Van Halen Japanese Tour Dates

[VHscraps]

Instead of turning on one another, we should all unify behind the notion that Dave Roth is, indeed, far too old now to front Van Halen with any degree of acceptability in terms of sheer entertainment value.

I mean, am I alone in thinking perhaps the band should pack it in?

Nope, you are not, Terry.

I think they can still make fine records - judging by the quality of ADKOT - but the stage show is becoming one-dimensional, and Dave is being exposed. I don't want to see it becoming something that just spirals downwards - Van Halen was always about energy and excitement, much more than other bands who made it into their 60s still performing.

Yeah, they should make another record - keep touring like this? I dunno. I'd go and see it, but there is a definite sense of diminishing powers as far as Dave is concerned.

It pains me to say that. But, he can play to his strengths in the studio.

[DLR Bridge]

I mean, am I alone in thinking perhaps the band should pack it in?

I'm always gonna say, at this point anyway, that they should continue to make music and bag the touring. Maybe do a TV spot here and there. I'd still be up for a Superbowl mini-concert, even though it would consist of songs we're sick of. But that's just us.

[Seshmeister]

This is the band that used to always have the biggest show.

Dave solo took that to new levels with boxing rings and flying surfboards.

No one would say that would work but there is a happy medium. Even something as simple as interjecting the Roth show cartoon clips. They need way more happening on the big screen, lasers, pyros and all sorts preferably some shit that no one else is doing.

You mention Motley Crue and Mars standing still. THE DRUM KIT WENT UPSIDE DOWN FFS!

People can say ahh it's tacky or distracting - at this point they need that.

How is it different from setting fire to your drum kit or jumping off the riser.

Also going back to the Rush thing, they did the most production like above on the new songs from their album. This is the point when the audience attention starts to shift when most of them haven't heard the songs and that's when you grab them by the balls. At the Rush show their new stuff ended up being pretty much the highlight.

How many times did Dave say 'The music should look like it sounds' back in the day?

If they need some technical help to achieve that then fine.

[LoungeMachine]

I don't count Muskaqueer dick sucking as thanks...

The irony in Angel thanking this post is classic.....



Once again, your homoerotic fixation is very telling.

Oh, and you're out of tune and off the beat again, FYI

[78/84 guy]

I think if people realize they are in their 50's there isn't much of a problem going to see them. I loved both 07/12 tours ! But I also reminded myself it wasn't 1984. And I will say it again like I have in other posts I don't want these guys doing VH in their mid 60's. They are a band that based their music on power and energy. Not blues like the Stones. So they can do one more album and tour and go away. Won't hurt my feeling's. Good way to finish up their careers. 2 good albums and a few good gigs.

[Terry]

I'm honestly not trying to be a prick or say these things I think for the sole purpose of pissing people here off, but for me the thrill the band once represented is dwindling: the band can't seem to get it together.

In 1996, the Van Halens didn't want Dave back beyond the greatest hits album.

In 2000-2006, Dave wanted back in but the Van Halens weren't ready for it.

In 2007, the Van Halens are ready for Dave, but Anthony ain't around any longer. Dave provides (for him) tightly controlled live sets but Ed is still not up to putting out 100%.

In 2012, all three of the Van Halens are up for it and putting out 100% but Dave ain't got it any longer (unless last year's 'blower' excuses somehow still apply 365 days and several continents away).

The last two times around on the road, I got some reminders here and there of how great the band once was, but they ain't got the mojo working in all directions anymore simultaneously.

I want them to be great again, but I honestly wonder how many of the opinions around here (from members I actually respect) applauding what the band is doing these days are a case of really believing that or just wanting the band to be as good as they once were that some self-delusion is going on re: how good they actually are vs. how good we would like them to be.

[DLR Bridge]

I never had any problem with Dave always being Dave and missing the words, and all of that!! In fact, I positively appreciated it because it meant he was probably expending a lot of energy working the crowd who were at the actual gig. I think if anyone was there it was always awesome - I have some '81 bootlegs, they seem to be the most raucous, where I have never heard an audience scream so much. It must've been awesome. I only caught them once, in '84, and the whole experience kinda overtook what would or could have been recorded. And I guess that might be why they never let live stuff out officially - 'cos it would never match the experience of being there, and they knew it.

Understood Scraps. Wish I could have seen that magic for myself. I just think Dave is combating what critics and shit bags like Hags have been saying for years which is the usual shit about his limited range (which it isn't) and that he spent more time yapping between songs than singing on them. The yapping truly was a big part of the charm of Dave and the over all show.

[Seshmeister]

I'm just thinking aloud about how to get them up from 7 or 8/10 to 9 or 10/10 depending on if it's a good night or not.

I worry sometimes that they aren't.

That said too much of this is based on YouTube coverage however that's how they will be judged by many people when the next set of tickets go on sale.

[LoungeMachine]

Meh....

Saw CVH in their prime [twice]

Saw DLR solo in his prime....

Anything short of a REAL reunion show, I'm not going to bother.

And I think the 10 albums in the can will stay there....



Discussing tour dates in Japan isn't exactly riveting either.

[LoungeMachine]

Can we get back on topic of what a racist WARF is?

[DONNIEP]

The one thing the youtubes are good for is cutting out all the noise and nonsense going around you in a live show. No, the sound isn't exactly the same - but it's not goin to drastically change how Dave sounds. Those mangled vocals on a lot of the clips are pretty bad. Some of them do sound good. But you got Dave standing around or doing that odd dancing and add a bad vocal performance AND a shitty little stage and it's kinda disappointing.

I love Dave. And, yes, Wolfie does a fine job singing and playing bass (BFD - there's plenty of guys here who could do the same thing). But it does look like the magic is gone. Or fading rapidly. And maybe the spark they need is bringing Mikey back in the band. I know, for a lot of people, it ain't Van Halen without Wolfie. But Mike's vocals are sorely missing. No matter how good these guys are - it ain't never gonna sound like Van Halen. Plus, think of the buzz and interest it would generate if they brought him back. The sound would improve dramatically and so would the stage show. But, as everybody keeps telling me, that ain't gonna happen.

So what we've got to look forward to is probably the same old set list and the same shitty stage and the hit or miss performances. And we all got three years to wait to see it again, live.

[DONNIEP]

Can we get back on topic of what a racist WARF is?

Immediately!!

[DLR Bridge]

I certainly don't expect things to suddenly be all hay-dayish, even if Mike A showed up. I view this as nostalgia victory laps. The victory being that they're still even able to rock at all at this age, and the nostalgia? Let me put this way, Dave opened virtually every song at MSG with, "oh, I remember this song!"

It's never gonna be as it once was, so I'm making the best of what in now is.

Aaaaaas is. (that's how it goes)

[CVH Rulz]

I think if all of us saw one show on the 2007 tour and one show on the 2012 tour, no one would be all that worked up; but in today's world where we all have been watching virtually the whole concert of every show (in pieces or whole) done in the past 6 years that we are all bored with the same old same old.

I guarantee you there are a lot of people out there that did see just the two shows when they came to their town and they rocked out and had a fucking blast! Too bad it's no one here.

[Romeo Delight]

I don't really understand the thinking that they are done. ADKOT was a great album.

I thought the last show in Japan was really, really good. And it's their third show in how long? Who are you guys?

Are you telling me that you would go out to a Nascar event or dinner and a movie with your spouse and spend 100-200 bucks, but you're not going to see the Halen show when they roll into town? Are you crazy? On principle that Mike isn't in the band? Ok...suit yourself. I went to three shows last tour and I feel I cheated myself.

Just watching the three-piece lay it down is pretty stellar. Any magic from Dave is a bonus.

Please tell me who else in terms of major rock acts who are better? I have seen the Foo...ok...Pearl Jam? Not bad

Where can you see a rock band this tight? It is you...