Van Halen-Zero!
 

Taken from the sound boards of the Gene Simmons financed demo, this thing rocks. 2 disc of great and soon to be great songs, shopped to record companies. 50 mil plus records later, they are still untouchable.

It is so freakin cool to hear the first version of Running with the Devil, and tons of songs never recorded. They were just a stud bar band with the best guitarist around until Gene put up a cool million to produce this demo. This isn't the polished VH #1-its just the band plugging in and rocking out. Eddie straight to CD-no over dubs-basically live.

Any other VH fans out there?

I'll listen just to hear Eddie.

They used to be one of my favorite bands. I saw them in 1993. Vince Neil opened for them on his solo career tour. They kind of lost me over the years after they fired Sammy. Then they hired Extreme. They hired and fired Dave again. I became dizzy trying to keep up. Van Halen 1 and 1984 are still two of the best albums that I have heard. I would put those in my all time top fifty.

Basically VH had most of their hits in the Diamond Dave era-before they were signed. I was like, no wonder they recorded Diver Down in like 7 days. They allready had the songs.
Ex.
Mean Streets-was called Vodoo Queen

I didn't know this thing existed, until I saw it in my friends collection of 6000 CD. He has the rare of the rare stuff. This is the Holy Grail of Metal.

Van Halen ≠ Metal

I used to listen to the orig VH all the time. But grew tired of the overly produced sound of Van Hagar, and then like someone else just got tired of all their politics and crap.

I just became tired of the Van Halen Brothers. Actually it was their egos. They are talented, but they know that they have talent. I feel bad for Michael Anthony.

I found another little gem. The story goes-Eddie was tinkering around, getting ready to lay down a song. The Producer heard it, and that little snippet, became Eruption. I got goose bumps when I heard it. Its about fifteen seconds before the song. At the time he didn't even think it was anything-Eddie was just warming up.

The weird thing about it is, it was the first time they laid down Ain't talking about love. At the beginning of the song-Daves mic was too loud, so he yelled the sound mans name to get his attention.

Yep, you guessed it, the sound guys name was Sammy. I couldn't believe my ears. Not only do you get Eruption, the first version of Ain't talking about love, but Dave yells the name Sammy, of course we know how that turned out.

Someone please tell Halfcan that the 80s are over.

are they???

I do like living in the here and the now. It is still too bad that the Eighties have been and are over. It was not quite as good as the Nineties. It had great porn, good television, great movies, great music, and the sports were better.

I hate most of the shit now days. It is all corporate bullshit-with no substance. They don't even play their own instraments or even sing in most songs.

It has been like that all along.

How do we aquire this fine collection of VH demos?

I'm sure it's right next to the Journey Anthology

I really dig VH. I still remember the first time I heard Eruption on a walkman-that was over twenty years ago. I was blown away by it, like I still am to this day. Eddie is a musical genius and I really would like to HEAR these demos in which you speak of. Rock On!

I actually got them from my friend who has lots of connections to guys in the music biz. Sound techs, mix guys, ect. I was at his house on New Years when I saw them in his collection of 10k of rare Cds. I am sure they are on the net somewhere, but I havn't seen them.

On one song you can here the tape drag and also feedback problems-it is pretty amaturish on some tracks-but shit they were straight from a bar gig. Eddie and Alex were painting numbers on curbs for a living. Next big Planet gathering I will burn some copies for whoever wants them. Personal use only!-I promised my friend, I would'nt try to cash in on these. He trades with these guys on a regular basis and if all of a sudden they are all over Ebay-they will know someone in the group sold out. Its just Eddie ripping and shreading-no overdubs!

He has sound board recordings of just about every Rock band of the 70's and 80's. The last recordings of Lennon before he was gunned down-shit like that. Queens last concert. Improptu Rolling Stones gigs at bars-including rehersals. It is just amazing the shit he has.

Van Halen ROCKED in their day.
The opening rif for "Unchained".
"Atomic Punk"
The soulful lead on "when love comes walking in"
The raw power of "Eruption"
Personally I liked the Dave years the best, although there are many many Sammy songs I enjoyed as well.

Would ya consider mailing one as I doubt I'll ever make a 37' foundation get together?

I agree. Dave was great. Sammy did have some good stuff too. They should have quit when Sammy left.

Halfcan, does your buddy have any Cinderella, Whitesnake, LA Gunns, Fasterpussycat type stuff?
I'm a HUGE GnR fan as well.. hint, hint
Yeah yeah, i'm a metal head from the 80's.
Can't help m'self. It was just such great music back then.

Do not forget about Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.

\m/ Thrash Metal!!! \m/

He is from the 70's and 60's generation. Still some good music in there though. Zep, Queen, The Who, Kiss, Stones, Aerosmith, Beatles,ZZ Top, next time I go over there, I am taking a pack of blank CD's and getting some good stuff for my collection.