The American Rock Scene got a chance to talk via phone today with the hot-sauce makin’, hot-rod buildin’, hot-bass playin’ Michael Anthony from Chickenfoot and once upon a time, Van Halen. Most of the interview is about Chickenfoot and some of his passions away from the music. We’ve got the little bit of Van Halen talk transcribed right here:
Compare playing with Joe [Satriani] vs. playing with Eddie [Van Halen]:
They’re both amazing guitar players in their own right but the styles are different so I wouldn’t do a direct comparison. There’s a big difference between the two. Joe doesn’t do the hammer-ons that Eddie does for the most part. I guess if I had to compare them; Ed’s more of a fly by the seat of your pants type of guitar player. Ed’s had some formal training but a lot how he feels whereas Joe explains the whole theory behind it, the chord structure, everything you know. They are both amazing guitar players.
Did you see the last video that David Lee Roth put out?
The black and white video in the woods with his dog, talking about the postponements? Yeah, I watched it and yeah, that’s Dave. He hasn’t changed a bit. Who Knows? Only the band really knows what is going on. I don’t really care to comment on that. I have my own theories on it. To me it sounds kinda interesting that if you are tired and need to re-charge your batteries, you don’t go put 30 shows on sale. [VHND notes that the 30 shows were announced, but most weren’t on sale yet]. If I were a fan, I would think that a little odd, to pull the plug on it. It could be the sales, you just don’t know.
I wish them well. They put out a great album, and they’re a great live band… always have been.
Absolutely. Edward looks healthy now.
I heard Eddie’s sober and that’s great.
Would you ever share the stage with Van Halen again?
I don’t know. As time goes on, less and less. Ed’s got his son up there with him now. He’s having a great time with that. I don’t know. I really couldn’t say. The circumstances would really have to be right. I was always the”never say never” guy in the band. As time goes on, I don’t think about it any more. If it’s gonna happen, it’ll happen. I’m not going to be the one to instigate anything. I’m having a great time in my life doing what I’m doing right now.