Jump:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmfrPrN1L_s[/youtube]

Panama:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2YcDPlLYV0[/youtube]

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3DqSEIvgpI[/youtube]

And by specific request, Unchained:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_jEvp2mdFU[/youtube]

Alan

Van Halen are set to have a big year in 2011, according to reports compiled by MelodicRock.com. The band will embark on an extensive tour, which will include North America, Europe and Australia. The lineup will be the same as it was for the 2007 tour: David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddie’s son).

Plus, the group are working on a new album – the band’s first since 1998, and the first with Roth since the mid-’80s. Although there has been no official word on the project from the Van Halen camp, Roth is reportedly recording his vocals away from the band’s 5150 studio while Eddie works on the music. The man who’s producing the album is Ross Hogarth, who has previously worked with Mötley Crüe, DevilDriver and others. Over the summer, Hogarth made a cryptic online posting: “The record I just started ROCKS!!! [It] will be amazing... That is all I will say...”

According to MelodicRock.com, the new album is planned to be released on Warner Bros. records in early 2011. In the meantime, the label is working on putting out a few other vintage Van Halen products, including the Blu-ray editions of the Sammy Hagar-era titles Live Without a Net and Live: Right Here, Right Now.

Vinyl releases of classic Van Halen albums are also being prepped. Van Halen II, Women and Children First and 1984 are all set to appear on LP on December 13.

Roth is reportedly recording his vocals away from the band’s 5150 studio while Eddie works on the music.

Re: Above, whatever works for them at this point is welcome news. Heck if they have to go to separate sides of the country to accomplish this, its alright by me.
Seriously, if true, this is something to get excited about. Still I'll try to contain my excitement for fear that its all to do about nothing. When it comes to VH, I've definitely
been there & done that".
I know I'm asking a lot here but try to keep the ego's in check this time around okay?
Best of luck, you guys are going to need it over the long haul!

Damn. I was hoping they'd be smart enough to work with Ted Templeman again. This album should be all about re-establishing VH and the classic sound. I think their fans will be really disappointed if this thing doesn't sound like classic VH.

They can go off in another direction on their next album – this one needs to sound like Van Halen.

Okay, this makes no sense. Maybe the DLR + VH thing has fallen apart. Via MelodicRock.com:

"Earlier today I was contacted by the office of Larry Solters ñ 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!"

No mystery here... just another website trying to generate traffic by running a sensational and apparently completely unsubstantiated story.

Wow, I remember Larry Solters as the CBS rep in Seattle in the late 70's!

That's really nor MelodicRock's normal schtick. The guy running it is pretty above board and has friends in the VH camp. It sounds to me there is work being done, but things are much more tentative than anyone knows. Perhaps Eddie isn't convinced the DLR thing will work out.

Knowing Eddie's ego, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the next VH record being with a variety of guest vocalists and DLR only being on a couple of tracks. It sounds to me like they expect the thing to fall apart at any moment and don't want to get too much press on new material with DLR in case it does.

Van Halen may be busy these days in the studio, plotting their plans for 2011, while their reps continue to deny it and admit to little of anything.

Meanwhile, lots of VH-related business is getting done behind the scenes.

Warner/Chappell recently inked deals with Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony, all of the VH family.

As part of the new agreement, Warner/Chappell acquired the entire catalog of songs written by Sammy Hagar – songwriter/guitarist, and former lead singer of Van Halen (1986 through 1996) - including his work with the bands Van Halen, Montrose and Chickenfoot, as well as his music as a solo artist.

In addition, Warner/Chappell extended and expanded its worldwide administration agreements with songwriters David Lee Roth, original lead singer for Van Halen (1978 through 1984), and Michael Anthony, bassist for Van Halen and Chickenfoot.

Roth’s existing catalog, including his Van Halen and solo work, as well as Anthony’s work with Van Halen and Chickenfoot’s debut self-titled album, are part of the agreements.

“Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony have not only each co-written hit songs recorded by Van Halen on some of the highest-selling albums of all time, but each had success on other solo or band recording projects as well,” said Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music, and Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S.

“Their work is classic, timeless and adored around the world. The entire Warner/Chappell staff is excited to be working with such revered musicians who we know will continue to thrill fans for years to come.”

Warner/Chappell made a similar announcement in August regarding the administration of publishing by Eddie and Alex Van Halen.

The flag-raiser in that press release was the final line, which read: “The group is currently in the studio recording an album with Roth that is due for release in 2011.”

Sammy-era VH remasters are loooooong overdue and I'd love to see it even if I think the last 2 with Sammy were lame. I'll believe these when I see them. Just a hunch-no remaster for the woeful VH III!

A friend of mine had a great line that they should recall VHIII and issue a public apology for it.

Take a deep breath and then read (you're welcome, and please cringe at the Clive Davis quote!)...

From Hennemusic.com:


Van Halen's plans for 2011 are coming into focus.

The Van Halen News Desk reports that the band will enter the studio in January to begin work on a new album, their first with David Lee Roth since 1984, and their first new music with Roth since ’96.

Sources tell the VHND that the band is very eager to tour, and that they want to tour behind new material. Eddie Van Halen has been very busy during most of 2010 writing music. Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen often join Eddie in the 5150 studio and the three of them have been hard at work jamming and recording demos. The three Van Halens have been sending the music to David Lee Roth, who’s adding the lyrics. Two of the VHND’s sources have heard some of the early versions of the tracks (without vocals) and were very pleased. The music is said to sound like straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll and “very Van Halen.”

After talking to several producers, the band has chosen Grammy award winner producer/songwriter/musician John Shanks (whom Clive Davis calls “the father of that guitar-driven kind of pop sound”).

Shanks has worked with Miley Cyrus, Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Santana, Rod Stewart, Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morissette, Hilary Duff, Train’s Pat Monahan, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Pink, Liz Phair, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, and many more.

In January, 2011, David, Eddie, Alex & Wolfgang will head into the studio to begin recording with the much sought-after producer. The band is hopeful that the recording sessions will lead to a full studio album that would be completed and available sometime next year.

Interestingly, the band is planning on recording in John Shank’s Henson Studio as well as Van Halen’s 5150 Studios, making next month the first time Van Halen will record anywhere outside of their own studio since it was built in 1983, with the exception of some vocals that were recorded in Vancouver in 1994 for the 1995 "Balance" release.

The band is reportedly re-exploring Eddie’s extensive library of unreleased songs and riffs, even reaching back to their early unreleased demos for added inspiration. The band is retooling and tweaking some of this mostly-unheard music, which have completely new lyrics from Roth. Eddie is said to even be considering developing a song or two from the material that he wrote for “The Wild Life” movie score in the mid 1980′s.

It is very unlikely that there will be any confirmation from Van Halen themselves about any of this. The band has a definite policy of not talking until their plans are 100% solid and everything is in place. They don’t want to announce any plans that might not pan out, so as to not disappoint fans.

The TRUTH about the Van Halen rumors:

And now for the die-hard fans, the Van Halen News Desk will tackle all the currently widespread rumors and either shoot them down or confirm them as true.

Rumor: Van Halen are working towards finishing recording of a new studio album with David Lee Roth and a single is slated for release before the end of this year.
FALSE. The band starts recording in January.

Rumor: The band will tour extensively in 2011, taking in North America, and likely European and Australian dates.
FALSE. Although a 2011 tour may occur, no such tour is currently planned.

Rumor: 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.
Mostly TRUE. The band has written lots of new music and hopes to complete an album, but a nothing is definite right now.

Rumor: DLR’s vocals are being recorded away from the 5150 studio.
Partially True. This is true, but only in regards to the early demos, not the final recording. This is what many bands do before entering the studio. The entire band will reconvene in the studio in January.

Rumor: Eddie has recorded most of the bass parts for the album.
FALSE. Eddie could have recorded some of the bass parts for the early demos when Wolfie wasn’t around, as he often did when Michael Anthony was in the band. Wolfgang has been recording demos all year, and he’ll be playing all the bass parts on the finished tracks.

Rumor: There is a deal in place between Warner Bros. and the band for a new album.
FALSE. If a new album is released, it will most likely be a direct deal with Walmart or Best Buy.

Rumor: Van Halen has chosen Ross Hogarth to produce new music.
FALSE. The producer they chose is John Shanks. Hogarth is an engineer rather than a producer, and is not involved with Van Halen whatsoever.

Rumor: Chris Cornell from Soundgarden has recorded some background vocals on some of the new music.
FALSE.

Rumor: A spokeperson for Van Halen recently clarified that the band isn’t doing anything and that there will definitely be no new album or tour next year.
FALSE. A spokeperson for Van Halen did indeed shoot down the recent rumors of planned tour and an album near completion. He was being honest in doing so, since there is currently neither a tour planned, nor an album near completion. However, he did say that the band is currently “working on stuff”, but gave no further details.

Rumor: The main reason that the band never released a DVD of the 2007-2008 tour was because the band members could not reach a financial agreement over the deal.
FALSE. The reason that it wasn’t released had nothing at all to do with finances. The band simply wasn’t happy enough with the footage and felt that many camera angles weren’t right.

Rumor: Warner Bros is preparing to release Blu-Ray editions of “Live Without a Net” and “Live Right Here Right Now.”
Unknown. We don’t know if this is true or not.

Rumor: Warner Bros is releasing limited edition remastered vinyl releases of Van Halen II, Women And Children First, and 1984 on Dec. 13th, 2010.
True, except for release date. The 3 vinyls will be released, but they’ve been pushed back until sometime in early 2011.

Rumor: Warner Bros is preparing to release re-masters of the Sammy Hagar era catalogue
Partially True. They are talking about releasing remasters of the Sammy Hagar era albums, but nothing has been decided yet.

Here’s an additional thought on VH – while the band is working on new music, could someone in their organization invest some time in doing something/anything with their website? The site hasn’t been updated in a year…and it offers nothing in the way of content.

VH management really need to look into this whole “internet thing” the kids are talking about these days…

Clive Davis aside (shudder), this news sounds promising. Maybe Eddie is still sober and realizes now that a back to basics approach is the best thing.

Until I see an actual CD release, I believe nothing from this band.

Same here, Mark.

Until I hear the new material and have a chance to judge with my own ears whether it's a return to form, my money will remain in my wallet.

IF it comes out I'm not expecting much. I'll probably pass on a tour again too.

The rumor mill has been churning for months, but it appears Van Halen are heading into the studio to record a new studio album with Grammy-winning producer John Shanks (Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Pink, Celine Dion).

Melodicrock.com is reporting the band will be joined in the studio by original frontman David Lee Roth for their first new studio album since 1998’s Van Halen III. It will be Roth’s first new album with Eddie and Alex since 1984’s 1984.

There is no word about a completion date for the album nor any subsequent tour, though Melodicrock.com reports that Eddie is not interested in touring without new music in his quiver. It is also reporting that the band’s Warner label might want to release a career-spanning box set after reaching new publishing deals with Roth, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony.

Van Halen has announced its first series of live shows for 2011.



VH will headline the 2011 edition of Soundwave Revolution, an annual music festival held in major cities around Australia.

Other major acts sharing the bill with VH are Hole, Alice Cooper, Machine Head, Danzig, Bad Religion, Alter Bridge, Versa Emerge, Sisters of Mercy and The Pretty Reckless; beyond that, there’s a ton of other bands involved.

Van Halen
Soundwave Revolution 2011

Sep 24 – Brisbane
Sep 25 – Sydney
Sep 30 – Melbourne
Oct 01 – Adelaide
Oct 03 – Perth

Full lineup and more details are at the festival’s website

Still no update from the band on the status of the current album they’re working on in the studio with producer John Shanks.

In March, That Metal Show host Eddie Trunk tweeted that he heard gossip from a “reliable source” that the “VH album is close to done and will come out this year. Label TBD” At the same time, the Van Halen News Desk reported that this timing matches up perfectly with what they’ve heard from a trusted source – that the recording process is going great and the band is starting to mix the new tracks.

The recording will be VH’s first with David Lee Roth since 1984 (recorded in ’83), their first new music with Roth since ’96, the first effort with new bassist Wolfgang VH, and their first studio album since 1998’s “Van Halen III”…an album that was also launched with an Australian tour.

I'll be excited for the new album when I know it's coming out.

I wonder if Wolfgang is actually playing the bass parts on the album. There have been rumors that Eddie is playing the bass tracks like he did on the last album.