Frustration From VHND

**ericgtr** · 12.18.02, 12:18 PM

This is from VHND

"December 17, 2002 - Once again we've endured another year of no music from Van Halen and over 1500 days have passed since the band last played live.

Comparing the last five years with the first five years of Van Halen's career as recording artists is quite depressing. In the same time period from 1978 to 1982 inclusive, Van Halen recorded and released their first five albums: Van Halen (1978), Van Halen II (1979), Women and Children First (1980), Fair Warning (1981) and Diver Down (1982). Those five years also included many hundreds of live shows.

Sure, nobody releases albums annually any more, and Van Halen have had their share of issues to deal with in recent years. As fans we realize that making music isn't the #1 priority for Van Halen any more.

What annoys me though, and I'm sure most of you will agree, is that if/when Van Halen get around to releasing a new album, they'll be rattling off the same tired old lines such as "we love our fans" and "Van Halen fans are the greatest fans in the whole world".

Yep, we're "the greatest" when you've got something to sell us.

Does anyone else remember Ed & Al whining about Sammy Hagar's "poor work ethic" not long after their split in 1996? Hagar may be trying to prove a point, but his fans have been the winners with four new studio albums since the split. Point proven.

The only word we've had from the official site for the entire year of 2002 is Eddie's message about getting a "100% clean bill of health". He also said "now it's time to really get back to the music and fun.....so party on and you'll be hearing from us very soon."

Ed, we've been "partying on" and celebrating the news of your good health ever since. Any idea when "very soon" is? We're all getting older and can't party as hard as we used to.

If it's not too hard, how about giving Brad a call and get him to post a holiday audio message to the official web site on your behalf. Heck, just get him to whip up a nice "Happy Holidays from Edward, Alex and Michael" message and stick it on the web site. Anything!! It will take 5 minutes.

I'm no PR man, but something this simple can only be good for the relationship between Van Halen and their fans. You may just restore their faith."

Very well said Grant, I believe you are echoing a lot of our frustrations in that letter and I sincerely hope that one of them read this [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

**Goo** · 12.18.02, 12:23 PM

LOL! good on ya grant.

I'm nearly partied out myself

**ross** · 12.18.02, 12:30 PM

Grant hit this one on the head.

**sampson simpson** · 12.18.02, 12:42 PM

I love it when Grant vents, too bad its only once or twice a year.

**INSANO** · 12.18.02, 12:51 PM

Great Job, I couldnt have said it better myself. I just hope that someone over there is listening.

**ericgtr** · 12.18.02, 01:13 PM

If it's not too hard, how about giving Brad a call and get him to post a holiday audio message to the official web site on your behalf. Heck, just get him to whip up a nice "Happy Holidays from Edward, Alex and Michael" message and stick it on the web site. Anything!! It will take 5 minutes.

No shit! What could they possibly be doing all day long that they can't take a minute and update us, say hello or anyting

I know that I am frustrated with them but IMO it does show a lack of respect for the fans. I honestly think they could give a shit anymore.

**Bob_R** · 12.18.02, 01:26 PM

This is the part I liked best:

What annoys me though, and I'm sure most of you will agree, is that if/when Van Halen get around to releasing a new album, they'll be rattling off the same tired old lines such as "we love our fans" and "Van Halen fans are the greatest fans in the whole world".

Yep, we're "the greatest" when you've got something to sell us.

**79th and Sunset** · 12.18.02, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by ross:
Grant hit this one on the head.

Again...........

**Nerf Herder** · 12.18.02, 02:08 PM

This is not the first time Grant has been frustrated. Anyone recall his open letter to Van Halen? Read it here: http://www.vhnd.com/articles/010927-01.shtml

All the fans are reading the VHND, but no one from the band even knows it exists (well, maybe Mike, but no one else from the band knows Mike exists)

...and that's what makes this all the more frustrating. [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

**ericgtr** · 12.18.02, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Nerf Herder:
This is not the first time Grant has been frustrated. Anyone recall his open letter to Van Halen? Read it here: http://www.vhnd.com/articles/010927-01.shtml

All the fans are reading the VHND, but no one from the band even knows it exists (well, maybe Mike, but no one else from the band knows Mike exists)

...and that's what makes this all the more frustrating. [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

I don't know about that Nerf, I wouldn't doubt the fact that Ed and Al check into this site and VHND on a regular basis.

**Sweet William** · 12.18.02, 05:33 PM

EVHFANATIC,

Dude, you hit the nail on the head. If and when the next Van Halen album comes out, there will be all kinds of statements from the band and from the official site about how much they love the fans.

**hain23x** · 12.18.02, 05:56 PM

maybe I'm wrong on this but that is not Grant's post

I think he just cut and pasted someone's rant from the VH mailing list.

either way, it's a great rant!

[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

and I agree with the thinking that when VH does resurface they'll act like they love their fans.

I can just feel the love coming our way as we speak! [img]graemlins/sleep.gif[/img]

**DLR'sCock** · 12.18.02, 06:03 PM

Fuck Van Halen!!!

I gave up on this at least 6 months ago.

Van Halen has been dead since 1985.

**skiler78** · 12.18.02, 06:31 PM

You know, I'd like to hear from the VH camp as much as the next person here. But my position is this: If you want to hang on and be patient until they decide to do something (and I think they will) then fine. But this whiney "oh, they don't love us anymore-f*** them!" gets old. These are grown men who undoubtedly appreciate their fans, but in no way are they obligated to keep us updated. And I think it's completely lame to talk about the band members as if we have any clue as to what theyre thinking/feeling about their fans. Ok, I'm done.