It’s been fifteen years since Van Halen issued a studio album, and almost twice as long since cutting their last with the charismatic, karate-kicking howler monkey-in-leather-chaps named David Lee Roth. The Diamond One allegedly ditched the California quartet for movie stardom after touring the multiplatinum masterpiece 1984. But when his Hollywood plans fell short, Dave returned to basics, releasing the terrific, if atypical, covers EP (Crazy from the Heat) and two worthwhile full-lengths with acrobatic super-shredders Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan (Eat ‘em and Smile, Skyscraper). Meanwhile, brothers Eddie (guitar) and Alex (drums) Van Halen soldiered on with Sammy Hagar at the wheel of their hit-making motor machine. The slick 80’s “Van Hagar” sound irked some old school fans, but won over just as many new listeners; the history books attest VH achieved even more commercial success than before with the “Red Rocker.”
Happy Easter, Professionals (if you’re into that kinda thing)!
Bookended my (last) week nicely with a couple shows featuring venerable virtuoso bassists. Last Monday I checked out Mike Watt at the Grog Shop. Friday I saw Geddy Lee with Rush at Quicken Loans Arena (the lamest venue re-name ever, although Progressive Field comes close). The Rush performance was filmed by Sam Dunn for future DVD release. Dunn, you’ll recall, is the fan-turned-director who produced the excellent documentaries Global Metal, Iron Maiden: Flight 666, and Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.
Took some nice photos at the Rush concert after the band’s PR people at Atlantic floated me credentials.
I’m going to try being less afraid and more angry in the coming weeks, months, years.
There’s so much to be mad about these days, and anger—when channeled properly—can be productive instead of destructive. I’m incensed with a lot of people and situations lately. I know I should let this anger motivate me. I’ve done it before. I’ve got to stop being so lethargic, passive, sedentary.
Beware of lawyers; we’re professional bullshitters.
Not me personally, mind you. While I’m an attorney by education, my license is not currently active (because I chose not to fucking pay for the “privilege” anymore when it hasn’t made me a dime). But proceed with caution in a litigious nation filled with self-interested parties and their so-called advocates.
How’s it going, true Baleievers?
Not much going on presently in the land of the Abominable Snowcone. It’s 11:20am on a cold Tuesday in Cleveland—as good a time as any for another injection of Prozium.
Speaking of weather, what’s the deal with these freezing temperatures? The morning news on TV reported that this winter has seen 26 more days below freezing than last year. That’s another entire month of sub-zero weather! Global warming? Kiss my ass! Spring technically began over a week ago—but I had to use the ice scraper again to clear off my windshield this morning. The heat and defrost were cranked on the commute to work. That’s not Spring.
So what’s new, fellow Professionals?
It’s been a busy couple months around here, what with the transition to Word Press. All of us at AIBN hope the new template will facilitate the posting of new articles, and that the new look will trigger pleasing electrical impulses throughout your amygdala. Uploading stories and images was never a small feat on the old site, which partly explains the lag time between the movie reviews and other stuff. The currently featured review of BATTLE: LA is our first in a couple months. So dig it.
