Why doesn't DLR reunite with the Eat Em And Smile Band?

[ALMOSTsaved]

Originally posted by Warham
I think Dave should just stay put with the guys he's got now.

I disagree. They are a cover band and Dave needs a guitarist who has fire yet can write his OWN riffs / music.

[dave_is_vh]

If the guy who wrote the songs is in the band, it is not a cover band.

[Warham]

I was never that crazy about Vai, so I could care less if he ever came back. I actually liked Becker better, but that didn't work out.

Johnny 5 was decent, but he took a kewl job.

[mikethemartian]

When the 1996 reunion when bust, there were some false rumors Dave teamed up with Slash and Tommy Lee. I would have liked to see Dave do something with Slash.

I haven't liked Eddie as a person since the breakup in 1985 because I think he came off like a jerk. But he was really (in my opinion) a great composer. There was some depth to his stuff. It wasn't just guitar "acrobatics". I kind of view Slash in the same way.

I would like to see Dave hook up with a really good composer more than just a hot guitarist. Someone who clicks with Dave musically.

[Terry]

Roth did just fine with the team of players on the DLR Band album, which, songwise, is right up there with EEAS.

Think what Dave really needs is to move on from the Van Halen tribute band angle he's working live, and work up another album of original, solid rock tunes. And he's gotta get better production values for his recorded material. Then do some shows that are maybe half classic VH and half solo material.

Sheehan, Vai and that whole wank-on-my-instrument-as-fast-as-I-can style of playing is just beyond boring, and I'm a guitar player myself. Just a souless, typewriter approach to the instrument that is as yawn inducing as the blues pentatonic was when Eddie turned rock guitar on it's ear in the late 1970s.

[Terry]

Originally posted by dave_is_vh
If the guy who wrote the songs is in the band, it is not a cover band.

Nah. Essentially Dave is fronting a Van Halen tribute band that's only authenticity is his presence.

And it was great to hear those tunes live again in 1999. And 2002. And 2003. But the point has been made and is starting to get a little stale.

[Panamark]

I agree with all those that said a guitarist with songwriting depth is more important than a shredder that cant compose.
Its funny as Im no stellar lead guitarist myself, butI have jammed
with guys that can pull off Ed/Vai/Rhoads solos note perfect, but cant
write their own songs if their life depended on it. Its almost like their
whole focus was the technical perfection of what they are doing, and
they lose the basic soul of music in the process...

Now the guys that can do both, they are special !
I guess thats what made Ed and Randy Rhoads such legends back in
the day..

[dave_is_vh]

Originally posted by Terry
Nah. Essentially Dave is fronting a Van Halen tribute band that's only authenticity is his presence.

And it was great to hear those tunes live again in 1999. And 2002. And 2003. But the point has been made and is starting to get a little stale.

So when Ozzy plays Crazy Train with Zakk Wylde on guitar Ozzy is in a cover band? I don't buy that.

I agree Dave has been playing too much VH and not enough Dave solo at his concerts lately. I suppose his philosophy is "giving the people what they want". But a lot of people want Dave solo stuff too.

[scottydabodi]

I would like to just mention Jason Becker's name. I feel HORRIBLE for that dude. He was great. Hang in Jason!!

[MNFan]

I have seen Via with whitesnake-only went to see Vai. He rocked! Passion and Warfare is good but I would say that Sex and Religion is better. Devon Townsend's voclas on that were incredible.

I think that it is unlikely that they could get together again. Posts above covered why Stevie doesn't need to.

[Carmine]

On the whole Dave set list, I agree with most that a set list of MOSTLY Dave solo stuff would be better now. Of course, play 5 or 7 of the classic VH stuff, but hell there are 10 tunes on the DLR Band cd alone that I would like to hear live. Something like he did on EEAS, Skyscraper and ALAE tours, those set lists were great.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I agree, Dave needs to concentrate on his solo career more now, past and present..........more solo tunes live, a kick ass new album next year.

[Carmine]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh
I agree, Dave needs to concentrate on his solo career more now, past and present..........more solo tunes live, a kick ass new album next year.

...kick ass new album this year.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Originally posted by DLRoswegony
...kick ass new album this year.

That would be pretty fucking sweet, no argument here.

[dave_is_vh]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh
I agree, Dave needs to concentrate on his solo career more now, past and present..........more solo tunes live, a kick ass new album next year.

Any thoughts on why Dave is ignoring his solo stuff in recent concerts? Makes no sense to me. His solo stuff is great. And when he plays all VH stuff it makes him look like a has been which he certainly is not.