Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review
From GameDaily.com:
By: Robert Workman
Although the soundtrack will make you “Jump” for joy, Guitar Hero Van Halen doesn’t have enough extra features.
There’s no shortage of quality music games from Activision this holiday season. The wonderful Guitar Hero 5 is currently on store shelves, and in early November, you can snag Band Hero, complete with several contemporary tracks and an improved drum set to rock out with. Following both of these acts is Guitar Hero Van Halen, a game set for retail release on December 22nd.
Bow to one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Bow, we say! Click to see more images from the game…
The game features the four most current members of Van Halen: singer David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, on bass They rock on stage to a number of classic favorites from the late 70s/early 80s. The soundtrack includes such favorites as “Jump”, “Everybody Wants Some”, “Oh Pretty Woman” and more. The traditional Guitar Hero players (Judy Nails, Casey Lynch) also return, jamming to songs from Foreigner (”Double Vision”), Weezer (”Dope Nose”) and Foo Fighters (”The Best of You”), among others. They’re not all winners, though. We could’ve done without “Stacy’s Mom” and “Semi-Charmed Life”, but overall, this 40 plus track list has rock to spare.
In addition, several of the traditional modes from Guitar Hero return. You can team up with four players in band play, take your game online through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network (both in co-op and versus multiplayer matches), create songs in GH Tunes and stylize your own rocker using customized duds and other tools.
When players step onto the virtual stage, they can sing vocals, bang away on their Rock Band/Guitar Hero drum set (both of which are compatible) and strum a guitar peripheral to Eddie Van Halen’s songs. The difficulty level is right where it needs to be, with Eddie’s “Eruption” solo insanely tough on Expert. We didn’t even make it through half of it without some practice.
As for presentation, it’s a step backwards from Guitar Hero 5. Neversoft reverts back to an earlier GH engine, with plastic-looking characters mixed in with some above-average stage designs; the big “S” stage, where Roth prances around, stands out. That said, the crowd still gets into each song, and the note interface is easy to see, complete with tap-tap segments and a bounty of opportunities to fill your rock meter and double your score.
Most of the songs sound remarkable. All of Van Halen’s tunes are terrific in Dolby Digital, and some of the sidetracks are equally good. Still, some of the third-party songs are covers, which is something Activision should’ve gotten past by now. The cheering crowds and other rock concert noises are acceptable, but nothing you haven’t heard before.
On a side note, Neversoft fails to acknowledge bassist and co-founder Michael Anthony and lead singer Sammy Hagar. Sure, they’re part of a new band now (Chickenfoot), but how awesome would it have been to introduce a versus band story arc, pitting the Roth era against the Hagar one? Plus, that would’ve given the song list a push, with “Poundcake”, “Best of Both Worlds” and “Love Walks In” available for play. Sadly, that’s not the case, and Van Halen suffers as a result.
Guitar Hero Van Halen is fun, just not the best in the series. The song selection will keep you and your friends happy (just skip Third Eye Blind) and the options are acceptable. Still, with a little more effort, this could’ve been on the same level as GH Metallica. The band deserved better.
Filed under: Merchandise, Van Halen
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October 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Love walks in. HA! Nice review, up to that little hiccup.
I wouldn’t buy this game myself, but if it introduces more kids into real musical insturments, and gets them playing and practicing “For real”, well, thats nothing but good
October 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I think its pretty cool overall. yeah its messed up that Mikey isn’t in it, but what are you gonna do? I am just glad to see some Van Halen!!
It made me laugh a little when Blink 182 came up on the screen..talk about “HARD CORE” lol.
I’m buying it!!
October 20th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Van Halen with Hager was a POP band! Love Walks In, come on really! When are people going to give up the “Mike was so important thing”. Dave’s antics, Alex’s snare and Eddie’s guitar…….That’s Van Halen.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Exactly Andrew!!!! The best Rock band in the history of RnR.
But it still kills me that Eddie’s fat kid is part of this…complete and total bullshit.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Love how the reviewer names 3 Hagar era songs that don’t have a single hard guitar lick in them.
I personally would have loved to have seen Humans Being, Feelin’, The Dream Is Over, Source Of Infection & Baluchitherium.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Andrew:
Daves Attitude, Alex’s snare, Eds guitar and Mikes signature Background vocals. Hard core fans all over and industry people all agree that Mikes background high voice was a HUGE part of the early VH sound. Regardless of whaat people think of Hagar, etc, Mike should be a part of that game. But as someone above said…what ya gonna do.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Mike was great but people need to get over the fact he’s not in the band anymore. Mikes moved on and so do the fans.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Van Halen without Hagar ERA is not Van Halen.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Now I’m an admitted fan of both Dave and Sam (both solo and both with VH) but even I had to cringe a bit with the suggestion of Love Walks In as part of the Hagar era set list. There are a lot of good heavy tunes with Sam worthy of being included and anyone preaching otherwise should pull their head out of their ass.
As for whether Mike should be in or out, do you really have to ask? Really?
MA=VH
October 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I bought Guitar Hero 5 for my sons and they had a limited time offer where you send in for a free copy of Guitar Hero Van Halen. What the hell, right? I did it and we’ll see if actually shows up. Seems a little too good to be true.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
For you guys that talk about Sammy Hagar not being a relevant part of Van Halen is completely wrong and let me tell you why. First, you have to understand that for the generation that I grew up in which was the grunge era, we were exposed to hearing Van Halen songs like Poundcake, Judgment day, Don’t Tell Me, Seventh Seal etc.. You also have to understand that although “Classic” Van Halen is musically great, visually it was not something to brag about considering we made fun of the shit David Lee Roth would wear. The tight spandex with a g-string and assless chaps that Dave would wear was not something that Grunge fans would call “Awesome Antics”. Grunge was about how well you could sing while being prolific and Sammy Hagar clearly won over with that generation of fans. So while some of you may have your opinion on how great the Dave era of Van Halen was in your time, we also have our reasons as to why Sammy Hagar was important to us when he was in Van Halen during the 90’s.
The next point I want to make is regarding those who say that fans who complain about Michael Anthony not being in guitar hero should learn to move on. Well… it has nothing to do with moving on or moving backwards. The point I think you guys are missing is that if you are going to put a game that taps into the bands history, then don’t you think it would make perfect sense to represent and honor the bands true roots? You guys bitch and complain about Sammy not being an original member, but yet you have no beef with Wolfgang being in the band and being displayed in guitar hero game as if he was the bassist back in 1977. C’mon get real and as Dave would say “Gimme’ A Break….
October 20th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Guitar Hero 5 makes Wolfgang a brother of a 20 something Eddie Van Halen. Where the hell is Michael? Prima donnas find it tough getting old.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
It’s a fucking game review comments section. Get over the Mikey thing already. Sure it would have been great to have him in the band…..woulda been fucking amazing! Wolfie in the band pffft, whatever. It’s Ed and Al’s choice accept it or move on the Chickenfoot! (which btw I’m diggin thier album!) I’m more pissed that a little more effort wasn’t put into this version of GH. No matter though, I’m still going to pick it up and enjoy my favorite VH tunes with friends and a few beers! Rock out with GH Van Halen!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
mike anthony is the most overrated bassist in the history of rock. He was just lucky to have met ed and Dave.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I understand that Wolf is Ediie’s son and Alex’s nephew but Michael should have been part of this. Just because there was a falling out doesn’t mean that they should forget about what was part of the team that got them there.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Andrew is right. Get over it Mikey fans. Pullllleeeezzzeeee………..
October 20th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I still don’t see how any of these rock band games are any fun. Pressing buttons to the music? Just get a real guitar.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
eddie will not allow the remastering and release of classic live footage,but he ok’s this bullshit.eddie fried out his common sense valves a long time ago.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I gotta admit that having the option to pit Dave vs Sammy would have been a nice option. It couldn’t have been that difficult to pull off. How much fund would it have been to be able to have a bang challenge playng something like Somebody Get Me A Doctor vs Source of Infection or Get Up. How ’bout Drop Dead Legs vs Summer Nights, now that would have been worth the money. I’m sure most diehard fans like me in their 40’s would line up for that opportunity.
October 21st, 2009 at 3:56 am
“Love how the reviewer names 3 Hagar era songs that don’t have a single hard guitar lick in them.”
Right, because Poundcake has fuck all guitar, and Best Of Both Worlds lacks riffage as well.
Oh wait, no. They’re guitar laden awesome tracks with fucking excellent solos. Even Love Walks In has a good solo, even if its piano/synth led.
I think most of us who like everything Van Halen have done would say that a vs mode on this game would be cool. Or even a proper career mode with Sammy at the front of half of it, they could’ve done the 5150 walk and everything. 360 acheivements could’ve been “Its 5150 time!” or something.
Alas, battle of egos and a decade of crap means that it can’t happen. Ho hum, I get easily bored of guitar hero so I think i’ll give this game a miss and go play my Strat.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:56 am
i’m sure the other bands are ok in gh, however in all fareness they should have left a few of those bands out and put mikey and sammy in there! sorry, but its only fare.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
When are people going to give up the “Mike was so important thing”. Dave’s antics, Alex’s snare and Eddie’s guitar…….That’s Van Halen.
Andrew: Well it’s because he was part of the VH vocal sound and many now feel he is expendable. We will find out about his significance and impact when the new music comes out. Then the debate can begin.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:10 am
I think most people ARE over Mikey not being in the band.
However, to not acknowledge the fact that Mike wasn’t in the band, and to pretend that Eddie’s teenage son (who is a lesser talent) was in the band throughout VH’s history simply reminds people of the petty nature of Ed. It’s revisionist history, and it’s not subtle, so it reminds people of the side of Ed that we’d rather not think about. I try to enjoy the music and not think about it.
I’m happy for Mike in the Foot. I wouldn’t want him to be in VH anyway. I would have missed seeing him live all the times I have when he got up and played rather than remaining in VH and on the shelf while they did their one tour in 5 years.
Yes, we’re over Mikey not being in the band. But marketing this VH game and excluding him brings the whole petty situation back to front burner and reminds us how Eddie can be a pretty crappy human sometimes.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:13 am
By the way, if you want to miss Mike, all you had to do was to see them live last summer. You’d have to be deaf not to miss the difference on bass AND especially backup vocals. I think Dave would have been much stronger on vocals if he had the bedrock of Mikey’s vox behind him.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:21 am
The theory that Van Halen with Hagar was a pop band is a complete misconception. Analyze the albums: 5150-2 Keyboard dominated songs, Dreams, Love Walks in, One other with Keyboards, Why Can’t this be love. The rest are guitar dominated. OU812-Guitar dominated except for When it’s love and Feels So Good. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge: Guitar dominated except Right Know. Balance-Not enough is keyboard dominated.
Go through the list of songs. How could anyone call tunes like 5150, Get Up,Good Enough, AFU,Sucker in a Three Piece,
Black & Blue, Poundcake, Judgement Day,Pleasure Dome, Amersterdam, Aftershock and many others pop songs. It’s just not true. Both Van Halen eras had incredible Rock & Roll Music and should be included in this game.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:34 am
By the way, if you want to miss Mike, all you had to do was to see them live last summer. You’d have to be deaf not to miss the difference on bass AND especially backup vocals. I think Dave would have been much stronger on vocals if he had the bedrock of Mikey’s vox behind him.
Pete - Amen brother!
October 21st, 2009 at 8:45 am
Russ says:
October 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
When are people going to give up the “Mike was so important thing”. Dave’s antics, Alex’s snare and Eddie’s guitar…….That’s Van Halen.
Are you fu©king kidding me? Michael’s vocals were so much a part of the sound of Van Halen it’s laughable that you could play these songs without him.
I’m all for progress and changing things up sometimes, but even “Van-Hagar” new that they should only do a few songs from the Roth days. It just doesn’t sound “right” to most of the audience. Never mind the people, it’s the sound of it that most appreciate.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
By the way, if you want to miss Mike, all you had to do was to see them live last summer. You’d have to be deaf not to miss the difference on bass AND especially backup vocals. I think Dave would have been much stronger on vocals if he had the bedrock of Mikey’s vox behind him.
Pete, I think Mike actually was “there” at times on the tour last summer. Check out some of the you-tube videos, especially Little Dreamer.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:00 am
so classic van halen did not do pop songs!
i love to hear idiots dream that the dave line up never put out pop. wtf do you call jump, i’ll wait, and dance the night away? dumb and dumber. how many times do we have to tell you ed was changing the sound anyway and 1984 was the first hagar album really (at least the sound) hagar songs included should have been best of both worlds, poundcake,5150 (kicks serious ass), black n’blue, and amsterdam
is that pop? hell no. that is kick ass rock.
the dave trolls are out of control and try to change reality
i represent REAL van halen fans. I like both eras and generally dont get into VH3. I assume if you take a poll most people fall into this catagory. news flash sammy made it into the hall to for a reason. haters are weak.
by the end the picture of wolfgang in ed’s get up is a joke.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:03 am
i will never be OVER mike being out because it change the damn sound of the lyrics. He was at least as important as the damn lead singer. The guy can sing backup like the best of em.
that gives the classic and hagar line up the beatleslike harmonies . new album will sound like dog doo without mike
crap just bring him in the damn studio for god sakes and dont tour with him.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:09 am
grunge halen could not have said it better
what we have is a bunch of kids trying too hard to be fans.
sam halen had its momments and easily as good as anything in the late 80 90s. only band i can think of that surpassed them in hype in their genre was gnr adn slash has big RESPECT for sam. they are good friends. AiC aslo digs van hagar too.
1. 1984
2. VH 1
3. 5150
4. Women and Children
5. Fair Warning
6. FUCK
7. VHII
8. Balance
9. ou812
10. diver down
11. Vh3
how bout you put that in your fan pipe and smoke it!
October 21st, 2009 at 11:22 am
I noticed thTat some of Alex’s older drum kits made the game, but why not the stage setups like the 1984, Hide your Sheep, or the Fair Warning stage set? Plus I noticed in multiple scenes, the Frankenstrat has a Wolfgang headstock, & Eddie is wearing the VH necklace in the club days outfit… And then WORST of all, having Wolfie wearing Ed’s “Panama” outfit…WTF!?
October 21st, 2009 at 11:27 am
…And one more thing…. WHY are we ranting about Mikey vs. Wolfie now? Can we just wait till the new album comes out & then make the comparisons? Besides… Mike is happy w/ Sammy & VH is obviously happy w/ Wolfie, so LET IT REST!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Can we just wait till the new album comes out & then make the comparisons? KTC5150:
What new album? Don’t hold your breath with these guys. Nostalgia tours and merch like Guitar Hero, shoes, etc. is one thing. A new album is something else that requires much heavy lifting. Given this band’s history, I’ll believe it if and when I see it. But I really do hope it happens.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’m kind of over the whole Guitar Hero/Rock Band thing. But this is a must buy. I can’t wait for my son to hear these songs in a forum where he will listen. I’m glad it’s only songs from the first 6 albums those are the best. The song list is incredible.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
surfsno2008 you must be joking with that list. I’ve been a VH fan for 30 years and here is my list:
1. Fair Warning
2. Van Halen
3. Van Halen II
4. Women and Children First
5. Diver Down
6. 1984
7. 5150
8. Balance
9. F.U.C.K.
10. ou812
11. VH 3
October 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge had some awesome guitar songs on it. Why isn’t on here? I think Van Halen started out with good intentions (i.e. partying, girls, rock n’ roll), but it turned pretty gay and this guitar hero shit proves that.
October 21st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Got my copy of GH VH last week and i cant stop playing all the VH songs…especially “Hear about it Later” and “Mean Streets”.
i wish we could have been able to download additional VH tunes to the playlist.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Let’s take this step by step -
#1- Guitar Hero Van Halen came to be because of the current Van Halen’s management arranging a deal with Activision to use the band’s likenesses and music. The current Van Halen consists of Ed, Dave, Al and Wolfgang. Why would the management of these four guys want to put money in the pockets of Sammy and Mike who are no longer in the band? Sure, Mike will get something because he is part of the song writing of the songs used in the game, but to use his likeness would give him a much bigger chunk of dough. This game is a way to make money for the current band, not all past members of the band.
#2- The game was designed by Activision. Last time I checked, Ed was a great musician and song writer, but not a game designer. Maybe he and the other band memebers had some input, but I think that Activision already had the whole idea of the band flashback in mind. To claim that Ed was being petty to have Wolfgang in the flashback scenes gives him way too much credit in the game design. If you have issue with the game design, blame Activision, not Ed.
#3 - This is a game, not a history lesson. As I said in #1, it came to be to make money for the current line up of the band. Not having Mike in the game is not trying to deny he was ever in the band, there is no way they could have had him in it without paying him for it, and see #1, why would the current band’s management want to do that?
#4 - There are no Sammy era songs in the game for two reasons. One is the same as why Mike isn’t in it - he’s not in the band anymore and they did not come up with this game to make money for Sammy. Second is that I’m pretty sure part of Dave’s contract to return to VH includes never having to sing Sammy’s songs, which I’m sure goes for a digital Dave as well as real Dave.
Everyone who is still crying about Mike and Sammy need to get over it. They are happy in Chickenfoot and have a good number of fans who love their new music (I’m not one of them, but I’m not one to criticize what other people like). There is a new Van Halen now, and while some people may not like it, no one is putting a gun to your head to make you listen to it, buy any future CDs (hopefully!) or buy any concert tickets. If you don’t like the new VH, go on your merry way and find another band to follow. You can always say you used to be a Van Halen fan.
By the way, I played the game last week and I had a blast! I had never played GH or Rock Band before, so I had a hard time getting used to it, but my friend who brought it over and is an avid player had a hard time with a lot of the songs (and not even on the highest level.)
October 21st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Doesn’t Mike have song credits on many of the old tunes? He’s probably gettin’ paid anyway.
A mediocre review for another Van Halen product. When are you so called die hard fans going to quit buying this shit from the band. All they have done is take your money over the past decade…DLR and his stupid quote about getting the phone call a few weeks ago (these guys don’t even get along, let’s not forget that).
Many contributing guitar players of this site can already play most of the old VH stuff on a real axe (Wolfgang), with a real VH phaser (EVH), a real VH Wah (EVH), a real VH Flanger (EVH), and a whole host of EVH accessories. How about some new material?
Wolfie picked out many of the other artists on this game. Are you people really taking this seriously? Keep on throwing good money after bad.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Van Halen with Hagar was never a pop band, David Lee Roth was more Pop look at Jump being #1 on the Fucking Pop Charts more than rock, plus David Lee Roth’s California Girls being another poppy bullshit stunt he pulled. Hagar era is so Underated yet they Top the Rock Album Charts and Won Awards Roth era never did. Dave’s a real Pop Star, Hagar is a musician and a rocker. Nice try you fools!!!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
greg,
With all due respect, I really think you are missing the point.
You say Ed isn’t a game designer. True but then again Eddie is the one who holds the cards and says what goes and what doesn’t. Without Eddie’s approval Activision would not have been able to make the game.
You also say that this isn’t a history lesson. True again but then why do they show Van Halen circa 1977 only to morph into present day Van Halen?
Furthermore you say that it’s all about representing the current line up. Well if you are going to represent the current line up then you should represent it with music that is made with the current line up. Don’t you think?
Bottom line is this. Eddie calls the shots and what he says goes. He didn’t want Mike or Sam in the band period.
Hey you guys remember back in 1996 when VH3 came out and Eddie said that for Van Halen to have Dave return to the band, that would not be moving forward because it’s not musical growth. I guess he was right considering they can’t get it together to write and record new music.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
i might agree to bump up vhII
obviously your a roth fan first
i like both.
fair enough!
why do you rank 84 so low
you must be an old school purist who liked eddie fast and wild
i like his sound from 1984 and 5150
raw and deep oozing the brown sound
you here this again on balance
respect.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:24 pm
VH3 came out in 1998, genius.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
This is really really dumb lol.
Anybody here actually excited that VH is getting any recognition at all in this music world full of shitty, pretend rock? I know I am.
No matter what you say or do, Mike is NOT in the band anymore. Happens to bands ALL THE TIME. He is happy with Chickenfoot and Eddie is happy with this new line up. At least VH didn’t die out to never return.
This is supposed to be one of your favorite bands…why are you so hard on Eddie? He is a grown man, let him do what he wants. Geez.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:04 pm
True, Activision could not have made the game without Ed’s approval, but if you think he came up with all of the details of the game and the even what Wolfgang was wearing in the flashbacks then you are giving him waaayyyy too much credit. I think that Activision came up with the ideas of what they wanted to do, ran it by the band and it’s management and got the OK to go ahead with it. Should Ed have stopped them and said “No take my son out of the flashbacks and put Mike in it”? NO, why should he? He doesn’t owe Mike anything. Mike isn’t in the band anymore and his son is - end of story. And yes, it is not a history lesson. It is a video game who’s designers thought putting the flashback into the game was a cool idea. That is why there are flashbacks to the late 70’s/early 80’s VH with Wolfgang (a current band member) in it, not some huge conspiracy by Ed to rewrite the band’s history. From all accounts that I have read, this game wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Wolfgang. Should they take the person most responsible for this game existence out of the game just to make Mike’s fanboys happy?
I do agree, Ed does call most of the shots,(and why shouldn’t he?) but to say that he didn’t want Mike or Sam in the band period is the only reason they are not there takes only one side of the story, when the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Sammy and Mike are not saints and completely faultless as some here like to beleive. I do beleive that Ed is more than 50% to blame for the Sammy era band’s breakup, but as the saying goes, “It takes two to tango”.
Should there be new 2009 VH music on the game? Absolutely! I wish there was! I can’t wait for a new CD of music and I continue to hold out hope that one is coming in the future. But to bitch and whine about Mike or Sammy not being in the game and using this as your arguement is pretty weak.
And for the record, and for those of you who haven’t played the game, I played it for a couple of hours, and it was the current lineup in 2008 the whole time - I didn’t get to the level where the flashbacks are opened up, so to make it sound like they are writing Mike out of the history is not true. It is about the 2008 version of the band, not the 70’s/80’s.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
mike is vh as mush as dave ed alex and sammy!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Greg
Keep up the great work! You’re hitting the nail on the head!
I seriously doubt that any member past or present (except Wolfgang) even gives a crap about being in the game! What is cool, is that a whole new generation of youngsters, will now know what we’ve known for 30 years!!!!
Maybe, just maybe, a new cd will be released with the game! How many GH VH’s would sell then?
The world may never know!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Greg,
Love what you had to contibute. I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Greg, you have now been crowned the King of VHND. You will have first pick of the cheeseburgers at The Cheeseburger Picnic.
Why can’t people be happy for Sam and Mike now? Just be happy. It’s all going to work out fine. Just put on your headphones, pop in 1984, drink some of Sammy’s tequila and eat nachos with Mike’s hot sauce. Life is good.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:14 pm
scott,
You had one word wrong in your post - replace “is” with “was”
“Mike WAS VH as much as Dave Ed Alex and Sammy!”
I love the classic line up of VH as much as anyone, but Mike is not in the band anymore…let me repeat that for those who are not paying attention…MIKE IS NOT IN THE BAND ANYMORE!
Mike and Sammy are in Chickenfoot now - like skutch said, be happy for them now, and listen to them, buy their CDs and go to their concerts if you like them. If you don’t like them, don’t listen to them!
Van Halen has Dave and Wolfgang now - be happy for them! - if you like them, buy Guitar Hero, go to their concerts, hopefully buy a new CD! If you don’t like them, then don’t listen to them!
Everyone has to get over the past and accept the state of VH (and Chickenfoot) as it is. Can’t we all just get along?
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:42 am
Max - Russ says:
October 21st, 2009 at 7:06 am
When are people going to give up the “Mike was so important thing”. Dave’s antics, Alex’s snare and Eddie’s guitar…….That’s Van Halen.
I was quoting someone else…I agree with you.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 am
For those who think that there will not be a new album: I think it is inevitable. Look at all the recent step by step publicity and product placement to create a wave of anticipation. I really don’t know who has the reigns on this and don’t care (probable the new Mrs. EVH), but this systematic wave is leading to a conclusion i. e. new music. And although CF and VH are two separate bands, you have to believe that there exists some level of rivalry and competition. And for all the CF haters: the release of CF may have as much to do with new VH music as Wolf’s influence. There needs to be a response…a counterpunch. EVH has played the “I haven’t heard CF” card, but you know he has. He has to have. Wolf probably brought it home “Hey Dad, check this out - this sounds pretty good” What a quiet dinner that must have been! I’ll get roasted for saying this but CF is the competion (ok maybe not competition but certainly a motivator) for VH…right now at least. So this two separate bands thing really doesn’t work. It’s a soap opera. They are interconnected. Finally to all the “Sammy writes bad and stupid lyrics” folks I give you this:
You need coolin, baby, Im not foolin,
Im gonna send you back to schoolin,
Way down inside honey, you need it,
Im gonna give you my love,
Im gonna give you my love.
It’s all about perspective. It’s rock and roll…the lyrics are supposed to be 1)fun, 2)sexually charged, 3)simple.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:48 am
I got into Van Halen when I was about 15. I’m now almost 19. I didn’t need a plastic guitar and a mediocre Xbox game to realise how great they were and get into them. The only thing is that I pretty much missed out on Van Halen. They never, ever travel to Europe and haven’t played in London since 1995.
Plus, I find that artist-related guitar-hero games will only really appeal to the actual fans. I mean, if you’re a massive fan of the Cure then Guitar Hero: Metallica isn’t going to appeal is it?
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
do any of you have a clue ! i guess not its a big joke have his kid in a game that he didn t even record the song and first of all dave can t sing anymore i ve talked to him over the years all he care about is him self not the fans then there is ed cool guy back in the day around 98 he went of the deep end you people should have seen his house what a dump! alex is alex and for wolfie can t say much about him don t know him but you think he would want his owe band he can t play guitar so he went to bass! boy the storys i could tell!
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 am
Finally… Someone who really gets it!!!! Hats off to you Greg… I did read something somewhere that Wolfie had the majority of the input to this game (& it is ONLY a game, people!) But I also remember wathching an interview back in 1988, with Sammy quoted as saying, “There are a lot of people who STILL dont like that I’m in the band, that I have replaced someone in this band; well that’s OK, you don’t have to buy our records or go to our shows…” I believe it still rings true today…
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Guitar Hero is just kinda lame. It’s like having sex with an inflatable love doll instead of a woman, not that I’ve ever had sex with a blow-up doll. But I do play guitar and can appreciate the difference between a push-button, guitar-shaped chunk of overpriced plastic, and a fine-tuned piece of art crafted for making music.
Seriously, I do hope Guitar Hero inspries some fans to pick up a real guitar and carry the torch.
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
Got my copy in the mail yesterday. I’d say the review is pretty accurate and if you’re a VH fan and enjoy playing Guitar Hero/Rock Band games, you’ll love it.
Now someone from Neversoft and/or Harmonix needs to get some Sammy era VH tunes available for download (Poundcake, AFU, Source of Infection, Amsterdam, Baluchitherium, etc) and a few Chickenfoot songs for good measure.
Incidentally, Scott, my house is often a mess. Does that mean I can’t write and record music? I can and do. One thing doesn’t have anything to do with the other. Wolf can play guitar, I’ve heard him do it and he’s quite good. (How can you play bass and not be able to play guitar?) Regarding him not having recorded any of the songs (which, listening to the ones on Guitar Hero it sounds like they recorded his vocals and mixed them in) what’s that got to do with it? As Greg put it, he’s a part of the band now and the game represents the current incarnation of that band regardless of the music just as GH: Metallica has the current version of that band even though their bassist didn’t record most (if not all) of those songs on that game. Get over it.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I’m with ya greg.Sometimes common sense is anything but,but “believe” is I before E.Kimberly-exactly.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Funny thing is….The “Foot” is keeping this site alive…I mean not only is this thge ONLY news currently-But-There are WAY more threads here when it is about the foot that when it is about EVH and Co….How much can you talk about Eddie going to a restaurant or selling the new green guitar picks….Van Halen has ALMOST become a parody of themselves…Funny but true.Can anyone say ‘Spinal Tap’ ????
October 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am
mine arrived today. so far, so good. listen, it’s a game. and you know what…it’s fun. period.
my daughter already kicked my ass on eruption. which is ironic ’cause i play it on real guitar. but good for her…it was funny to hear her taunt me.
a great bonus that can be had from this game for musicians, i’m sure there is a way to line-out and record the audio. specifically, if you don’t play guitar, you may end up with the best ‘backtracks’ to practice with that you could possibly get. it’s all in dolby digital too.
if anyone does try extracting the audio this way, i’d love to hear about it.
enjoy!
October 24th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I’m quite sure that we may see Guitar Hero Van Halen cut some new tunes and touring in 2010 vis-a-vis Irving Azoff. I’m very disappointed that Wolfie left off the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus in his selections of bands…what was he thinking?
I was really hoping they’d include the versions of Ain’t Talkin and Runaround performed by Velvet Revolver at the VH HOF induction ceremony. Damn!!!!!
Can I download Two Burritos and a Root Beer Float from 2 1/2 Men? Oh the possibilities….
October 24th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I just won my auction on ebay. I should have the game in a few days (early and a lot cheaper than waiting for it to hit shelves.) There are plenty available from different sellers.
October 24th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Hey J5149.5,
There are a lot worse spelling and gramatical errors on these posts than having “e before i”!
November 1st, 2009 at 8:24 am
What did you all think it meant when MA said he signed away his rights to participate in the 04 tour? You really think it was Neversoft who failed to acknowledge him? SERIOUSLY?!?