Reflection

[Johnny Van Halen Cash]

With my 10-year high school reunion approaching this month, I started to wonder what I was doing 10-years ago (pertaining to VH). Ten years ago I was impatiently awaiting Van Halen's new album with new front man Gary Cherone. I had just started listening to VH around the time that the Greatest Hits/Best of/whatever it was came out and I was really excited to listen to some new material (no matter who was singing). Now even though the album bombed (I still think Without You is an awesome song!), and the tour was a disappointment as far as $ is concerned, it was still an exciting time for me because Van Halen was still a band, still making music, still touring (or about to), etc... I was 19-years old when they finally toured and got to see them twice, the second time at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach!

Boy what a difference a decade can make! Though I still love the band, the soap opera that is Van Halen has burned me out a bit. I did see them in '04 with Hagar and it was good; nothing to write home about. There just didnt seem to be the same magic in the air as in 1998. Now I'll admit, I never really was a big fan of Cherone in the band because of his antics, but the band as a whole seemed so fresh; at least they were a band!

What were you guys doing 10-years ago? Compared to the 1999-present period, wasnt the 1996-1998 time fun just anticipating new VH music?

[mikewails]

I had a cocktail weinie and then I watched a movie

[edwardv]

Hey I just had my 30th reunion and the soap opera is still gong on for me since 1984.If your burned out after 10 yrs just think about guys like me. But I
think the soap opera is half the fun. Now what is the other half...oh yeah
Sammy and Mikey...lol

[ZachenFoot]

I was in...Kindergarten!?

Holy fuck, time flies. I'm in high school now.

[mikewails]

I was in...Kindergarten!?

Holy fuck, time flies. I'm in high school now.

asshole.

[sinner's swing]

With my 10-year high school reunion approaching this month, I started to wonder what I was doing 10-years ago (pertaining to VH). Ten years ago I was impatiently awaiting Van Halen's new album with new front man Gary Cherone. I had just started listening to VH around the time that the Greatest Hits/Best of/whatever it was came out and I was really excited to listen to some new material (no matter who was singing). Now even though the album bombed (I still think Without You is an awesome song!), and the tour was a disappointment as far as $ is concerned, it was still an exciting time for me because Van Halen was still a band, still making music, still touring (or about to), etc... I was 19-years old when they finally toured and got to see them twice, the second time at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach!

Boy what a difference a decade can make! Though I still love the band, the soap opera that is Van Halen has burned me out a bit. I did see them in '04 with Hagar and it was good; nothing to write home about. There just didnt seem to be the same magic in the air as in 1998. Now I'll admit, I never really was a big fan of Cherone in the band because of his antics, but the band as a whole seemed so fresh; at least they were a band!

What were you guys doing 10-years ago? Compared to the 1999-present period, wasnt the 1996-1998 time fun just anticipating new VH music?

Well, I was 22 and in University. I fondly remember though, faithfully checking the newsgroups (alt.music.vanhalen) or whatever it was, 5 times a day, hoping for a little shred of news. I remember some of you from there. Funny, the same fights about the same shit even then. I know FORD was there, Vinnie Velvet etc. You're right JohnnyV, at least things were really positive all around and we had an awesome tour to look forward to. I downloaded the leaked "Without You" a month earlier and loved it. I saw them at GreatWoods (now the Tweeter Center) in Mansfield Mass. I was pulling for Gary. There were a few haters but as much as they won't admit it, were won over for at least that night. It was the infamous show where he blew out his voice and they all came back the next night. I still think it was one of the tightest shows I've ever seen. In 1998-99, Ed was happy as hell, the solos were spot on and the ladies were fine. Great memories. 10 years and a massive pile of shit later . . . here we are.
Sorry, got off topic a little.

[Kimmie5150]

10 years ago, I just finished celebrating my first wedding anniversary. My husband got me Guitar World presents Van Halen, which made me happier than anything else he could have gotten me for an anniversary gift.

I also was awaiting the release of VHIII, and I agree that "Without You" is an awesome song, I love Ed's solo. The show I saw was good, but, Gary just doesn't have what Sammy or Dave does.

I've been a VH freak since the beginning, (thanks to some parents with great musical tastes) and there is a lot of drama with the band, but, at least they're not a boring group of guys.

[FORD]

Well, I was 22 and in University. I fondly remember though, faithfully checking the newsgroups (alt.music.vanhalen) or whatever it was, 5 times a day, hoping for a little shred of news. I remember some of you from there. Funny, the same fights about the same shit even then. I know FORD was there...

Yeah, I hit the newsgroups occasionally, but not often. Didn't care for the $tarks/O'Neill monopolization of the format. How many of you remember Free Willy? That dumb bastard accused me of being about 10 different people. Apparently he thought everyone who opposed him was the same person.

1997... yeah back then I was managing tech support for a Christian bible software company. Don't kid yourself, it wasn't no holy peaceful environment. I was the only one there NOT addicted to drugs of some sort. At least going into the job. When I started to pour beer into my coffee cup in the afternoons, I knew it was time to get out of there.

Crappy product + programmers on meth + illiterate redneck customer base = nervous breakdown in the making. Even JESUS would have quit that place!

[sinner's swing]

Free Willy! HAHAHA I remember that guy. And people say there are some psychos HERE. Sounds like you had a pretty bizarre fucking job. Good on ya that you got out.

[Massive VH Fan]

When I started to pour beer into my coffee cup in the afternoons, I knew it was time to get out of there.

Crappy product + programmers on meth + illiterate redneck customer base = nervous breakdown in the making. Even JESUS would have quit that place!

That was funny as hell - thanks FORD.

[eden]

asshole.

thank you.

personally, I don't think anyone under the age of 35 should be allowed to join this site.

doesn't everyone know this is the place for middle-agers to relive their adolescence?

[sinner's swing]

so 32 is pushing it right?

[eden]

so 32 is pushing it right?

oh, you little pups and your smart-ass ways.....

[sinner's swing]

Just friendly banter man. No ill will.

[eden]

Just friendly banter man. No ill will.

of course it is, darlin'. I get that.