Why is Weezer in ‘Guitar Hero: Van Halen’?

August 11, 2009 83 Comments

Why is Weezer in Guitar Hero Van Halen?
Blame Wolfgang.

by Erik Brudvig

August 10, 2009 – Last week, Activision announced the track list for ‘Guitar Hero Van Halen‘, due out this December. Along with more than two dozen Van Halen songs, the likes of Weezer, blink-182, and Tenacious D are also included. Wait, what?

IGN caught up with the head of music licensing at Activision, Tim Riley, to find out how those bands came to be a part of Guitar Hero Van Halen. Turns out it was all Wolfgang’s doing.

“At the end of the day, it became Wolfgang Van Halen, who is a serious Guitar Hero player — probably the best Guitar Hero player that I’ve ever seen including people at Activision…They knew that, (the Van Halen brothers and David Lee Roth), so they were like, ‘Ask Wolfgang what bands he wants in.’”

And did David Lee Roth’s massive ego have anything to do with the lack of Sammy Hagar songs on the disc? “David Lee Roth – I don’t know that he demanded anything,” said Riley. “That guy was so cool and so pleasant to work with.”

He continued, “In my mind we never even talked about it…I don’t think the band ever said ‘no’. I don’t think we ever requested a single song or ever talked about it. It certainly wasn’t David Lee Roth saying there was no way or this is a mandate.”

Filed Under: Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen

Kimberly

Yes:) Lol as long as Jump can be our wedding song. <3
Ludwig

Rock on Kimberly!!!

And as for you Karl? Piss off LOSER!!!!! How would you like people calling your kids (if you have any?) names? Like Kimberly right stated “They don’t need to do anything for you, but they still do. You have no idea what is going on behind the scenes as much as you think you do”.

If you think Van Halen actually listen to your moaning and cry baby comments, then your more stupid than I thought!!! Van Halen have much better things to do with their lives!! Their musicians! They live, breath and eat music!! Unlike you…you eat shit!!!!
Karl

Kimberly, who said I didn’t like Wolf in the band. I think he did a great job on the tour.

I think it’s pretty obvious that VH doesn’t listen to any of us. Of course they don’t need to do anything or any of us… well, maybe being honest might be nice.

Correct, I have absolutely no idea what’s going on behind the scenes.

Yeah, I just have to wait? Well I’ve been waiting or 13 years. How’s that for waiting?

Worried? Eh? Hey, if you can’t stay away for the pies then don’t complain if people point and laugh…
David St. Hubbins

Will the Eddie haters please go to your Chickenfoot fan page. It’s Eddie’s band and he can fire or hire anyone he wants. You’ve said your piece every single post that shows up here and makes me wonder why you won’t get a life and go honor “The foot”. We don’t care what you think. Eddie has given us so much kick ass music and anything else we may get is just another gift that should be appreciated.

Go hang at the Chickenfoot news desk and do your whining there.
Kimberly

Okay okay whateverr. I am too much of a hippie for all this complaining I guess. I quite know what it is like to wait..just because it hasn’t been thirteen years doesn’t mean I don’t know how annoying it is. Ten years has been enough for me lol.
PEACE! I don’t mean to offend or anything. I’m all in it for the music anywayssss.
Sorry you have been waiting for so long…it seems like the Van Halen fan camp should have a warning that says– you may have to wait a decade or more for any response from the band.
Til then tho, guess we do just have to wait:(
Kimberly

And even if there is waiting involved I should hope we are good enough fans to chill out and trust them.

DLR<3
SWADE

By the way. Weezer blows.
kayser sozay

David St. Hubbins… take a glance at the title of this website. “The net’s best source for Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and CHICKENFOOT news.” (emphasis added)
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Oh jeez….
Chad

I have yet to be privy to Wolfgang’s genius. He was drowned out in the mix during the “reunion” tour and I’m skeptical that he sung anything (Mikey backing tracks?). Have him step up and play a guitar or bass solo, give him a lead in a song or jam, something. So far – nothing. I could care less if he’s good at Guitar Hero.
Karl

“Will the Eddie haters please go to your Chickenfoot fan page.”

Could you point out the ‘Eddie haters”? Because I can’t see any.
Karl

Chad, no, I have to give him his due, I heard some pretty good playing from Wolf despite the volume and mix that seemed designed to kill the audience.
Kimberly

Yeah I agree with Karl…he definitely did the playing.

I think its not so much Eddie haters just like really impatient people lol. Though after all these years its hard to call people impatient, it has been quite awhile.

Just gotta hang in there guys! I don’t doubt we will see something soon!:)
Ryan

I understand why everybody would be all for another Van Halen record…if another record is released, I will definitely listen to it too. But at the same time I don’t think anybody should get their hopes up. LIVE YOUR LIVES!!! LOL…the only reason I say this is because I remember how pysched I was before the release of VHIII…there was so much hype surrounding that album. In fact, I felt there was too much because when it was released I was upset—it wasn’t any good. So if the day comes for a new album, it will be sweet. But until then, I don’t think it’s even worth thinking about. Everybody’s got their opinions, but the facts are unchangeable: (1) It has been 11 years since the last Van Halen album was released. (2) Eddie Van Halen has been known to stretch the truth. (3) The last five albums (as a whole) were not really good. YES, THERE WERE AWESOME SONGS ON EACH ALBUM, but it was hard to sit through them in their entirety.
Matt from Australia

Wolfie picked out a few songs for GH:VH – END OF STORY!!!!!!!
How some of you so called “fans” can read any further into that is just plain ridiculous.
If/when a new album is released by VH its still gonna be the same fans complaining that it wasn’t what they expected, etc.

Oh yeah – Karl you’re a jerk
Big Al

Kayser,

So, if Chickenfoot want’s to keep touring until the end of the year. WHO PLAY’S DRUMS for them? Chad will be recording with his REAL band! What about the Chickenfoot fans being short changed because Chickenfoot is limited to tour only 2 months and can’t play to all the cities they would like because of scheduling!

Laughable? You just agreed with me. What was Mike suppose to do from 2000-2004 just sit around? NO. He started a NEW BAND. Good for him!

Maybe,just maybe, you should look up the definition of loyalty! Being there in good times and bad not just when fame and fortune are involved!
Matt from Australia

Ryan – about the last 5 albums as a whole…yeah you’re probably right there. But I have to say I thought “Balance” was a great album.
Kimberly

Ducky..I love all your posts:)
You make me smile, love!
<3 VH for lifeee
Pete

I’m happy for VH if they’re happy. I’m also happy for the Dave fans that waited so long for all this. I hope there’s another album sometime too and that it makes everyone happy.

I just saw Chickenfoot (again) and wow – it made me extremely excited about music, and very happy as a person. They just have something special going on, and it was a pleasure to be surrounded by people who were absolutely being blown away.

Sometimes the back and forth on here is interesting, and other times it was a waste of time. I have a feeling that if all the Sammy-only folks had went as a group to the VH tour that they would have had a great time. (I did!) If all the Dave-only folks went to see Chickenfoot, you would have had a great time too. (Live is where it’s at – it was face-meltingly good!)

I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing concerts this summer: Paul McCartney, KISS, Chickenfoot, Fogerty, etc., and you know what? Music is much more fun to experience live the way it was meant to be, rather than arguing incessantly about this and that.

As for the topic at hand, good for Wolf to make music interesting enough for the band to want to stick around a little longer. Having seen Mike with CF, I am seeing his talents on display like never before. However, if Wolf makes Eddie feel like playing, then hey…I guess everyone wins.

I hope each and every one of you gets to see some truly great shows this summer. No matter who is playing your town, get your asses out there, open you minds, raise a glass (or plastic cup), yell, scream, and have a good time.

I see the whole VH & CF thing alot differently now. I think we’re all better off to have TWO great bands like that rather than one…or none.

From what I’ve seen, everyone is in the right band for them for the year 2009 and beyond.

PEACE EVERYONE!

Pete
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Kim:

Right back at ya babe!
Ludwig

To Chad & all the naysayers & Eddie bashers!!!

So you think Wolfie was singing to a Mike backing track? And you think pigs can fly too huh? So I guess you’re in the inner sanctum of Van Halen, you know everything? So it was YOU who was pressing the Mike backing track button for Wolfie huh? Do you listen to yourself? You’re so full of shit that you make talking shit an art form!!!

In fact a few on this site would put to shame all the shit talkers in the whole world!!! You think you know so much that it sounds like you work for Van Halen!! All you Eddie bashers, Sam lovers and naysayers are so full of SHIT!!!!!
RickieVanWhalen

Karl

Come on. Calling the kid fat. Get a clue and some class please.

We all know that without wolf pushing dad to get back together with DLR, VH would be dead in the water. Wolf even confessed his love for classic VH. He is responsible for what is now happening. Period.

Give the kid his credit. On top of that, he is a solid player that can sing. After all, he has VH blood.
6oober

love van halen.not mad like with satch but enough to own all albums.ill admit that after seeing the song list and whats been confirmed im a little miffed.with GH:M (why i bought into GH)the game spanned a career,it doesnt have everything but enough to keep a fan happy.(prob not a die hard fan)so having only half a career on GH:VH is fodder for being butthurt.then again if you is a die hard DLR VH fan will it be the most awesome GH?
if like someone suggested,they bring out a second game with the other half on it ,it will be cool.for people like me anyway.as for wolf he no doubt plays better than me so i wont diss.
Karl

Rickie, is he not fat, then? You’ve got to admit, there’s a certain absurdity in the fifty somethings having the bodies of a seventeen year old and the seventeen year old looking like an out of shape fifty something. Anyway, just a little gentle ribbing.

You’re kind of correct in your second point only I think your emphasis is slightly in the wrong place. To say that Wolf is ‘pushing’ probably comes at it from the wrong direction. As I said, Wolf is the catalyst. And that’s just due to Eddie’s obsession with family (you can find evidence of this obsession in his interviews throughout the years). But yes, Wolf is the reason that anything has or will happen at the moment. But he’s a catalyst not a driver.

And as far as credit goes, I have come to his defense. As I said, I think he did a great job on the tour. Not only did he fill Mike’s shoes well (even though it might have been sans the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll) I think the way he embellished many of Mike’s parts was also excellent. I remember thinking “Well, he might only be here because he’s Ed’s son, but the kid really can play”. It was a pleasant surprise on the night.
RickieVanWhalen

I always enjoy reading your posts Karl. I happen to respect the kid a great deal, regardless of his last name. Van Halen with a big bottom (pun intended for your benefit) is something we’ve never heard before.

Rick
Karl

Certainly, a big bottom is something we can expect on the next record. I think we’ll get bass in the mix like we’ve never had it before.
jrod 2009

Long live the wolf !!!!!!!!!!!!
jrod 2009

Maybe that is why chicken foot wrote the song bitten by the WOLF, it wasn’t about vampires it was about ol mikey being booted for the wolf
http://vhnd the man the myth

Cuz they are and remain VH fans. Remember that Guitar World Cover where he had the stiped up replica pointing at you with the star. Weezer is cool.

Mentioning they “borrowed” the classic early year VH logo.

( I still like their ’95 video of them lampooning Happy Day’s)
Karl

^ Ha! Good call!
jrod 2009

the buddy holly video was the sh!t
Adrian

you guys are nuts, what are these guys now 50, let them be, let them rest..They have been trying to make us all happy for the last 30years, get off the a–es, and let THEM be Happy for a change…Geez, enough of the Im so hurt routine, its crap..Grow up!!! Good Job Eddie, we all know you are the Best…A
http://whatsupquiqui.blogspot.com/ whatsupquiqui

It makes total sense to me, I kinda already knew it just by instinct that the other songs in the VHGH were chosen by Wolf. However, I don’t care… Release a record and a tour!