Mike Anthony Interview

[SgtSchultz]

I know there were interviews posted here awhile back but I really don't know if THIS one as posted. If so please pardon the repeat!

Anyway most interesting part in my opinions is

"The one thing I would like to see as far as Van Halen goes is that, if the band is going to put a lid on the past and move ahead, it would be nice to go out in style. That obviously would be doing something with either of those two guys, individually or together. It would be nice to keep the door open for anything like that. "

Van Halen bassist spills the beans on the Sammy and Dave show

When we heard Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth were touring together, we were tingling with excitement. Not only is it every Van Halen fan's dream short of a full-fledged reunion, it provides an opportunity to gather juicy tidbits from the road. It's no secret these guys haven't been the best of pals over the years.

But getting an interview proved about as successful as finding the Gene Simmons demos from 1977. Diamond Dave wasn't talking, and the Red Rocker was on vacation.

Then we heard Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony was going to be joining join Hagar for a few songs on selected dates. Anthony has played with both flamboyant frontmen, thereby making him a mother lode of information. We were just dying to know what it was like working with two alpha male divas.

So when we got him on the phone, we asked him.

Q: What's it like, working with two alpha male divas?

A: (Laughs). I'm kinda sandwiched in the middle. We've built it up as this song-for-song, rock `n' roll heavyweights show. To me, it was more like "The Hell Freezes Over Tour No. 2." Geez, who would have ever thought in a million years that something like this would happen? But you know, I think once they got out there and started playing, the mutual respect for each other (came out. )

Q: It's interesting that you're performing with Sammy and not Dave. Why?

A: Well, Van Halen's been off the road for like, three years now. Earlier in the year, Sammy called me about doing a side project, and I asked him if he was going out on tour. He said he was this summer, and said, "Come out for a couple of shows if you want, we'll have some fun." And then he hooked up the tour with Roth, and you know, I actually didn't want to be part of that show. I just wanted to keep my special guest status. So I thought, "I'll still go out with Sam, and we'll do some Van Halen stuff in the middle of his set." And we're going to keep it at that.

Q: What Van Halen songs are you playing?

A: Obviously, it's all Sammy Hagar-era stuff. The few that we've done are "Runaround," "Finish What Ya Started," "Poundcake," "Right Now." I just talked to Sammy last night, and he told me they've changed the whole setup again. (Laughs.) I pretty much know `em all, so I've got no problem with that.

Q: Have you had a chance to interact with Dave at all?

A: Onstage, I haven't. But you never know what may happen. It changes nightly with those two guys. I've spent some time with David, I've talked to him a little bit.

The one thing I would like to see as far as Van Halen goes is that, if the band is going to put a lid on the past and move ahead, it would be nice to go out in style. That obviously would be doing something with either of those two guys, individually or together. It would be nice to keep the door open for anything like that.

Q: We've all heard Dave's and Eddie's versions of why a reunion didn't work out in the mid-`90s. What's your version?

A: To put it in a nutshell, we all got thrown back together, and everybody wanted to go out and do a CD and tour. I think maybe it might have been just a little too much in the beginning rather than easing into it and making sure we all got along. There was lot of miscommunication, and lawyers got involved. That was one of the big things that hampered everything, because once you get those guys going at it, you're kinda like the innocent guys in the middle.

Q: Have there been any spats between Sam and Dave on the tour?

A: Uh, not that I'm aware of. I try to keep out of the real deep stuff. I know one thing they're doing is, they're flopping night to night who opens and who closes. That was one of the things they did to try to please everybody. Other than that, I'm sure they probably have their disagreements. I mean, that's just natural for being on tour. But I haven't witnessed any knock-down, drag-out fights yet.

Q: How would you deal with it if you did?

A: Well, being the guy that I am, maybe I would just have to jump in and referee. Or maybe I'd just jump in, knock them both out, and take over the whole thing! (Laughs).

Q: Technically, since the show could be called "Sam and Dave," are they playing "Soul Man?"

A: Pardon me?

Q: Never mind. Who gets more groupies backstage?

A: I really haven't witnessed much of Dave's backstage. It seems pretty quiet around his area, though, whereas, with Sammy, there's always stuff going on. Now see, I can't say anything that's gonna incriminate anybody, so I'm just gonna leave it at that, and you can set your own assumption. But I wouldn't be out there doing it if I wasn't going to be having a good time! (Laughs.)

Q: Who's prettier, Sam or Dave?

A: Oh, God. (Pause.) You know, I gotta give that to Hagar. For a guy who's going to be 55 years old this October, that guy is in great shape, and is playing and singing better than he ever has. He just continues to blow me away.

Q: What about Roth? You don't think he's fit?

A: Well, I don't know. (Uneasy laugh.) I don't want to say anything here, because one of those guys is liable to pick up the paper and read it! And that would cut my time on the road short, and I'd have to come home! (Laughs.) So we'll just leave it at that, that Sammy is the prettiest guy. (Pause.) Not that I have any kind of attraction. Uh ... it's a purely platonic relationship.

Q: What happens after this tour? Are you going to pursue that side project with Sammy?

A: Yeah. We're tentatively calling it Planet Us with Neil Schon from Journey and his drummer, Deen Castronovo. We got together and wrote a handful of songs in the spring, and it sounded great ... so, if everybody's free in the fall, we're probably going to get back together and just see if this thing goes anywhere. And on the flip side of the coin, maybe we'll be working something with Van Halen, getting that all back together.

Q: Are you talking an album, a tour, or what?

A: For Van Halen? Man, if Van Halen got back together, it would be the whole ball of wax. It would all be fine with me, it would all be good.

---

(c) 2002, Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.).

Visit Bradenton Herald at http://www.bradenton.com/

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: The Bradenton Herald, Aug 02, 2002

[Glenn]

I'm absolutely convinced that if you went up to Michael Anthony and told him that you thought that Marilyn Manson would be perfect for Van Halen, Mikey would agree with you and tell you they're looking at that option.

[Canyon Carver]

How 'bout Carrot Top?
He's got the hair!

[Red-Diamond]

Mikey's the man!!! I think a reunion with either singer will happen sooner than later. This interveiw kinda hinted that the band wants to get out and play. My faith is renewed!
[img]graemlins/bounce.gif[/img]

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Glenn:
I'm absolutely convinced that if you went up to Michael Anthony and told him that you thought that Marilyn Manson would be perfect for Van Halen, Mikey would agree with you and tell you they're looking at that option.

lol! right on as always yoda

this interview is old ain't it?

JMJ

[SgtSchultz]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Glenn:
I'm absolutely convinced that if you went up to Michael Anthony and told him that you thought that Marilyn Manson would be perfect for Van Halen, Mikey would agree with you and tell you they're looking at that option.

lol! right on as always yoda

this interview is old ain't it?

JMJ</font>[/QUOTE]Yeah, on the bottom of the article it says "August 9", I posted it becase I wasn't sure it had been posted before since it was from a not well known source.

[Dav-ed]

"A: Yeah. We're tentatively calling it Planet Us with Neil Schon from Journey and his drummer, Deen Castronovo. We got together and wrote a handful of songs in the spring, and it sounded great ... so, if everybody's free in the fall, we're probably going to get back together and just see if this thing goes anywhere. And on the flip side of the coin, maybe we'll be working something with Van Halen, getting that all back together."

I like how he says "we'll" be working something with VH. It makes it sound as though he is speaking of He and Sammy. But he could mean, and probably does, otherwise.

[Dave's Dradle]

You can tell that Mike's preference is for Sammy, but that he would not be opposed to Dave either. He just seems to be itching to play, with anyone possible.

[wip5150]

Michael has been, and always will be, a company guy. He may have a preferance for Sam, but he would be okay if Kenny Rogers was the new singer of Van Halen. Mikey's not a "troublemaker" - although I wish he was.

At the end of all of this, Mikey's book is the one I want to read

[bru77]

whats with mikey cutting on dave ? asked if he thought dave was in shape and laughs ? sammy couldnt even imagine being in the shape dave is. now if hes talking about hair fine, but mike is no one to talk....he has non either. no thats not true he does have some implants. and I dont ecall mike ever having a six pack nor sammy ????????????????????? I dont get it.

[ericgtr]

Just like with his bass playing, his attitude is the most stable piece of that band. Mikey has a lot of character and is a really nice guy, he may tell people what they want to hear all the time but good for him for not ripping everyone. All the guy really wants is to jam, he's still in it for the love of it and to me, that's a very commendable.