Don't remember seeing DLR playing guitar before.....Stay Frosty my friends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb40FtK316s

MRD8 wrote on Feb 12^th, 2012 at 4:42pm:

The King of 10 fingers and 6 strings

BILL PERKS wrote on Feb 13^th, 2012 at 8:31pm:

same here PERKS! It rocks beyond my wildest speculations. It blows doors 1-13.

Bullethead kicks my ass!

BILL PERKS wrote on Feb 14^th, 2012 at 2:08pm:


I love that use of 19th nervous break down line in You and Your Blues.

HoneyBabyNellieDoll, It gets better with each listen. A few folks I've told about the record refuse to buy it because Tattoo sucked in their opinion. You can't reach some people.

IT'S THEIR BEST RECORD SINCE VH 1.

I do not care for VH with ever fiber of my being.

Some Guy wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 11:18am:

Playing it in full daily.  The interview videos are great, especially this one....
http://www.vhnd.com/2012/02/21/van-halen-interviews-part-2/

The Curious Case Of Van Halen by Bob Lefsetz




The album is FANTASTIC!

At least that’s the buzz. I may have been the only person who liked "Tattoo", but all the fanboys love the album.

But nobody’s buying it. It sold only 187,494 copies in its debut week. And it’s not lighting up the Mediabase charts either, "Tattoo" is number 26 at Active Rock and "She’s The Woman" is number 40.

But people love the album. On Amazon it’s got a four and a half star rating, which is extremely rare, even the most popular albums settle in at three and a half.

Now if you grade on a scale, "A Different Kind Of Truth" entered the chart at number two, beaten only by Adele. So, if you’re someone who enjoys rankings, you can take pleasure in this.

But the sales number is piss-poor.

In other words, the old paradigm is dead.

You know, the one that began in the SoundScan era, twenty years ago. Where your project was front-loaded, where you amped up the publicity to get a good first week number, to get retailers to stock the CD. And if you got a high number, you were on your way, if not, and you were an established act, you were dead.

But now recording income is no longer the primary revenue stream. It’s just a piece of the pie. Albums are advertisements for the tour. And based on reaction to "A Different Kind Of Truth", Van Halen will be able to tour for years to come.

In other words, if you weren’t going to go to the show, if you’re not a Van Halen fan, you can completely ignore "A Different Kind Of Truth". But amongst those who care, who’ll lay down a hundred bucks for a ticket, word is spreading, Van Halen is back.

In other words, if you’re playing to everybody, you’re wasting your time. Don’t worry about either pleasing or offending everybody, just think about satiating your core.

All the criticism has gone out the window. That the band recycled old riffs, that "Tattoo" was a disappointment. Now that everybody can hear something, opinion can change instantly.

And where you listen is Spotify.

Which is why you want to be on Spotify.

Because you want to have a chance for your music to be discovered. Word would not be spreading if everybody had to lay down in excess of ten bucks to hear "A Different Kind Of Truth". Look at that sales number, most people aren’t. But fans are ECSTATIC!

1. Focus on the music.

People thought "Tattoo" sucked, but they think the whole album is great. "Tattoo" is forgotten and now Van Halen is riding a high.

2. Don’t front-load your publicity.

It’ll only be a matter of time before you read about an established act’s momentum deep into their album cycle. Music is not movies, here for a weekend. Music is forever if done right. Think about making it that way, like you want it to last.

3. The recordings are an advertisement for what else you have to sell.

Used to be the recording was the end all and be all. Hell, labels only garnered this revenue. Now the music is only the beginning. I don’t think music should be free, but given the choice between selling an album for ten bucks plus or giving it away I’d say to go the latter route. You can’t sell tickets, you can’t sell merch if people don’t hear the music.

4. Short term thinking is dead.

Don’t think about this tour, but the two or three after it. By putting out a great album, Van Halen cemented its future business. There may not be stories in the mainstream press, but the fans know.

5. Ignore the news cycle.

It’s brief and your career is long.

6. America likes to forgive.

Well, not Chris Brown. But assuming your only offense is lousy music, great stuff can change people’s impression instantly. We’re all looking for great stuff, and there’s very little of it out there.

It’s a new game. Although Van Halen got a big check from Interscope, I don’t think the label was necessary. Larry Solters could get them publicity on his own. Dave loves to talk, news outlets love to listen. And with physical retail on its last legs, anybody can get on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, et al.

As for radio… Van Halen’s never going to cross over to Top Forty, and that’s the only format that sells music in vast amounts.

And the band is not lighting up the Active Rock chart, which wants younger bands.

In other words, everything the label can provide, other than cash, Van Halen doesn’t need.
__________________

Van Halen maintains status as rock legends at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center
By Joe Vallee at 5:24 am on Tuesday March 6, 2012




If you’ve ever been to a Van Halen concert, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. A workmanlike effort from no matter who is behind the microphone, extended mind-blowing solos, some jokes combined with juvenile humor for good measure, and a two-hour barrage of classic rock staples from one of rock and roll’s best all-around discographies.

Let’s face it, whether you love or hate Van Halen, chances are everyone can name at least one song each from one of their original six album’s made with David Lee Roth from 1978 to 1984. For 34 years and multiple lead singer (and now bass player) changes, Van Halen has been in the stream of public consciousness. And Monday night’s performance at Wells Fargo Center was an exact reminder of why.

Set openers Kool & the Gang were arguably the band’s best ever opener, playing their funk classics and smooth grooves such as ‘Too Hot,’ ‘Hollywood Swinging,’ ‘Get Down On It,’ and their anthemic set closer ‘Celebration.’

Van Halen followed shortly after with set opener ‘Unchained’ and ‘Runnin’ With the Devil,’ with guitar god Eddie Van Halen tearing through both songs with reckless precision.

The band wasted very little time showcasing their new material from the month-old ‘A Different Kind of Truth.’ ‘She’s the Woman’ (an old club song dating back to the 70’s) and the album’s first single ‘Tattoo’ blended well next to concert favorites ‘Everybody Wants Some,’ ‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor,’ and ‘The Full Bug’ from 1982’s Diver Down, a rarity that until recently hasn’t seen the light of day since 1983’s US Festival.

Back where he properly belongs for his second consecutive tour is David Lee Roth, whose demeanor has gone from “Squirt me one more time and I'll F$%K your girlfriend” to more of a circus ringmaster. Maintaining an ear to ear grin for most of the hour and fifty minute set, the upbeat Roth threw in some slightly comedic tempo changes (a la James Brown, which the band jumped right on) as well as some candy to the audience during ‘Hot For Teacher.’ Roth even showed a video of his sheepdogs while playing the acoustic intro to ‘Ice Cream Man’ (That is Roth playing on the original recording by the way).

Despite abandoning the Garth Brooks-like head set that was used earlier in the tour, there were times when Roth appeared to be trying too hard vocally (mainly on ‘Dance the Night Away’) as he sang (as well as talked) his way through the set. Despite the occasional vocal shortcomings however, Roth held his own on new track ‘The Trouble With Never,’ ‘Beautiful Girls,’ ‘Panama,’ ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,’ and set closer ‘Jump.’

Check out Aileen Bannon’s Exclusive Concert Photos on Facebook! And remember to ‘Like’ us!

As usual, older Van Halen sibling Van Halen (while keeping his trademark shades on for the ENTIRE show), is as steady as ever at 58 years of age. Van Halen’s kit (which included four bass drums converted into two gigantic ones) is much reminiscent of the one he used on the band’s initial 1978 tour. Alex effortlessly hammered his way through some of the sets heavier tracks like the new ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Hot for Teacher.’ The only issue was his signature drum solo, which unfortunately clocked in a little under three minutes.

There’s not much more that can be said about the genius of Eddie (and I know it sounds like I know these guys, but you can only use Van Halen SO many times in this article). I thought the point was reached where you had seen everything the 57 year-old guitarist had to offer. However, you’ll know that’s clearly not the case after you listen to ‘Truth.’ This is the best I’ve heard him play since the Van Halen III Tour in 1998, and it was pretty evident the entire show that he’s ecstatic to be out playing again. A ten-minute Eddie Van Halen solo is worth the price of admission alone. And as you’ll see below, he once again delivered



Eddie doesn’t move around quite like he used to after hip replacement surgery, but still made the occasional trips across the stage to interact with his son Wolfgang, who seems to have rejuvenated his father after joining the band. The 20-year old bassist, who looked out of sorts in his first go-round with the band in 2007, maintained a strong stage presence while surprisingly handling the departed Michael Anthony’s background vocals with occasional help from his dad. Originally, I was strongly against the decision to not bring back Anthony. However, after watching him on Monday night, Wolfgang seems to fit right in. While he has a little bit to go before he’s quite on par with Anthony’s vocal ability, you could make a strong case that if it weren’t for his influence,‘Truth’ may never have come to fruition.

Many will agree that one of several tour highlights thus far has been the diverse set list the band has chosen, and Monday’s show was no exception. Though some notable songs (‘Jamie’s Cryin’, ‘Little Guitars,’ ‘And the Cradle Will Rock’) were absent from the show, the band did a solid job of mixing in their new material with their hits as well as deep tracks (‘Girl Gone Bad,‘ ‘Hear About it Later’). In fact, some tracks are so deep that they haven’t been played since the Carter administration (‘Woman in Love’ from Van Halen II).

The energy the band maintained throughout the show was admirable. But then again, effort has never been an issue with Van Halen. Even in the band’s heyday, a practice was never missed on account of their notorious rock and roll lifestyle. And despite their history of excess, they never bit the heads off of doves, fought a heroin addiction, or found themselves (for the most part) on the wrong side of the law (No, Roth’s pot bust doesn’t count). The only thing that ever held Van Halen back was Van Halen themselves.

The biggest question that remains here is whether Roth and Eddie can get along for an extended period of time. You saw the awkward body language between Eddie and Sammy Hagar on the 2004 tour. But in the early stages of this trek, their seems to be goodwill towards all. Despite their volatile history, Roth and Eddie both realize at this stage of the game that they need each other to bring out the best in themselves. Eddie has survived cancer and (for now) his issues with alcohol. If he can coexist with Roth on even the most civil level, there’s no reason why Van Halen can’t keep this thing going for a little while longer.

After all, everybody loves a party. And despite being a bit older and not as flashy, Van Halen showed Monday that they can still blow almost any band off the stage on any given night. And now that they’ve got some momentum (as well as a bit of youth), they could actually make this ride last after years of lost time.

Set List

Unchained
Runnin' With the Devil
She's The Woman
The Full Bug
Tattoo
Everybody Wants Some!!
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
China Town
Hear About It Later
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Alex Van Halen Drum Solo
You Really Got Me
The Trouble with Never
Dance The Night Away
I'll Wait
Hot For Teacher
Women In Love
Girl Gone Bad
Beautiful Girls
Ice Cream Man
Panama
Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solo
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Jump

the full bug- http://youtu.be/r1BAC1Ka8mI

Contact Joe Vallee at [email protected]

Nellie? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsyHKvwD4rU

Hey guys ~ here's my review of the AC show.  I snagged a $150 ticket for $40 outside the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night. I loved the show, it rocked my ass! I was just so happy to hear RUNNIN' WITH THE DEVIL since I got no love to call real, and I aint got nobody waiting at home. That line rings true and when you are alone in AC there is pleny of devil-playing available, but thats a good thing! Not so sure if little Wolfy Van Halen on the bass was as great as Michael Anthony, but he did good. Eddie Van Halen shreads a guitar ike no other, he sent chills up my spine!  The stage was basic, only a drum kit, mike stand, and 2 sets of speakers. The band has no back up singers or instruments, its just the 4 of them on stage, rockin it. David Lee Roth was unbelievable, his voice was loud and raw, kicking his legs up higher than the Rockettes at Radio CIty!  What a show! Totally on fire! Loved hearing TATOO, some songs off the new CD along with the classic VH songs, which never go out of style. Worth my forty bucks, but the $175 sections were empty, all ticket prices of upward of $150 were empty, so there is a price point. This was a men's crowd, the Men's Room had a line around the door, and the Ladies Room didnt!  The show was just about 2 hours long, and the opening act was Kool & The Gang, who brought the retro, disco-funk. They were cool too.

1.Unchained
2.Runnin' With the Devil
3.She's the Woman
4.The Full Bug
5.Tattoo
6.Everybody Wants Some!!
7.Somebody Get Me a Doctor
8.China Town
9.Hear About It Later
10.Oh, Pretty Woman
(Roy Orbison cover)
11.Drum Solo
12.You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)
13.The Trouble with Never
14.Dance the Night Away
15.I'll Wait
16.Hot for Teacher
17.Women In Love
18.Outta Love Again
19.Beautiful Girls
20.Ice Cream Man (John Brim cover)
21.Panama
22.Guitar Solo (Including "Eruption" and "Cathedral")
23.Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24.Jump