Is Anyone Else Experiencing This?

[The J Man]

At age 14, in the fall of 2003, I discovered Van Halen. From then on music was only Van Halen, for me, no other artist existed. I was pumped up big time when I heard that they announced a tour, perfect timing since I just became a big fan. It was awesome standing in line to get tickets for my show; then two days before my show, my dad hands me tickets to another show. I saw them for the first time on July 10 in Detroit, then probably for the last time on July 11 in Auburn Hills. I was in awe each night and was hoping to see them again in Vegas in October as I was out in Phoenix for a wedding. We never did but I did expect another date in Michigan as they made a few more trips to the midwest around November but they never did. The tour ended and I couldn't wait for news of another album...the news we still wait for.

Then I heard Mötley Crüe was reuniting. Tickets went on sale and I completely missed out. Then came Christmas morning and I got tickets to see them in Auburn Hills on February 25. I was expecting a good concert, but nothing that would outdo Van Halen.

So school ends on that Friday, I get home, find a setlist, change my clothes and we drive through the snow to the Palace. I find my seats and look at the stage...and there's a circus tent there. I didn't know what to expect. Van Halen opens up their shows with short jams...well I think Motley Crue outdid them. Opening with the movie clip from "Disaster!" and moving onto Mighty Mike and the burlesque (sp?) girls...then hearing Mick's guitar open and the circus tent rises in unison with flames shooting up revealing the stage. THIS was a rock and roll show...I was just amazed, everyone was singing every line, and everyone was blown away by the production they put into this show, not to mention a 26 song setlist. They played loud, they played hard, and they were on top of their game. I have recordings from the first few shows and the Detroit show from them is their first "perfect" show on that tour. I wanted to go see them that August but didn't have the money. But I got my fix when they decided to play here on New Year's Eve...that was amazing. All the raps with the crowd were different, the interaction was so personal it was incredible. Then, I was lucky enough to see them in Kalamazoo a year-to-the-day that I saw them the first time...I snuck down 5 rows from the stage and had an incredible time. Yesterday, I bought my tickets to go see them AGAIN with Aerosmith in October.

And it wasn't until a few weeks ago where I realized that Motley Crue has become my new Van Halen. I've been trying to ask myself "how?" But really, the answer is quite simple--why not? They play longer than Van Halen did in 2004, they played better, they played louder, their production kicked Van Halen's 2004 production in the ass! Ticket prices were $65 cheaper and I sat in the same spot. The setlist was incredible, it complemented the production perfectly. They played songs that have never been played live before, and played new music, played music they haven't played since their early tours and on top of that, they hit every major city, and almost every major suburb or "unpopular" city in the US AND Canada. What did Van Halen do? Played almost all the major markets, charged too much money for too little of a show, their setlist was another greatest hits tour with the exception of one good song and one shit song. Sure, they played their music, but they didn't put on a Van Halen show. So my question here is, is there any band that is slowly becoming a new hit with you since Van Halen is fading away with every passing day? Discuss.

[Ed shred]

At age 14, in the fall of 2003, I discovered Van Halen. From then on music was only Van Halen, for me, no other artist existed. I was pumped up big time when I heard that they announced a tour, perfect timing since I just became a big fan. It was awesome standing in line to get tickets for my show; then two days before my show, my dad hands me tickets to another show. I saw them for the first time on July 10 in Detroit, then probably for the last time on July 11 in Auburn Hills. I was in awe each night and was hoping to see them again in Vegas in October as I was out in Phoenix for a wedding. We never did but I did expect another date in Michigan as they made a few more trips to the midwest around November but they never did. The tour ended and I couldn't wait for news of another album...the news we still wait for.

Then I heard Mötley Crüe was reuniting. Tickets went on sale and I completely missed out. Then came Christmas morning and I got tickets to see them in Auburn Hills on February 25. I was expecting a good concert, but nothing that would outdo Van Halen.

So school ends on that Friday, I get home, find a setlist, change my clothes and we drive through the snow to the Palace. I find my seats and look at the stage...and there's a circus tent there. I didn't know what to expect. Van Halen opens up their shows with short jams...well I think Motley Crue outdid them. Opening with the movie clip from "Disaster!" and moving onto Mighty Mike and the burlesque (sp?) girls...then hearing Mick's guitar open and the circus tent rises in unison with flames shooting up revealing the stage. THIS was a rock and roll show...I was just amazed, everyone was singing every line, and everyone was blown away by the production they put into this show, not to mention a 26 song setlist. They played loud, they played hard, and they were on top of their game. I have recordings from the first few shows and the Detroit show from them is their first "perfect" show on that tour. I wanted to go see them that August but didn't have the money. But I got my fix when they decided to play here on New Year's Eve...that was amazing. All the raps with the crowd were different, the interaction was so personal it was incredible. Then, I was lucky enough to see them in Kalamazoo a year-to-the-day that I saw them the first time...I snuck down 5 rows from the stage and had an incredible time. Yesterday, I bought my tickets to go see them AGAIN with Aerosmith in October.

And it wasn't until a few weeks ago where I realized that Motley Crue has become my new Van Halen. I've been trying to ask myself "how?" But really, the answer is quite simple--why not? They play longer than Van Halen did in 2004, they played better, they played louder, their production kicked Van Halen's 2004 production in the ass! Ticket prices were $65 cheaper and I sat in the same spot. The setlist was incredible, it complemented the production perfectly. They played songs that have never been played live before, and played new music, played music they haven't played since their early tours and on top of that, they hit every major city, and almost every major suburb or "unpopular" city in the US AND Canada. What did Van Halen do? Played almost all the major markets, charged too much money for too little of a show, their setlist was another greatest hits tour with the exception of one good song and one shit song. Sure, they played their music, but they didn't put on a Van Halen show. So my question here is, is there any band that is slowly becoming a new hit with you since Van Halen is fading away with every passing day? Discuss.

I wouldnt doubt that The Crue played better and all that. but You havent seen VH in their prime. You saw them in their worst state ever. The VH3 shows kicked ass all over the 2004 shows any day of the week. Your so very young this is acceptable, I think this kind of rock music is just blowing you away right now and it should because this rock music is some of the best ever made. You havent been a VH fan for that long so its gonna come back to you. I promise.

[Infinite Cactus]

This happened to me. Then I got into Dream Theater after Motley Crue. Now I'm starting to get back into Van Halen.

[Rebel67]

Silly Boy...don't you understand? Motley Crue is an Unbridled Testosterone Debauchery!!! Whereas Van Halen is an old Neutered Dog. Yeah it still chases the bitches, but doesn't have the tools to get the job done.

............Now I am going to tell you a tale of a band that roamed the planet many years ago. They were a poon tang slamming pill popping flame throwing carnival of Rock Carnage. Their Legend continues to grow to this very day. In a time when a young and hungry guitarist ate all others for breakfast, and a lead vocalist would use his own system to scour the audience for fresh meat night after night. This was a four ring sonic circus
complete with scissor kicks, flaming drumsets, and visual bambastic bliss!! This, my boy was the Real Mccoy..........and they were called Van Halen.

I know, I know same name.....DIFFERENT BAND!!

[Axxman300]

No.

Then again I saw Van Halen on the "Diver Down" tour.

I saw Motley Crue in 1982, when they opened for KISS. KISS crushed Motley Crue. Van Halen crushed KISS.

It's a rocks/paper/scissors thing.

[ZachenFoot]

Really, in my honest opinion, Motley puts on the best damn rock n' roll to this day. Crowd interactions from Tommy, Vince, and Nikki are ALWAYS different, their stage show is phenomenal, and night in-night out they put on the best possible performance they can. They really, truly care about the fans...

...unlike another band in question here. I got to see Van Halen ONCE in my life, since I'm only 14 and apparently missed them in their heyday. You'd think that, since I'm starting to believe it was their final tour in 2004, they would go all out, maybe take time to cut an all new album, or work harder on the three tunes we got, come up with a better show, etc. Now, I guess you can say I was lucky, because of all the shows I listen to, Chicago seemed to be one of the highlights of the tour. I saw them on the first night, and wasn't disappointed. But ticket prices, T-shirt prices, all that were way too expensive for me. Yet, I wasn't upset with the performance. Setlist could've been better, definitely. But I was pleased nonetheless.

Let's take the Crue now. They gave us a two disc greatest hits. Same as VH, right? Well, its somewhat different. Motley was never the biggest band on the planet, so they could only release probably one disc of singles. However, they CARE about us, and gave a greatest hits filled with obscurities and songs that I never even HEARD of. Van Halen should have either done a three disc greatest hits or a boxed set, because let's not forget, before VH3, Van Halen was one of the biggest bands on the face of the planet. The Crue added more to their collection than VH did. That's a little sad. Tickets were also much cheaper than the '04 VH tour. Now, don't get me started on the stage show. Easily the greatest I've ever seen in my life. The theatrics, midgets, girls (whether they be for the audience or for show) and stage itself were way too much, but absolutely brilliant. I for one did NOT get to see them, even though I tried for tickets twice. The DVD and numerous other bootlegs tell me that they went all out.

And look what we have now. Motley Crue, who is right now HUGE based on the success of the greatest hits and the year and 1/4 long tour, has decided to tour with one of the biggest bands to ever spawn the face of the planet, Aerosmith. That's only five months after that extremely long tour (which, by the way, covered way more ground than Van Halen did in '04), along with the Rockstar: Supernova work Tommy has been doing, plus working on a brand new album in the process. These guys won't take a break, and they're clearly out there for the fans. They want US to be happy. They don't care about money, and the same thing goes for Aerosmith in that respect. Tyler just got off surgery and he's going on the road. THEY care about fans too. Unlike Van Halen who continuously goes after our money and only tours based on their own satisfaction. How many of you would like a Classic Van Halen tour with Mikey? Or even a Van Hagar tour? ALL of you do, but you're not getting it. Van Halen knows that too. But they just don't wanna suck it up and do it, because THEY won't be happy. You're fans are more important. 28 years in the industry and you'd think they'd know that...

So as of now, yeah, Motley Crue has replaced VH at the top of my list, and that is until either Van Halen decides to regroup and make amends, or Motley Crue does something extremely stupid, which at this point I really, strongly doubt. I'm just sick of bitching about this band not doing anything, shitting all over the fans. Motley gives us fans everything we want and never seem to stop working, doing their JOBS as musicians. They've released two boxed sets in 2003/4, and have a new one coming up, re-issuing EVERY album with bonus tracks added. We got the Japanese only "Quaternary" from 1994 from them for crissake! So until VH pulls through with something new for the fans, like Zach (The J Man) stated, Motley is my new Van Halen.

Plus, I shelled out $200+ for the Route of All Evil tickets, but feel these two bands DESERVE it. They are treating us the way we deserve to be treated. We support Van Halen, and what do we get, or have gotten over the last 10 years? one album, remasters of the Original Six albums with no bonus tunes, a greatest hits, and an average-for-Van-Halen tour. We support Motley Crue, and what have we gotten in the last 10 years? "Generation Swine," a greatest hits album, an obscure hits/tunes collection, "New Tattoo," remasters of EVERY SINGLE ALBUM issued (including the ill-fated 1994 "Motley Crue") with bonus tracks that we've never heard, two boxed sets, a European boxed set (titled "Loud as Fuck"), a greatest hits package, best assembled one I've ever seen, one of the best and largest tours I've ever seen in my life, not taking off and hitting the studio, only to do a tour with another band (Aerosmith) who cares about fans. I think both bands deserve it.

Just my opinion, of course

[Ashe]

No band can stay at the top forever. Its all about when. However, I would never replace Van Halen with Motley Crue, even in 2006. I guess if your into Motley Crue, great. I'm not. I mean, even if the Crue plays their stuff note-for-note, it's still a Motley Crue song. If you could have seen VH in the 80s or even the early 90s, your opinion would be very different. You know why VH tickets were more? They are Van Freaking Halen. People actually give a crap about them. They knew they could get it. They come back from the dead, granted briefly, and still fill arenas. Motley Crue? They used to headline arenas, now they are an opening band. They were always a second tier band, anyway.

If you want to see something truly awesome, check out Joe Satriani. That guy is on another plane of existance right now.

[Raldo]

I don't think any band has replaced Van Halen for me. I do know that over the past few years, I've gotten into other types of music. A little more country for example. I don't think any band now or in the future will take the place of Van Halen for me. That magic only happens once.

[sickman]

I gotta agree with Raldo. From the time I was 10 years old Vh was it for me. They were the only band I listened to. Saw them in 1984 at age 11 and was blown away. (Prior to VH I had to listen to what my mom liked....Lionel Richie, Barry Manillow Etc.). As the years went on I got into other music but that wasn't until the 90's. Now with VH out of the picture for most of the last decade I have seen alot more bands and have gotten into them ie Korn, Godsmack, Sting, Norah Jones but over-all VH is still Numero Uno to me. No other band can compare.

[Davis]

a 26 song setlist. All the raps with the crowd were different, the interaction was so personal it was incredible. They play longer than Van Halen did in 2004, they played better, they played louder, their production kicked Van Halen's 2004 production in the ass! Ticket prices were $65 cheaper and I sat in the same spot. The setlist was incredible, it complemented the production perfectly. They played songs that have never been played live before, and played new music, played music they haven't played since their early tours and on top of that, their setlist was another greatest hits tour with the exception of one good song and one shit song.

Van Halen is my favorite band of all time & I've seen them over 20 times or so live -- but I have to admit, they have been very LAZY when it comes to set lists throughout their career & pulling out a rare tune every now & then...with their incredible back catalogue, they should be able to pull out a couple of surprises from show to show (every night) - even if it means rehearsing a 4 or 5 extra songs a tour so they can change it up a bit from night to night -- but they tend to have the exact same setlists night after night (& this wasn't only on the '04 tour)...

[Hagar4ever]

Don't forget that Motley Crue heavily relies on "backing tracks" both for Vince''s voice and instrumentation.

[VHFRK5150]

I saw them during the Balance Tour, the VH3 Tour and the 2004 Reunion Tour.

Hands down, VH3 was the best. I believe you'd be singing a different tune had you seen one of these shows. I saw it at the Palace in Auburn Hills and it was out-fucking-standing. You got the whole catalogue and Gary and Ed were on FIRE that night. To this day, it's my vision of VH going forward...anyone but Sam and Dave so that we can at least still hear ALL these classics performed live.

[Eddymon]

Atleast THE BLACK CROWES are back out there, they are one of my favorites now.

[charlesresta]

"I saw them during the Balance Tour, the VH3 Tour and the 2004 Reunion Tour.

Hands down, VH3 was the best. I believe you'd be singing a different tune had you seen one of these shows."

VH3 tour better than BALANCE TOUR?? That is too funny!!! Good one.

[Fair Warning Rocks!]

What is so funny about thinking the VH III tour was better than the Balance tour? The VH III tour was MUCH better than the Balance tour.