Michael Anthony calls in to KNAC
Thursday, 17 September 2009
From KNAC.com:
On Tuesday, (9-8-09), KNAC.COM’s Uncle Scotty spent some time on the air with Chickenfoot (former Van Halen) bassist, Michael Anthony.
Anthony spoke candidly about the birth of Chickenfoot, working with his new bandmates, and the state of his relationship with former bandmate Eddie Van Halen.
Listen to a 2-part replay of the interview below:
Filed under: Chickenfoot, Michael Anthony
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September 17th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Mikey is and has been just one cool, motherfuckin’ dude…
September 17th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Wow, he really summed it up and not in a way that mouthed off VH either.
“So what do you think Ed and the boys are up to?”
“Ah, I don’t know, probably biting their nails”.
Haha, Mikey is part of a band whose album just went Gold and the king of rock guitar is sitting around biting his nails. Its the truth though right?
“I’ve got so much music, etc” - where is it Eddie? Do us a new album before you tour!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Was just talking with a friend wondering if Chickenfoot would go out and get a new drummer…
Nice to hear they will wait for Chad. Bad too, I mean… can’t wait for the next Chickenfoot Album!!!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I think Michael should be nicer.
Eddie & Alex helped to make him rich.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Way to go Mike. For a guy who was shafted for being a nice guy and for years of abuse he really has come up on top. He sounds better than ever. He used to be so afraid when he talked. He would search for things to say not to creat conflict with or within VH, but he sounded strong and confident. In VH interviews he was always cut off my Ed or somebody. Props Mike. Saw the Fillmore and Tahoe shows, going to Berkeley next weekend. Shows are AWESOME! Keep Rockin!
September 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Wow….who wouldvr thunk!?
500,000 units moved = balls
September 17th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Now Adam…
By Ed’s classification, Alex is just another fine tuned cog, as easily replaceable as Mike.
You should change your statement, no matter how much I disagree to: Ed helped to make him rich.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Mikey says, “no egos” but I’m sorry, the guy never misses an opportunity to diss VH on the air. What a joke. Granted, the tool of a DJ can’t not ask the lame question. Give me a break.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
He doesnt have to be nice to anybody. As you know there is a signifigant portion of people who would rather have him in Van Halen then Daddy’s boy. So he obviously had an affect on the audience. Can you honestly say Wolfie has an affect on the audience?
September 17th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Mike has never been an ” Ego”…Now he is just happy . He did not say anything that we do not already know about VH . Chickenfoot 500,000 sales , tour , NEW MUSIC. Van Halen? NO : Interviews , New Music , Solid tour date , Tour DVD . Eddie’s Historical and well documented Disses of Mike , Roth , Sammy and His JAMMING with other musicians ( also well documented ) and Eddies Dissing of Former Bandmates for jamming with other Bands or musicians . Gimme Me A Break Indeed! Mikey is cool , always has been and Eddie has Fanboys who would Kiss his poop if he allowed them to.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Mike helped make Van Halen Rich. Fucking Retards.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Can anyone honestly say that they go to a Van Halen concert hoping to see Mike play bass? Bass is essential but c’mon, we go to Van Halen to see Eddie scream on guitar and Dave act like Dave. I did not see AC/DC last week hoping that there usual bassit for the last 20 years was there. If it was any other bassit in VH it wouldn’t have mattered. Dave and Ed made VH rich. Mike just happened to be there. Same goes for Alex. Great drummer, so are a million other guys. If it was Danny Carey then maybe he would make a difference.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Who cares people? Given the amount of fun he seems to be having with Chickenfoot and the acclaim they’ve received, I think Mikey would be the first to tell you it’s all water under the bridge now. I would have loved to have him included in the Roth reunion tour too, but as it is, I’m just happy for him because he seems happy.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
“BITING their FINGERNAILS”-MY ASS!!!
September 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
VH indeed made Mikey very rich, but Mikey made VH the baddest rock band on the fucking planet. I’m guessing he swallowed so much shit over the years, he could write two or
three “tell-all” books on what a jackass Eddie really was and probably still is. But, it seems like he’s moved on to a kickass band that actually turns out new music and looks like they have fun doing it. For the fans, not for the money like VH did. We’re still wating for the new VH album, ladies. Hurry the fuck up.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I’m with ya on that one skutch!
I’ve always liked mike, and I understand that he went through a lot with VH. But if you’re so damn happy with your new “side project’s” success than why bother talkin shit?
Thats class?
September 17th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
He didn’t talk shit…and so what if he meant to…whats wrong with a little competitive rivalry..Hell they are probably ALL in on this( Van Halen AND Chickenfoot ) It is great for business obviously.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’ve come to terms with the likely fact that Mike will never be invited back to be the bassist in Van Halen. That’s a bummer, but I think he is genuinely happy in Chickenfoot. And hopefully Wolfgang will grow comfortable in his position with Van Halen. I will accept him - and it’s probably permanent whether we accept him or not anyways. At the end of the day - I know Mike’s never gonna play with Van Halen again and I’m cool with that.
My only thing is…people writing Mike off like he was just another faceless bassist in a band. That he didn’t matter or wasn’t really part of the Van Halen legacy. OK, Mike isn’t the best bass player on earth. But he was huge in Van Halen. Actually, I think he is among the few bass players that had a strong personality and made an impact on his band in the 70’s and 80’s. He’s the opposite of the faceless bass player. His back up vocals are a huge part of the early Van Halen sound. Fucking huge. In the 70’s and 80’s (and 90’s) anyone going to a Van Halen concert went for the experience and that included Mikey (just as it included Al). Ever hear of a Fair Warning or Diver Down or 1984 live show when they had a fill-in bassist cause Mike was sick? I don’t think it ever happened once. It just wouldn’t be right and he’d be missed. These people writing him off as if he wasn’t that big of a deal to VH just seem to me as if they weren’t real fans back in the day.
I’m not knocking new fans and actually it’s exciting when I hear of young people getting into Van Halen now. I just think there are a group of people out there that don’t know their Van Halen history!
September 17th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Ducky… as long as you get this fired up when Ed talks HIS trash… is all good!
Word!
September 17th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Mike was part of Van Halens Success ….He made money because all the hard work and touring he did with them until the Re-Union Tour. He is Van Halen Family and can say ANYthing he wants regarding them and he has been ‘Nice’ for years….Saying he should be nicer to The Van Halens ( Seeing as he hasn’t directly dissed anyone and Especially after how many times Mr Ed has dissed him publicly ) because he some how ‘Owes’ them is Retarded.And all the people who say Van Halen ( albums one thru six ) would’ve been fine without Mike are Retarded.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Every time i went to a Van Halen concert was to see the ‘BAND’ Van Halen…not go drool over Eddie and Roth . That is what broke Van Halen up in the first place , The competing egos . I think the people here who say they didnt go to see the ‘Band’ as much as they say they went to see Eddie Van halen play are frustrated guitar players who work at guitar center or the local Music store trading ‘impressive’ stories about how they understand all the tech jargon used by music teachers and understood by NO ONE else on the planet to describe a good song.Band Geeks.With jobs.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
it is obvious that ducky and skutch will never admit that van halen is a mess because of eddie and eddie only. mike and sam and dave can’t all be wrong. if telling the truth is talking shit then i don’t know what to say. i sometimes wonder what alex is really thinking.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Yeah, really. All Ed does is run his mouth when it comes to anything related to Mikey or Sam. Whether or not Mike’s actually givin’ it back, it’s not near as bad as Eddie.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
As much as I like EVH, I really think he has no clue what the hell he is doing. He was a no show at his own induction to the RRHF, he could of went to rehab afterward. He say’s he has new music but by the time it is released it will be old music. My god I don’t want to loose faith in one of favorite musicians but I have been waiting ten years for a full length album and tour and all I got was three out of four original members and Valerie Bertinelli jr, he is obviously talented but he is not Michael Anthony.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Geez - listen to this @sskisser work Anthony. “I wasn’t going to go to the VH show if you weren’t there.” Right.
The part where Mike starts talking about Chad is pretty funny. A lot of “ahhs” in there. After all that boasting about Van Halen biting their nails, he isn’t even in a group anymore. Their drummer left to make more money with a headline act!! Guess money talks and bullsh!t walks, eh?
By the way, they “wanted to play the smaller venues” - right - Mr Cabo isn’t trying to maximize revenue. What a load of rubbish. Why not just be honest that you are working up a following?
September 17th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Van Halen next album name should be “Bite This Mikey”
September 17th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Back off eddie man! He has given us more classic music than sammy and mike will ever give! So chickencrap went gold,good for them and their fans,i’m happy for you! I know eddie has’nt been a innocent party in the van halen mess over the years but who cares now! They have dave back and the tour they gave us (which i got to see 3 times) i could die happy today! Eddie said himself that after the honeymoon they would start jamin’ and then record. Dave has to take time to write really good lyric’s (which i’m sure he’s been doing) then record the album! Remember ” ME WISE MAGIC ” killer song so i have no doubt’s as to how great the album will be. They dont want to rush it and i’m sure it will be finised and released at the start of the new year! As for wolfie,life is short,eddie had a cancer scare,i dont blame him for putting his son in the band! If you have a child of your own you would understand! And wolfie held his own by the way! As for the hagar fans now you know how we felt from 1985 til 2007! It’s our turn again!!!!!! VH fan from 1978 to forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Oh,and like sammy said…It’s about time!!!)
September 17th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
pushtoshove… Well spoke brotha!
September 17th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
FAMAC… They have said time and time again that they knew that Chad was going back to the Peppers. This isn’t new… go back and read some of the articles.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Mike was more than just a bassist he was part of the whole that will never be recreated. I am glad he is happy and doing well in Chickenfoot. He has clearly moved on. The DJ asked and he responded very honestly. So What. I hope VH will make an album soon. Everything changes get over it.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Do you guys really interpret “…probably biting their nails” as trash talking? I thought it was a pretty light hearted response. It was just a joke to try to deflect where the interviewer was trying to take him. Compare that to the mean spirited things that have been said about Mike with no provocation, year after year, interview after interview. Not even remotely close in bitter and hateful tone, or frequency. You guys are getting worked up over nothing. A little too defensive of the guitar god you worship. I’m sure Mike’s no angel, but I’d say he’s shown some amazing self restraint given what’s been said publicly about him.
If you guys were in Ed’s circle of friends you’d be a bunch of ‘yes’ men doing him no good. I love the guy and the music he’s given us over the years and it’ll be a happy day in my life when a new album hits the shelves. But damn, I can see a little bit objectively when he’s bitter and nasty. Not seeing that in Mike.
In defense of my hero Ed…it looks like he’s getting things together and I say more power to him. He’s had some dark days and it looks like that may be behind him. It sucks for all of them, human as me and you, that private things have been played out publicly. This wasn’t meant as a slight against him, just a response to all the guys getting all pissed at Mike. Would be incredible to see Chickenfoot open for Van Halen some day. Ridiculous to suggest I know, but would be nice to see everyone in both camps bury the hatchet.
There will always be room in my CD collection for Van Halen and Chickenfoot.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Thank you Duck. Clearly we are on the same page. I had more respect for Mike before he started doing interviews.
50 year old, I KNOW Ed can’t get along with anybody. That’s nothing new. He and Alex have closed themselves off from the world. The difference is Ed knows it and is apparently trying to change. Mike is such a pretender totally plays the “nice guy” routine. Give me another break. Nothing is “water under the bridge” for any of these guy, except Dave (he’s the only one that truly doesn’t have a bone to pick). It would be nice if the rest could just be happy for each other, but there will always be drama I guess.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I know most of you folks all consider yourselves lifelong fans of Van Halen, and I usually defer the most innocuous comments to the retards of this bunch (you know who you are). So I’m gonna throw in a coupla cents, here goes…I BELIEVE (think/feel) that Van Halen will produce another fantastic recording with DLR and they will tour to support it. However, I also believe that every person that has been in this band on a recording, after much retrospect and realization of what Van Halen actually was and is, will tour together again. Wolfgang is young, itching to make his own mark and will come to see the legacy upon his shoulders and bow out gracefully and respectfully to Michael. Chickenfoot will never reassemble, Chad will make more great CP tunes, Joe is gonna keep shredding like only he can THEN…THE tour will start. Dave, Sam and Gary each patiently waiting offstage with their respective O2 tanks, will alternate every 2nd song to produce a stellar and unheard of 3 1/2 to 4 hour arena concert tour that will go down in the annals of Rock-n-Roll history….and we’ll never hear from them again. (Unless Ed does more porn…or jingles for Viagra)
I AM a True Lifelong Van Halen Music Lovin’ Dude…’nuff said!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hey you know when you have hit a nerve with ed and dave sheep when they start saying mike disses and talks shit about VH at every opportunity.
Just because he gives an honest answer to questions and is upfront, this is something the sheep are foreign to. VH openly talking about the truth?, VH telling the truth?, VH talking at all???????????????
Just because someone (Mike), who has every right to comment if asked, gives an answer (I DONT KNOW), and it isnt the one some people want to hear (the truth about ed and co.), does not constitute ‘dissing VH at every opportunity’.
It is such as fuking sad sack situ at camp VH these days that ed sheep are just happy with a twitter moment or myspace rambling to stem their disallusioment with the classic line up. Very sad, but they cant dent Mike’s credentials as THE classic lineman.
Roll on Chickenfoot and keep smiling.
September 17th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Yeah Ed was biting his nails on his honeymoon.
C’mon Mike get over it, you are happy on CF, congratz it must be fun playing 2 thousand seaters.
I’d love to see Mike’s face when he is watching 2.5 men at his home, and thinking, now that’s the Eddie I loved.
The one who made me RICH.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Gotta agree with Vanicionado, FAMAC. You haven’t been paying any attention at all. The story has always been that Chad wasn’t leaving RHCPs - just that the two bands would work around each other’s schedules. Funny thing is, even though it will surely take a while for the next CF album because of Chad’s RHCP commitments, my money is on a new CF album before a new VH album.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
mike has more class than dave,eddie,and alex combined!
September 18th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Big Michael Anthony was there, seen it and done it.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:36 am
First off I’m always the first to say that mike was a BIG part of VH. I’ve never once said that mike was ashitty bass player or could be replaced easily. All I’m saying that if you’re so happy with your new project, the album went gold, why jump on the bandwagon of mudslinging? I’m not pro eddie. I just react with what i hear or read. Not fired up at all. No new album? I’ll get over it. Another tour with the same old songs? I’ll be there. Unfortunatly “50yearoldfan” not many here at this site had the pleasure of experiencing VH in their heyday. You did, and i respect that. But if people want to see eddie on stage with dave again to play those old songs and pay those crazy prices thats our buisness. Unless you want to front the tickets brother. Mike was great for VH. But he has moved on to chickenfoot and should keep his focus on that. Chickenfoot could release another album that goes platinum but it will NEVER touch what was done in VH.
If this is a different band following a different road….trying to shake the VH image than move on gracefully. Eddie is by far no saint. But i havent heard him say anything rude about chickenfoot or their members. I’m not angry that mike is sticking up for himself. Good for him! Just dont lump me in the catagory of “sheep” cause i love eddie and dave. Before all this b.s. drama started many years ago within VH, many of you here couldnt get enough of ed and dave. Now because many “fans” decided that mikey is no longer in the band its not VH ect ect ect. Please. It’s getting old now folks. If you feel that chickenfoot is the next best thing than rock on. Just dont give me shit for staying true to my roots.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Mike diss VH? I have to disagree with my brothers SKUTCH & DUCK on this one.
He is a class act and clearly about the music.
Ed cans him, and doesn’t even call him. No class.
Ed calls Mike and Sam fat. Is that the best you have? Is that the classy way to go?
Ed’s been trying to replace Mikey since the early days. He says the reason Mikey wasn’t on the ‘07 tour is that he “wasn’t around”.
Ed has been completely dishonest with himself and everyone else. He never missed a chance to throw Dave under the bus during the Hagar years. He now tosses the occasional bitter comment at his former buds Mike and Sam. Why? What did they do?
It sounds like Mike walked a pretty narrow and shitty line for years with Ed.
I will be a VH fan for life, but wow…Ed has become a world-class prick in the last 10 years. I hope he can find a way to be happy before his time is up because he used to be the king of cool and a happy guy.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:29 am
hey skutch my point is that ed has talked more shit and backstabbed more than all the other guys put together. there is no honor in that and i have yet to here anything that ed has to say about being the major part of the problem, unless of course you can enlighten me with an interveiw or some quote. and of course dave doesn’t have a bone to pick, he 20 mil richer than the day before the tour started. he may have had some money left over from when sammy took him out to tour with him.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:46 am
El C, must we preach to you time and time again. It isn’t one sided. Ed likes to gripe about Sam and Mike too and that isn’t cool either. ALL these guys can’t seem to put the past behind them. Hey, I’m WITH you. Mike seems legitimately happy and I we all wish him the best. I just wish he AND the VH camp would mature a bit and quit answering stupid questions that idiot DJ’s and interviewer keep asking.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Mike added nothing to Van Halen.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Michael Anthony rocks. I will always go to see him regardless what group he is performing with! You can tell by watching him he loves what he does!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Come on Jim, don’t be a tosser… explain your comment.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:37 am
They are all in on it. All this hoopla helps sell everybody’s
sales.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I think that you never realize how important a component is to a whole until it is removed. There were pro and con reports of the last tour regarding Mike’s absence, conspiracy theories of how Mike’s vocals were pumped in, etc. Let’s wait for the next album and see if something is lacking and then we can debate. I personally am from the camp that listens to everything (as hard as it was to pick up Mike’s bass lines) and do feel he was a significant part of what made the “Holy 6″ so awesome. I don’t know if the VH camp is biting thier fingernails or not but they must feel some degree of pressure. The same thing happened with 5150…there was something to prove. I hope currently this is the case and we get some great music soon.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:44 am
No prob Pete!
I respect your honesty and opinion my man!
September 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Pete and 51-50yr Old Fan… right with you boys!!
Preach it!!
September 18th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I’m not disagreeing that Ed has been uncool to just about everyone. That is old news, bro. I just don’t that he’s the only guilty party. He KNOWS that alcohol pretty much wrecked his life.
Pete and 50yrold, let me ask you this. Why is the mudslinging of Sam and Mike any more tolerable than Ed’s? To say “biting their nails” is an blast and you guys know that. I just don’t get where you guys are coming from.
50yrold, I envy that you got to see them back in the day. that rules.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Mike added nothing to Van Halen.
Showed up to play bass when needed. Was reliable. Went home after touring and would await a call from the band when they were going to make a new album and/or tour. Went with the flow. Helped Ed sing background. He played his solo at the concerts so the rest of the band could rest. Didn’t contribute to creating sounds or writing any of the music but provided his vote or opinion on what may be good on an album. When Ed was having problems, Mike stayed away so that he wouldn’t be involved. Towards the end of his tenure when the band didn’t need him for the albums, he didn’t cause a stink.
I like Mike. He’s a cool guy. Wolfy adds so much more to the band though. Credit Wolfy for the resurgence of Van Halen. Credit Wolfy for saving Ed’s career. Wolfy will have an enormous influence on the new album. Being more confortable and coming into his own, he will be more involved in the background vocals going forward. Wolfy will carry on the name and will be the next Eddie Van Halen.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I hear what you’re saying Jim, but I want to know where you get your facts…
I mean, from what you describe… That could be Alex you’re talking about…
Nothing special about Alex’s drum solo neither… except when he went really, really fast. And smashed the gong.
But… as far as music writing, what did Alex contribute?
The live tracks from Oakland from about ‘81… the video for ‘So This Is Love’, Mike lays down a HUGE bass line right at the beginning… do you think he’d get to lay down on an album cut under the rule of King Ed and Duke Dave?
No way.
Every time I listen to Van Halen, I have to use the BASS BOOST EQ so that I can hear Mike. You think Mike was satisfied with his sound on the albums? I don’t think so. From what it looks like, Mike knew when to keep his mouth shut and out of the way when Ed was on a bender.
You ever been around a drunk?
Not fun man… NOT fun.
Anyhow… Wolfie has some big shoes to fill, and as far as I’m concerned he has yet to prove himself. Until an album is out, or new material with him on it, I will stay skeptical.
But hopeful.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I always loved Fair Warning because Michael Anthony got to play. I learned a lot about bass playing from “Push Comes to Shove” and “So This is Love?”. Their best album, IMHO.
Otherwise, his playing was just OK and almost nonexistant in the Sammy years (I always thought Ted Templeman added a lot to the band, like it or not). Anthony was never really the focal point for the band. His bass solos in concert? Ummm… hmmm. How to be nice here….
I’m sure he went through a lot of shit being stuck with the egos, family issues, etc. Good for him to go have fun now playing with a fun little rock band.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
So,when you go to a Van Halen show in the past, which one did you stick around to hear their solo? Sorry Mike and Al.
Mike and Sam, will you please LET IT GO. You guys made great music in the past and are in the present. Time to get away from the jabs and personal attacks. From my opinion there seems to be more coming from this side than the other side. It does not take much to prompt them evertime an interviewer say “So what was it like in comparsion to Van Halen…..”. Just sound like a bunch of girls.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I agree with Vanicionado. Alex added nothing to Van Halen either. I’ve said it for years. Dave and Ed make VH.
September 19th, 2009 at 6:29 am
What did Alex add?
If you were a fly on the wall at 5150, you would often see Ed, Alex, and now Wolfy in there rocking out. I’m pretty sure you would never see Mike unless they were recording for an album. That alone is how you contribute.
It appeared throughout the years that Ed and Alex together were the driving force in the bands direction. I’m not sure if I would say that is the case recently.
In Van Halen, maybe you have to be family to contribute (not counting singer). Maybe Mike did all he could. Mike and Alex are great performers. That is why they did the extended solos - to show that they were each heavyweights.
Let me toss this out there: Everybody assumes it was Ed that “fired” Dave, Sam, Mike, whoever.. What if is was Alex.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:23 am
to anybody who thinks mike didn’t contribute just listen to the 1st album.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:25 am
skutch, biting their nails could also mean getting ready for whatever is going to happen next and waitng for the timing to be right to do what ever it is they are going to do.
September 19th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
50yr, Could be, could be. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Seriously, we all wish Mike and the boys still got along, but since they don’t I’ll be content with the present line-up. Of course I think Mike and Alex mean alot to the band. I just like getting a rise out of everybody.
September 20th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
SKUTCH…mudslinging by anyone is kind of lame. I don’t see the harm in the “biting their nails” comment. Maybe you can explain that one to me.
Mikey was there when VH was down to 3. He jammed with them when the brothers’ dad passed away. He was there when Dave walked, when Sam got axed, when Dave wasn’t rehired, when Gary was hired, when Gary quit, and when Sammy came back. I think he knows how tightly-wired the boys are, so I think his expression was accurate in the way he means it. I have a friend of a friend who has worked with the boys in the past and from what I gather the comment rings true. The boys spend WAYYYYY to much time delving into the deeper meaning and relevancy of things most people don’t pay attention to. And then they argue about it like they’re going to kill each other. Mikey’s comment rings true to me based on what little I know of Ed and Al’s world.
I like how classy Mike and Sam were about Ed’s condition during the R&RHOF inductions. They’ve each been on the receiving end from Ed and wished their best for Ed. Sammy was also cool about Dave too, and I think it’s fair to say if the situation was reversed Dave wouldn’t have been complimentary about Sam.
I like what Sam said: “I know he’ll come out stronger on the other end and I hope we get our buddy back”.
Sad. They never did. I feel the same way. Ed just seems like such an angry, bitter guy since ‘95. I hope that changes, but given his words and actions, I guess the ship has sailed on that.
SKUTCH…as Forest Gump would say…”and that’s all i have to say about that…”
Peace
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
500,000 copies sold.That`s a great START for 1/2 of VHGR.Just goes to show the demand is there for Anything related to the Mighty =VH=.
Imagine what the “current”=VH=lineup will sell.
(3/4`s original,1/4 inevitable).
=VH=1 sold the same amount in the same time it was released&
That`s when they were”unknown”
EVERY album after that went PLATINUM(1mil) in 1/2 the time.
AS a result,ROTH Never had to worry about money again-so the
B.S. about DAVE being ED`s whore&needing the money is utter bullshit!!The “founding members”became Permanantly
RICH years ago.Just ask M.A. how much”Disney” shit he owns.
When the band was Signed,it was Before ED realized HE WROTE
the MUSIC so he split the”money”4 ways.
Townsend wrote the OO`S music,
Mick&Keith wrote the STONES stuff,
TomPetty,Even STING(y)ALL GOT PAID MORE than the rest of the
“BAND”-But not EDDIE.(At least not back then)So he changed his mind,-who wouldn`t?
30yrs folks,in R&Ryrs that`s a lifetime,
I figure the next 20-30yrs is gonna be just as interesting….
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:50 am
Whats sad is that I’m sure most can tell that Sam & Ed got on really well. If things could change now, I’m sure Ed and Sam would’ve pushed through the bullshit on Balance and had an equally awesome follow up.
Mikey was great. Van Halen II and Fair Warning probably showcase his skills the best. The first time I heard “You’re No Good”, I thought “Holy shit, finally the bassist gets some balls!”. Lately I’ve been listening pretty closely to the tracks and Mike does some great little fills here and there. At the end of the day, Mike provided a great part of the rhythm section and went along a typical rock bass route for a not so typical rock band. I think it worked pretty well.
(Don’t forget that the sweet bridges in songs like “Amsterdam” and “Without You”, Mikey keeps up with Ed really well. Think about it.)
Sam and Mike are respectful to their past - when I saw Chickenfoot Sam ended up doing the old 5150 hands-together symbol at the end of the show, and I’ve seen videos of him with an OU812 shirt on. Seems like Ed just wants to forget the past 25 years.
Along with that, Mike has had to put up with a lot from this band I think. We’re only just hearing about Ed going to Billy Sheenan in 1981 to replace Mike - Sheenan could’ve said yes but instead he was a nice guy (like Mitch Malloy) and opted out due to the fact that he was friends with Mike and had enough success on his own - perhaps he guessed Mike was good to go for another era of Van Halen.
Mike has every right to talk crap about these guys. Don’t forget that Ed played basically all the bass on VH3 and didn’t want Mike back for the reunion in 04 (he didn’t play on the 3 new tracks then either). This time around Sam wasn’t there to make Mike come back.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 am
PS - At least Sam and Mike have the brains to come to Europe! I live in the UK and I got to see Mike and Sam play together, perhaps the only chance I’ll ever get. I also saw Gary Cherone play with Extreme last year. When the fuck do I get see Eddie without having to pay £500 for a ticket to America?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:31 am
You wonder about all this waiting around doing nothing after VH III album but really, was a short lived idea that just didn’t gel with the fans. So what now. I think yes Eddie tried early on to replace Mike but then recent that has come about but probably as everyone knows on VH III album he played I think on 2 songs which might be the best songs off the album as one was the single and really solid song off that release. Anyway, the reunion 04 tour is correct that Sammy Hagar said not doing it unless Mike continues to play bass. Then I think even Mike by that time was once that tour was over his years in VH were up and was going to be repleaced as Sammay Hagar split the scene for good. Everyone has been wanting Diamond Dave since 96 to come back then most likely everyone then would of had the classic VH line up but not to be. Sure it would of been cool to have had Mike for the reunion tour but I think by now most are fine with the idea Eddie’s son is the new bass player and just want a new album already but years without more BS than anything solid really its obvious this will finally happen since we witnessed Eddie and Dave working it out which truely proves anything is possible which means who knows, Mike could play with VH in the future or even Hagar, but for now this is what VH fans of old more so want to stick around. Nice to see them dip into the archives of the classic 6 albums and Dave not trying to sing Hagar songs which probably wouldn’t work anyway. I mean can you imagine Roth singing “Why Can’t This Be Love”?! Anyway, I also think why things have been what people think is Eddie being lazy etc. is he has had some issues and needed time off plus most likely while Mike may have thought sitting aside he was in the band Eddie knew that he was not going to have him come back and replace him and maybe he thought his son would work out but needed to wait for him to get older you know to handle touring and all that comes with it. Plus also banking on Dave coming around and presto VH is back in action. The tour I think was well a ode to the old stuff, for the old fans, see Dave and Eddie on the same stage, get Wolfie’s feet wet live and well warm up before hitting the studio to record anything at all. Now that time has come, hopefully a live DVD for Christmas of the reunion tour, then in 2010 the new album and then another tour and god knows what lies ahead but when that album comes out its going to drop like an atom bomb for sure. Don’t be surprised its going to sound like old school VH and nothing Van Hagar with Dave on board. So no soft rock but hard rock. And remember those 2 new songs from 96 did prove they could of released then a solid album instead of what turned out to be VH III which was VH trying to experiment and well they sort of did that with hagar anyway doing more ballads and keyboards. They probably will try to make something close to 1984 but if they end up making a Fair Warning then even better. Everyone can say this and that but hey again who knows it might end up being their best album since 1984 (ok 5150 maybe). The rest were ok albums lets be honest. Maybe the new VH CD will suck yet I doubt it. But have to say, Sammy and Mike have it a bit easier making album compared to VH nowadays because the last record came out in 98 so the comment about biting your nails sure they probably have some nerves about how the album will come out and what the public will think about it so there is that. And this is Roth with VH now and if it was Hagar it wouldn’t be that much of a big deal because he on the Best of Both Worlds compilation had 3 new songs but those ended up really nothing special as compared to the 2 new song with Roth in 96. Roth has those 6 classic albums to have to come up with something solid you know. Well Eddie more because he will be writing the most of the music as he did in the past but with Dave along the chance of the old school sound is possible because of his singing style and lyrics. Lets just hope it all works out for the boys. I think this future tour will be more interesting having done the warm up tour and then being able to add new song with some of the old ones they didn’t play. I think the only song off the last tour they should of maybe set aside was, “I’ll Wait”. Lets hope “House of Pain” gets played live. If they make a Woman and Children First that would blow my mind because VH does prove they can be diverse songwriters. Alot never bring that up but that they just rocked out but they could chill out and that is what I dug about the band which made those old albums a way cool listen. Also anyone wonder will they add keyboards like they did on 1984 or you think they will try for a VH 1 or 2, more guitar driven and no keys. I wonder about that since Eddie does not play them live now. Ok I think I rambled on enough. Later.