Van Halen: The High Kicks… Not So High.
I hate New Jersey.
I live in NYC and go through great lengths daily to avoid stepping foot in the Garbage State. So when I found out Van Halen was performing live with DLR at the Continental Airlines Arena IZOD Center (what a wack name for a venue) I was completely torn. For one night I would have to put my Jersey Issues aside to see the greatest F-ing rock band of all time.
What WAS the greatest f-ing rock band of all time might be a bit more accurate. Yeah, it was great to see a big rock show in an big arena – big sound, big solos, big screen. Even cooler was to see Diamond Dave back in the front alongside Eddie Van Halen, having what seemed to be a pretty damn good time. But pound for pound, the whole experience was pretty bitter sweet.
On the surface, the show looked and felt like classic Van Halen, but after my initial burst of awe settled I could not help but feel a bit depressed. Gone were the trademark walls ‘o Marshall stacked cabinets only to be replaced by Eddie’s own signature EVH brand. Also absent from most of the show was the red and white Frankenstrat guitar that was so identifiably VH. At times I was not sure if I was watching a rock show or a concert-length advertisement. A humbling experience, to say the least.
Read the rest of the article and check out VIDEO from the show after the jump.
As for Diamond Dave: the high notes and the high kicks just aren’t so high anymore. Don’t get me wrong – he’s still the masterfully-charismatic and cocky frontman from the days of ‘ol, but the once-ultimate showman now comes off more like a Japanese GQ Dandyboy than a legendary Rock and Roll superstar weaned on hard partying.
All negativity aside, Van Halen did bring the music and they brought it big. From “Running With the Devil” to “Hot For Teacher,” VH rocked their setlist like only Van Halen (with DLR) can.
Perhaps the greatest thing about the show was the absence of the post-1984 VH catalog and the hapless hack Sammy Hagar.
Check out this music clip from “Everybody Wants Some”:
Have an Amazing V-Day
10 Commandments of Casual Sex
Hot Girls Take a Good Photo
Would She Pull a Scarlett Johansson?
Keira Knightle Reminds You Why You Lust Her
This is Our Birthday Cake
Arianny Celeste Throws in the Towel
Puppy Conan Should Happen Ever
Stars Who Got Revenge on Their Ex
Sexiest Things in America
How to Beat Popular Game Show
Why Candice Swanpoel is Our Favorite Angel
yeah they sound great, but the whole thing is a little weird
SO WHAT! David Lee Roth Rules. Kicks Hagars ass
I just saw them last night at Nassua Col. I'm 37 (started listening to VH in 1984. Worst. Timing. Ever.)and I had to comment on your assessment.
Your description of the event is pretty much spot on. Yup, DLR can't jump as high, nor sing as high as bygone days. Yup, he is still loaded to the blonde highlights with "Ker-asma". Yup, EVH didn't pull out Frankenstrat until 2/3 through the show.
I have one question.
What were you expecting? What we both saw was VH in 2007. Do I need to point out that the collected ages of the band members is well on the road to 200 years (even with Wolfgang’s paltry contribution)? From your reminiscing I half expected you to be gyped that DLR didn't nail a groupie right there on the stage.
Your review smacks of needless nostalgia.
If you wanted what you seem to state you wanted from them, you'd have been better off throwing an old VH concert from the eighties on the tv (and certainly NOT the crappy 5150 concert with what’s-his-name singing), getting a bottle of Jack D and having yourself a sing-a-long. Unless the IZOD(?) center installed time travel machines, you were doomed to disappointment.
What I saw last night was (and I agree with you here) major rockin'! No Michael Anthony? Sure, a bummer. No angelic MA backing vocals. Bummer. Seeing Eddie up there with his kid and his big bro Alex (BTW, Van Halen is closing in on the Mommas and the Poppas in terms of related band members. Maybe Valerie was playing the offstage keyboards:)was AWESOME. Seeing them having a great time up there AND still rocking hard…utterly fun and as satiating as a five course meal at Bola.
I got exactly what I expected to get and more: A group of 50+ rock legends doing what they do best, and doing it with style, here, now, in 2007. I'll hit VH1 if I want 1982 Van Halen.
Garbage State. Hee hee. I like that…
So you had less of a good time because Eddie's former Marshall wall was not there? Nor the Frankensrat?? What a lame review!! Eddie played the Frank when I saw them in Toronto, Although it was cool seeing him with it, I wouldn't have slammed the show if he didn't..
Dave is great and if you have ever seen recent videos of his live solo stuff over the last few years, you'd see that he is getting closer to being at the top of his game. I bet Dave could kick your ass in a fight, he's still a black belt..
Again, LAME REVIEW!!