Greetings, Ladies and Gents! It's been a while since I've actually taken the time to put up a concert review. Multiple years, to be more precise. I've just been far too busy, and for a while, hadn't seen a show worth reviewing. 2012 has been different, and I have been back to my torrid pace of shows, which won't last long. Parenthood and age will limited me to only the important shows, once again, but that hasn't stopped me from getting my fill, while I have the chance.
When Van Halen announced that they were not only touring, but releasing a full length album with David Lee Roth, it was a no brainer what I was going to be spending my time doing when they hit the Windy City. Lucky for Chicago, we were given two dates on the agenda, and I was going to both.
These were the first shows I've gone to, where I not only felt young, but I was embarrassed for some of the "costumes" these fans were wearing, and their behavior. It's 2012, folks, and you're probably in your late 40's or 50's. Too much booze/recreational substances, too much disgusting leather skin, "jorts" galore, horrendously clownish mullets, Pall Mall smokers voices, not enough fabric for the tops, and skirts far too short on bodies far too lumpy. It was just a nightmare. People need to learn to let go of the past, because the present makes them look like a bunch of nearsighted, white trash, slow adults with color blindness, and tone deafness.
Friday, Feb 24th 2012, United Center
This first show really ground my gears something fierce, even for a die hard like me that endured TWO of the Van Halen/Gary Cherone shows. While Eddie and Alex never disappoint, Roth was a whiny, childish douche on stage, spending more time bitching about the United Center's A/C system than anything else. News Flash, Dave, there is an ice rink under the very floor your shaking your old ass on, and the place needs to be kept a decent temp. Grown up and learn to deal with it, you fucking clown! "Waa, waa, waa, the air fucks with my voice, waa, waa, waa!". After the second Chicago show, I'm starting to believe it's a schtick to explain why his voice isn't quite up to what it use to be, but I digress. I might have been able to let the cranky old man tantrum slide if he didn't act like a complete and utter prima donna towards the road crew, when his piece of shit headset mic didn't work right. Look, Diamond Dave, those things are huge pieces of plastic refuse, meant for pop acts that lip sync anyway. Grab a fucking handheld mic and ACT a professional, even if you don't want to BE one. You are damn near humping 60 years of age, and you have been doing this for roughly as long as I've been on this planet, yet you're throwing a tantrum at the road crew, telling them to "Get the fuck away from me". These guys are professionals and work their asses off. I know and have seen this first hand. The days of disrespecting the guys that make your shit happen, behind the scenes, are over, Douche Bag!
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I can get to the actual show. I'm a huge Van Halen guy. I loved Sammy, I tolerated Gary, and this would be my second time seeing them with Dave. Lets be honest, though, Eddie is 57, Alex is 58, and Roth is 57. These guys are no spring chickens any more.
Wolfgang is a adequate fill in for Michael Anthony, because let's face it, a bassist is the easiest member to replace, unless your name is Cliff Burton or Les Claypool. I still love the days of Michael Anthony running around chugging a bottle of Jack, but I will gladly skip the bass solo. That's what most people call the "pee break".
As far as atmosphere, the show was very robotic and fast paced. It seemed like it was "all business", and almost mechanical. The played all the songs I was there to see, and even though I've seen Eddie's similar solo many times before, it never gets old. Dave's dancing just looked creepy and old. He looked a little more tight than usual, but maybe that was because of the rather large bug up his ass. Alex's drum solo has definitely been taken down a notch, as they added some recorded horns and other electronics to give it a little more girth. Like I said, it's not 1984 anymore and these guys are almost 60. I understand, and I don't mind.
Overall, I would have given the show 6 Little Dreamers out of 10.
This was the set list:
- You Really Got Me
- Runnin' With the Devil
- She's the Woman
- Romeo Delight
- Tattoo
- Everybody Wants Some!!
- Somebody Get Me a Doctor
- China Town
- Mean Street
- Oh, Pretty Woman
- Alex Van Halen Drum Solo
- Unchained
- The Trouble with Never
- Dance the Night Away
- I'll Wait
- Hot for Teacher
- Women In Love
- Girl Gone Bad
- Beautiful Girls
- Ice Cream Man
- Panama
- Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solo
- Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
- Jump
Sunday, Apr 1st 2012, Allstate Arena
The first show, more specifically DLR, turned me off so much that I contemplated selling my tickets, so I didn't have to watch Dave act like a complete dickhead, again. I'm glad I didn't. While Dave did indeed bitch about the A/C system, he only mentioned it once, and he left the road crew alone. When he started in on the A/C system, I rolled my eyes, and thought to myself, "Here we go again". That was the last time it was mentioned though. This begs to ask, though, were these two isolated incidents, both in the city of Chicago, or does he do this regularly. I happen to believe that it is the latter. There is no conspiracy in Chicago to ruin David Lee Roth's voice while he's performing. Anyhow, Dave moved much better, seemed much more relaxed, and comfortable this time around. His banter was more of what you'd expect from DLR, not the previous robotic performance. He pulled off several leg high kicks and the splits, that were impressive for a man of his age. He won me back with this show, as a fan, but I can see why Ed might get annoyed by Dave's goofy antics.
Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang were pretty much identical to the show just over a month previous. No matter what might be going on behind the scenes, the Van Halen boys don't show it on stage. They were all smiling and looked happy. I could watch Eddie and Alex over and over. I'm just a huge, huge fan of their talent.
I wasn't as big of a fan of the setlist, the second time around. Mean Street is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, tunes and they cut it out of the set. I could have done without "The Full Bug", "Women in Love", or "Outta Love Again", but what can you do? It's one song.
I left the show in a much better frame of mind than the previous show, and just when I thought my Van Halen obsession was bordering on over, they sucked me back in. I make no bones about loving Sammy with the band, but I'll be glad to go see them with Dave again, if they can keep the wheels from falling off this train, that is.
I give this show 8 Beautiful Girls out of 10.
This was the set list:
- Unchained
- Runnin' With the Devil
- She's the Woman
- The Full Bug
- Tattoo
- Everybody Wants Some!!
- Somebody Get Me a Doctor
- China Town
- Jamie's Cryin'
- Oh, Pretty Woman
- Alex Van Halen Drum Solo
- You Really Got Me
- The Trouble with Never
- Dance the Night Away
- I'll Wait
- Hot for Teacher
- Women In Love
- Outta Love Again
- Beautiful Girls
- Ice Cream Man
- Panama
- Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solo
- Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
- Jump
Here is a little treat. Eddie Van Halen's solo from the 4/1/12 show at the Allstate Arena:
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