Mammoth WVH New Releases

[ZahZoo]

This one is my favorite so far... solid rocker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkGCJ4UYqCs&t=48s&ab_channel=MammothWVH-Topic

[ZahZoo]

This one was Ed's favorite... I believe it's the more pop oriented on the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGl_3AYGW08&t=1s&ab_channel=MammothWVH-Topic

[twonabomber]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMDoj8VVzh8

[Kristy]

Mammoth is one way to describe it. Sounds like 80's hair metal with more delivered pizzas. Fucking awful unlistenable shit.

[Kristy]

His CD is $13 ($34 on vinyl) on schoolkidsrecords.com a place that I may remind you where you should do all of your music shopping. DO NOT give your money to corporate fuck monkeys like Cramazon or some brick and mortar corporate store because if you do then you're a fuck monkey asshole retard yourself. They may not have everything that caters to your shitty Montrose cover band taste but for a collector like myself they do have some interesting limited edition gems you can get. It's worth a look:

https://schoolkidsrecords.com/UPC/750238773480

[ZahZoo]

So far I've enjoyed each of the songs released. It's all original work... the production and compositions are solid. Good energy and so far quite listenable.

For something that appeared to be a just home project of a kid using his dad's studio and resources... this has turned out far exceeding my expectations. Looking forward to hearing more...

[Terry]

I'd say what I've heard also exceeded my expectations, although I didn't really have any expectations to exceed...like, just him being "the kid of" Eddie Van Halen wasn't something that made me think [Wolfgang's] stuff was gonna be any good by default...

What I've heard is competent. As you say, the production and compositions are solid. Listenable.

All of that is a far cry from any of it being exceptional or memorable, which are two descriptions that I find I can't really apply to any of the Mammoth stuff I've heard.

None of which is to say I find any of it terrible by any means.

[Von Halen]

I like all I've heard.

But, to me, it's missing the chemistry of a real rock band.

Definitely a talented kid.

[Jérôme Frenchise]

The idea of the vid and the vid itself are really funny, though
the chemistry of a real rock band is missing necessarily. :D
For a fraction of a second when the second Wolf arrives to grab a guitar before the other two, I thought hey, the other guitarist is just as hefty as he is.:D

The music sounds great, though maybe too polished. Some frying would have been welcome in there.

Anyway I like the vid a lot.

[ZahZoo]

The chemistry element does seem to be missing... sort of... I keep finding myself focused on the fact that all the parts were performed by one person or actually reminding myself.

But then, if that fact weren't present, I wouldn't make the connection necessarily just listening to the songs. Plus, given Wolf's roots... the chemistry was such a prevalent element in his father's work... it's difficult not to consider it.

The exceptional or memorable aspect is true so far. Not hearing something that I think people will imprint on and still enjoy 20 or 40 years from now like some of rock's greatest songs.

But has that era past us all..?

[Fairwrning]

Am I the only one thinking of Dave Grohl? Backup player loses the main element of his first band and decides to make his own record and hire road musicians to play live..and I like what Ive heard so far..The video is even fooish..

[Nickdfresh]

The chemistry element does seem to be missing... sort of... I keep finding myself focused on the fact that all the parts were performed by one person or actually reminding myself.

...

It's probably because he hasn't had to cut his teeth with a bunch of bro musicians playing bars then progressively bigger venues before landing a contract. It seems like maybe five years before making it is a good benchmark with bands like Van Halen and The Who...

[Kristy]

I like all I've heard.

But, to me, it's missing the chemistry of a real rock band.

Definitely a talented kid.

Okay, I'll agree, He is talented - for a hack. He's no Stevie Wonder or Todd Rundgren. I listened to his entire album on YouGoob and nothing struck me as interesting original or fun. Most of the songwriting is centered around the loss of his father. That's commendable but for an album its tedious. Riffs sound straight out of Warrant Jani Lane notebook with some Montrose thrown in. Eh, best of luck to the guy.

[Terry]

The chemistry element does seem to be missing... sort of... I keep finding myself focused on the fact that all the parts were performed by one person or actually reminding myself.

But then, if that fact weren't present, I wouldn't make the connection necessarily just listening to the songs. Plus, given Wolf's roots... the chemistry was such a prevalent element in his father's work... it's difficult not to consider it.

The exceptional or memorable aspect is true so far. Not hearing something that I think people will imprint on and still enjoy 20 or 40 years from now like some of rock's greatest songs.

But has that era past us all..?

I can't really say if that era has come and gone, in terms of rock music. I will say I find a lot of what is being released under the 'rock' genre these days pretty disposable in terms of it being in one ear and out the other when I listen to it...

I mean, outside of the choice of using Van Halen's old 1970s backyard party band name for his project, I don't think Wolfgang's music is trying to ape what Van Halen did stylistically...and that is a positive thing.

I tend to think if this material had been released by a band of previously unknown rock musicians with no famous family connections, it probably wouldn't be getting the amount of attention it is getting. It's an obvious conclusion to make there, but the Mammoth stuff to my ears...while it is competently written, arranged and produced...none of it thus far has really made me want to hear it more than the couple of times I did in order to give the tunes a fair listen or fair shake.

In terms of chemistry, doubtless it's hard to conjure up any when it, as you say, is one person writing all the material and playing all the parts.

If I thought Wolfgang's Mammoth stuff sucked, I'd say so. While I don't think it sucks, none of what I've heard (and all I have heard are the tracks that have been posted on this site) has made me want to give the entire album a listen...and none of the tracks have jumped out at me to the point where I want to hear them again and again...

[FORD]

Am I the only one thinking of Dave Grohl? Backup player loses the main element of his first band and decides to make his own record and hire road musicians to play live..and I like what Ive heard so far..The video is even fooish..

Well... Paul McCartney kinda did the same thing back in 1970. Nobody died, in his case, but he decided that he didn't want to put a band together to make a record, so he played everything himself. Prince also made his first three albums entirely on his own, so Wolf isn't entirely unique in that respect. Of course none of those guys played in their dad's band as a teenager either. (Paul actually might have, but Jim McCartney's band never played a gig outside of Liverpool, as far as I know)

[FORD]

As far as the "Don't Back Down" video goes, if you're going to clone yourself multiple times in the video (because you played all the instruments) you really should have all the different versions of yourself dressed differently.

(See "Silly Thing" by the Sex Pistols or that godawful disco song "Coming Up" by Paul McCartney for examples)

[Nitro Express]

The songs are solid. What sticks out to me is how well the sound is engineered. Top grade recording.

[Nitro Express]

Well... Paul McCartney kinda did the same thing back in 1970. Nobody died, in his case, but he decided that he didn't want to put a band together to make a record, so he played everything himself. Prince also made his first three albums entirely on his own, so Wolf isn't entirely unique in that respect. Of course none of those guys played in their dad's band as a teenager either. (Paul actually might have, but Jim McCartney's band never played a gig outside of Liverpool, as far as I know)

Both Paul McCartney and Prince are in the musical genius category. Wolfgang manages to make half decent songs but nothing magical. Not too many children of great musicians match up to their parent. But hell, there will only be one Eddie Van Halen. The kid can make music. We will see where he is in five years. Right now people are just curious to see what he can do.

[Nitro Express]

Ed was a great innovator and came up with great riffs but if VH3 was his best song producing ability then Wolfgang is better. Wolf can write lyrics, sing and patch a decent song together himself. Ed needed others to craft a full song but if he worked with the right people holy shit was it ever good.

[Nitro Express]

Okay, I'll agree, He is talented - for a hack. He's no Stevie Wonder or Todd Rundgren. I listened to his entire album on YouGoob and nothing struck me as interesting original or fun. Most of the songwriting is centered around the loss of his father. That's commendable but for an album its tedious. Riffs sound straight out of Warrant Jani Lane notebook with some Montrose thrown in. Eh, best of luck to the guy.

If he’s not better in five years we will put the screws to him.

[Nitro Express]

I like all I've heard.

But, to me, it's missing the chemistry of a real rock band.

Definitely a talented kid.

Music from a kid who had a studio up the driveway. But hell, where do you play in front of a live audience these days? My dad had his own brass swing band in high school and played mostly dances. He made pretty good money doing that but them days are long gone.

[FORD]

Both Paul McCartney and Prince are in the musical genius category. Wolfgang manages to make half decent songs but nothing magical. Not too many children of great musicians match up to their parent. But hell, there will only be one Eddie Van Halen. The kid can make music. We will see where he is in five years. Right now people are just curious to see what he can do.

And that's as it should be. When Julian Lennon's first album came out, everybody thought he sounded just like his dad. And looked a lot like him too. By his third album, he was tired of comparisons, so instead, he tried to sound like his dad's old friend, David Bowie. That didn't work too well.... and we really haven't heard from him since. But he probably had more success than his little brother Sean did (and from what I've heard of Sean's music, that's not really surprising).

Wolf has talent. He couldn't make an entire album by himself if he didn't. But whether he can channel that talent into a sound that people want to hear, well that's the question. I definitely DO think it's good that he's not trying to sound like Eddie, because (as Julian Lennon could tell him) that's not a good business plan for the long term.

[Von Halen]

Didn't Aldo Nova do his first album entirely himself?

[Seshmeister]

Didn't Aldo Nova do his first album entirely himself?

He didn't play drums.

[Kristy]

Just like that shittard monkey boy in Boston. He played everything but drums and singing.

[Kristy]

The songs are solid. What sticks out to me is how well the sound is engineered. Top grade recording.

Michael Baskette who has most notably worked with Slash and Sevendust produced this. Baskette seems to big on big riffy distorted guitar and that 90's metal-ish robodrumming. He's sort of a one-trick pony producer because there's not much difference sonically between a Slash solo outing and Sevendust and even this. I guess daddy's money could not afford a better more suitable producer for the Staypuff Marshmallow Boy. So you do get what you pay for.

[FORD]

Just like that shittard monkey boy in Boston. He played everything but drums and singing.

Tom Scholz is a goddamned liar. He didn't play everything on those albums. Here's the proof.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKgfVja7Nw

Tom didn't play a single note on that song.... and yet it sounds exactly like a Boston song (absent any humongous church organs, of course)

[Kristy]

Yes, he god damn did play just about everything on those god damn Boston albums. Even god damn WikiNiki can confirm god damn Schlitz Beer Tom played geeee tar, bass fish, and key boredom and god damn per cushion. That god damn shit sounds like every other god damn shit that was out on god damn Epic Records at the time. God damn it.

[Nitro Express]

And that's as it should be. When Julian Lennon's first album came out, everybody thought he sounded just like his dad. And looked a lot like him too. By his third album, he was tired of comparisons, so instead, he tried to sound like his dad's old friend, David Bowie. That didn't work too well.... and we really haven't heard from him since. But he probably had more success than his little brother Sean did (and from what I've heard of Sean's music, that's not really surprising).

Wolf has talent. He couldn't make an entire album by himself if he didn't. But whether he can channel that talent into a sound that people want to hear, well that's the question. I definitely DO think it's good that he's not trying to sound like Eddie, because (as Julian Lennon could tell him) that's not a good business plan for the long term.

Back when we had a music industry and back when you could make a lot of money with recorded music you had talented managers and producers who could improve an act and help them further their career. The story was always the same. Usually who ruined the career was the artist themselves. A very common story.

Wolfgang is like a trust fund kid. He’s set. He’s no different than the rich kid who paints in a loft apartment in NYC because that’s the cool thing to do. Wolf makes music. Sometimes the art is pretty good but these people live in a different world. They don’t have to make a living.

[Kristy]

God damn it.

[Nitro Express]

Rarely do trust fund kids make great entertainers. It’s usually some nobody getting a break. I often wonder how much brilliance we miss because someone didn’t get the break or someone wasn’t willing to starve for their art. Lot’s of talented people out there but crafting really good songs, making a living doing it and being able to keep that process going requires a lot of variables working right. It’s always been difficult but in today’s environment of fragmented tastes and suppliers of music and little reward for the producer of it, there might not be big acts anymore like there were. There’s no center to any of it. In the past it was to get your song on all the major radio stations. The days of Dick Clark’s, Wolfman Jack’s and Casey Kasum’s promoting new artists is over. MTV is done. It’s play live and sell merchandise but how do people know who your are? In the not too distant past it cost a million dollars to promote a new act and get them on the road. Usually the record labels footed the startup costs. Who’s going to give a new band that kind of money now? Sure you can digitally record yourself and put it on the internet but how do you get attention? How do you market?

[Nitro Express]

Michael Baskette who has most notably worked with Slash and Sevendust produced this. Baskette seems to big on big riffy distorted guitar and that 90's metal-ish robodrumming. He's sort of a one-trick pony producer because there's not much difference sonically between a Slash solo outing and Sevendust and even this. I guess daddy's money could not afford a better more suitable producer for the Staypuff Marshmallow Boy. So you do get what you pay for.

I never thought Slash was that great but I met him at the Sundance Film Festival. I liked the guy. None of that I’m a rock star ego. Slash was just one of the guys.

[Nitro Express]

You either turn people’s crank or you don’t. Some people that create with three chords really well can get you off more than some highly trained full on musicians that can spell boredom very well with a lot of notes. That’s the magic. Everyone is looking for it but nobody quite knows what it is but they know it when they hear it.

[twonabomber]

Rarely do trust fund kids make great entertainers. It’s usually some nobody getting a break.

Joe Sumner's band Fiction Plane opened for his dad and the Police on the reunion tour. Songs were okay, Joe sounds a little like Sting. Don't remember if he played bass too.

Haven't heard much of Joe since. He was touring with the Bowie alumni/tribute thing that got postponed about this time last year.

[Nitro Express]

Joe Sumner's band Fiction Plane opened for his dad and the Police on the reunion tour. Songs were okay, Joe sounds a little like Sting. Don't remember if he played bass too.

Haven't heard much of Joe since. He was touring with the Bowie alumni/tribute thing that got postponed about this time last year.

I have a saying if you have to make an effort to stop and think if it’s good it’s not that great. Lot’s of good musicians but very few make your big toe shoot up in your boot. It’s either there or it’s not and people have been trying to catch that lightning in a bottle forever. Eddie Van Halen put it best. He said he had no idea where it came from but it just comes. Some people have the star dust and others don’t.

[ZahZoo]

Rarely do trust fund kids make great entertainers. It’s usually some nobody getting a break. I often wonder how much brilliance we miss because someone didn’t get the break or someone wasn’t willing to starve for their art. Lot’s of talented people out there but crafting really good songs, making a living doing it and being able to keep that process going requires a lot of variables working right. It’s always been difficult but in today’s environment of fragmented tastes and suppliers of music and little reward for the producer of it, there might not be big acts anymore like there were. There’s no center to any of it. In the past it was to get your song on all the major radio stations. The days of Dick Clark’s, Wolfman Jack’s and Casey Kasum’s promoting new artists is over. MTV is done. It’s play live and sell merchandise but how do people know who your are? In the not too distant past it cost a million dollars to promote a new act and get them on the road. Usually the record labels footed the startup costs. Who’s going to give a new band that kind of money now? Sure you can digitally record yourself and put it on the internet but how do you get attention? How do you market?

Well today, you can actually experience a million more brilliant artists than not so long ago thanks to the interwebs and social media. I believe there has always been about the same amount of talented people out there... As you say it's still a rare few that make a living at it.

But it does make you wonder... does the expanded access today actually water down the value of all those famous musicians. Pick any famous guitarist alive today... is his/her performance really worth multi-million dollar tours and $200 concert tickets..?

It's hard to say their performances justify the cost when there's 100+ kids 8-12 years old out there that can rip it, as well, if not better than the big rock star...

[twonabomber]

At this rate we won't have to buy an album, it'll all be on YouTube!

Feel


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSU7itWfn8Q

[ZahZoo]

It's all decent compositions and some interesting bits and parts... well produced and recorded.

I guess the downside of the one-man band thing is it all starts sounding the same or shall I say the spectrum/variety of music is fairly narrow.

Especially vocal melodies and backing vocals... Without any strong hooks, the vocals are a bit monotonous sounding to me. Not bad... just sort of bland and not very interesting. Also the lyrical choices all sound somewhat dark, angry or sad...

I try not to judge Wolf's effort with any Van Halen specific expectations... but, so far what's lacking is a happy, playful vibe musically...

[ZahZoo]

Wolfgang dropped a new one today... solid rocker!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssGPeF-NOwg&ab_channel=MammothWVH-Topic

[Vinnie Velvet]

Wolf is definitely talented for sure.

The songs are good but seem to be rooted in mid to late 90s radio rock. Not my cup of tea.

I'm not expecting him to release a heavy CVH style record by any means but the songs are nothing I would have on repeat.

[Never was]

It is solid musically and he is a solid musician but simply lacks any memorable hooks. Pleasant enough but yet totally forgettable too. He needs help song writing

[Phil theStalker]

:baby::599::599:iT'S a HiT:clap::clap::clap::sockfucker:

[ZahZoo]

This latest one instrumentally I like mostly...it could use a more distinct and slower tempo break down after the 2nd verse... then kick it back into overdrive just to create tension...

Lyrically it's not bad... but as mentioned, his vocal melodies really need some hooks and some tonal variation.

[Nitro Express]

It is solid musically and he is a solid musician but simply lacks any memorable hooks. Pleasant enough but yet totally forgettable too. He needs help song writing

Yup. I listened out of curiosity and didn’t go YUCK! but nothing made my big toe shoot up in my boot either. If you have to make an
effort to decide if a song is good or not it’s not a great song. You will know a great song when you hear it. It just grabs you.

[twonabomber]

Mammoth WVH will be opening for Guns 'N Roses later this summer

[Terry]

Mammoth WVH will be opening for Guns 'N Roses later this summer

Really?

None of the stuff on the Mammoth album even remotely stacks up to the stuff Guns would be playing onstage. And depending on how long Mammoth's opening slot is, unless it is a short slot and they stick solely to the Mammoth album, they'll have to fill out their set with Van Halen tunes...and I must say if that proves to be the case, Wolfgang with whoever he will have in the touring version of Mammoth playing Van Halen material...it just ain't right.

[Southpaw]

They are playing 2 dates at Hard Rock Cafe in Atlantic City. I wouldn’t mind seeing that show if I don’t have to remortgage my house to do so. Ticket prices are so outrageous these days I guess I’m getting old and cheap!

[twonabomber]

Really?

None of the stuff on the Mammoth album even remotely stacks up to the stuff Guns would be playing onstage. And depending on how long Mammoth's opening slot is, unless it is a short slot and they stick solely to the Mammoth album, they'll have to fill out their set with Van Halen tunes...and I must say if that proves to be the case, Wolfgang with whoever he will have in the touring version of Mammoth playing Van Halen material...it just ain't right.

I thought WVH said he wouldn't play any Van Halen songs live.

A 30 to 40 minute set would probably cover the album.

[ZahZoo]

8-10 songs will fill an opening slot... There's the Mammoth WVH material plus any additional stuff Wolfgang and his band buddies could cover without venturing anywhere into Van Halen tunes...

[ZahZoo]

Very good and comprehensive article/interview with Wolfgang. A lot of details of the final years of Van Halen the band.

Most interesting piece... Wolfgang inherited control of Ed's images and decision-making rights. Alex controls the band's recordings.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/06/02/wolfgang-van-halen-mammoth/?fbclid=IwAR3SzCGudDcU3dWiNQx4ui2Sz8yjcyR1fSVvzzf2 KUaRIYawnOoCBeyQm9k

[Terry]

Very good and comprehensive article/interview with Wolfgang. A lot of details of the final years of Van Halen the band.

Most interesting piece... Wolfgang inherited control of Ed's images and decision-making rights. Alex controls the band's recordings.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/06/02/wolfgang-van-halen-mammoth/?fbclid=IwAR3SzCGudDcU3dWiNQx4ui2Sz8yjcyR1fSVvzzf2 KUaRIYawnOoCBeyQm9k

That WAS a pretty good article.

Certainly confirmed what one suspected in terms of Wolfgang joining the band in 2006, in that it took Wolfgang joining the band to keep Eddie motivated to do the last 3 tours with Dave and the ADKOT record. Thus, while I - along with everyone else - wanted to see a CVH reunion in 2007 and beyond rather than Van Halen Mach 4, it's doubtful a CVH reunion would have happened anyway. It may have, but maybe not.

[wolfsbane]

I don't want to post on this thread because I want it to go away. Which it will in a few years.

Dave took risks in music when he was young. Still is. And he is triple Wolfgang's age.

The only hope for Wolfgang is to be part of a band. Democracy not autocracy.

[ZahZoo]

Hmmm Wolfgang is 30... Dave's 65 not 90. Check yer math...

You don't consider it taking risks to compose an album and perform every musical note and vocal..?

[twonabomber]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p74m8i6Xc0

[Kristy]

Dave's 65 not 90. Check yer math...



6+5 = 11 and 9 in 90 obviously means 9/11. Roth is behind 9/11!!!

[ZahZoo]

That's a round-about trip on the road to nowhere...

[Nitro Express]

That WAS a pretty good article.

Certainly confirmed what one suspected in terms of Wolfgang joining the band in 2006, in that it took Wolfgang joining the band to keep Eddie motivated to do the last 3 tours with Dave and the ADKOT record. Thus, while I - along with everyone else - wanted to see a CVH reunion in 2007 and beyond rather than Van Halen Mach 4, it's doubtful a CVH reunion would have happened anyway. It may have, but maybe not.

I remember Vallerie saying Ed wanted to retire from touring and it was Wolfgang that motivated Ed and Al to start playing the old stuff and take it on tour. Patrick Bertinelli also said Ed had some problems with substance abuse and is really stubborn. The only person he would listen to was Wolfgang. So maybe getting Ed back on the road and putting him in a situation where he had to be more responsible was a form of rehab. Ed was pretty rough at first. You could tell he fucked himself pretty good but he cleaned up and the last tour with Roth he played great. Sadly all those years of being a heavy smoker got him but at least Ed had a great tour with his son before he went.

[ZahZoo]

Mr Ed... nice solo.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ1u606xGnk&t=190s&ab_channel=MammothWVH-Topic

[ZahZoo]

I've listened to the whole album... no duds and none of it feels like filler. At the moment Resolve is my favorite.

[ELVIS]

It sounds manufactured, like Ozzy's last few albums...

I lke it though...

Dave taught him all he knows...

It would be better with Dave on vocals...


:gun:

[ZahZoo]

He's a good singer and his vocal melodies are fine for the style he's created with this material... to me it all falls into a fairly narrow lane, both sonically and emotionally. It's difficult to put a descriptor to it... dark thoughtful angst... I don't know.

The vocals lack some soul, diversity and don't evoke any sense of joy, fun or mischief...

[Terry]

Hmmm Wolfgang is 30... Dave's 65 not 90. Check yer math...

You don't consider it taking risks to compose an album and perform every musical note and vocal..?

I wouldn't consider it risky in the sense that there is going to be, by default of who Wolfgang's father is, a degree of interest before a single note is heard. That isn't to point out anything other than the obvious, which is by the very fact of Wolfgang's lineage he gets a leg up in terms of publicity and distribution that his music doubtless wouldn't otherwise were he an unknown. In other words, being Eddie's kid gets Wolfgang musical foot in the door. As to how people react to what Wolfgang came up with once the music is heard, that's a different story.

[Terry]

I've listened to the whole album... no duds and none of it feels like filler. At the moment Resolve is my favorite.

The stuff is okay to my ears. No better, no less. A reaction that has everything to do with my own tastes in rock music.

None of it is really sticking to my cortex in terms of making me want to listen to it over and over again, but that would have been true if this same music had been released a group or musician who wasn't Wolfgang Van Halen.

[twonabomber]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqXRFzM1Ge0

[Kristy]

My, my he's a rich kid isn't he?

[Vinnie Velvet]

The songs are alright but I sense everyone in VH fandom (Hagarites, the Army here, etc) are desperately trying not to shit on it or be at the very least critical of it for some reason. Its as if they don't want to be mean to a dude who lost his father 8 months ago.

Hey I know what its like to lose a parent to cancer in their 60s. Its very tough.

As far as his music goes, Wolf is really talented. But he didnt have to put out this album to convince me. He held his own when he was just 15 on a mega tour with DLR and of course two more tours and an album.

But this album ain't my cup of tea. It sounds like mid to late 90s FM rock. Which is fine if you like that stuff but not me. Sorry.

Some of the songs here are pretty good but it won't get any repeated plays from me moving forward.

Oh well. Good luck to Wolf on the GNR tour. I'm sure he and his band will be great.

[Von Halen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqXRFzM1Ge0

Fucking guy sounds like Sesh, only coherent. :D

[ZahZoo]

Podcast with more on Wolf's new album but some interesting stuff about working with Dave starting at around the 25:30 mark.

When Dave first showed up in Dec 2006 he brought presents... furry hats for the Van Halens... LOL

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1aJYgeJqvOBOQKlkxGz8VV

[Terry]

The songs are alright but I sense everyone in VH fandom (Hagarites, the Army here, etc) are desperately trying not to shit on it or be at the very least critical of it for some reason. Its as if they don't want to be mean to a dude who lost his father 8 months ago.

Hey I know what its like to lose a parent to cancer in their 60s. Its very tough.

As far as his music goes, Wolf is really talented. But he didnt have to put out this album to convince me. He held his own when he was just 15 on a mega tour with DLR and of course two more tours and an album.

But this album ain't my cup of tea. It sounds like mid to late 90s FM rock. Which is fine if you like that stuff but not me. Sorry.

Some of the songs here are pretty good but it won't get any repeated plays from me moving forward.

Oh well. Good luck to Wolf on the GNR tour. I'm sure he and his band will be great.

Maybe the bulk of people in VH fandom are being polite toward the Mammoth stuff. Maybe they really like it.

Dunno.

Musically, I've never thought Wolfgang was all THAT talented. From what I've heard (which includes seeing him live with Van Halen twice, the ADKOT album, the Tokyo Dome album and now the Mammoth album), I'd say he has been/is slightly better than average talent who has undoubtedly benefitted more from his last name than he has in terms of making it on his own hook or hoisting himself up by his own bootstraps or whatever. It's not even a slam to state that Wolfgang has benefitted from being who he is and pointing out who his father was. It's simply fact.

I mean, it wasn't exactly a stretch musically to replicate Michael Anthony's bass parts on a technical level. It's not like Wolfgang had to replace Billy Sheehan or Les Claypool.

The Mammoth album is a competent batch of - as you say - FM rock of the type one WOULD have heard in the mid to late 1990s or the early 2000s.

I will say Wolfgang was smart enough at a young enough age when he first became Van Halen's bass player to recognize that the band's best move was to bring Roth back into the fold. And perhaps 'smart enough' isn't really what I'm trying to say (because one didn't need to be smart in 2006 to realize a reunion with Roth was a no-brainer)...but, rather, that Wolfgang alone had the influence with Eddie to push for Dave's return. And, apparently, Wolfgang was clued in enough to realize that in addition to the tunes one would expect to hear at a Van Halen concert the fans would also like to hear some deeper cuts. Thus, with each of the last three tours different deep cuts were sprinkled throughout the setlist. I tend to doubt the activity taken under the Van Halen name from 2007 to 2015 would have happened had Wolfgang NOT joined the group.

But, it's one thing to play Anthony's parts onstage with the rest of CVH surrounding you. It's quite another to write and record your own stuff: there's no safety net of the Van Halen name with that undertaking beyond the name sparking an amount of publicity Mammoth wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Whatever. I suppose in the end I give Wolfgang credit for doing what he wants to do musically with Mammoth...one certainly can't say Mammoth was ripping off VH in terms of style or musical content. If he's doing what he wants to do and is making a sincere effort, that will shine through.

Hey, better Wolfgang does his Mammoth thing than jamming with The Circle.

[Terry]

Podcast with more on Wolf's new album but some interesting stuff about working with Dave starting at around the 25:30 mark.

When Dave first showed up in Dec 2006 he brought presents... furry hats for the Van Halens... LOL

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1aJYgeJqvOBOQKlkxGz8VV

Yeesh.

Honestly, the older he gets, to me Dave seems more strange than cool.

Roth is one odd duck.

[Vinnie Velvet]

Maybe the bulk of people in VH fandom are being polite toward the Mammoth stuff. Maybe they really like it.

Dunno.

Musically, I've never thought Wolfgang was all THAT talented. From what I've heard (which includes seeing him live with Van Halen twice, the ADKOT album, the Tokyo Dome album and now the Mammoth album), I'd say he has been/is slightly better than average talent who has undoubtedly benefitted more from his last name than he has in terms of making it on his own hook or hoisting himself up by his own bootstraps or whatever. It's not even a slam to state that Wolfgang has benefitted from being who he is and pointing out who his father was. It's simply fact.

I mean, it wasn't exactly a stretch musically to replicate Michael Anthony's bass parts on a technical level. It's not like Wolfgang had to replace Billy Sheehan or Les Claypool.

The Mammoth album is a competent batch of - as you say - FM rock of the type one WOULD have heard in the mid to late 1990s or the early 2000s.

I will say Wolfgang was smart enough at a young enough age when he first became Van Halen's bass player to recognize that the band's best move was to bring Roth back into the fold. And perhaps 'smart enough' isn't really what I'm trying to say (because one didn't need to be smart in 2006 to realize a reunion with Roth was a no-brainer)...but, rather, that Wolfgang alone had the influence with Eddie to push for Dave's return. And, apparently, Wolfgang was clued in enough to realize that in addition to the tunes one would expect to hear at a Van Halen concert the fans would also like to hear some deeper cuts. Thus, with each of the last three tours different deep cuts were sprinkled throughout the setlist. I tend to doubt the activity taken under the Van Halen name from 2007 to 2015 would have happened had Wolfgang NOT joined the group.

But, it's one thing to play Anthony's parts onstage with the rest of CVH surrounding you. It's quite another to write and record your own stuff: there's no safety net of the Van Halen name with that undertaking beyond the name sparking an amount of publicity Mammoth wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Whatever. I suppose in the end I give Wolfgang credit for doing what he wants to do musically with Mammoth...one certainly can't say Mammoth was ripping off VH in terms of style or musical content. If he's doing what he wants to do and is making a sincere effort, that will shine through.

Hey, better Wolfgang does his Mammoth thing than jamming with The Circle.

Ha no kidding.

Speaking of Spammy, I saw that he and MA have opened up a new "Van Hagar/The Other Half" social media page (Instagram/Twitter). Celebrating their Van Hagar years.

I'm sure Al will be pleased. Lol

[Terry]

Ha no kidding.

Speaking of Spammy, I saw that he and MA have opened up a new "Van Hagar/The Other Half" social media page (Instagram/Twitter). Celebrating their Van Hagar years.

I'm sure Al will be pleased. Lol

I'd tend to guess Al doesn't care much one way or the other anymore: it wouldn't be surprising to me if we never see/hear Al play drums again.

Sammy and Mike...well, what else would one expect them to do but keep on with what they've been doing? Like every other aging rocker out there, it's what they know. Long as there is an audience willing to pay to see it and a buck to be made in the process, why not? Thankfully, it's not compulsory that I listen to any of it.

[FORD]

If Al ever plays the drums again, it will probably be at some sort of tribute concert for Eddie.... assuming such a thing ever happens. Or if Wolfie plays a gig somewhere in the greater LA area, he might bring on Uncle Al for a guest appearance. But as far as playing in a band, yeah, those days are over. I'm sure Al would have liked to quit when he was wrapped up like a mummy to do the VDIII tour. But he had three ex wives to pay off, and probably Eddie begging him not to quit.

Don't know what the status of his alimony payments are, but obviously he doesn't have to keep at it, for Ed's sake anymore.

Now on the other hand, all the references Dave was making to talking to Alex recently, during the Rogan podcast, leads me to believe that they might be conspiring on some VH Vault releases. I would think that live stuff is more likely than another ADKOT style of studio album. Not holding my breath for any of these things to be released immediately, but they eventually might take a page from the Stones' manual and start cranking 1 or 2 live DVDs out every year.

[Vinnie Velvet]

If Al ever plays the drums again, it will probably be at some sort of tribute concert for Eddie.... assuming such a thing ever happens. Or if Wolfie plays a gig somewhere in the greater LA area, he might bring on Uncle Al for a guest appearance. But as far as playing in a band, yeah, those days are over. I'm sure Al would have liked to quit when he was wrapped up like a mummy to do the VDIII tour. But he had three ex wives to pay off, and probably Eddie begging him not to quit.

Don't know what the status of his alimony payments are, but obviously he doesn't have to keep at it, for Ed's sake anymore.

Now on the other hand, all the references Dave was making to talking to Alex recently, during the Rogan podcast, leads me to believe that they might be conspiring on some VH Vault releases. I would think that live stuff is more likely than another ADKOT style of studio album. Not holding my breath for any of these things to be released immediately, but they eventually might take a page from the Stones' manual and start cranking 1 or 2 live DVDs out every year.

Here's hoping we get something in terms of CVH vault releases.

Its nice to hear Dave and Al staying in contact with one another. Seems like Al ain't interested in doing the same with Sam. Lol

[Terry]

If Al ever plays the drums again, it will probably be at some sort of tribute concert for Eddie.... assuming such a thing ever happens. Or if Wolfie plays a gig somewhere in the greater LA area, he might bring on Uncle Al for a guest appearance. But as far as playing in a band, yeah, those days are over. I'm sure Al would have liked to quit when he was wrapped up like a mummy to do the VDIII tour. But he had three ex wives to pay off, and probably Eddie begging him not to quit.

Don't know what the status of his alimony payments are, but obviously he doesn't have to keep at it, for Ed's sake anymore.

Now on the other hand, all the references Dave was making to talking to Alex recently, during the Rogan podcast, leads me to believe that they might be conspiring on some VH Vault releases. I would think that live stuff is more likely than another ADKOT style of studio album. Not holding my breath for any of these things to be released immediately, but they eventually might take a page from the Stones' manual and start cranking 1 or 2 live DVDs out every year.

Far as any 'Classic Van Halen Vault releases'...I'm over it.

I was salivating for such a release for years and years.

Should it come to pass down the line, great.

If not, great.

I mean, there's only so much anticipation one can have for the stuff for so long, until the point where you just really don't give a shit one way or the other. The same applied for the CVH reunion: by the time the rumors of 2019 activity were being floated in late 2018, the whole idea of the CVH lineup getting back together seemed more wistful and sad than exciting to me. It came off as something the band should have done 20 years prior, when all the members were still in shape to do such a reunion justice...not something that should have been dodged/avoided/postponed for two decades and past the point of no return in terms of such a reunion being worth seeing. A creaking, weezing Van Halen fronted by an age-ravaged Roth with a shot voice? Fuck that. I'd rather have what we ended up getting, which was no reunion at all as opposed to a geriatric, half-assed one.

[Terry]

Just the same, I still would be interested in seeing and hearing some of the unofficially released CVH live footage restored. Tend to doubt it would come out in a dvd form now, most likely streaming for pay.

Even though I have plenty of dvd boots, including the most likely culprits that immediately spring to mind for restoration (the US Festival, Largo 1982, Brazil and Argentina 1983), even the most clear of my boots would doubtless pale in quality to a release that was professionally restored.

Yet this stuff remains unreleased. Whatever was shot on film, well, far as restorations from the original film goes...film - even film that has been stored in temperature-controlled environments - still deteriorates over time. Stuff shot on videotape might fare a little better in terms of deterioration.

Point being, these fuckers better not wait forever if they want my money...I'm gettin' up there in years myself: not too many moons from now, I may well have trouble remembering my own name, much less Van Halens.

[wolfsbane]

Anyone who follows DLR/VH knows we are not getting any vault releases anytime soon. WVH confirmed this fact when he denied any remaining tracks from the ADKOT sessions. Technically, he is probably right. The remaining songs were probably only rehearsed but not fully recorded. We still don't have any songs from the DLR 5150 sessions.

"Okay folks, please move along. There is nothing to see here."

[Terry]

Anyone who follows DLR/VH knows we are not getting any vault releases anytime soon. WVH confirmed this fact when he denied any remaining tracks from the ADKOT sessions. Technically, he is probably right. The remaining songs were probably only rehearsed but not fully recorded. We still don't have any songs from the DLR 5150 sessions.

"Okay folks, please move along. There is nothing to see here."

Sounds about right.

[FORD]

Well, that's definitely the track record in recent years. But given the current reality, I'd say it comes down to a question of who owns what, among the various archives. If Warner Brothers owns any of it, they're going to be the greedy corporate bastards that they are, and are going to want to "cash in" on Ed's death, just as they have done for years with other "departed" recording artists (Warners is not alone in this, of course. All the big labels have done it, but they're the only label of consequence here, as Van Halen only made one album for Interscope)

So if Warner Brothers was threatening to put out something as a blatant cash grab, I would think Alex & Dave would rather get creative control over that release and put out what THEY choose, not some bean counters in a Burbank boardroom.

[ZahZoo]

Alex has primary control over the Van Halen recordings... I don't think Dave has any decision rights regarding the VH catalog.

Wolfgang inherited the rights to his dad's images and his decision making rights. All control remains within the VH family.

The Sunset Studio interviews indicated a box set of out-takes and alternate versions of songs, 4 albums worth, was prepared for release a few years ago... but got shelved. I can only imagine Al & Ed chose not to proceed with the release. It sounds like WB can't move on anything other than the current released catalog without Al's approval.

[Vinnie Velvet]

Alex has primary control over the Van Halen recordings... I don't think Dave has any decision rights regarding the VH catalog.

Wolfgang inherited the rights to his dad's images and his decision making rights. All control remains within the VH family.

The Sunset Studio interviews indicated a box set of out-takes and alternate versions of songs, 4 albums worth, was prepared for release a few years ago... but got shelved. I can only imagine Al & Ed chose not to proceed with the release. It sounds like WB can't move on anything other than the current released catalog without Al's approval.

I don't think Alex has complete full control on VH recordings that were with Dave.
In terms of publishing rights, Dave still partly owns the existing CVH catalog (under Diamond Dave Music).

Now as far as anything unreleased, not sure.

[ELVIS]

I mean, it wasn't exactly a stretch musically to replicate Michael Anthony's bass parts on a technical level. It's not like Wolfgang had to replace Billy Sheehan or Les Claypool.



Claypool and Sheehan are 1980s circus acts compared to a real bass player like Michael Anthony, and personally I think Wolfgang did a shitty job live on all of the tours. ADKOT has decent bass but he replicates Anthony, albeit with a buzzy sound...

He's OK though, nothing to write home about...

Wolf kinda reminds me of Johnny Van Zandt...:biggrin:

[Nitro Express]

I don't think Alex has complete full control on VH recordings that were with Dave.
In terms of publishing rights, Dave still partly owns the existing CVH catalog (under Diamond Dave Music).

Now as far as anything unreleased, not sure.

Dave wrote the lyrics. It’s usually the person who writes the lyrics who gets the biggest royalties. Those usually are the highest paid members in a band.

[FORD]

Wolf kinda reminds me of Johnny Van Zandt...:biggrin:

No, if Wolf wanted to be Johnny Van Zandt, he would go out with a Frankenstrat and pretend to be Eddie. And he would name his half-assed band "Van Halen", despite not having any original band members in it.

BTW, is Fake Skynyrd even still a thing??

[twonabomber]

Going to see Mammoth WVH at the House of Blues next month