The Official Charlotte 9/27 Meetup/Review Thread

[chi-town324]

Originally posted by SparkieD
I'll tell ya the worst thing about the whole show for me. I had myself pumped up to sneak in a camera and snap as much as I could. The intercom outside Bobcats Arena was piping over and over that if you take pics, your camera (including cell phone cameras) will be confiscated and you will be escorted out. Now I was prepared for the possibility for my camera to be taken, but abso-fucking-lutely NOT prepared to be escorted out the door. That woulda been utterly heartbreaking.

Well, we got in the door and there were lots of people snapping with their cell phones. I did see a guy in the section next to us with a camera similar to the one I had. We were in the front row of the lower level, not to mention we had aisle seats as well, so we definitely would've been easy to spot. Tiki and I did manage to take some shots with his cell phone (my phone was busy with Blonddgirl on the line.) If I had known how easy it actually would've been, I would've taken that damn camera in.

thanks for the heads up sparkie!

[DirtyDeeds]

They really just need to give up the battle over cell phones/ cameras. If they really think that they are losing out ANYTHING on some happy fans snapping a couple shitty photos on their phones for their own enjoyment (the ones I was able to sneak suck. The band members look like white blurs, and no detail... the point was only to show my friends where I was), they really have their heads up their asses. I mean, jeez, we've all already stolen the pro pictures anyway LOL! I can understand if there are flashes, I suppose.... but I mean, why even try? People sneak it anyway, you can't stop it, so why continue to be a dick about it? For the amount of money you're forced to pay to see a show in even the crappiest seat nowadays, you should have certain rights. I mean, what the hell is the harm in it? It's not like more than 5 people would want to buy a poster of the current Van Halen, and NOBODY that could bring in a small camera or a phone camera could take a picture worthy of being blown up and made into one... they ain't losing any money. I paid hundreds of dollars to see the first show with DLR in over 20 years... at least humour me by letting me take a couple shitty photos to keep a clear memory of the event.

[chi-town324]

Originally posted by DirtyDeeds
They really just need to give up the battle over cell phones/ cameras. If they really think that they are losing out ANYTHING on some happy fans snapping a couple shitty photos on their phones for their own enjoyment (the ones I was able to sneak suck. The band members look like white blurs, and no detail... the point was only to show my friends where I was), they really have their heads up their asses. I mean, jeez, we've all already stolen the pro pictures anyway LOL! I can understand if there are flashes, I suppose.... but I mean, why even try? People sneak it anyway, you can't stop it, so why continue to be a dick about it? For the amount of money you're forced to pay to see a show in even the crappiest seat nowadays, you should have certain rights. I mean, what the hell is the harm in it? It's not like more than 5 people would want to buy a poster of the current Van Halen, and NOBODY that could bring in a small camera or a phone camera could take a picture worthy of being blown up and made into one... they ain't losing any money. I paid hundreds of dollars to see the first show with DLR in over 20 years... at least humour me by letting me take a couple shitty photos to keep a clear memory of the event.

well said D.D

[1nelahnav1]

That pic with dave on the big board and confetti fall all around him with eddie doing a flying eddie is one of the coolest van halen pics ive ever seen!

[rustoffa]

1972, 1978, 1984? Meet 2007!:
Reelin' through the years in Charlotte

1972 was the year Stanley Kubrick's infamous film, "A Clockwork Orange", was introduced to an unsuspecting public. Yesterday was the day that "The Blake Hotel" was introduced to an unsuspecting rustoffa."Ahh, the bad news is that we're in the middle of renovation. The good news is you've been upgraded to an executive suite!...you've got a balcony!" Gimme the key, I've got a broken leg. Half post-modern euro renovation, half Marriott.....all the place needed was some fucker strapped to a chair with his eyelids taped open.

1978 was the year that Van Halen's self-titled musical recording was released on an unsuspecting public. Yesterday was the first day in 22 years that 3/4 of the responsible party met onstage....performing parts of the afforementioned musical recording. Yesterday was also the day that I introduced myself to some CVH afficianados from this very board. Carmine, SparkieD, TikiTom, Hyman Roth, and JCurling. Lots of smiling, joking, and good vibes. The public address warning regarding cameras outside of the arena was surreal. At one point, we were all standing there, staring at the sky....wondering what the hell had happened to rock and roll. Like some full-on fucking ROBOCOP lockdown announcement. Good times, good people.

1984 was the year Orwellian theory fell apart....not too long after that? The Mighty Van Halen followed suit. Yesterday was the day that some dude busted out a vintage CVH shirt with NEW screenprint on the back. Know what it read?

WE CAN ALL DIE NOW!

Obviously, the statement wasn't referring to doing shots at the Buckhead Saloon with dirty glasses. No, it was in reference to David Lee Roth, Edward Van Halen, and Alex Van Halen...performing together LIVE....after 22 long, unsettling years. Needless to say, all thoughts of impending mortality vanished after witnessing the performance.

No Jack Daniels....no stream-of-consciousness rants. Dave delivered a PERFORMANCE worthy of the occasion. Showmanship with a respectful nod to youthful LEGACY. He hit the spots, and performed a blistering set with taste. Duties largely ceremonial? Fill in the punchline.

Everyone's familiar with the video clip of Zakk Wylde trying to get onstage at rehearsal, right? Why was he doing that? Was he contemplating writing an ass-fucked, cynical review about Eddie's mastery of pentatonics? Naw, he was trying to get up there and worship in front of the motherfucking altar. He shoulda' been in Charlotte. IMHO, Ed surpassed his own studio work on more than a few songs.

Al seemed strangely unaffected by Mikey's absence. Not unlike all the folks in the arena. The idea of a drummer and bass player performing as a cohesive unit is nothing new. It's a "section". Good ol' Al...there he was on the gigantic HD screen grinning from ear to ear. Solid, possibly inspired delivery.

Wolfie seemed WAY more unaffected in general. Go ahead and make fun of him....he could obviously care less. I didn't see any intimidation-based cowering. Good job kid.....I'm a believer.....laugh at the people high-fiving you tomorrow night as well!!!

In summary?

Thinking heads with a flare for the critical are what they are. You don't need a grain of salt in this case. Opionation doesn't count unless you truly understand the subject in question.

Halleylooya!!!

[Tiki-Tom]

Sorry so late gettin' back on the forums. You know what they say, welcome back to the real world as I was back at work soon as I woke up today.

That show last night was just about beyond description. At times you could close your eyes and think you were listing to the records, it was that tight. The only thing that sounded bad to me was Ed on " The Cradle Will Rock" He was doing something (before he broke into"Smoke On The Water") with his guitar thruout the song that sounded like shitty feedback to me. Otherwise, they were UN FUCKIN' REAL........ :D

[Tiki-Tom]

Also got ta' meet some very cool cats from these forums. You guys know who ya are.......and I say Rock on

[philouze]

Now, time for a good laugh: according to VHTrading, there are 3 DVDs from different angles...

[blonddgirl777]

Is there any adjusted (not square fitting) girl's T-Shirts?

[Tiki-Tom]

One other thing. Mike who? Wolf held down the bottom end like a player well past his 16 years. Way ta' go kid. Plus a little bit o' string slapping to ad his own touch to the mighty Van Halen sound.

This kid should be one to watch out for in the future. Job well done..

[Tiki-Tom]

Originally posted by blonddgirl777
Is there any adjusted (not square fitting) girl's T-Shirts?

I seem to remember at least one pink girl tee with the logo on it.
Not sure if you will like the print on it but it looked cut for a woman.

[blonddgirl777]

Originally posted by Tiki-Tom
Also got ta' meet some very cool cats from these forums. You guys know who ya are.......and I say Rock on

Good for you!

Because as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't seem that any of the Roth Army members that will attend our show here, are interested in partying with either Franksters or myself...

Too bad (they don't know what they're missing), we'll do just great all by our usual selves!
We always do... :D


Again Tiki... Thank you for sharing the experience last night!

[blonddgirl777]

Originally posted by Tiki-Tom
I seem to remember at least one pink girl tee with the logo on it.
Not sure if you will like the print on it but it looked cut for a woman.

I don't really care for the logo... I'm sure it's fine...
As long as it fits O.K., if not... I just won't wear it!

Did Sparkie get one?


I could always frame it and put it up in my home office...

[Tiki-Tom]

Originally posted by blonddgirl777

Too bad (they don't know what they're missing), we'll do just great all by our usual selves!
We always do... :D

Again Tiki... Thank you for sharing the experience last night!

You are very welcome, It's one thing to hear about it later, quite another to hear history live with your own ears. Glad we could make it happen for you

Its really to bad that you can't get more people to share the moment with you but as you said ya got the ones that count. Sparkie and I wish we could join you if only you weren't so far. Have a blast for us

[Tiki-Tom]

Originally posted by blonddgirl777
I don't really care for the logo... I'm sure it's fine...
As long as it fits O.K., if not... I just won't wear it!

Did Sparkie get one?

I could always frame it and put it up in my home office...

No, she didn't care for that shirt so she got a different one. Unfortunately most of the shirts looked pretty crappy. Don't know what they were thinking in the marketing dept. Oh well, being there was all that we really cared about anyhow.