material as of yet.

Baby steps.

[ELVIS]

Originally posted by bueno bob
Hell, even an internet EP of a few re-recorded songs with Wolfgang on bass would add at least further solidarity.

What did you just say ???

[MAX]

Originally posted by bueno bob
Admittedly, a new album would put some distance between them and the Michael Anthony issue. Something from the studio would be seen by the general public as a form of cement for the new Van Halen lineup

My friend, the general public has already spoken by the sales for the tour. Once and for all, nobody seriously gives a shit about Michael Anthony.

Honestly, this sad devotion to the former bassplayer is both fucked up and weird to say the least. Seriously, nobody cares. It's just like the Stones. Fuck, I'm sure tons of peeps would love to see Wyman onstage with them but at the end of the day, as long as both Mick and Spleef are up there, nobody gives a shit.

If this "Mikey" crap doesn't stop and soon, I'm going to throw up. One expects that crybaby act from the links but not here.

[ROTHisGOD]

I think that they are actually recording/rehearsal,doing a bit of both..

[Seshmeister]

Can I just interrupt this fantasy world that some of you are floating in?

The last couple of things that Eddie has written and recorded was that shit for the porn film and Up for Breakfast...

[ELVIS]

Yeah, but he's sitting on enough "jems" for 10 albums...

[fryingdutchman]

Originally posted by ELVIS
"jems"...

Is she truly outrageous?

[bueno bob]

Originally posted by ELVIS
What did you just say ???

Heh heh...didn't say I'd go anywhere near it, but I did say it would be a possibility...

If it was an internet only free download sort of deal, though, this would be the only way to market it - that way, nobody felt absolutely obligated to do anything with it and it's simply there for the folks who would actually WANT it.

Regardless of how the traditionalists feel about such a move (myself included), it would be possible for them to do it and probably would be met by some interest. As a free download, I'd at least listen to it, even if I didn't keep it. And I'm certainly not suggesting pulling a Blizzard of Ozz/Diary of a Madman Sharon Osbourne move with the material.

Of course, the concept of new and original material would far outweigh anything re-recorded...

Just playin' devils advocate. In any regards, something from the studio would probably go a ways towards silencing some of the negativity. People have been teased with DLR reunions before and there's been nothing but two songs since 1984.

If they're serious about making this work, the importance of new studio material can't be overlooked. On most of the other music websites I visit, this whole thing is being met with overwhelming disinterest at best and total negativity at worst (with a few oddball supporters back and forth), not because of Michael Anthony, but because people are simply fed up with Van Halen and all the bullshit that goes with it. There's a few distinct things they could do to ease some of the public tensions, and if I had to pull out ideas to get them there...these would be them...