I just think it’s cool that I have two Samuel L. Jackson figures in the same scale from the same toy company and from two of my favourite franchises.
The two figures are Marvel Legends’ Nick Fury (from Captain Marvel) and Star Wars The Black Series Mace Windu (Episode II and III). They use this new digital facial scanning technology to get the faces eerily accurate. Which do you think looks most like Jackson himself?
The Cradle Did Rock! We had a great time talking Eddie Van Halen, memories and music. If you miss Eddie as much as we do, then watch this live stream. We digest the loss of the Edward the Great, share stories and learn new things. Thanks to Aaron/ Mr. Books, Kevin / Buried on Mars, John / 2 loud 2 old music, Eric / Uncle Meat, and Tyler / Dravonous for joining the panel tonight.
I started the stream with some pre-show unboxings, which you can check out if you watch the whole stream from the very start. If you only want to see the Van Halen discussion, then start at 0:20:00.
Thanks again everyone for watching and participating!
The LeBrain Train – 2000 Words or More with Mike Ladano
Episode 31
Shitty week, huh? That’s why I’m here — to help you deal with the bad stuff, and leave feeling better at the end. This week we are here to grieve, to mourn, and also to pay tribute to the greatest guitar player who ever lived: Edward Van Halen.
We’re forgoing the list format, and just talking about what Eddie and his music meant to us personally. Expect the usual suspects on the panel, and please post your comments so we can see what you have to say about King Edward. Together we’ll process this horrible loss, and by the end we’ll feel a little better. Van Halen meant a lot to me. They were one of the first bands I ever liked. We’ll talk about that and lots more.
For best results, view on YouTube. Facebook is notoriously stoppy-starty. For those who tune in early (before the official 7:00 PM start), there will be three unboxings to enjoy.
7:00 PM E.S.T. Facebook: MikeLeBrain YouTube: Mike LeBrain
AC/DC – “Shot in the Dark” (2020 Sony single)
Be honest with me. Until recently, did you really expect a new AC/DC album in 2020? The notoriously private band were spotted at a studio in Vancouver a while ago, but aside from that it’s been total radio silence.
Until now. Power Up!
Brian “Beano” Johnson found himself the recipient of brand new, high-tech in-ear monitors enabling him to sing live once again. Phil Rudd put his past behind him. This was enough to get Cliff Williams back on board. Angus Young had been sorting through dozens of riffs written by Malcolm. With nephew Stevie Young still in the fold to play those riffs, AC/DC were a band once more.
2020’s Power Up (or PWRϟUP) will be the first AC/DC album since the death of both George and Malcolm Young.
“Shot in the Dark” is the first single, available now on iTunes when you pre-order the album. “Shot in the dark, beats a walk in the park.” I highly doubt that it was a walk in the park, but the thing about AC/DC is that they make everything better. (This week’s episode of the LeBrain Train was supposed to be about AC/DC bringing us exactly what we needed in 2020. It has obviously been postponed so we can talk about Eddie Van Halen instead.) If Black Sabbath’s “Rock and Roll Doctor” was a real person, there is little question that they would have prescribed us some AC/DC in 2020. We needed this. Like an Aspirin when your head is achin’, we needed a “Shot” of AC/DC. Something bright and shiny to look forward to.
What AC/DC do, only they can do right. There’s nothing even remotely unique about “Shot in the Dark”. It’s AC/DC. It is what it is and does what it does, and it’s pretty simple. All you need is a beat, a catchy guitar lick, and a belting singer. “Shot in the Dark” has all that. The things that do jump out this time are Angus’ solo — slidey goodness — and the sheer joie de vivre of it all. Brian is sounding great. Some have noted that AC/DC sounds more like the genuine article when Phil Rudd is on drums. His thrift and pocket groove are peanut butter and jelly.
Rating a new AC/DC song is kind of pointless. They always come out with something good, albeit familiar, for a first single. 1990’s “Thunderstruck” was an exception. It’s been this way since 1995’s “Hard As a Rock”. AC/DC drop a new single, and it’s always the same. Good and familiar. Same thing here. Ratings are meaningless so we’ll call it a perfect score just because we should all be happy as fuck that AC/DC are back.
5/5 stars
VAN HALEN – Live Without a Net (1987 Warner Reprise VHS/DVD)
I set the VCR to record. MuchMusic were showing the full concert: Van Halen, Live Without a Net! Though they beeped the naughty words, I had to make sure I didn’t miss this special. I’d never heard Van Halen doing Roth tunes with Hagar before! Folks, there was a lot of beeping.
Live Without a Net is undoubtedly goofy, and that is part of its charm. It’s kind of annoying every time Sammy proclaims that they are in “New Halen” instead of New Haven, but I guess he had to. I still don’t understand why Sammy painted that lady’s shoes red. The fact that a roadie had red spray paint on standby was kind of cool though. The band were obviously wasted, but put on a completely epic show nonetheless. It was light on the Roth stuff that Sammy didn’t want to do, like “Jump”, but they also played virtually all of their new album 5150.
The new stuff was heavier on keyboards and for many of the songs, Eddie was playing the keys while Sammy actually played the solos. Unusual for this band; absolutely. Sammy’s solo in “Love Walks In” ain’t half bad. While I enjoyed this change of pace, Bob Schipper did not. “A guy like Eddie Van Halen shouldn’t be stuck on keyboards,” he said. I’ll be honest here. I prefer Eddie playing keyboards live, even if it means Sammy’s on lead guitar.
The friendship between Sammy and Eddie here is obvious. The chemistry is clear. The tension that used to fuel Van Halen is gone here, and in it’s place is simple male comradery. It’s audible in the music, and Eddie can’t stop grinning…except when he’s busy dragging on that cigarette!
With the new tunes dominating the set, there were only two Roth-era numbers. “Panama” was the only big Roth hit, with “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” representing the first LP. Balancing the Roth songs are two Hagar solo tunes, “There’s Only One Way to Rock” and “I Can’t Drive 55”. These are great and you won’t find too many live versions that are better. There were also the usual guitar, drum and bass solos, but Michael Anthony’s is mostly tuneless. A Zeppelin cover, “Rock and Roll”, closes the set.
As kids, Bob and I didn’t care about the Zeppelin song. What we watched the video for was Eddie himself. When it was time for his solo, we studied it. There was no way we could have understood what he was doing on a musical level, but we watched his actual technique. We wondered if he ever burned his hand on that cigarette dangling from the headstock. Eddie’s solo was like opening a science textbook for the first time. Except this was a textbook that looked and sounded absolutely badass!
This always should have been a live album. Edited, of course. You don’t need the shoe painting episode to fully enjoy Van Halen Live Without a Net.*
4/5 stars
* The painting of the shoes happened during “Best of Both Worlds” and was edited out when released as a single B-side.
In 1962, Jan Van Halen and his family moved from the Netherlands to the United States. Young Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was only seven years old when he switched continents. By his side, as always, was his older brother Alex. The Van Halens were a musical family. Jan played clarinet. Soon Eddie started playing the drums, while Alex picked up the guitar. It was not meant to be. The Rock Gods intervened and the two switched instruments. History had to be made.
In 1972, the Van Halen brothers formed their first band. People were starting to pay attention to this young guitar prodigy who was doing things most players hadn’t thought of yet. Though he wasn’t the first, he popularized tapping, whammy bar dives, and all sorts of harmonics. Unlike the average shredder, Eddie made it musical. Insanely musical. While his techniques were space age, his riffs and melodies were grounded in rock and roll.
There is no need to go over all the players he influenced (thousands? millions?) or the riffs he wrote. There is no other guitar player with the influence of Eddie Van Halen. Was he the greatest of all time?
Yes.
And his most well known guitar solo wasn’t even on his own song!
Even his keyboard playing was genius!
There will never be another Van Halen. No player before or since will have the ingenuity and influence he did. From modifying his own guitars and amps to achieve the perfect “brown sound”, to brutalizing the strings with a drill, he was an innovator. He was the most important of all the guitar innovators. And he sheepishly grinned through the whole thing as if to say, “Who, me? I did that?”
His infectious grin made all the kids love Eddie Van Halen
Cancer doesn’t care about influence or music, or even the love of millions of adoring fans. Eddie fought for years. His battle was a quiet one and we did not know the extent of his illness, though the rumour mills always swirled. Certainly though his output dwindled (only one studio album in over 20 years), interest in him never waned. An Eddie sighting at a recent Tool concert was big news.
Van Halen captained his eponymous band through two successful eras and one less so. Through cancer, hip replacements, and divorce, Eddie plowed on. A massive reunion with lead singer David Lee Roth made people forget the missteps and focused the spotlight on his incendiary playing once more.
Though there are only 12 studio albums in 42 years, Van Halen’s discography stands like a monolith. A massive red, black and white striped monolith with EVH in bold letters at the top. Gone at age 65, Eddie Van Halen will never be forgotten. His name will stand with Paganini, Beethoven and Bach. With Hendrix, Rhodes, and Robert Johnson. Legendary. Immortal. Beyond their own time.
As the celebrity memorials inevitably (and sadly) roll in, we will be reminded of one thing: There will only ever be one Eddie Van Halen.
Rest in peace.
COMPLETE VAN HALEN REVIEW SERIES:
VAN HALEN – Zero (1977 Gene Simmons demo bootleg)
VAN HALEN – Van Halen (1978 Warner)
VAN HALEN – Van Halen II (1979 Warner)
VAN HALEN – Women and Children First (1980 Warner)
VAN HALEN – Fair Warning (1981 Warner)
VAN HALEN – Diver Down (1982 Warner)
VAN HALEN – 1984 (1984 Warner)
VAN HALEN – 5150 (1986 Warner Bros.)
VAN HALEN – OU812 (1988 Warner)
VAN HALEN – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
VAN HALEN – LIVE: Right here, right now. (1993 Warner Bros, plus “Jump” live single)
VAN HALEN – Balance (1995 Warner – Japanese version included)
VAN HALEN – Balance (1995) Review by Derek Kortepeter
VAN HALEN – Best Of Volume I (1996 Warner)
VAN HALEN – 3 (Collectors’ tin 1998)
VAN HALEN – The Best of Both Worlds (2005 Warner)
VAN HALEN – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
VAN HALEN – Tokyo Dome Live in Concert (2015)
VAN HALEN – Tokyo Dome Live in Concert (2015) Review by Tommy Morais
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VAN HALEN – “Best of Both Worlds” (1986 Warner 7″ single)
VAN HALEN – Selections from LIVE: Right here, right now. (1993 Warner promo EP)
VAN HALEN – “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” / “Me Wise Magic” (1996 Warner promo singles)
VAN HALEN – “Can’t Stop Loving You” (Parts 1 & 2, inc. collector’s tin)
VAN HALEN – “Right Now” (1992 cassette single, Warner)
VAN HALEN – Video Hits Volume I (1998 DVD)
VAN HALEN vs. JOHN LENNON – “Imagine A Jump” mashup by “Mighty Mike”
RECORD STORE TALES Part 186: The Van Halen Tin
GETTING MORE TALE #657: Operation: Van Halen (Derek’s Story)
FAITH NO MORE – We Care a Lot (Originally 1985, 2016 Deluxe Band Edition)
In 1985, roughly when a young band called Mr. Bungle was forming elsewhere in California, the legendary Faith No More released their debut album. Original pressings and reissues have the band name written as “Faith. No More.” It was a version of their name that they’d soon drop. The lineup of Chuck Mosely, Jim Martin, Roddy Bottum, Billy Gould and Mike Bordin put together a low-budget debut that garnered them enough attention for their next album to be distruibuted by Warner. A viable career as a rock band followed. As a result of this fruitful career, in 2016 We Care a Lot was officially reissued with a load of bonus tracks and full participation from producer Matt Wallace. As the liner notes say, “We’re putting this out because we can.”
This reissue includes four demos, and interestingly they reveal that there was an instrumental “Intro” for this album that was apparently dropped. This sci-fi, keyboard-led intro would have been an interesting way to kick off the album with some atmosphere and foreboding. (For a custom listening experience, try playing the album with the instrumental first.) The disc instead commences directly with “We Care A Lot”, the first version mind you, not the hit single you know. The sound is a tad more primitive and the lyrics were different in several places. The “NASA Shuttle” hadn’t fallen into the sea yet in 1985, so it is Los Angeles that Chuck cares a lot about it. Instead of the Transformers, he gives a shout-out to Mr. T.
“Jungle” is a disorienteing series of head-punches with reverse-echo. A jagged Jim Martin riff and staggering Mike Bordin drum pattern makes it a relentless slam. Chuck Mosely sounds frantic, unstable and urgent. The same relentless approach pounds your head on “Mark Bowen”, slower but no less imposing. Though Chuck is all over the map with his scattershot vocals, the band is solidly ominous behind him.
An absolutely beautiful acoustic interlude called “Jim” reveals a previously unknown part of Martin’s talents. Though less articulate, this kind of composition sounds like the ones Randy Rhodes would include on an Ozzy record. And just like with Ozzy, next it’s something heavy to slam. That something is “Why Do You Bother”, the original side one closer. Tense and rhythmic, it’s a tornado of fun.
Side two boasts several standout tracks. Certainly “As the Worm Turns” has earned its place in Faith No More history, since Mike Patton re-recorded it in the studio and performed it live numerous times. Its cascading keyboard melody contrasts with the heavy riff. This version is rougher, but no less perfect. “Greed”, which opens the side, is also notable. It reads like a rejection letter from record labels. “They say that when I’m supposed to be singin’, all I’m really doin’ is yelling!” Though one doesn’t think Chuck would have been sensitive to such criticism, he does seem stung that “they say that I can’t sing, that I don’t say a thing, that I make everything up.” But he defiantly strikes back with a heartfelt melody delivered at maximum intensity.
For thunder, check out “Pills for Breakfast”, another instrumental anchored by a Jim Martin riff that could move mountains. Martin’s guitar gives “Arabian Disco” a solid spine, and Mosely shoves in as much melody as he’s got to give. Only here at the tail end of the album does the quality of the songs dip at all. “New Beginnings” is too laid back compared to the rest of the disc, bordering on dull.
Faith No More have been blessed with a number of (arguably) 5/5 star albums in a row: Introduce Yourself (1987), The Real Thing (1989), Angel Dust (1991) and King For a Day (1995). We Care A Lot isn’t quite at that lofty point yet, but it wouldn’t take long. Chuck Mosely’s unique approach of “yelling when he’s supposed to be singing” isn’t for everything and wasn’t fully harnessed in the studio until the next album. But all the ingredients are here, on the first record, ready to explode in every direction. Fortunately for you, this CD edition goes on for another nine bonus tracks!
Some 2016 remixes by Matt Wallace add more punch to the originals: “We Care A Lot”, “Pills For Breakfast”, and “As The Worm Turns” are given the remix treatment. Less echo; louder and punchier guitars. No structural changes. Three of the best tracks were selected, and sound great if played on a shuffle with later Faith No More classics. The next batch of bonus tracks are four demos (including the aforementioned “Intro”). Dig into early version of “Greed”, “Mark Bowen” and “Arabian Disco”. The arrangements are all more or less intact, and the recording is so good that they could have been released long before.
Finally there are two live tracks from San Francisco in 1986. “Jungle” (with a segue into “Shout” by Tears For Fears) and “New Beginnings” are bootleg quality, but look what they have done in terms of track selection. There are no songs repeated among the bonus tracks. Between the demos, remixes and live versions, eight of the album’s ten are present in alternate versions. That’s value for the consumer.
Snag We Care A Lot if you see one in the wild, but absolutely aim for the 2016 Deluxe Band Edition.
4/5 stars
It was a drizzly drive home, with an accident right in the “Sweet Spot” of Highway 401 heading into Kitchener. Perfect for another Max the Axe video. The track is called “Hard Drive” (see what I did there?) and it’s from his 1995 debut cassette Bodies of Water. It’s a killer epic featuring flute, saxophone, and the works.
In this video you’ll notice I’m a patient driver; I don’t change lanes to go faster. I get in the lane I’m supposed to be in and I stay there. I only change lanes a couple times in the whole video.
Pay attention and you’ll see the anti-abortion protesters across from Freeport hospital. You’ll also notice landmarks such as Tim Horton’s (see how many you can spot) and the striking Grand River bridge. Mostly you’ll be annoyed at the tail lights and other drivers. Get a coffee. (This video has been sped up 2.5 times to match the length of the song.) Enjoy the drive!
I’m amused by things you don’t see every day. This week I saw something I’ve never seen before in all my days.
You may have heard of this thing called the “Keto diet”. I won’t get into details (not necessary) but it’s basically a low-carb diet that burns fat and happens to also be good for epilepsy. Someone at work just started the Ketogenic thing. Someone ordered a bucket of KFC chicken and she was in the kitchen taking a picture of it.
Intrigued by anything to do with KFC, I was curious and asked what was up. She showed me the bucket’s contents. Nothing but a sorry mix of bones and chicken skin. All the skin, in fact — the best part of the chicken! (In fact some KFC locations used to sell just the skin as a snack item.) “It’s the carbs in the breading,” she explained. I got it immediately, though not without pity.
At the same time it was a memorable moment for me. I’ve never seen a KFC bucket with all the skin left behind before in my life. And that’s why I chuckle!
This week’s live show included some cool unboxings. Here is a closer look at the three new arrivals at LeBrain HQ.
#1 Dokken – The Lost Songs: 1978-1981 Japanese import. Old unreleased demos polished and finished for release. This baby has a bonus track called “Going Under”.
#2 Accept – Blind Rage Japanese import. 2014 studio album. “Thrown to the Wolves” is the name of this Teutonic terror’s bonus track.
# Alice Cooper – “Don’t Give Up” 7 inch picture disc single. Great to finally have this new Covid-related recording on a physical format.
mikeladano.com 