VAN HALEN - 2011 STILL SHAPING UP FOR A BIG YEAR

[RJhog (Admin)]

from melodicrock.com

 

Let's great straight to it - it's been quiet in the Van Halen camp since a wave of expectation and excitement broke following news leaks a few months back regarding a possible new album and tour for 2011.
The Tour: The band will tour extensively in 2011, taking in North America, likely European dates and even some Australian dates, which local newspaper the Herald Sun stated Sunday - [VH] "...are very close to confirming an Oz visit next year..."
The line-up will remain as it was for the 2007 tour - Eddie, Alex, Wolfgang and David Lee Roth.

The New Album: Numerous reports about new music coming from the band are true. There is new music recorded with the expectation of an all-new studio album featuring David Lee Roth to be released in 2011. What is not known right now is the time frame for this.
Here is what I was told. It seems DLR's vocals are being recorded away from the 5150 studio, with Eddie receiving various vocal tracks from the singer, but not always to the guitarist's satisfaction. I'm told that it's work in progress between Eddie and Dave.
I also heard, but cannot confirm, that Eddie has recorded most of the bass parts for the album.

There is a deal in place between Warner Bros. and the band for a new album (as announced a few months back). However, I'm told there is a genuine fear from the label that the album may now not be ready before tour commitments begin. The album was definitely expected to be released in early 2011, but there has been so much going back and forth and re-arranging, so if the recordings are not turned in by early 2011, the label have developed a contingency plan.
That is preparing re-masters of the Sammy Hagar era catalogue (curious decision perhaps, but the only albums left to do), as well as preparing Blue-Ray releases of Live Without a Net and Live Right Here Right Now so at least there is something on the market when the band tours.
Additionally they are preparing limited edition Vinyl releases, which have just appeared on the Rhino/Warner schedule. 1984, Women And Children First and Van Halen II will be released on LP December 13.

And to close - the band apparently tested a few different producers, but the man at the helm for this album is one Ross Hogarth. Go look him up. His website makes no mention of any work with Van Halen, but in July he did make one reference to a new record he was starting. He stated: "The record I just started ROCKS!!! [it] will be amazing...that is all I will say..."

Stay tuned as always...more soon.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I know, why do you keep posting this RJ? Because, it's Van Halen. Two things strike me here. If this ever gets made and released and is anything more than a complete and utter mess, I'll be surprised. Number two, I find it interesting that the rumor is Eddie recorded the bass parts. I thought Wolfgang was awesome and Michael Anthony sucked...

[Scott]

Musically Im not so sure it will be a train wreck. I find it realistic to think that Eddie has written some very high quality music since VH III. I will remain hopeful for a great release!

[Jon]

I'm stoked for this. If it happens, of course.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Man, this is really getting annoying...

from melodicrock.com

VAN HALEN CONFUSION CONTINUES:

Preface: I know you folks are just gonna love this…

Earlier today I was contacted by the office of Larry Solters – spokesman for Van Halen asking me to give him a call. I did so and was asked to pass on clarification of my Van Halen news item earlier this week. It seems there was some surprise in the VH camp following my news and the official word is that… "none of it was true."
Yep…incredibly, the official word is that there is "no tour on the books" right now and "no new album on the books".
Mr. Solters did concede that the guys hung out together "working on stuff", but as of right now – no album, no tour in 2011. He kindly added that I'd be the first to know when there was news.

That's all I have to add right now. Safe to say that this rebuke has not put me off digging deeper into this and I'll report back when possible. I'll leave it up to you Van Halen fans to choose what to believe!

[Jon]

Didn't the same crap happen when they were/were not going to tour a few years ago? Just wait and see...