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Unreleased "Van Halen" pre-dating their first album in 1978


funky

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Originally posted by funky:

These are all unreleased recordings of Van Halen, before they released their first album in 1978.

I think the first two are from a live show in San Diego; a boot I have has Roth saying "helloooooo San Diego, we're VanHalen from (not Pasadena) Los Angeles...".. which is a trip when you think about the concept they had to TELL people who they were at one time. The rest... cool, I hadn't heard the House of Pain demo.

 

They all show that I presume Templeman had a fair hand in arranging perhaps. I definitely prefer the end product to these; there's more of a vibe shift in different sections of the songs, whereas on the demos is like a constant chug through the whole thing. Interesting.

 

The best VH bootleg though is from their last show at the Pasadena Civic Center before they were signed... it sounds raw and aggressive, they sounded all over their game, and upbeat as well. Great stuff, you can hear Eddie's amps crackling and making noises, real dry up front drum sound.. people rag Alex for his sound, but it sounds like him and that's a cool thing... Great raw SVT bass sound, just basic rock, which they obviously did very well back then....

 

Actually, the coolest VH boot I've hear is one where they were playing live in some club/bar, and they finish something like "Ain't Talking About Love" - and not only do you not hear applause, in the background you can hear a pool cue hit a ball.. "click"... Hilarious...

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/ "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien

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This stuff is mixed pretty badly.

 

That is defintely Ed though. A little raw and unrefined, but you gotta love it.

 

I could talk VanHalen for hours. Eddie was (is) defintely the guitarist who has most influenced me. I love his chops, rythym and the man was maybe the best hook writer.

 

I'm working on a version of "Unchained" that I'd like to record this summer some time. If I can get to a studio and do it, I'll post it later this summer. Fun song.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with Eddie and his health. The official word is that he is cancer free, but there are some rumors that aren't as positive.

 

Talk about coincidence... "Dance The Night Away" just came on the radio!

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I wouldn't be surprised if some of this stuff comes from the demo tape that Simmons payed for.

 

Thanks for the links!!

Oscar plays a stock Gibson Les Paul with P90's, a stock Epiphone Alleykat (both strung with .011's with a wound G), a Fender HotRod Deluxe, a Fender Frontman 15 Reverb and a Vox ValveTone.
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