Why the hell are Dave and the boys getting so much hate this time around?

[Von Halen]

I don't mind VH getting trashed for the way they have previously treated their fans. I do take exception to them getting trashed for their music on the new album, and this tour.

Wolfgang obviously understands the way the fans should be treated. I am also very impressed with Dave's willingness to respond publicly to rumors and such. Those two definitely have their finger on the pulse of how to do business in this day and age.

Somebody earlier in this thread talked about Wolf remastering some of the old shows. As a true fan of the original VH, and someone that was lucky enough to be front and center for the first 5 major tours, I would never want any of their shows remastered. I think one of the great things about VH, was, they were what they were. They never listened to anyone. They did what they wanted, and they did it how they wanted to do it. Of course, I am speaking strictly about Dave era VH. This is a band that left blatant mistakes on vinyl. Mistakes other bands would have NEVER left in place. Would it have been as easy to fix as todays Pro Tools recordings are? No. But they still could have been fixed, and VH chose to leave them there. Even way back then, I couldn't believe they left mistakes in, but I appreciated the fact that they did. It made them seem even more rock and roll, to me. I bring that point up, because in order to get the true essence of the VH live show, it has to be shown in a true "live" state. Exactly as it happened. Wolfgang can take those live shows and transfer them straight to DVD, with no added production, and they'd be exactly what us, the true fans of VH, would want and expect. Anybody remember the "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" commercials? Van Halen fans don't want Memorex. They want raw in your face live. Preserved and displayed exactly as it happened. For all the complaining I have heard about how fucked up VH was during the US Festival performance, I couldn't disagree more. I fucking love it. I think it is one of the greatest live shows ever. Period.

These folks that are bashing the current VH just don't get it. They never will. They either weren't there in the beginning, or they are pissed off Clichegar fans. They can spew all the hate and venom they want. I love my VH, and I fucking walked out of two arena's this year, on cloud 9. I feel sorry for them for not being able to do the same. They have no idea what they are missing, by not getting it. But fuck 'em. I don't care what they think.

[ZahZoo]

You bring up a good point Von... WTF is wrong with you..?

Most the folks bashing the current VH and any perceived flaws in the musical performances are most likely younger punks. Majority of their musical experience is crap from the Pro Tools era that's been "corrected" and all the wrinkles smoothed out.

Back in the 60's/70's/80's raw performances with all their warts and flaws actually help bring the realness to performances. Once even live shows started getting doctored with backing tracks and bullshit... the artistry got lost in the computer programs!!

Something I've noticed is Tattoo sounds 10 times better live... why? Because it's not compressed to hell and actually breathes a bit. It's also one of the songs that Dave and band got a little help from Pro Tools and the "Correcting" software. Can you imagine how difficult it is for younger folks who've grown up listening to music on speakers no bigger than 4 inches or smaller and then getting a face full of EVH stacks through a monster sound system... it's got to be a biblical experience for some of those brats...

[Dave's Bitch]

Van Halen are saying to all the little boy's and girls out there This is how the big boy's do it

[perrin29]

I don't know why I tortured myself but I was curious and I tried to listen to For Unlawful last night. I'm sorry...it just doesn't cut it. Now, some of the music might be cool but it just doesn't touch any of the Roth material (ADKOT included). And Sam's lyrics are just plain awful. He tries to be witty with the sex stuff (Spanked, In & Out, Poundcake, Pleasure Dome) but it just comes off creepy. Dave does it with subtlety and style.

[TJMKID]

Spot on. Gene always saw KISS as a brand instead of just a band. He was the guy who really started merchandising in rock and roll and KISS pioneered the big stage show. KISS took it further. In my opinion every original member of that band is a rock and roll legend. They really were unique.

I can give credit to KISS for taking rock theatrics to a whole new level --- but I couldn't give a fuck about Gene's merchandising skills. How does that influence the music?

It's the same thing with the Spammy Sheepies --- they always brag about his tequila money. Who gives a flying shit?

I don't buy music because an artist is a good business person. I buy it because the music stirs my soul. Most of the best music I ever heard was made by people who weren't in great financial shape when they made it.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

What About The Time You And Your Friends Went back In Time?

time.jpg

[fryingdutchman]

And Sam's lyrics are just plain awful. He tries to be witty with the sex stuff (Spanked, In & Out, Poundcake, Pleasure Dome) but it just comes off creepy.

I don't know if "creepy" is the right word. In my mind Sam's "sex lyrics" always came off as juvenile and immature...like the kind of conversation that would occur between a couple of 12 year olds cracking open their first porn magazine in a parent's bedroom.

Dave's style is lightyears ahead of Sammy, in every way, shape, and form.

[Satan]

Taken in a vision quest ceremony in a sweat lodge full of 30 naked women.

Obviously you don't know anything about sweat lodges or vision quest ceremonies, or you would know that would be a really bad idea. Definitely would not work out the way you think it would.......

[TJMKID]

I don't know why I tortured myself but I was curious and I tried to listen to For Unlawful last night. I'm sorry...it just doesn't cut it. Now, some of the music might be cool but it just doesn't touch any of the Roth material (ADKOT included). And Sam's lyrics are just plain awful. He tries to be witty with the sex stuff (Spanked, In & Out, Poundcake, Pleasure Dome) but it just comes off creepy. Dave does it with subtlety and style.

Spammy claims he's a sex-lovin' freak in his stupid book --- but he's a short, physically unattractive asshole --- so his sex lyrics always come off as lame and creepy. Same thing if Donald Trump tried to write a sex song.

Dave was banging hot chicks since the days of Red Ball Jet. He knew he had the looks and physique to get girls even without his rock star cred. That swagger translates to the lyrics and it's why they still sound authentic and cool.

[BenJammin]

We've probably beat this theme to death, but...

All I know is at the San Diego concert I was pretty close to the stage and I kept looking around to see a packed arena with thousands of screaming happy fans. That was getting me off almost as much as watching my idols onstage still bringing it in their 50's.

Anyone these days in the public eye who is being judged, whether it's rock-n-roll, sports, politics, etc., are going to have detractors. No one will ever have a 100% approval rating, and anything above the 50% mark is pretty good.


For example:

The POTUS - Despite what you may think of him, there are a lot of people (myself included) that thinks he's a good man and is doing what he thinks is right for the USA, yet about half of the population either hates or disapproves of him

The POPE - Don't know his approval rating, but I'm sure there's many a reason for the Pope-Mobile

Hitler - (contrarian view for comparison only) - Loved by millions (even to this day there are neo Nazis, skinheads, and others of that strain that still idolize him)

Justin Bieber, et al - I, along with many of my generation, don't see the point and while I don't hate him and his ilk, I really don't take any of that genre seriously


Like I had to accept in my life because I'm one of those sad individuals who used to think that if I was nice enough that everyone would like me. Well that didn't work out either, so my skin finally got thicker and I started being myself.

Funny now because I'm more comfortable being myself without kissing up to people and being overly nice, but I still have hits and misses with people who either really like me, just tolerate me, or downright dislike me, but I'm okay with that now.

And I think VH w/Dave realize that too.

[fraroc]

To be honest there are SOME Sammy songs that Dave wouldn't sound half bad singing, like Source of Infection, Summer Nights, and Aftershock. But I agree with you on the lyrics, "In & Out" Seems WAY to obvious. Dave's lyrics are much more clever and witty.

I used to like both Dave and Sammy actually, until I found out the truth about how much of a spiteful asswipe Hagar is.

[jhale667]

To be honest there are SOME Sammy songs that Dave wouldn't sound half bad singing, like Source of Infection, Summer Nights, and Aftershock. But I agree with you on the lyrics, "In & Out" Seems WAY to obvious. Dave's lyrics are much more clever and witty.

I used to like both Dave and Sammy actually, until I found out the truth about how much of a spiteful asswipe Hagar is.

Please never, ever, EVER suggest Dave sing Spam songs again.

[TJMKID]

I used to like both Dave and Sammy actually, until I found out the truth about how much of a spiteful asswipe Hagar is.

Spammy's book destroyed his credibility more than anything. The guy is so full of himself that he can't see the facts for what they are.

Every time something good happens in his life --- he attributes it to his hard work or stroke of genius.

Every time something bad happens --- it's because somebody else fucked up.

[chefcraig]

Spammy claims he's a sex-lovin' freak in his stupid book --- but he's a short, physically unattractive asshole --- so his sex lyrics always come off as lame and creepy. Same thing if Donald Trump tried to write a sex song.

Or if Merv Griffin started singing about an obsession with hard-shelled fruit. Equally disturbing.

[ThrillsNSpills]

Or if Merv Griffin started singing about an obsession with hard-shelled fruit. Equally disturbing.

wow was that ever wrong.