Van Halen - Philly Oct 1

Atomic Punk
Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
edited October 2007 in Other Music
For those of you on the fence with whether or not to check this tour out.....GO!!!! They were fucking excellent last night. I was skeptical...very skeptical going into it. I have been a Van Halen fan since the first album came out and they have been my favorite band since. It was my first time seeing them with DLR. I was 12 when they broke up and not allowed to go to concerts yet. I saw VH 7 times with Sam and once with Gary. I saw DLR solo 6 times. But this was the first time for VH with DLR.

Having seen DLR many times I was a bit worried about how he would sound because let's face it, he is a showman, not a great singer. Well, they must have convinced him to go at it very seriously, learn and REMEMBER the lyrics, and actually use them instead of often going off into tangents and stuff in the middle of songs. He sounded the best I have ever heard him sound. He did the songs for the most part the way they are supposed to be done. You can tell he put a lot of hard work and effort into his preparation.

Eddie is still the master. That guy can fucking play his ass off and make it look so effortless. He is in top form. Physically he looks in good shape, but needs a sammich. Looked very happy all night long.

Alex is as solid as ever.

Wolfgang did an admirable job considering the position he was thrust into by his dad. His backing vocals along with Eddie sounded pretty spot on. It is amazing (and I already knew this) how HUGE the backing vocals are in Van Halen....they did a great job keeping the harmonies and whatnot. Wolf was solid on bass as well. No noticeable flaws that I was aware of.

The setlist was legit. I would have subtracted a couple and added a couple, but heck, we would all probably do that with any show we go to. The only song that sounded 'off' to me was Hot for Teacher. It sounded like they were playing it too fast. Other than that....WOW! The show started at 8:30 on the nose and went a bit over 2 hours. Considering they have 6 albums with Dave, and most of them are about 30 minutes long, I thought it was a nice size show. 25 songs, not counting 1984, Eruption, Cathedral and 316. The last 3 all being part of Eddie's 10 minute solo, with also a bit of the Little Guitars intro.

In any case, do not let the naysayers sway you away if you really want to go, it truly is one hell of a rock and roll show.
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Comments

  • PissBottleMan
    PissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    Great review...glad to hear it from someone who was skeptical going in.

    I'm still not sold on MA not being involved, but it sounds like they are trying to put on a great show for the audience.

    That's admirable.

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    Yeah, I think everyone would prefer Mikey. I know I would. But, I guess it is what it is. The kid held his own though, and he is in one tough spot. I'm sure he knows everyone wants Mikey there.

    The highlight for me was hearing my favorite song by them and to watch Eddie play the intro...and that, my friends, is Mean Street.
  • PissBottleMan
    PissBottleMan Union City, TN Posts: 4,155
    So, no stretch pants for Diamond Dave?

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

    Wishlist Foundation: http://wishlistfoundation.org
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    haha! No spandex. he had on tight leather pants instead.
  • Hands bound
    Hands bound Posts: 534
    But they were good lookin' leather pants ;)
    Underneath this smile lies everything
    all my hopes, anger, pride and shame...
  • even flow?
    even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Okay, okay, okay. First off............I was a huge fan of VH all my life and what is "316"?

    I am off to see them this Sunday and I couldn't have read a better review from a person I knew would be critical of them if they stunk. I'm all giddy now.

    If only I still had my Diver Down t-shirt to look the part at a reunion tour. :eek:
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • Hands bound
    Hands bound Posts: 534
    even flow? wrote:
    Okay, okay, okay. First off............I was a huge fan of VH all my life and what is "316"?

    I am off to see them this Sunday and I couldn't have read a better review from a person I knew would be critical of them if they stunk. I'm all giddy now.

    If only I still had my Diver Down t-shirt to look the part at a reunion tour. :eek:

    316 is a song that Eddie wrote and used to play when Valerie was pregnant with Wolfgang.

    I can't remember what album it is on (if it is at all)...Atomic Punk would know better than I would.
    Underneath this smile lies everything
    all my hopes, anger, pride and shame...
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    It's on F.U.C.K.
    Eddie has played it for a loooong time during his solos. He just named it for his kid and put it on the album after he was born because he used to play it all the time on an acoustic guitar on Valerie's belly when she was pregnant. I first heard him do it in 1986, so if you have seen them at all since then you will recognize it.
    316 is Wolfgang's birthday 3-16-91
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    I know I have an old shirt somewhere from the Fair Warning tour from when my brother went. It kicks ass. One of those old 3/4 sleeve concert tee's with maroon sleeves and a black shirt and it had the Fair Warning cover on the frony and a VH on the back with dates I believe. It is a rag, but I have it somewhere and it is my rag. lol.
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    I'm looking forward to hearing about the Toronto show...hopefully they are just as, if not more impressive there...
  • even flow?
    even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Atomic Punk wrote:
    It's on F.U.C.K.
    Eddie has played it for a loooong time during his solos. He just named it for his kid and put it on the album after he was born because he used to play it all the time on an acoustic guitar on Valerie's belly when she was pregnant. I first heard him do it in 1986, so if you have seen them at all since then you will recognize it.
    316 is Wolfgang's birthday 3-16-91



    Well thank you for that info.

    My shirt was one of those 3/4 "baseball" shirts too.

    I will give my report in this thread on Tuesday as Monday is a holiday up here and I only post from work.

    I am stoked!
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    for the few of you who care...lol...here is Romeo Delight from last night...audience recording...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ6X565eCYM
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
    Atomic Punk wrote:
    for the few of you who care...lol...here is Romeo Delight from last night...audience recording...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ6X565eCYM

    Where's my Van Halen 1894 World Tour t-shirt. It won't fit besides it probably buried up in the attic somewhere. Was lasers in this clip?

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • fanch75
    fanch75 Posts: 3,734
    Great review! Still working on going to see them in Indianapolis.

    This is kick ass! Dave is a rock god in this clip and EVH is on fire! Everybody Wants Some! (not sure about DLR making motorcycle sounds with his mouth though around the 3:50 mark)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMm419quo1g
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    as cool as a lot of these clips are on youtube from the 3 shows so far and the rehearsal, they do not do the live experience justice. They fuckin rock!
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
    g under p wrote:
    Where's my Van Halen 1894 World Tour t-shirt. It won't fit besides it probably buried up in the attic somewhere. Was lasers in this clip?

    Peace

    Incredibly I found my Van Halen 1984 World Tour t-shirt. A bit tattered and smelly and way way too small but I still have it. :)

    Oh did anybody notice I wrote 1894, now if I can hold unto this t-shirt for 113 years that would be incredible!

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    there are a LOT more clips on you tube from 10/1 now, but here is the link to Dave's intro to Ice Cream Man. If you like when Dave tells stories, you'll enjoy it....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeiP9EbGIt8
  • Atomic Punk
    Atomic Punk Posts: 2,941
    g under p wrote:
    Incredibly I found my Van Halen 1984 World Tour t-shirt. A bit tattered and smelly and way way too small but I still have it. :)

    Oh did anybody notice I wrote 1894, now if I can hold unto this t-shirt for 113 years that would be incredible!

    Peace

    lol, yeah, I caught that....didn't wanna bust balls...
  • fanch75
    fanch75 Posts: 3,734
    Atomic Punk wrote:
    there are a LOT more clips on you tube from 10/1 now, but here is the link to Dave's intro to Ice Cream Man. If you like when Dave tells stories, you'll enjoy it....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeiP9EbGIt8

    What an exciting time this must be for you, as your favorite band has gotten back into classic form....and is kicking ass.

    I had this same experience in 1996 when Frehley & Criss re-joined Kiss, and they hit the touring circuit with fire & enthusiasm that has been since lost. I saw six shows on that "Reunion Tour" in 96/97, which cost me a shit load of money with the income I had then (college student).

    Enjoy this time, man!
    Do you remember Rock & Roll Radio?
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 12,956
    saw the 10/3 show in Philly and thought it was pretty darn good also. 1st time seeing them. Saw Dave twice but never with VH. Only complaint was the mix was a bit loud on some songs and couldn't really hear Dave's vocals all that well - Jump especially. Eddie was amazing and Wolfie fit right in. For the 3rd show of the tour I thought they were very tight. If your into VH definitely go if you get a chance. Well worth it.

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