We may’ve had our doubts, but Van Halen — back with less hair, some rehab tales, and a little-kid bassist — launch their fall tour in Charlotte, NC next week. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian saw one of last weeek’s pre-tour rehearsals at LA Forum and posted about it on his MySpace blog:
They were fucking amazing (ear-boners). Seriously, the hair on my arms was standing up. Dave sang great, Eddie was shredding, Alex is a fucking monster and Wolf was perfect. Great on bass and hit every high note. The set list was 2 1/2 hours of the best shit. I’m The One, Atomic Punk, Romeo Delight, Somebody Get Me A Doctor, Mean Street, Unchained and so many more. Do whatever you gotta do to get tix to see this. FINALLY!!!!! A real full blown arena rock act!!!!! It’s like listening to the soundtrack of America since 1978.
It’s unclear what happens when you get an “eye-boner” — is it painful? embarrassing? do you refuse to stand up when called to the front of the classroom? Maybe vid clips of said VH practice nights will give you a firsthand understanding. We got a couple for ya along with pics (courtesy of Rolling Stone and tourdates, so you might as well jump.
Okay, that solo to “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” did something. And how’s about some “Panama”?
Diamond Dave’s crowd interaction into “Romeo Delight”?
Diss if you will, and we do miss Michael Anthony’s backing vocals ‘n’ JD bass, but they actually sound pretty great. Good luck staying on the sauce, Michael. More pics from the rehearsals…
Nice hat, David. Van Halen updated tourdates…
09/27 – Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena
09/29 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
10/01 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
10/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
10/05 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
10/07 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
10/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
10/12 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
10/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Field House
10/16 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
10/18 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
10/20 – Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
10/22 – Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
10/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
10/26 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
10/28 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
10/30 – Boston, MA @ TD Banknorth Garden
11/01 – Washington, D.C. @ Verizon Center
11/03 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airlines Arena
11/08 – Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
11/10 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
11/13 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
11/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
11/23 – Glendale, AZ @ Jobing.Com Arena
11/25 – San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena
11/27 – Sacramento, CA @ Arco Arena
11/29 – Fresno, CA @ Savemart Center
12/01 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden
12/03 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
12/05 – Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place
12/07 – Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
12/09 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
12/16 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion at San Jose
12/18 – Anaheim, CA @Honda Center
12/22 – Oakland, CA @Oracle Arena
Buy here.
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Has stereogum changed in the past 6 months or was I confused? Britney… VH… Maroon5… idolator is hipper than this (well, not really). Why is crap being covered daily? hmmm…
Wow … if you can’t appreciate Eddie+Dave I feel sorry for you. Why do you listen to exclusively indy rock?
Why does reading stereogum necessitate having a narrow musical view? Can’t one love Arcade Fire and Van Halen? This isn’t high school. Van Halen, though admittedly indicative of another era, one that takes a lot of heat round these parts – wrote some great songs. And played the fuck out of them. I’m not going to go on a tangent lamenting the lack of real rock stars (it’s a tired argument) – but, these dudes were the real deal.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t insanely excited about a Van Halen reunion tour. Is it just a nostalgia trip to my childhood? Of course. But growing up sucks, so I kind of need this.
Quite frankly, I’ll just read anything with the word “boners” in the headline.
Oh, Diamond Dave. No one positions a top hot suggestively atop his penis quite like you. Bravissimo!
d-wall speaks the truth.
These guys are fucking ROCK STARS, they wrote great songs, and even their shitty covers are worth listening to.
Compare this to these all these makeup-wearing, shoegazing, emo-wannabe, corporate butt-lickers today and VH WILL KICK THEIR ASSES!
Er, DLR-era VH, that is. I have no love for the regressive Sammy Van Hagar years. And if any of you Van Hagar fans want to start a war, take your shirt off and step outside, motherfuckers.
check out this bullshit:
http://idolator.com/tunes/open-minds/when-exactly-did-stereogums-comments-section-turn-into-the-national-review-301742.php
Speaking of Idolator, I think it was there that I read that VH is using taped backing vocals on this tour. If true, Wolfie’s not the one hitting the high notes, or at least he’s not hitting them live.
looks like ed is hitting the gym with iggy pop. jesus. only bruce lee has more sinew.
For those of you that missed the David Lee Roth version of Van Halen the first time… PREPARE FOR GREATNESS!!!
VAN-F@#KING-HALEN!!! I am, now, suddenly fourteen again in Tingley coliseum at the New Mexico state fairgrounds waiting to see one of the all time great great live bands!!! ROCK meet the ROLL and all will bow before VAN HALEN (2 short years later I vowed never to see them again until Diamond Dave returned to the fold)
I AM THE ATOMIC PUNK!
Strap a rocket to my credibility and shoot it off… This looks a whole lot more fun than it ought to be.
DwD
Sammy Hagar is the only true singer for Van Halen. “I can’t stop loving you” is the highlight for a 99% of the time awful band.
Awe… isn’t that cute? DW thought he had credibility.
dave couldn’t sing then and he can’t sing now.
ergh.
van halen diehard here — all eras — but this is just awful. it’s like watching a cover band, except bad.
Who is the bag of Cheetos on bass? Tell him to unroll his sleeves and stand behind the drums.
It’s true, Jack. I swear I had credibility once. I also had hair.
DwD
Saw the Charlotte show last night…Killer!!!! Dave’s voice was spot on, the Eddie thrashed, including a long solo…unbelieveable show.