Is It True?

**belikemike** · 07.24.06, 12:04 AM

I remember something I read around the time of Gary leaving the band. Did VH really record an entire second album with Gary, and then take it to WB only to have the execs send them back to the studio to record a song that would get radio airplay? And then, after bringing back another new song, WB said no good and didn't want to go forward with release of the record?
I seem to remember this being cited as one of the reasons for the Gary split.
I also seem to recall reading somewhere that WB basically told EVH that either Sam or Dave would be back in the band or WB would have nothing to do with them. This seems a little harsh, and I'm sure WB wanted Dave or Sam (any successful previous singer) back in the band, but would they really kick a HUGE seller like VH to the curb after one bad record???
Just joined here and curious what all you VH fans on here know about this.

**batch** · 07.24.06, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by belikemike

but would WB really kick a HUGE seller like VH to the curb after one bad record???

Please everybody remember that VH right now is without record label.

**HipCat5** · 07.24.06, 04:59 AM

The record industry is as harsh as it gets, I'm afraid. If you're not a money maker, you're on the curb. I recall some stories of Warrant's "Cherry Pie" album originally being centered around "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as the stand-out single. Record execs hated it so they sent them back to record the song "Cherry Pie" against the band's better judgement, with Reb Beach playing the majority of the studio sessions, I believe. This may not be 100% accurate but I recall hearing this and I tend to believe it.

It's all about record sales and/or who you're pals with in the industry. If the execs think you're the "flavor of the minute", you'll be lavished with advances, huge studio budgets, and fanfare. If you're not, you're just a working stiff trying to get your music heard.

Oddly enough, hard working indy musicians and bands are where the greatest music is being made right now. Time/Warner, SONY, and the other label holders don't know good music from a hole in the ground, IMO. The sad part is, the age demographic being targeted by these companies actually pay money for this stuff.

**Raldo** · 07.24.06, 06:00 AM

Those were some of the things that I read too about the follow up to VH3. It would be great if we could hear those songs.

**ericjt** · 07.24.06, 06:15 AM

According to VH's own website, they had written about 20 songs and were actively working on about 10 songs with 2 of them fully produced before they parted ways with Gary. Considering VH's past history of not letting anybody hear unfinished music, I don't think WB had anything to do with Gary leaving.

Although I'm sure WB wasn't disappointed when Gary did leave and that VH was attempting a reunion with Dave.

**jgdrag** · 07.26.06, 01:12 PM

I remember reading some interview and the guy from Warner saying, we will only have Dave or Sam in the band and we will tell Van Halen who is in Van Halen, something like that!

**DannoVH** · 07.26.06, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by jgdrag

I remember reading some interview and the guy from Warner saying, we will only have Dave or Sam in the band and we will tell Van Halen who is in Van Halen, something like that!

RIGHT NOW the Smoking Loon is in Van Halen

**siranthony** · 07.27.06, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by DannoVH

RIGHT NOW the Smoking Loon is in Van Halen

I tried Smokin Loon. Had an interesting taste. I had a hell of a hangover thoug. Bleh.

**cabo_brent** · 07.27.06, 03:42 AM

can you get that Loon shit in Canada???

**Rovus** · 07.27.06, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by ericjt

According to VH's own website, they had written about 20 songs and were actively working on about 10 songs with 2 of them fully produced before they parted ways with Gary. Considering VH's past history of not letting anybody hear unfinished music, I don't think WB had anything to do with Gary leaving.

These were the working titles for the new tracks to the follow-up album with Gary:

Rock And Roll Cliche
I Want Her Anyway
More Than Yesterday
Love Again
Miss You Much
You Wear It Well
Say Uncle
River Wide
Left For Dead
That's Why I Love Ya (new version)

'You Wear It Well' the band said at the time had an amazing tapping intro. Gary said that 'Left For Dead' had "one of the most up tempo songs" the band had done. I think the song eventually wound up on Tribe Of Judah. 'Say Uncle' was said to be about "a dominant woman and willing, submissive man."

**DannoVH** · 07.27.06, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by siranthony

I tried Smokin Loon. Had an interesting taste. I had a hell of a hangover thoug. Bleh.

The key is to keep drinking and drinking so you dont get the hangover. EVH

**broken9500** · 07.27.06, 12:55 PM

I read that WB was instrumental in Gary's departure, that after the poor sales of VHIII and from what they heard of the follow up they began pressuring Ed to scrap the project and bring dave or sammy back...

I would love nothing more than to have heard the follow up...I was really really excited about it and very dissapointed when it all came to an end.

**Mark5150s** · 07.27.06, 02:21 PM

Sad Celibate was another song, which became Celibate on TOJ album. I think that song and Left for Dead are good songs, would have liked to have heard them done by VH - without the industrialized sound that TOJ had.

**Simon Ribeiro** · 07.31.06, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by jgdrag

I remember reading some interview and the guy from Warner saying, we will only have Dave or Sam in the band and we will tell Van Halen who is in Van Halen, something like that!

JG, I remember reading something like that, too.