Hey Van Halen, What About Mike?

Van Halen Reunion Press Conference

2007-08-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

..and of course I use the term "reunion" loosely.

So the big announcement was made. I watched the whole press conference and couldn't help but get the feeling that all this talk of them actually staying together and that it isn't a one time reunion is going to change.

Dave of course took the mic for the majority of the time with the rest of the lads chiming in. Dave's big mouth of course starting getting in the way a few minutes into it when he had a couple of put downs of not only one of Ed's pals (Take it easy Dave, he is my friend you hear Ed say) but also badmouthed U2 and the Police in progress. "Come on Dave, gimme a break" indeed.

Another funny thing I noticed about Dave. He kept describing things as "skinny". Like when he pointed to Wolfgang. Now I am not badmouthing the kid, but he is young and seems to have a little babyfat on him still, no big deal, but when Dave described the new rhythm section he said it was really "skinny". It's like he just had to address it somehow. Remember that scene in the Austin Powers movie where the guy had a mole on his face and Austin just couldn't help but use the word "mole" a bunch, it was very much the same scenario.

Somewhere our quiet hero Michael Anthony has to be giggling to himself. Time to watch the trainwreck start.......

Michael Anthony Tour Info

2007-08-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Rest on his behind while those other guys "reunite"? I don't think so. Mike has announced some tour dates on his site. Basically every group he is playing with is on the tour (Mad Anthony Express, Los Tres Gusanos, The Other Half and Sammy and The Wabos). Rock on Mike!!

Todays featured clip is Mad Anthony's Express doing some ZZ Top.

It's Back On

2007-08-07T07:10:00.001-07:00

That's right folk, the Van Halen "reunion" is back on. Thus, the battle continues on What About Mike. NO MIKE, NO REUNION!

Without You

2007-02-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

OK. So I was never really thrilled with the whole Gary Cherone era Halen. I must admit that his recent comments on VH getting into the rock and roll hall of fame have earned my respect.

On more current news, the first shot of the "new" Van Halen was posted @ rollingstone.com. I am surprised to see little Wolfie looking rather lean as the only shots of him I had seen before pictured him a little less lean. Maybe the babyfat has gone away.

So This Is Love

2007-01-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

So for anyone who doubts Michael's contribution to Van Halen, I have 7 words for you

THE BASSLINE TO "SO THIS IS LOVE"

That's right. 'Nuff said.

I Don't Wanna Hear About It Later

2007-01-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

Let's review some of the initial comments to the site.

h2o said...

Oh yeah? Well, here's VH with motherfuckin' Jan Hammer! Put that in yer pipe and smoke it!

This clip features Eddie with his trademark Kramer Baretta and Jan Hammer's trademark male pattern baldness.

wilson said:
"Wolfie is going to have his Motts Apple Juice bass " Then inexplicably mentioned something about Gary Cherone. An era by the way that I still refuse to acknowledge.

bribri said...: "VH without Michael is like eating pasta without olive oil - you don't really think you need it until its not there, and then once you start eating you think, hey, I should have used olive oil. Michael is the Halienest of them all."
Well put! I totally agree.

Luis said...: ..I to like many of you jumped out of my socks upon hearing the news that Roth (the man, the myth. and the legend) was back with the mighty V.H. Then like many of you immediately thought "what about Mike?"
That just about sums up my exact feelings. Luis by the way is my brother. As kids I secretly wished we would one day form a band called "Van Galdames".

What About Michael?

2007-01-25T20:13:00.000-08:00

So it's happening. Van Halen has decided to reunite with David Lee Roth. Now a few months ago I would have jumped for joy while cranking Fair Warning. I must say that today I was pleased at first, but then somewhat disgusted. Why? Well, a few months back when the ever present rumors where starting to boil up word came from the Van Halen camp that Eddie and Alex where rehearsing for a summer tour WITHOUT MICHAEL ANTHONY!!

It seems that he had been dumped from the band in favor of Eddie's 15 year old son Wolfie. Now nothing against the little dude, but what the hell were they thinking? Do I have to point out the massive (and mostly overlooked) contribution that Mike had on Van Halen? I have started this blog in protest of the "reunion" that will take place this summer.

In the coming months I intend to (and invite all of you) to contribute to this site to uncover why this is such a tragedy. One that true VH fans should not take sitting down.