Why has the fixation been on a TOUR since 1998?

[Samoa Joe's Ego]

Hell, I've forgotten the timelines on the failed album attempts with DLR. But what I can't understand is, with EVH trying to recover, isn't the STUDIO a better place to recover than on a damned tour?

I keep thinking of Some Kind of Monster and Hetfield. They had trouble in the studio, imagine a tour during that time?

What is the reasoning behind a tour other than a quick buck, or is that it? They know the CD probably won't sell more than maybe a million units if they are lucky (due in large part to current music trends and age of fanbase), whereas they can find some promoter to take a shot on the tour?


But that sure is cynical, given the fact the point of being a band, to me, is to make music.

Am I missing a reason other than these three bullet points

-- More money

-- Sammy and Eddie nearly killed one another doing only 3 songs so they gave up

-- DLR and Eddie fell out at least 2 times before while trying it. (thus they've given up on coexisting in a studio?)


But, in my mind, the terrain has changed. Recovery seems FAR FAR FAR more suited to studio work than a tour. I could even see Wolfgang playing on song or two. That would probably help Eddie in recovery. Yet it STILL seems to be about the tour.

Work on an album for 4-5 months THEN support it with a tour. Do the Prince thing and include the CD with the ticket to boost "sales" of the CD.

Its not rocket science, but you would think these guys are trying to split the atom.

One final thought, does anyone remember the timeline of Eddie while sober? How long was he actually considered "sober" during the Balance time frame and how does that affect his views/relationships with DLR or Sammy? Is there a pattern. As in, he prefers one when drunk and one sober? Or he was a pain to work with sober and drunk?

In my mind I seem to recall when he was young he was drunk and just went along for the ride, hammering out music. But as it got into the mid to late 80s he became more assertive, and then downright dominating...even changing his excuses. What part is alcohol and what part is actually him? Does he even know?

Obviously the main thing is his own health, regardless of the band or his legacy. But it seems to me the obvious big thing in his life is his son, who loves music. So maybe there is a way to play in the studio, include his son, and recover.

I would actually prefer new music, even if its guest vocalists or all instrumental to a reunion tour, with anyone.

For someone that loves music, noodling and composing, EVH sure doesn't make much of it.

[TheresOnlyOneWay]

Why has the fixation been on a TOUR since 1998?

The fixation has been on a tour because they are the best live band that has ever played on a stage.


But, the thing that's getting old is not having new music to play live.

[mrfibb]

Well they've had new music with each of the past two tours they've done... we had the III tour and then the songs on BOBW. Regardless of a new album, a concert is going to mostly be old songs with a few new ones thrown in.

But if I had a vote for tour OR album... I'd vote album. Hopefully something more toward the balance thing than VHIII.

[FORD]

The fact that Eddie DID sound great on the VDIII tour probably helped with the anticipation for a REAL Van HALEN tour once Cherone was given the boot.

On the other hand, the horrible performances on Velveetapalooza 2004 cooled that anticipation a great deal. While the announcement of a Van HALEN tour earlier this year was generally taken as good news, there were probably more people wondering if Eddie was up to the job than there were about Wolfie's abilities. Because, let's face it..... anyone who has seen an old Sex Pistols video knows you can bury a bad bass player in the mix, but you can't hide it when the guitarist fucks up. Especially when that guitarist is Eddie Van Halen.

Right now, I'd say most people are "cautiously optimistic" that the "new and improved Eddie" is more than just a haircut, a tan, and some dental work. I definitely put myself in that category, and that's why I'm looking forward to Van HALEN 2008!

[Chop]

I would say new album , I would like to hear more of the direction Eds playing was headed around MWM and Humans . Just mho , I think that was some sick guitar work ! maybe a tour in 08 , ah hell who knows? Just hope Ed stays on track and healthy .

[jokie009]

[QUOTE=mrfibb;774333]
But if I had a vote for tour OR album... I'd vote album. QUOTE]


gotta disagree...while i'd like to here new music...i'll take my eardrums bleeding any day, that's love baby

[Greenpaw]

There is no money to be made releasing albums anymore. At least not for a band like Van Halen. Touring is where the money is and money talks. It's that simple.



If the money was in making albums, we'd have a new VH album every year....and we'd have 5 KISS albums a year.

[dropped-d]

The fact that Eddie DID sound great on the VDIII tour probably helped with the anticipation for a REAL Van HALEN tour once Cherone was given the boot.

On the other hand, the horrible performances on Velveetapalooza 2004 cooled that anticipation a great deal. While the announcement of a Van HALEN tour earlier this year was generally taken as good news, there were probably more people wondering if Eddie was up to the job than there were about Wolfie's abilities. Because, let's face it..... anyone who has seen an old Sex Pistols video knows you can bury a bad bass player in the mix, but you can't hide it when the guitarist fucks up. Especially when that guitarist is Eddie Van Halen.

Right now, I'd say most people are "cautiously optimistic" that the "new and improved Eddie" is more than just a haircut, a tan, and some dental work. I definitely put myself in that category, and that's why I'm looking forward to Van HALEN 2008!

Velveetapalooza - you sure don't mince words - touche

The Sammy tour was good, not great. With the boys, we expect great and I can see why you'de be dissappointed. I caught a great show but I lucked out.

I am also hoping "el nuevo Eduardo" is more than just a snazzy new 'do

[DaveB]

could be the honest fear of failure- it's reasonable to believe that the masses (which excludes those on these boards) just wouldn't buy/legally download an album from this band, and we all know this is based on at lot of things....

[Ain't Talkin' Bout' Love]

Bands like Rush and Aerosmith still sell one or two million albums with a good release. Van Halen could be in that group if they didn't fuck up with both Sammy & Dave.

[FORD]

Bands like Rush and Aerosmith still sell one or two million albums with a good release. Van Halen could be in that group if they didn't fuck up with both Sammy & Dave.

When was the last time Aerosmith HAD a "good" release??

[Little Dreamer]

VH not releasing new music before a tour goes against everything VH stands for.

I still don't believe VH is all about the money. I have a lot of things I'm unhappy with when it comes to VH, but that's not one of them. I mean if they wanted cash, then no need to tour. Just sell "Jump" to one car commercial, "Panama" to another, etc. Millions of $ right there. VH has refused to do this. They're not also releasing a DLR-era b-sides or live album (some pro-tools could fix some of Dave's vocals). Easy money right there with practically no cost.

So money is not the problem, it's not what makes VH tick, I think ego is.

For them to release another album, EVH has to humble himself and collaborate with others as equals, and so far he has refused to do this. When we have a new VH album, then trully I will believe Eddie is back.

[willy4pres]

Rush has a large loyal fanbase but they still only sell around 500,000 copies of their albums as of late (since 1996).

If Van Halen were able to put a good song on a new album, something like Me Wise Magic, I bet they could sell 1,000,000. But if it's bad (and that might be fairly likely) your looking at 500,000 again (and the press will destroy them).

I would love a good album from Van Halen above everything else, even hanging out with Ed for an afternoon. Regardless, it's a huge risk, even more so then 1998.

[Menlow]

I don't know if it's a "fixation", I think its being practical. There's probably a better chance of Ed, Al, and whatever combo of Mike, Dave, Sam, or whoever else completing a tour than an album. Albums don't make much these days and VH isn't too popular anymore, there's no record company pressuring them to finish something, and Ed probably has too much control over the studio and the process. I envision them getting nowhere and splitting acrimoniously if they try to record an album at 5150. Sam himself said that it took forever and was very difficult just to get through three songs.


Although we would all love a new album, I don't know if its feasible or if they should even try.

[Ain't Talkin' Bout' Love]

When was the last time Aerosmith HAD a "good" release??

Nine Lives, 1997. So I'll clarify, what I mean is Aerosmith doesn't drop off the radar. They tour consistently, they release albums fairly consistently. Eddie wasted 10 years, Aerosmith didn't.