[NAKED] Young DVP
06-12-2004, 01:40 PM
http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/newbandclose.jpg
I don't care what anyone says, Van Halen virtually single-handedly shaped what we know as rock music today. There was the period before Eddie, then the period after. After was better! Whether you liked the band with DLR or Sammy or *cough* Gary Cherone *cough*, this was four guys who showed that metal could be edgy and trend setting without being overly controvercial and dark. And it was always FUN!! It's hard not to tap your foot when Ice Cream Man or Pretty Woman comes on the radio. And songs like Dreams and Right Now genuinely move me.
Van Halen was filling up arenas when going to concerts was a national past-time! Back then, fans were loyal (and they still are unlike today where a band better make its money before the next thing comes along. There was no need to get a dozen attractions booked into one venue in order to make it financially viable - but when Monsters of Rock toured it was like a religious experience.
Van Halen kicked off their 2004 tour in Greensboro, NC last night to a crowd of approx. 15,000 (not sure, I lost count after 9,548). The opening act, Silvertide came on at 7:25 and played for about 30 minutes. They were so-so but were an encouraging reminder that old-school metal is alive and well in the 21st century. I was however concerned that the boys from VH would come out, see that every other seat was empty and say, "F*** it! we're outa here!" But by the time the stage was set with the signature VH encircled with the raised hoop, I would have to say that the show was very nearly sold out.
They opened with Jump, and that's exactly what the audience did! The show was full of expected favorites like Best of Both Worlds and Panama, but a few surprise older tunes like Somebody Get Me a Doctor were thrown in which brought the house to a feverish frenzie.
The band - all in all - looked good. Sammy Hagar was in top form, Cabo has obviously been VERY good to him. Michael Anthony (looking like he was sportin' hair-plugs, but I could be wrong) was about the same as I remember him with his signature Jack Daniels bass (which actually dispensed shots of JD!). Alex Van Halen is still the human drum machine. Eddie Van Halen, the driving force behind the band - the 9 time named 'guirarist of the year' - is lookin a little rough these days. After beating a bout with mouth cancer (or was it throat?) due in part to heavy smoking, he could still be seen with a smoke stuck between the strings on the neck of his guitar. One had to ask, "What the f*** dude?! That's why
Valerie Bertonelli (http://drycatfood.tripod.com/2c1ec6d0.jpg) left your ass!" The easily recognised smile was there, but the brown curly locks were not. He's sportin' some sorta knot on the top of his head that just looks silly in my opinion. And he really, really, really looks like he needs a sandwich! But when it comes right down to it... Eddie is still undeniably The Man on the guitar!
http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/livestatic.jpg
Undoubtedly worth the money to see, however next time I'm not gonna be so cheap and get some better seats. My nose is still bleeding! Say what you want, they don't come any better than Van Halen. Who you listen to today will most likely be flippin' burgers tomorrow. But they'll be playin' songs like Running With the Devil and Finish What You Started on the radio when your kids have kids!
Van Halen Website (http://www.van-halen.com)
I don't care what anyone says, Van Halen virtually single-handedly shaped what we know as rock music today. There was the period before Eddie, then the period after. After was better! Whether you liked the band with DLR or Sammy or *cough* Gary Cherone *cough*, this was four guys who showed that metal could be edgy and trend setting without being overly controvercial and dark. And it was always FUN!! It's hard not to tap your foot when Ice Cream Man or Pretty Woman comes on the radio. And songs like Dreams and Right Now genuinely move me.
Van Halen was filling up arenas when going to concerts was a national past-time! Back then, fans were loyal (and they still are unlike today where a band better make its money before the next thing comes along. There was no need to get a dozen attractions booked into one venue in order to make it financially viable - but when Monsters of Rock toured it was like a religious experience.
Van Halen kicked off their 2004 tour in Greensboro, NC last night to a crowd of approx. 15,000 (not sure, I lost count after 9,548). The opening act, Silvertide came on at 7:25 and played for about 30 minutes. They were so-so but were an encouraging reminder that old-school metal is alive and well in the 21st century. I was however concerned that the boys from VH would come out, see that every other seat was empty and say, "F*** it! we're outa here!" But by the time the stage was set with the signature VH encircled with the raised hoop, I would have to say that the show was very nearly sold out.
They opened with Jump, and that's exactly what the audience did! The show was full of expected favorites like Best of Both Worlds and Panama, but a few surprise older tunes like Somebody Get Me a Doctor were thrown in which brought the house to a feverish frenzie.
The band - all in all - looked good. Sammy Hagar was in top form, Cabo has obviously been VERY good to him. Michael Anthony (looking like he was sportin' hair-plugs, but I could be wrong) was about the same as I remember him with his signature Jack Daniels bass (which actually dispensed shots of JD!). Alex Van Halen is still the human drum machine. Eddie Van Halen, the driving force behind the band - the 9 time named 'guirarist of the year' - is lookin a little rough these days. After beating a bout with mouth cancer (or was it throat?) due in part to heavy smoking, he could still be seen with a smoke stuck between the strings on the neck of his guitar. One had to ask, "What the f*** dude?! That's why
Valerie Bertonelli (http://drycatfood.tripod.com/2c1ec6d0.jpg) left your ass!" The easily recognised smile was there, but the brown curly locks were not. He's sportin' some sorta knot on the top of his head that just looks silly in my opinion. And he really, really, really looks like he needs a sandwich! But when it comes right down to it... Eddie is still undeniably The Man on the guitar!
http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/livestatic.jpg
Undoubtedly worth the money to see, however next time I'm not gonna be so cheap and get some better seats. My nose is still bleeding! Say what you want, they don't come any better than Van Halen. Who you listen to today will most likely be flippin' burgers tomorrow. But they'll be playin' songs like Running With the Devil and Finish What You Started on the radio when your kids have kids!
Van Halen Website (http://www.van-halen.com)