10 Chickenfoot updates
1) TV appearance this Friday, June 5th:
Chickenfoot will perform on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien this Friday night.
2) INTERVIEW: Michael Anthony: “I never quit Van Halen” (MusicRadar.com)
Bassist responds to guitarist’s claims - read it here (from June 2nd).
3) INTERVIEW: Michael Anthony (BraveWords.com) Read it here.
4) VIDEO: Michael Anthony’s longtime tech, Dugie (he’s worked with the bassist for 29 years, much of that time in Van Halen - imagine the stories!), shows off the four main instruments Anthony uses onstage, including the crowd-favorite Jack Daniel’s bass, made by Yamaha. Watch it here.
5) VIDEO: Satriani’s Chickenfoot stage setup revealed
MusicRadar paid a visit to Satriani, who was chilling backstage before soundcheck. It was the next-to-last date of Chickenfoot’s hugely successful “road test” of shows before they hit Europe and return to the States to play bigger venues in the late summer and fall. Watch it here.
6) AUDIO INTERVIEW: Michael Anthony interview from 102.9FM (WHQG “The Hog”) in Milwaukee from May 28th. Download it for free here (8 minute MP3)
7) Eye On The Bay - Sammy Hagar
Liam Mayclem from Eye on The Bay takes you into the home of musician Sammy Hagar.
Click HERE to watch it. (The video will be in the top right corner. Jump to 8:00 in the video. The Sammy segment is 8 minutes long.)
8 ) Message From Sammy:
HEY YOU!! Redheads….
It has been a BLAST playing at the clubs and seeing the sea of familiar faces amongst the crowds of fans!!! It’s the ultimate playing on a small stage with these guys and the FOOT has definitely come down!!! Hot, Loud, Fun, and Pure Personal Enjoyment!!! Gotta LOVE it! We have a great tour coming in August so watch for those dates soon.
Peace,
Sammy
9) Day 9 of the new serial “12 Days of the Foot” featuring Joe, Chad, Mike, Sammy sharing some insight on each track on the new album. In this episode: “Learning To Fall”.
10) Day 10 of the new serial “12 Days of the Foot” featuring Joe, Chad, Mike, Sammy sharing some insight on each track on the new album. In this episode: “Turnin’ Left”.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Looks like Mikes more than a little pissed off with Eddie’s latest bullshit. Maybe it really is time for Ed to just shut up and play his guitar.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
if mike ever writes a book i’ll be right there at the store to get it and if eddie keeps talking i might just get my wish.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
It seems that, because there were 2 van halen-related posts, VHND felt like they had to cram 10 into one to keep this a mainly chickenfoot site
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
When Chickenfoot runs it’s course, and they will. All these little video clips are going to look pretty silly. Reading all these comments one would think that Chickenfoot is the second coming!……..of that silly super group from the 80’s. You know the one with Jack Blades, Ted Nugent and Tommy Shaw! Only Joe is pretty slick with the axe.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I am now really jacked for this album. Other than Soap on a Rope being a bit weak for me, I love every track I’ve heard. These guys are legit.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
cant help but to notice mike says this is the first full album he has worked on since balance.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I never quit Van Halen! Finally Mikey speaks up and actually sounds pissed off for once. I think he has finally had enough of Ed’s bs and lies!!! If Ed wanted to play with his son fine but to place blame on Mikey is just brutal. He has never once said something negative in press about Van Halen. When Sammy takes shots at them he has always stayed clear, even on stage he never laughs or smiles when comments are made. For him to finally speak out and even call Ed out tells me that Van Halen is full of s%$! Good for Mike!! He has always been the bigger person in the band. Through all the lead singer changes he was always in the backgroud in interviews never talking trash about anyone when the brothers talked s*^& about both Sammy and Dave. How can it possibly always be everyone elses fault but Eddie? He is definitely the king not only of guitar (which he is by the way) but of the band and does whatever he wants. Just have a little class along the way.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I’m impressed that Mike still takes the high road. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t but it’s nice that he does.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
As a Van Halen fan in general (and a classic/Dave fan specifically) I was really skeptical about this whole Chickenfoot business….but I have to admit that I have really enjoyed these videos and the song snippets have perked my intrest in this group musically. We’ll have to wait and see if they really have any staying power, but I think they are starting to win me over a bit… : )
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
i think the high road is starting to wear thin for mike,if i was eddie i’d just let it go.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I don’t know..
How do you quit a band that isn’t making any music or touring?
Mike’s just supposed to sit on his a$$ and wait until the phone rings…Eddie just doesn’t like the fact that other band members actually like to make and play new music other than Van Halen.
Dave tried solo..so Eddie booted him (or sorry…I guess Dave quit), Sammy like to kick around different music projects, so when he was with VH it was a no..no, so I guess Sammy quit…then again years go by without anything, Mike wants to kick out some tunes…so he considered to have quit too!
Story over..VH like many many other bands have switched it up a bit…new/old singer, new bass…once they have new music I’ll be happy…and as for Chickenfoot, they’re making me happy now…I’d be happy take both Chickenfoot and VH, and really could care less what the “REAL” version of events is.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Good for Mike!!! Even he says Eddie should just record and have fun again “quit talking about it, and just do”……..wise, wise, words from the most respectable guy in rock!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Of course, Eddie wasn’t available for comment. It saddens me to say, but I am very quickly losing all respect for my beloved guitar God……………Just step up, be a man, and a decent human. Admit you made some mistakes, move on, and be happy!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
ATTENTION DRAMA LOVERS THIS IS FOR YOU: WRITE ONE DRAMATIC COMMENT AND READ A SHIT LOAD OF DRAMATIC COMMENTS FOR FREE AT THE NEW VAN HALEN NEWS DESK AND DRAMA CONTROL CENTRAL!!!! VHNDADCC YOU ROCK!!!!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
In regard to the MusicRadar.com interview, I think that the press in general loves to stir up trouble. When interviews are printed or posted online, many quotes are taken out if their original context and the questions posed may not be the ones asked during the interview. For John Bosso to say that Ed went into an unprovoked tirade based on the same edited Rolling Stone interview that we read is just irresponsible journalism. Nor do we know what Bosso told or asked Mike.
However, I must say this. I can accept that Mike never called up the VH camp to say “I quit.” Nevertheless, if I found out that my wife regularly met up and slept with someone I used to work with, I would assume that she doesn’t want to be with me and would not feel compelled to inform her that I am moving on. That’s how I look at this Mike and Ed thing. Mike touring and playing VH music with Sammy was a statement in itself to the VH brothers and Roth. He didn’t say “I quit,” but it sure looked like it. Mike did not feel the need to inform the band that he was going to tour with Sammy, so why did the band need to inform Mike that they moved on? Nuff said.
As for the Chickenfoot clips, I really like the reflections from each band member. I so wish the songs were better. I still plan on buying the disc out of the hope that I will hear something different in my car. But as of now, the music may not motivate me enough to pay to see them live.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thank you Andrew…
You’re like the first guy ever to come on and say anything like what you said…
Wow! Such original commenting.
My life has been changed forever!
Maybe this whole Chickenfoot thing is a huge waste of everybody’s time.
What the heck were WE thinking?
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Say what you will about everything else, but Turnin’ Left is a KICKASS song.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
This Turnin Left song sounds awesome! Can’t wait to see it in Detroit baby!
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Andrew is right on with his comments - Chickenfoot is going to run it’s course, and I predict this course is pretty short. Chickenfoot is not a group - it is a project. First of all Chad is still in the Chili Peppers. When Anthony Kedis and Flea want to record another album and go on tour, Sammy, Mike and Joe are on their own. Secondly, Sammy changes what he is doing every other minute. He’s a solo artist, he’s in Van Halen, he’s a solo artist again, he’s in the Waborita’s, he’s in the Other Half, he’s a solo artist again, he’s in Chickenfoot. Do you really see this “group” releasing more than a couple of CDs (at most)? In no time Sammy will be off shilling his tequila with some new project “group”, Chad will be back with the chili peppers, Joe will be releasing solo albums that no one buys while rolling in his Coldplay dough (at least his music was heard by someone - it just took Coldplay to rip it off for it to get an audience), and Mike will still be crying that “I didn’t quit Van Halen”.
Also, the news desk commenting about Chickenfoots “hugely sucessful road test shows” is a joke. They were playing clubs! How could they not sell out clubs? Maybe they will get even more sucessful and play casinos and the Cabo Wabo Cantina?
All you EVH haters should leave this website and go to Sammy’s or Mike’s websites. Hurry, for a limited time only, you can get a free red Cabo Wabo keychain, and a complementary bottle of Mike’s hot sauce!
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I’m not defending Ed behavior, I’m just saying that I love VH for the music and I’m sick of all the haters out there slamming Ed all of the time when he has given us all this great music over the years. If people hate the man behind VH so much then go somewhere else.
I’ve posted here before that although I do like the Sammy era of VH, I don’t like his singing or lyrics with Chickenfoot. The music isn’t bad though, although not anywhere near classic VH or Led Zep (who Sammy likes to compare his “group” to). Anyhow, whether I like the music or not doesn’t change the fact that Sammy is as much of an asshole as Eddie is. At least Eddie has his alcoholism to blame. The band could be full of assholes and I don’t care because I like their music. I can’t say that for Sammy’s solo stuff or his latest project “chickenfoot”
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
MIKEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
This just in…Eddie & Val’s divorce was all her fault. She quit on him.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
But that’s just it greg…
One off…
Two off…
Box set…
Who freaken cares?
Anyone who buys the CF cd will buy the CF cd.
You can go sit and sulk about it all you want.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Greg - you just seem like a real frickin’ dick, I gotta tell you. You are the guy that shows up at a rockin party when everyone’s having a good time and starts being a dickhead. Take your down-and-out attitude somewhere else man. This is the VHND and anything Van Halen related is all good. Did you forget that a big ingredient of Van Halen used to be about having a good time? You are killing it man - you lose all credibility with me and everyone else that is giving new rock music a chance (yes - even non Van Halen rock music). Everyone that feels the need to say that this band isn’t gonna last and all this BS…go somewhere else with your prick attitude. How hard is it to just listen to the music and possibly enjoy it? Apparently you’re getting old and cranky and your dickhead attitude is just killing the party. Every last one of you Chickenfoot haters. You probably beat your wife and kick your dog. Lighten up dude.
Just listened to Turnin Left on YouTube -the full cut - it kicks a$$! Can’t wait til Friday to get my copy!
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
SCAR - dude, pass your bong to some of these Chickenfoot haters man. They need a hit real frickin bad. They also need to get laid. Actually, that could be the real problem. I think there’s a bunch of 40 year old virgins posting on the VHND these days.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
garysamuelroth,
Have you watched The Long Road To Cabo DVD with Mike in it with Sammy?
He was asked if the Van Halen boys had a problem with him playing with Sammy and Mike said no. They told him NOT to play with Roth PERIOD on the Sam/Dave tour.
So Mike should have to ask the VH brothers to do anything? It’s ok for Eddie to pawn gear and do what he wants, but it’s not ok for Mike to sell hotsauce or come up with his own line of basses? Or jam with people too?
See Eddie is dilusional and paranoid that everybody but Alex wants a life and has a life. Mike is liked by all and got his fame by being in a band and a team player all the way until Van Halen quit doing stuff. Is it Mike’s fault he wanted to play music? Not in the studio all the time, but to play shows for the fans and get out there to rock?
Is it Mike’s fault that he was loyal for all those years and then wham gets hit with Eddie wanting him out?
Mike started playing with Sammy a couple of times before 2004 and then all the time after because he was not needed anymore.
Van Halen’s loss is Chickenfoots gain and at least Mike’s doing something again and that’s the least I can say for Van Halen with a KID on bass.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Unbelievable. I’m not going to defend Eddie because I 100% agree that Eddie has made some mistakes, but Mike is just as bitter and spiteful about the past as anyone else. I used to feel really sorry for Mike, but after hearing that VHND interview with Mike some time back, I just feel like he’s as immature as the VH brothers. He’s such a hypocrite it cracks me up. He gossips as much as anyone else. Look, I’m glad he’s having a blast in CF with Sammy. That’s awesome. But they all need to grow up. The fans are more content with them not playing together than they are.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Listen - Mike went to play with Hagar, who by that time (after the second reunion) was enemy #1 to Eddie. What else is Ed gonna do? Welcome him back with open arms? Even if Mike never said ‘I quit’, his actions were a definite ‘f*ck you, Ed’. How he can deny that I’ll never know.
Eddie (and Dave) never gave a damn about what the fans wanted in the first incarnation of the band - and that’s is PRECISELY what made the music great. Eddie is an artist - he does whatever the f*ck he wants - and more power to him for it. VH with Dave did what they did, take it or leave it. And that’s what they should continue doing. Once they start giving the fans what the fans want, then it’s definitely over.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Tomorrow is the footday!!! Don’t miss Conan O’ Brien’s show!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Haha Scar- True that!! Drama drama drama..So silly.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:35 am
found this at Chickenfoot’s Myspace:
“After Sammy and I LEFT Van Halen, we’d get together with musicians, and certain people seemed to really gel. Chad came down and we got on well with him. Gradually, we started talking about doing something more serious, but we needed a guitarist. Somebody smokin’ - somebody who could take us to the Promised Land.”
Straight from the horse’s mouth!! But somehow it is Ed lying no doubt!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Mitch Phillips, thanks for that as I was just about to post it as well.
Mike’s no angel here people, he is just another piece of shit musician looking for a gig. He has no loyalty, none what so ever. You can see it for yourself in the interviews from the 98′ tour when he was smiling right along with Eddie as they talked about Sam and his “LSD”. Well that incarnation of VH didn’t work out so what does he do, he runs to Sam and hops on the Waborita shows and finally crow bars himself into the “Other Half” gigs with the Waboritas. I mean at least Sammy tried to do his own thing, not Mikey though, he’s just hitchin’ another ride.
Now he’s along for the ride with Sammy and Chickenfoot, good for him but don’t try and get back into VH when Dave comes along because you know the dollars are going to be huge. Leave it alone and shut your mouth about it. But he couldn’t and he took shots at Ed in the press, both he and Sammy did, for putting Wolfie in the band. So now the shoes on the other foot and Ed’s defending himself and Mike acts surpised. F-you Mike, you just lost another piece of credibility and now a possible ride to hitch onto with VH once the Chickenfoot stuff falls into obscurity—
And Greg and Andrew are absolutely right, once there is new VH music the only thing people will remember about Chickenfoot is that it was a shit name for another failed attempt by a supergroup!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:33 am
IF there is new music from EVH…..You forget , somebody here has a serious issue with producing music of any merit other than for porno films….i believe what i see and i see one guy ‘doing it’ and i see another guy ‘talking’ about it…..Seems pretty clear.Grow up by the way …it isn’t bashing to tell the truth….
June 4th, 2009 at 6:57 am
AMEN <3
June 4th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hey Jake, Don’t be a hater! You must not be getting laid enough or must be in a bad mood after beating your wife or kicking your dog! I love how cowards like “I’ll pay you for it wtf” start with the personal attacks while hiding behind a keyboard.
It is hard for me to listen to the music and enjoy it because I just don’t like Sammy’s singing and lyrics on it. I did give it a chance, but it just wasn’t good enough to win me over. I have no problem with people being excited with Chickenfoot, I just personally don’t like it enough to buy it or go see them in concert. What I do have a problem with is why Chickenfoot fans have to slam EVH every chance they get. Once again, I don’t defend Ed, 50% of the problems are his fault, it’s just that I don’t care how he treated Mike or Sammy. I like the music, I’m not looking for a band to listen to that I could be buddies with.
And “I’ll pay you for it wtf”, for the record, I get laid plenty, my wife would kick my ass if I tried to lay a finger on her, and I don’t have a dog!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Hey Kimberly….Is your signature a hint about your physique? Love it!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:21 am
“He is just another piece of shit musician”
Really? I guess Flea, Cliff Burton, Billy Corgan, and John Paul Jones from Zep are wrong about their admiration for his bass playing. Cause after all, they must be piece of shit musicians if they like Mike.
Is Mike technically right? No, but is he wrong not necessarilly. You Roth/ED heads seem to either dodge or selectively forget Mike was thrown out of Van Halen BEFORE the 2004 tour started.
It was thanks to Sammy he got to play on the tour. But your old pal Eddie made him sign his rights to anything Van Halen (not just songs) AND take a pay cut.
With friends like Ed, who needs enemies? I mean you Edheads can bullshit rationalize about Ed’s “generosity” regarding royalties. But that has nothing to do with the fact Mike was a founding member. He had equal rights to areas of VH like anyone else.
And oh yeah… ED’s been trying to fire Mike behind his back for years. Auditioning bassists, playing more studio parts.
I will agree that Mike should have shown some backbone during the Sammy split. But as Sammy pointed out, he was under the brothers thumb. Didnt want to lost his day job.
But when it comes to the point where Eddie and alex are sitting around playing with themselves, then pulling the 2004 crap, can you blame Mike for not caring anymore at that juncture? And Ed said back on Howard Stern quite clearly “You cant be in two bands” If that doesnt scream booted out I dont know what does.
Plus, Sammy and Mike never dissed Wolfie. In fact, they asked the fans to go easy on him. As far as taking shots at Ed in the press, not true. A reporter contacted Mike about the Ed interview. Mike just gave his side. Plus every other interview he has been civil about the whole thing.
Its hard to believe, but I am a huge Roth Halen fan. Those records informed my musical education growing up. I would have killed to see a Roth reunion 10 years ago But not now.
I’ll tell you why. Think about this since you all had the cherry popped with the reunion tour. What’s going to happen with the next tour?
You heard the oldies but goodies played again. As far as new music I wouldnt get my hopes up for it being good. Ed said in an interview with rolling stone back in Feb that the musical direction would not be what people expected.
Basically not the golden Vh rock of yore. Wait, so it’s more of “How Many Say I”? No thanks, I’ll pass.
The other thing is Roth’s voice is smoked out. He did not take care of it. He cant even hit the regular notes in concert half the time anymore. I mean you dont find a shirtless, balding 50 something jumping around a little bit silly?
Say what you want about Sammy. But at least he keeps a shirt on and most importantly he can still SING. Sammy’s 60 something but in spite of the jimmy buffet crap he has aged gracefully performance wise.
Lastly, quit sucking Eddie’s dick so much. You Edheads are like sheep. Grow a pair and actually call him out on his shit for once. I like Sammy, but at least I admit if I dont care for a song or something he says.
Chickenfoot will be around for a while regardless of your boasts. Unlike Audioslave, these guys get along great. Plus from what I hear Chad is thinking about leaving the Peppers after the next album and tour is done. So unfortunately for you Ed heads Chickenfoot wont go away so soon.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Of course Eddie is lying about Mike quitting the band. Ed´s an alcoholic and folks with that disease have a tendency to lie. That shouldn´t be a news flash to anyone on here that Eddie is lying.
Regarding the new album with Dave, I like many of you all will believe it when I see it. Remember guys, there is still plenty of time for things to implode once again with Dave, unfortunately!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Being a true Van Halen fan teaches one to “live in the ‘now’” and “seize the day” (and that Chickenfoot music sounds pretty darned good to me).
Have fun!
June 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I “left” work the other day….to go home….then I “left” home this morning to back to work…I didn’t “quit” either one. You guys are all doing what the nutball media wants you to do.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:28 am
JAKE,
I’ve seen those interviews. Through most of them Mike is staring straight down at the ground or off into space with the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. He does no talking or chiming in at all except when specifically asked something by the interviewer and his answer no matter what the question was almost always something to the effect of “I’m just happy to be playing music.” When Mike does answer the questions, look at the brothers faces as they wait to hear what he says. It’s not hard to piece together what was going on there.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Spoken like a true Red Head Real Chris I love it!
See this is why CVH fans have a hard time with Mike and especially Sam is because they never miss a chance to talk shit about Ed and Dave any chance they get. Funny how when Sam was in the band Ed was the greatest guitar player in the world and now that he is out Joe is!! Wow! What a shock! The fact of the matter is Sam is best when he is in a “super group” (HSAS, Van Halen, Chicken Foot) because his solo material (especially the last seven years) is awful. This is why he clings to any of these projects he can get his hands on. Same with DLR! Both guys made some good songs here and there but their best work was with Van Halen! From there you can argue which version of the band is better. Really doesn’t matter because it is all opinion anyway.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Whoever pulled that crap from the Chickenfoot site took it way out of context - not fair.
Sammy and Mike did leave VH. What were they suppose to do - hangout outside 5150 studios for 10 years and wimper to be let back in? If I kick my dog enough, eventually he’s going to leave?
Mike had to take a pay cut and sign away his VH rights? Is that something you do to a brother thats been in your band for 20 years?
June 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Love the music, hate the drama.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:25 am
I’ll drink to that, Mitch!
June 4th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Well, when Mike signed those papers releasing any claim to the Van Halen name, he had to see the writing on the wall. They were clearly preparing to wash their hands of him legally, which is usually motivated by some type of animosity.
Ed is making up a story, which is someting he has always done. If it was me, I would just say I wanted to spend the time with my son and he could handle the job, so why wouldn’t play with him?
But Ed must take all of the complaining from fans to heart, and so he feels like he has to fabricate a story where none is required.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Why does everyone fight about this everytime some exciting news comes out? CF fan or not, everyone in the past few days has gotten kick ass news from their favorites…so why are you arguing? No matter what you say or argue- 1) you aren’t going to change anyone’s mind no matter how hard you try and 2) IT HAPPENED. It’s in the past and no amount of talking will change that.
I’m happy just knowing that everyone at this point is happy, doing what they want, and talking about new music…sounds like something to celebrate..
June 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Here is my thought on what happened… and I think Ed and Mike are both telling the truth from their own perspective.
Mike had little or nothing to do with VHIII. Ed’s said it, Mike has said it. So the last real studio involvement he had was Balance… which was a long time ago.
After VHIII…. I don’t know what happened. Rumors that there is an entire second Cherone album in the can that never saw the light of day… rumors of another failed Roth reunion… years pass.
So I don’t think Mike ever said ‘I quit’, nor do I think Ed ever said ‘You’re fired’.
So look at Mike’s perspective, already being excluded in 1998, the album was a flop, years pass and no idea what’s going on with Ed and Al at 5150. He gets bored, goes out and plays with Sammy. By the time of the 2004 reunion, Ed doesn’t want him around at all. Sam sticks up for Mike and makes it a condition of the 2004 reunion. A few years after that, Mike hears about the Roth reunion the same way we all did.
In his mind, he was fired.
So, now Ed’s perspective. He didn’t think Mike was pulling his weight, not helping with the writing, but getting a writing credit. He hardly uses him on VHIII doing the bass parts himself for the most part in the studio. After that album and tour, he does whatever he does, not a priority to keep in touch with Mike or invite him down to the studio. Then hears about Mike out playing with Hagar.
In Ed’s mind, Mike quit.
I’d blow it all off, except I’ve met Mike a few times and can’t help but like the guy. Laid back, easy going, zero ego dude that seemed to actually enjoy knocking back some beers and BSing about music with a few fans.
He’s never spoken ill of Ed despite (arguably) being treated pretty badly. He even asked fans to treat Wolfgang well on the last tour, calling him a ‘great kid’ etc. Even now, his ‘dig’ at Ed is to ‘record some music and have fun’. Ed on the other hand has said some really harsh things about Mike.
I can see both sides, but I know who’d I’d rather hang out and have a beer with.
But in the end, all this soap opera is trivial. I am not a fan of Van Halen because of the personalities, for me, it’s all about the music. I look at it this way, I love VH and have enjoyed every album with every vocalist. Right now, I am digging Chickenfoot too. So I look forward to that album and tour, round about the time that is winding down, sounds like things will be kicking into gear out at 5150 for a new Van Halen album with Roth. If you get past the BS and the soap opera, we are heading into what should be some great times for a lot of us fans.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Grab a brew or a shot take a toke and celebrate everything Van Halen and Chickenfoot!!!! Life is too short and too sweet for this DRAMA!!!! Cheers/Light em up!!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
SCAR *cough* here, man…take this and keep it goin!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…but the truth is their are two sides to every story.
People just some times dont get along. Be it rock stars or everyday joe’s like us! People clash….people fight…people talk shit. Welcome to being human folks.
Personally i could give two shits about CHICKENFOOT but I give them credit for getting out and putting something together. I do believe that mike knew exactly what he was doing when he went the sammy way….but again…thats rock and roll. Who would have ever thought back in 2002 (when the dave and sam tour was goin’ on) that 4 years later dave would be back in VH? Not me…and I love Dave. So if mikes happy…good for him. Ed happy? Good for him. A lot of us here ARENT happy and it’s getting to the point where it’s like: get a life already. Classic VH has made more of an impact in the past 30 years then any other group out there. From the early look…to the sound…to the attitude. Maybe 30 years from now some other generation will study CHICKENFOOT and follow its direction. Although let’s be honest guys…its never gonna happen. It’s about being a BAND not a supergroup. But hey! Whatever floats your boat….
June 4th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I’m a die hard VH fan who prefers the Roth era, but I love The Sammy era too. And I think Chickenfoot’s entire CD is absolutely fantastic! I’m VERY impressed and wish them nothing but the best. Thanks Mike, Sammy, Chad & Joe.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Scar, don’t bogart, pass it down…
June 4th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I passed it brother and it’s GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Here you go Dave..*cough, cough* I’ll give YOU a break!
June 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Of course Mike is the liar here and the evidence at Myspace/Chickenfoot blog proves it in his own words: “When Sammy and I LEFT Van Halen”.this is all true go their and see for yourself! It can’t get anymore clear than that. I just don’t understand why he keeps lying about it and all of you sheep go right along with it. I guess he is not proud of what he did and you are not either.
Whatever, Just don’t say one thing on your blog and then say something else in the media. He is starting to make people like Obama and Clinton look like saints…..
June 4th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
>coughcough< thanks Scar!
Can’t wait for tomorrow!!
June 4th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I think the truth is this: Mike really is your average dude who just happens to be a great bass player and singer. Eddie on the other hand is your textbook “tortured artist”. He’s paranoid, he’s weird, he makes bad decisions and makes life miserable for himself and those around him.
Mike probably sincerely thought, “Sam’s cool, I’ll bury the hatchet and go jam with him” and he probably thought it was no big deal and it would be a nice treat for the fans.
But in Eddie’s f%@ked up deepfried brain it was probably seen as the ultimate betrayal… “how could you?!? now everyone will know that Sam isn’t satan after all!! We were suposed to all hate Sam until I said it was ok not too!!” and some other weird whiney thoughts fueled by too many late nights at 5150 and too much smoking loon.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I HAVE THE CHICKEFOOT ALBUM FROM BEST BUY FROM THE PRE-ORDER!!!
OH MY GOD!!! THIS ALBUM IS THE GREATEST THING IN A DECADE!!! I AM SHOCKED AT HOW TRULY GREAT IT IS!!!
I WASN’T SURE AT FIRST, BUT, THE MUSIC GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS!!!
MUSIC ISN’T A COMPETITION, IT’S AN ART, AND THIS THING IS A FUNKING MASTERPIECE!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
“Turnin Left” turns into another flat tire at the chorus. These guys need a producer big-time.
June 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
even if mike got fired it still means he “left” the band so if thats the big proof against mike then thats a reach at best.
June 4th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I can’t keep my mouth shut anymore. I’m Back! Ed wanted mike out of the band in 04 if not sooner. I don’t think Ed has had respect for Mike for a long time (even though back in the day it was his idea to hire Mike). Isn’t part of rehab admitting mistakes and making apologies? I guess it doesn’t matter cause he’ll be off the wagon in another year anyway. Mike should never have signed away his rights to go on the 04 tour. I know he loved the fans, but when someone says “You can’t come on the tour unless you sign away your rights to the music etc.” That is when you QUIT QUIT QUIT. But he didn’t. So why would anyone believe he quit afterward? Ed pushes away anyone that is close to him and has a somewhat independent mind. Wolfie will probably hate him too when he grows up. Edward Van Halen is my favorite musician of all time but he is a horrible person and a liar. Mike should have took the money and run in 04 but he didn’t. Ed went behind his back and created the Dave reunion without telling him he was no longer in the band. Mike’s problem is that he loves the fans too much and IS a real class act. I have nothing against Chickenfoot but I wish Mike was in a band that wasn’t destined to fail. Other things destined to fail?: Ed’s sobriety, Ed’s marriage, Ed’s relations with Wolfie, Ed’s Relations with Dave and eventually Ed’s liver. Maybe then we can get all the concert footage box sets and whatever they can cobble together out of Ed’s 5150 tapes.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
It’s sad really. Noone is doing Ed any favors by letting him get away with the way he acts. Someone needs to smack him back into reality. Alex is an enabler and now Roth is one too.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Dave is bang on 100% on this one!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Cough!Cough!Cough!Cough!…Ere’ u go…
June 4th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Everybody wants some, I want some too.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Dave said “I am not a fan of Van Halen because of the personalities, for me, it’s all about the music.”
AMEN BRO!!! I don’t care who gets along with whom. Dave and Ed were always fighting in the old days, they just recorded great records and I hope they do again.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I’ve been reading all these posts about the ed/sam crap for months now and I’ve asked the ? many times, who should have ed replaced dave with?
June 4th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Way to go Mikey!!
You are your own man and are in your own kick-ass band and no longer have to put up with the brother’s shit.
Ed just couldn’t keep his bitter mouth shut and just had to take a shot at Mikey.
Don’t any of you find it more than just a coincidence that Eddie the recluse is so talkative the week of Chickenfoot’s album release?
June 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
You people crack me up. Do you understand that Mike took the high road in saying I left. What do you want him to say When Eddie kicked me out of the band….OR When Eddie Fired me? You clowns would then give him grief of ripping on King Edward. I believe Eddie has some emotional issues that are typical of alcoholics. I’ve been told my some recovering alcoholics that when you started drinking heavily to when you stopped are years in which you lost maturity. So if Eddie started heavily drinking say at 25 years of age and stopped at 53 there’s a maturity level that hasn’t been developed.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Long live ALL Van Halen. If you can’t respect a songwriter/performer because of some dumb ass thing like Eddie vs Mike then you are fucking challenged.
THE MUSIC kicks ass…so stop arguing!! You can’t change a thing!!!! Such bullshit.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:27 am
So why did Mike then sign away his rights in 2004 if he wanted to remain fully in VH? Clearly he wrote off VH, his future and Eddie then and just went for the last cash grab. From that on he in my view never showed a great support for VH, which is totally understandable, but I also understand Ed saying nah lets make a clear cut here now.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
All I got to say is CHICKENFOOT’S NEW CD KICKS ASS!
Let’s see if “Van Halen” can top it, because I doubt they ever willor even can!