Sincere question regarding the "Other Half?"

[MAX]

First of all, Happy Holidays!!!

Anyhoo and on to my question...

Anthony and Roy are sooooooooooo joined at the ever expanding waistline right?

Seriously, they go and parade themselves as the "other half" of what was once Van Hagar, no?

Well, why is it that they don't collaberate and create new music together at all? From what I read here, Hagar has his tequila band and Anthony's tagged along for almost a decade.

How come they don't put out music together?

Seriously, it's now BEYOND clear that Anthony has no role in the sister's future plans. Spam and Anthony do that "Other Half" thing, Anthony's always on tour with Hagar? I just don't get their gig?

Also, I want y'all to know that this is NOT meant as a smartass post just cos I don't dig either of them as pals nor their "music."

I just think this might make for an interesting discussion and would find it also interesting to read what fans of the two of them think?

Also, I've been a guitarist for 23 years now and just bought a bass. I'm curious in that aspect as well cos I've been playin' the fuck out of it and when there's someone like Anthony who's so solid of a player and shreds (IMO) why doesn't he have the desire to be in a band full time?

Peace.

[Bad to the Bone]

I don't know why they don't put out something together. realistically Mike was still in VH up until the last tour. The last cd might have been in process before Mike got the boot.

I still think to this day that Mike's the guy singing "somebody save the world" at the end of serious Ju Ju....I don't know why, it don't sound like Mona to me and I can see Mike doing that.....who knows.

[VanBlu]

He won't kick Mona out for Mike, so I'm guessing this is the best alternative. I guess since Mike is officially out of VH (as opposed to unofficially like it's been since 99 anyway) that maybe he'll play a more active role. I don't see Sam leaving him out to dry like Ed did but Sam won't get rid of Mona either, as she's been there since 96 (Sam's a nice guy that way). I guess we'll see what happens. Maybe Mike will always just be out on tour with them, maybe that's all he wants now anyway, to collab with others and then tour with Sam.

[It's Mike]

First of all, Happy Holidays!!!

Anyhoo and on to my question...

Anthony and Roy are sooooooooooo joined at the ever expanding waistline right?

Seriously, they go and parade themselves as the "other half" of what was once Van Hagar, no?

Well, why is it that they don't collaberate and create new music together at all? From what I read here, Hagar has his tequila band and Anthony's tagged along for almost a decade.

How come they don't put out music together?

Seriously, it's now BEYOND clear that Anthony has no role in the sister's future plans. Spam and Anthony do that "Other Half" thing, Anthony's always on tour with Hagar? I just don't get their gig?

Also, I want y'all to know that this is NOT meant as a smartass post just cos I don't dig either of them as pals nor their "music."

I just think this might make for an interesting discussion and would find it also interesting to read what fans of the two of them think?

Also, I've been a guitarist for 23 years now and just bought a bass. I'm curious in that aspect as well cos I've been playin' the fuck out of it and when there's someone like Anthony who's so solid of a player and shreds (IMO) why doesn't he have the desire to be in a band full time?

Peace.

I'm only guessing but there may be contractual obligations keeping Michael from playing on a Sammy cd. The other more likely reason is financial. There's no money to made from it as Sammy solo cds sell to friends and family basically. Why further alienate Ed and Al by playing on a Sam cd when there is nothing to be gained financially? Playing live can be worth a couple of bucks for him I assume. I take it he gets paid a flat fee by Sammy and he enjoys playing live with him so why not.

[lovemachine97(Version 2)]

Well, let's turn the tables. What has the Other-Other Half done? Nothing as well. Without Sammy, since 1996, VH has put out a total of 14 new songs. One of those, Primary, was an instrumental. By contrast, in that time, Sammy has put out 5 original albums, a live record, and a greatest hits. He has also toured behind each, with Michael Anthony on the road with him. VH has toured only once since then without Sammy.

I don't see where the inactivity, as far as new music being played by Sammy and Michael, is any comparison to the other 2...

[jetguy5150]

My take is that up unitl recently Mikey has stilled been very tied to Van Halen and any collaboration with Sam would have drove the brothers nuts! (or Crazy from the heat!!! )

I can see Mike and Sam recording an album under the name The Other Half. That way Sam isn't really getting rid of Mona. He would still have his Wabos but the new music would be outside that vein.

Personally I would love to hear what those two could put out. Listening to the vocals from the 5150 era with Sam and Mike together, I can't imagine they would have any trouble coming up with some seriously catchy tunes.

[It's Mike]

Well, let's turn the tables. What has the Other-Other Half done? Nothing as well. Without Sammy, since 1996, VH has put out a total of 14 new songs. One of those, Primary, was an instrumental. By contrast, in that time, Sammy has put out 5 original albums, a live record, and a greatest hits. He has also toured behind each, with Michael Anthony on the road with him. VH has toured only once since then without Sammy.

I don't see where the inactivity, as far as new music being played by Sammy and Michael, is any comparison to the other 2...

you're correct and what's interesting is the one album from halen (that was an absolute flop) probably outsold all the Sammy albums combined.

In the end both "halves" have accomplished little sionce 1996. The post starters thread though is an interesting one. Why would then not combine to write some great songs? The answer is either (a) they contractually couldn't or more likely (b) they aren't capable.

[Bad to the Bone]

you're correct and what's interesting is the one album from halen (that was an absolute flop) probably outsold all the Sammy albums combined.

In the end both "halves" have accomplished little sionce 1996. The post starters thread though is an interesting one. Why would then not combine to write some great songs? The answer is either (a) they contractually couldn't or more likely (b) they aren't capable.

marching to mars and REd Voodoo both sold really, really well considering. I think MTM sold about 375,000 copies and might have gone gold by now...I'm pretty sure III only went gold so.....anyway, I was just nitpicking.

[belikemike]

First of all, Happy Holidays!!!

You too. Glad to see you back in main, posting again.

Well, why is it that they don't collaberate and create new music together at all? From what I read here, Hagar has his tequila band and Anthony's tagged along for almost a decade.

Michael first did some appearances with Sam in 2002. That's four years, not nearly a decade. And, 2006 was the first time Michael was on the tour full-time. He may have been with him at every show in 2005, but there were very few dates played.

How come they don't put out music together?

How in the hell should we know? Since Mike has only toured once with Sam for the entire tour, Sam has only put out the one record. It was a shitty one, at that. A complete departure. My guess is Sam really wanted to make that record because that's where he "is" right now. I'd think it's much more likely that Hagar's next record will feature Mike in some way, now that Mike clearly has nothing else going on.

Seriously, it's now BEYOND clear that Anthony has no role in the sister's future plans. Spam and Anthony do that "Other Half" thing, Anthony's always on tour with Hagar? I just don't get their gig?

See above. Anthony isn't always on tour with Hagar. I don't know what you don't get about their gig, there is nothing to get. They are friends. They both like to go out and play live. They were in a very popular and successful band for a decade together, and they know there is a market for going out and playing that music live. That particular gig is no different from what Cubic Z has been doing for almost a decade. You've stated yourself you go see CZ when he comes around. It's the exact same thing, so what in the hell are you talking about?

Also, I want y'all to know that this is NOT meant as a smartass post just cos I don't dig either of them as pals

This one really interests me. Why would you "dig", or not "dig" Sam and Mike's friendship? You somehow would like to determine friendships among people you don't know? Or, should you just sit in judgement of all friendships, only approving ones that are worthy to you? What makes you not dig them as pals?
It seems beyond odd that you'd be making a determination on digging their friendship, or that there is anything at all to dig, or not dig about their friendship.

Also, I've been a guitarist for 23 years now and just bought a bass. I'm curious in that aspect as well cos I've been playin' the fuck out of it and when there's someone like Anthony who's so solid of a player and shreds (IMO) why doesn't he have the desire to be in a band full time?

Who in the hell knows? Maybe he does have the desire to be in a band full time. Maybe the fact that he has enough money keeps him from playing full time. Maybe he was waiting around to make sure Van Halen has officially booted him for good, and now he will start a new band. Maybe he would not want to start over with a new band, having to work his way up from the bottom again like he did with Van Halen. He is 50+. When you are financially set, it's probably not that appealing. Maybe he really just enjoys keeping semi-active, touring every couple years to keep in touch with his fans. The Other Half was a way to do that, with very little effort. No new record. Sam already had the venues lined up for his band.

[Zahzoo]

Max, it's a real simple answer to your question... Commitments and loyalty.

Mike's the kind of guy that sticks to his commitments in an old school sort of way. He married his high school sweetheart Sue and even through all the crazy VH years remained a committed and standup husband and dad.

Mike did the same thing with VH. Soap-operas ad nasium... stuck with em. When Ed and VH went on hiatus (Cherone, hip, cancer, divorce, etc...). Mike got bored sitting at home and hooked up with Hagar as something on the side to go out and kick up the jams, play some shows and have a little fun. Kinda like a boys night out.

His 1st priority is/was always VH and he never signed onto any serious projects/collaborations even to date that would jeopardize his main deal... Van Halen. The Other Half name was an off-shoot of the train wreck 2004 tour... probably derived from something considered funny/sarcastic... unfortunately the drunk, miserable, porn mogul took it to heart and now it's an issue.

People who stand by their word/commitment and their handshake is solid gold are few and far between these days. Mike's kinda rare in that sense.

[mojavebassman]

I think that the 2004 reunion tour left MA & SH pretty much spent musically due to the lackluster performances and re-emergence of bad blood with EVH. I would assume that the Wabos recorded the album while both were on tour, leaving only vocals to record. After the tour, both MA & SH went their seperate ways until the tour, which was meant to do proper justice to the Hagar-era tunes, IMO. Mikey had to promote the hot sauce while Sammy promoted Cabo and recorded the latest cd. I would assume Mikey has more interests than just music.

[blackandblue88]

I think it's Mikey singing on the end of Serious Ju Ju too.

[VHfanOU812]

(b) they aren't capable.

This is most likely the problem. I dig Sammy's solo stuff and Mike's a great guy, but when they were talking at the end of the "Road to Cabo" DVD they both agreed they need Eddie if they want any chance to create some big hits.

Even if they came up with a really great CD, it takes more than that to get airplay and sell big numbers today....you also need the band name that will get the attention you deserve.

I'm not even sure if Van Halen can put out a CD and have it hit platinum today no matter how good it is, or who sings on it.

For better or worse, the music business has forever changed with the internet, IPOD's and mp3's. A band needs to tour extensively and have a big following to make real money today.....such as Dave Mathews, Madonna, or U2. The amount of cash those acts get on a short summer run is incredible.

Sammy can make CD's and basically tour with free tickets all around as it's just a marketing machine to sell tequilla...and he makes a lot of money with that stuff. Deep down inside I'll bet the brothers are pissed at all the money Sammy makes with the club and the booze in which they get no part.

[Bad to the Bone]

I think it's Mikey singing on the end of Serious Ju Ju too.

I used to feel really strongly about that...I almost called rockline and asked Sam straight up if it was Mike or not.

My gut tells me it's not but for some reason I can't shake the thought that it is.

[twonabomber]

Without Sammy, since 1996, VH has put out a total of 14 new songs. One of those, Primary, was an instrumental.

make that 2 instrumentals. Neworld...