John 5 on Van Halen: “They are writing right now at 5150. Eddie is on fire.”

May 28, 2010 132 Comments

Shredding mastermind John 5 recently joined the Hard Rock Nights radio program to talk about his new solo record, The Art Of Malice, and working with Rob Zombie, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, etc.

John talks about working with David Lee Roth on his DLR Band CD at 1:59 into the interview. Then at 5:06 they ask him about Eddie…

Q: “Now Dave, of course, is back in Van Halen, last we heard…”

A: “Yes.”

Q: “Have you met Eddie? Have you gotten to sit down and talk with him any?”

A: “Oh yeah me and Eddie are good friends. He’s a great guy, you know, he’s doing great, playing great and looks great. He’s on fire right now. They’re writing right now, at Eddie’s place – at 5150 – and he is on fire right now.”

Hard Rock Nights is a weekly syndicated radio program broadcast on a number of rock and metal stations across the internet and the FM dial.

whambamsam

I hate to be a skeptic…but this IS Van Halen we are talking about…supposedly Ed has been “working” at 5150 for years and years now, and we’ve got diddly to show (and hear) from it.

I hope I’m wrong, and we’ll see hear some new VH soon, but until I’m holding it, I can’t get too excited about more “media noise”…
freddiegirl

Great news to hear on Memorial Day Weekend!

Ryan….yes, the new stuff probably won’t be the same or have the impact the first four albums did but I would still love to hear it. Rock music could use a good shot in the arm. I find it hard to believe that their new music would suck. It doesn’t have to change the music world like VH1 did; it just has to rock! Besides, even if this was the only thing CVH ever recorded again I would just love for CVH to close the circle with Dave. No offense to those who did like VH with Cherone but I always felt bummed that VH3 would be the last thing they recorded. One more album would Dave would be perfect…
JHopersberger

HELL yeah John R!!! I’ve been indoctrinating everyone I know in my town, music fan or not, into Van Halen. I’m doing my part to get people knowledgeable of VH! The best part? EVERYONE I PLAY IT FOR LOVES IT! Rap fan Metal fan, no matter who they are, EVERYONE FUCKING LOVES VAN HALEN! If you like to party and have a good time, you like VH, that’s all there is to it. I’m doing my part, I think. There are so many good vibes going out to the Van Halens that there’s no way they could give up now.
I do have to agree with Top Jimmy on the producer thing though. They need the same ear that recorded their first albums, and that’s all there is to it!
Atomic Pete

I’m ready to “ride the sonic boom”
Hopefully this is real and not just purgatory like on “Lost”
davidbmc

I think every time somebody goes by eddie’s studio he plays them stuff he has recorded and says its from “the new album.” Nobody ever says they talked to Alex or Dave or Wolfie about the new album. It doesn’t exist.
Magic Man

Just so you know it could only be a couple new tunes on a greatest hits package like Best Of 78-84. Just to prepare you. A whole new album with them all in the studio seems a bit much.
Remember the Prom Queen

What I meant to write was: Hasn’t everybody read the quote from Eddie stating that Van Halen wouldn’t embark on any new ventures until Wolf graduated! Wolf has graduated or is soon graduating!
ME!!

Between this and Dweezil stating he’s heard new stuff, I don’t think we have much longer to wait.

But…

Writing and recording are two different things. Eddie’s been talking about writing new material for the last 10 years. Recording new material and RELEASING new material is also two different things.

Let’s all hope and pray this time it’s different and we get a new album within the next 10 to 12 months.
http://james5313@sbcglobal.net james

I just think it’s too bad that we wont get to see MA running around with his kick ass Jack Daniels bass once again on this tour!! However it still will be kick ass to see Eddie Vanhalen do his famous two handed tapping technique were he plays with both hands, one hand tapping downward as his other hand taps downwards as well. Hopefully we’ll get to see them rock out to some of their killer songs like “Girl you really got me”, “Ice Cream Man”and “Aint talkin bout Love” Anybody know when that new ChickenFoot album comings out?
Atomic Pete

@davidbmc

You have a point. Nobody has said “Van Halen sounds as
great as ever” or “Wow the new stuff with Dave kicks ass”
But I’m gonna give them the benefit of the doubt.
Time will tell. In the meantime I will enjoy the
“Somebody Get Me A Doctor” iso gtr on you tube. Peace!
ROB5150

First, welcome back, Dirty Duck, I just read your post concern the “2nd Chickenfoot album”, totally agree with you, man!

Then all I can say is “let’s think positive” about Van Halen new album.

Always thank Eddie for all he has done and nobody can change my mind about this.

Van Halen for life!
roger

just like i said vanhagar will release an album, chickenfoots on a break and sammy and mike got the tme and why do you think hagar talked about the only way he would work with eddie again is if eddie wrote faster,the boys will go out on a tour simular to the way chickenfoot had.dave had his pittiful shot and a reunion with hagar and anthony is where the boat loads of money is.mark my words.
Jim

What’s obvious to me is Eddie never embraced new technology like the Internet. Their website has always been devoid of regular updates and good info. Granted, they haven’t had much to report, but it’s always been a struggle to get updates about ANYTHING from those guys. Sammy Hagar is the opposite, and has always been good at letting his fans know what the hell is going on. Well, maybe that’s because he actually HAD something going on all the time.

Come on Eddie…give us a break! At least hire an assistant to put some updates on the website. I’m sure there are plenty of hot girls who would take that job.
http://none Dirty Duck

ROB5150:

Thanks for the shout out brother!
It’s cats like you that make me still come back to check up on things. As much as I rant and rave at times, there are still some good people here at this site that “think outside the box” so to speak….
Hope you have a great mamorial day weekend ahead….keep it loud, and have faith in the mighty VH!
ImTheOne

Hahaha Roger you are delusional. Nobody cares about Hagar lol. Just look at the CF threads, the amount of messages is pitiful. And half of it is even from the “haters”. Nobody would even book Van Hager after the 2004 tour debacle. There is no more money in Van Hager and quite rightly so. VH with Dave (with or without mike) is the only VH that has real money potential.

Maybe John5 has is info from Dave, aren’t they buddies? So maybe “Eddie’s on fire” is Dave speaking. That would be good news I suppose
http://none Dirty Duck

roger:

Your quote:

“Dave had his pitiful shot and a reunion with hagar and anthony is WHERE THE BOAT LOADS OF MONEY IS”…

Well rockers (new and old) here it is: the definition of what rock n roll is NOT about.Here is a view of a man who feels that the amount of money a show pulls in is MORE inportant than the show. You think people thought about shit like that back in the 70′s or the early 80′s when they went to see their favourite rock band perform? I guess that’s where the word yuppie came from.
Amad

John R and Top Jimmy, you guys are right on the money. John, I think that the very point you make is at least part of the reason why many in the music world have been too retarded to understand Ed’s work that essentially transcended everything we knew about rock and guitar right up to the very moment we all heard Eruption. I liken the steps in rock guitar progress to that of science: we had Copernicus, Galeleo, Newton, then Einstein – in rock guitar we have the black blues guitarists, Clapton, Page, Hendrix, then Edward. Except when it comes to rock guitar, I think that many people are too narrow minded to really understand the true brilliance of Ed. Quite frankly, I think the VH catalogue just barely touches on Ed’s true potential. I hope that before he gets too old, he more than just taps into that potential. If so, what we will hear will be light years better than anything we’ve ever heard.
Top Jimmy, I would love to know why VH has gotten away from Templeman and Landee. The band should have continued in the consistent direction they were going when they recorded the F.U.C.K. album.
Chicken Joe

This is total confirmation, between this and what Dweezil had to say. If there isn’t something big coming, Roth would have moved on by now and had something to say about it. He’s being particularly quiet. Plus that last official shirt they released says it all, with the bombs falling out of the 5150 bomber. Patience grasshopper, the day is near, and it’s gonna rule!
Steve

Ever since the Cherone breakup we have not heard the band say through their management that they would release a new record. Last year they did that. That is a big difference between the other ten years that we have been waiting. So I really never doubted AT ALL that they would release a new record. But I really think they are smart to keep their mouths shut completely. Because when you build up hype about how great something is then people expect more than you will actually deliver. When the album is ready for mixing, we will get an official announcement. If it sucks, I know they will decide to cancel the project, because Roth won’t want to be part of it. So, I am glad they are not saying anything until it’s time, and they are happy with the product……

I was one of the few people on here who stuck to my guns in months past in saying that there is nothing to worry about about until either Roth starts complaining in the media or 2010 comes to a close with no word.

The delay was clearly Ed’s hand surgery and rehibilitiation of that procedures+wedding+haven’t worked together musically in a while+not sure what the final outcome will be+a new bass player+substance abuse rehab. Gee I wonder why we haven’t heard anything?…………………………
http://none Dirty Duck

Chicken Joe:

Agreed!

Something is a brewin’!

Look…it’s eiether going to be a studio album or an eddie solo venture. Anyone who’s a die hard fan KNOWS that if DAVE is quiet something must be up. I’ve felt that way for years now.

Eiether way, I’m off to my first BBQ of the weekend!
I’ll be thinking of many of you kooky VH fans while I’m drinkin’ a cold one….

Later!
http://none Dirty Duck

ImTheOne:

THANK YOU!
Adam

Steve,

That was a great post, but I would like to correct one thing: You said, “Ever since the Cherone breakup we have not heard the band say through their management that they would release a new record. Last year they did that.”

If you go back and read all the news from last year, you’ll see that Eddie did NOT ever say or promise that he or VH was going to make or release an album. He only said “working on new music.” As we’ve all learned over the last decade, “working on new music” is something that Eddie does every year, with nothing released since ’98.

When fans heard him say “working on new music” most thought that would mean a new CD was coming. I just wanted to clarify this because people keep hoping for and counting on more than Ed ever said would happen. So, even to this day, Ed has said NOTHING about releasing an album. We can hope for it, but we definitely shouldn’t act like it was promised to us, because it wasn’t.
dlrevhsh

between this and what dweezil says and the bomber shirt i think its pretty much for sure that we are gonna get something realeased by van halen the question is just when .
jim

I don’t recall Ed ever saying something to the extent of “working on new music” between Cherone and last year.

I do remember several times when Ed was asked a question hinting that he hasn’t done anything since ’98 and when is he going to get his ass into the studio. And he would reply with something like “I’m always making music. I’m a musician. That’s what I do and that’s what I will always do. I’ve got tons of material that I’ve made over the years.”

I think that is a little different that what he said last year or whenever after the tour.
Steve

Hi Adam and Jim

I stand corrected then except iwas stating that their management made the statement. Didn’t Irving azoff state new album and tour 2010. I
Chester

Is he “writing” or “recording” new music? BIG difference…
J5150C

It’s coming… When the wolf specials are released, the new album will be released and the machine gets greased and the tour is on baby! The wolf specials will be the guitars for the new tour.

OUT!
vanhalendlrband

This would be so amazing. Oh I can’t believe this. This is the most awesome news ever. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for for a very long time. Since 1984 we’ve been waiting, and for me I was a fan in 96 and on all the sites since then, and after 14 years of rumours that i’ve seen i’m so glad to read this piece of news. This is one of the greatest moments in my life right now for sure.
bsc

Eddie did say in that video standing outside a restaurant that they were recording new songs and would tour and “get on with it.” Between Dweezil and this and Eddie saying that, I think its coming! ROCK THE CRADLE VH!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjUq_Z3b1Y4&feature=related Bluesbro

dlrevhsh says:

May 29th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
between this and what dweezil says and the bomber shirt i think its pretty much for sure that we are gonna get something realeased by van halen the question is just when

Really??? The Bomber shirt makes it a sure thing? Come on folks, this is pathetic! I know we all love Van Halen, and I would be excited if anything new was released … but fabricating reality from hearsay is coming off as desperate.

If this had been a few years ago I would behave dismissed this as garbage. However, if Ed is really clean and sober then the thought of him stoking the fire again is awesome. And I don’t care what it would sound like … I would be looking forward to listening to it moreso than any music I can ever remember. I just hope the thought of critisism doesn’t keep him from releasing anything. F the critics bro … I am facinated to hear your musical interpretation of life now.

BTW, I had never heard of John 5. When I first heard mention of him here the first thing I thought of was that movie robot … lol.
redarrow5150

Chicken Foot announces going into studio for the SECOND album and we start hearing of a new Van Halen record. Doesn’t that sound familiar?
real fan

do you beleive?? me wise magic…,,,cmon. dave one mooore time..
Karl

vanhalendlrband says:

“This is one of the greatest moments in my life right now for sure.”

Just when you thought the desperation on this thread couldn’t get any lower…
pushtoshove

Karl …your a drag
mrgroove

Why throw fresh meat out there when they’re not sure they have the goods to deliver?

Writing and recording can take a lot of time and can be quite draining. Factor in that there is probably personal baggage left over from 25+ years ago, past drug abuse, health problems, a young kid with little experience and what is there is a potentially fragile working environment. Not to mention that they haven’t spent time together writing an album’s worth of material in 27+ years. I don’t blame Eddie and Dave for keeping their mouths shut until they have produced a new album’s worth of material already in the can that they’re happy with. And then ready to take it on the road.

I actually think their silence is truly good news because when things have gone wrong between them in the past, no one can keep their yap shut to the press.

In other words, no news is good news.
Nat

@Dirty Duck: “Well rockers (new and old) here it is: the definition of what rock n roll is NOT about.Here is a view of a man who feels that the amount of money a show pulls in is MORE inportant than the show.”

I hate to say it, but I think that is what rock & roll is about in 2010. Maybe not in the ’70s and ’80s, but those days are long gone.

I think part of the reason we haven’t seen anything new for so long is that the music isn’t as important to Eddie anymore, and he’s got plenty of money coming in from selling shoes, guitars and the royalties on the VH catalog.

Unlike the early years when there was a new album every year or two. They needed to eat back then, and had a passion for the music on top of it. That’s a pretty powerful combination, but it’s long past for VH.
pete

i really think some people on here do need to get some perspective on this thing,you have a few that think that a half assed news leak is the best thing to happen in their lives for awhile while others think their own lives are so bad they place dave roth at super hero status.i love this band and wish it was like the old days but those days are gone and would be very surprised at this point to hear anything new as far as a new album.
chris.omeara

I hope the tubes in that 1967 Marshall Super Lead amp are brightly glowing at 5150 Studios as we speak… He can use the Fender amps for the live tour…
Davey-Kicks

You have a good point. Everyone knows classic VH had some huge fights during album recordings, and this friction came out brilliantly in the final production. Can a plump Wolfie spoiled by too much pampering by doting Hollywood parents withstand the raw fury coming from a pissed-off David Lee Roth? The kid is only 19 yrs. old and hasnt paid his dues like Dave and Eddie did back in the 70′s. Of course Eddie will defend Wolf to the death and Uncle Alex as well so then we have a 3-on-1 battle that doesnt help the situation.

I dunno…..this obstacle sounds too large to me. I’ll be amazed if VH can actually produce a new album with Dave and still retain the fire of the old days.
http://davecaolo.com Dave

I’ll believe it when I hear it. Been burned by Ed’s “10 albums worth of music” before.
pushtoshove

I really believe that in the old days’ ( as everyone puts it-should be the ‘young days’ ) They ( VH ) wrote and produced music because ( In my humble opinion-sorry folks,dont speak inter-nese ) they wanted to make their mark creatively before it got taken away. Whatever. Van Halen Inspired me to play and live a great life and they still, STILL rule.
Jor-L5150

“eddie is on fire!”
i hope thats not literally a case of arson at the 5150—
lol
Jor-L5150

maybe these “leaks” arent entirely accidental,
i would never accuse van halen of having a business plan- eyesroll- buuuuuttt maybe eddie is thinking he heeds some objective ears to test the new tunes…

just sayin’
Fair Warning

Davey-Kicks- I think the Diamond One is past being the pissed off, hard-ass in the studio.

These “leaks” to me seem like they have approval from the VH camp. Ohterwise, I think by now Eddie would’ve gotten pissed and had something to say.

Either way the inside info from Dweezil and John 5 is very cool. There is hope after all!
Fair Warning

Oh, and, if John 5, who is a bad-ass player in his own right, says that “Eddie is on Fire,” I’d have to believe him-that’s just beyond awesome!

If anyone can pull off some gnarley riffs, licks, and solos “past his prime,” it’s Eddie!
Davey-Kicks

I seriously doubt Eddie wants a set of “objective ears” to check out the supposed new tunes being brewed at 5150. Ed is a very inward-looking person and he’s stated in interviews past that he makes music for himself first, and if the audience likes it then it’s just icing on the cake. Maybe this is a good thing at some level, but it has an ugly side (ie, VH III).

If you read John5′s quote it’s very ambiguous — “They are writing right now and Eddie is on fire”. That could mean a million things. Maybe Eddie wrote one song so far, and he was “on fire” playing a piece of music he wrote 15 years ago and showing off for John5. That’s a far cry from progressing well into a new album recording.

The long silence from David Lee Roth is getting very creepy at this point. I say Eddie needs to unleash the muzzle from Dave’s mouth and let him do a couple radio interviews to get millions of VH fans stoked for a new album! Eddie can’t be that dumb to forget he has the ultimate publicity machine as his singer, right?
ClubfootKolby

IT WOULD REALLY BE GREAT IF CHICKEN FOOTS NEW CD AND VAN HALENS NEW STUFF WERE RELEASED AT THE SAME TIME. JUST WATCHED THR FOOTS NEW DVD, SATCH IS A GREAT GUITAR PLAYER, WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FOOT PLAY SOME VAN HAGAR. ALSO IF THERE IS A NEW VAN HALEN MUSIC HEADING OUR WAY IT WILL PROBABLY BE SOME PRETTY COOL STUFF, KINDA LIKE THE BALANCE CD.
http://vhnd.com surfthis!!

why do you think it will sound like balance?

that album is almost 15 years old?

i would be happy if its sounds like that…

what we heard since balance was not very good.
Pete

Hmmmmm…if VH history has taught us anything, it’s that talk is cheap, I’ll believe it when I see it.

I see a bunch of people getting very excited, which is nice, but I sincerely hope you’re not all getting your chains yanked over nothing.

I’ll be first in line to buy new VH material, but before I get too far ahead of myself, I’ll wait until there’s something more to go on other than 3rd-person chatter.
Darren from Staten Island

Alright, giggidy,giggidy,goooo!!!!