The American Way

**Harmonic Mark** · 02.03.03, 04:58 AM

Yeah, I'm a newbie, but I've also been a long time VH fan and a long time visitor to these boards.

Frankly, I'm sick and tired of waiting for the boys (Ed & Al) to provide some sort of information as to the direction or future of this band. This leads to the question of, what exactly do they owe to their fans? IMHO, they owe us the truth. The lifestyles they have today are because of the hard earned dollars that the fans shelled out for 20+ years. I realize that there may be personal issues, but things would be much much worse if they had the same financial struggles as the average Joe. They certainly wouldn't have the luxury of producing zero product for years at a time.

I view the actions of this "band" as flagrant disrespect to me as a consumer. As far as I'm concerned, my next VH product will come from anyone who will burn me a copy. I sure as hell ain't spending my money on them.

Congrats VH...you have joined my "Things that ruin the American way" list. I'll put you guys right beneath the McDonalds dude who thinks he's doing me a favor by serving hot food, and right ahead of the Dunkin Donut guy who discusses my order with someone else in a foreign language.

**wip5150** · 02.03.03, 09:23 AM

While I understand your sentiments, I disagree. As much as I would love new music, clarification of the future of the band, or some sort of comment from EVH or AVH we are not owed that.

Bottom line is that by living in America, they are able to exercise their right to do nothing (something they currently excel at). We don't own a part of them. We buy the records, go to the concerts, etc. That doesn't give any of us the right to demand "product" or "news" from them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as frustrated as the next Van Halen fan. I just disagree that we are "owed" something from them.

**inforthekill** · 02.03.03, 10:12 AM

wip5150, that was an excellent post. I've said the same thing in the past but let myself get whipped up into a fury over it. Nice to see some maturity in a rebuttal post 'round here!

**Harmonic Mark** · 02.03.03, 10:25 AM

I hear you loud and clear. Sure, they don't technically owe us anything. My point is that out of respect to those of us who made their lives a little better by forking over $$$, they could at least give us some sort of truth. And if the truth happens to change over a period of time, give us the new truth. I don't give two hoots about the personal stuff, but the band stuff, yeah I think they have an obligation to fullfill.

**Hecubus** · 02.03.03, 10:43 AM

Speaking of the American Way......are the VH brothers allowed to collect unemployment checks?

**inforthekill** · 02.03.03, 10:47 AM

Harmonic Mark, you @%$%@!#$. What the #@$* did I #$@%*#$ say! @#%$* and &%$@#$ you little *#$*&@#!!

Aren't I funny?

Anyway, you're still confusing the fact that VH earned their money from you. They didn't win a lottery. You got more than what you paid for already. Yes, respecting the fans and VH's legacy would be nice but I think we already have our answer. They don't know what they're doing next.

**cyberfiddl** · 02.03.03, 10:59 AM

Mark,
You are a "fan", not a consumer. And by all means get this point correct: It's NOT "product", it's music. You sound like some A&R turd. BTW, flip them burgers just right and you too can live the American Dream.

BTW, don't take my comments to heart...I'm just a pissed off (on?) musician. [img]graemlins/brickwall.gif[/img]
Anyone been reading Doonesbury lately? Music PERFORMANCE will separate the men and the boys. Pro Tools can't help ya on stage. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

**graeme** · 02.03.03, 02:43 PM

none of us would be feeling quite so cheated if it weren't for all that "we love the fans, they're the best and that's why we do it " etc
I remember watching prince accept an award at a ceremony some years back and he just walked up to the stage, collected his award, said "all thanks to god" and walked straight off. Everbody was pretty taken aback but he was just doing his thing and he always was the "minimalist" in terms of direct PR. I have still yet to get rid of the bad taste of an interview with Ed and Al on TV (don't know where or when) when they continually ( and i would say drunkenly) dodged questions, which went something like,
VH's we love the fans but sammy doesn't
Int But he says he loves the fans and he was fired
VH's If he loves the fans so much why did he quit
Int He says he was fired etc etc
I don't think we are owed anything but it is always unfortunate when you like a band to know that perhaps they are even less than "fallible"
I agree with the thought that is often posted here and that if they are doing nothing and especially if they don't want to talk about whether they are doing anything or nothing, just a quick post on the official website, along the lines of, "at present we have no plans and we have some collective problems (sorry..issues)Please don't wait up, we may be late"
Not all this "party on." which has been on the site since 1428. Sorry about that, the hypocrisy and the incongruity between the PR and the reality is a little hard to stomach. [img]graemlins/brickwall.gif[/img]

**Harmonic Mark** · 02.03.03, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by cyberfiddl:
[qb] Mark,
You are a "fan", not a consumer. And by all means get this point correct: It's NOT "product", it's music. You sound like some A&R turd. BTW, flip them burgers just right and you too can live the American Dream.

BTW, don't take my comments to heart...I'm just a pissed off (on?) musician. ]

Damn right I'm a fan and I used to be a consumer. And to your point about product/music. The stuff on the cd's is both product and music. The stuff locked away at 5150 that is too off the wall to be commerical is music.

[ February 03, 2003, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Harmonic Mark ]

**Red-Diamond** · 02.03.03, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Harmonic Mark:
This leads to the question of, what exactly do they owe to their fans? IMHO, they owe us the truth. The lifestyles they have today are because of the hard earned dollars that the fans shelled out for 20+ years.

And what about all that music they shelled out for 20 plus years?

**swage** · 02.03.03, 04:41 PM

The fact of the matter is that they brought the goods. And, we dug the goods...couldn't get enough of 'em. They really shouldn't go on this sappy righteous trip about the fans because its obvious that they couldn't care less about the "fans". They know as well as we do that if they bring the goods again we will buy it. If they don't their done. I would imagine the brothers are a little intimidated with the task at hand.

**graeme** · 02.03.03, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by swage:
The fact of the matter is that they brought the goods. And, we dug the goods...couldn't get enough of 'em. They really shouldn't go on this sappy righteous trip about the fans because its obvious that they couldn't care less about the "fans". They know as well as we do that if they bring the goods again we will buy it. If they don't their done. I would imagine the brothers are a little intimidated with the task at hand.

too right, except I didn't buy Diver Down. My mum had all the originals.

**VH Spirit Lives On** · 02.03.03, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Harmonic Mark:
This leads to the question of, what exactly do they owe to their fans? IMHO, they owe us the truth. The lifestyles they have today are because of the hard earned dollars that the fans shelled out for 20+ years.

As far as I'm concerned, my next VH product will come from anyone who will burn me a copy. I sure as hell ain't spending my money on them.

Congrats VH...you have joined my "Things that ruin the American way" list.

VAN HALEN DOESN'T OWE YOU SHIT!!!!!!! You paid for a fucking album, CD, or concert ticket and you got it. Nowhere on that CD or concert ticket does it grant you future rights to their business/personal information.

**Harmonic Mark** · 02.04.03, 01:32 AM

Originally posted by graeme:
none of us would be feeling quite so cheated if it weren't for all that "we love the fans, they're the best and that's why we do it " etc

Halle-friggin-lujah.

**Harmonic Mark** · 02.04.03, 01:43 AM

[quote]Originally posted by VH Spirit Lives On:

VAN HALEN DOESN'T OWE YOU SHIT!!!!!!! You paid for a fucking album, CD, or concert ticket and you got it. Nowhere on that CD or concert ticket does it grant you future rights to their business/personal information. [/QB]

Yep, you are right on the money. They don't owe me or any other fan or consumer anything.

That kind of good sense has really served them well over the past five years. They make Enron look like a well-oiled machine.