Thu 11.08 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum

James - The show opened with a Bob Marley Reggie band, not the right place for that type of music, but I guess Dave & Eddie were high and got a kick out of it. They could have gotten a guy with bagpipes to open and it would have sucked just as much. I guess they forgot there was a sold out place full of rockers and not assholes. 

Now to the concert. Every review I read prior to the show I saw said they were great. Perfect form and it was a night to remember.  Ok what really happened at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island NY on November 8th 2007.  They sucked balls, a great big freakin’ letdown. If anybody walked out of there saying they were good they were high on crack.  They were loud, I give them that. There was no bottom end to their sound, no bass, and no drums like thunder. Just loud sound without the music substance. A lot of distortion.

Years ago Alex switched to fake drums instead of using the real deep bass drums the kind most drummers actually like to use for the feel and the look. His drums sounded like he was hitting a garbage can, and not a bass drum. First real disappointment to ruin the show and sound.  Then Eddie, well he can still play, just it sounded like shit, again loud isn't the problem, lack of sound in it is. He was distorted as well.  His fat bastard of a son should never have been there. I didn't see any signs that said where’s mike in the audience.

Van Halen used to be one of the greatest bands around for harmonizing, that’s how a lot of their songs came off great. Well lose mike and add a fat bastard that can't sing, then there goes the background and harmonizing section that made Van Halen great. Any musician will tell you that’s the truth. So a lot of their songs when you understood what they were trying to play sucked balls because there was no background or good harmonizing singers behind Dave.

Now for Dave. I saw him years ago with Sammy Hagar, he was freakin’ great. Sang very well, and very professional. Now move ahead to the Van Halen reunion. Dave sucked; forget the fact that he can't hit the highs, that’s ok. But he can't even sing like a human being. Every song he had to have a weird accent, and dumb twang. He also forgot a lot of the lyrics and his chorus’s were off.

I really wish they never did this reunion tour, because apparently it was just for the money, none of them put their heart into it, and it showed. I saw a few reunions shows, like Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, and others. Van Halen should never have done this; they really sucked balls, and let down all their fans. I would rather have always hoped to see a show that I would have believed would have been great if it came to pass. Instead of actually seeing the show I’ve waited 23 years to see and was so let down. They should give everybody back their money and an apology they were on drugs and didn't give a shit.

I was listening to a radio station on long island the next morning, wbab 102.3 fm; they actually made a comment and said it was an 8 out of 10 stars show. I wish I had their number handy. They couldn't have been there, and if they were they were high.

I love van Halen, and I waited decades to see this show, it was such a letdown. The opening Reggie band they had sounded much better and much more professional. The set list was great, but the show should never have happened.

Setlist:

01. You Really Got Me
02. I'm the One
03. Runnin' With the Devil
04. Romeo Delight
05. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
06. Beautiful Girls
07. Dance the Night Away
08. Atomic Punk
09. Everybody Wants Some
10. So This Is Love?
11. Mean Street
12. Pretty Woman
13. Drum Solo
14. Unchained
15. I'll Wait
16. And the Cradle Will Rock
17. Hot for Teacher
18. Little Dreamer
19. Little Guitars
20. Jamie's Cryin'
21. Ice Cream Man
22. Panama
23. Guitar Solo
24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
 
ENCORE:
25. 1984
26. Jump

Arnold - Went to see VH @ the Nassau Coliseum, New York. Thursday, Nov. 8th. I saw VH some 20 + years ago at the Meadowlands in NJ, Roth spent most  of his time stumbling across the stage & was to drunk to remember the words.

Thursday's show was much better than I could have ever imagined. (and I can imagine a lot.)  David, Eddie & Alex are in great shape!!   They opened with "You really got me" and it was full speed ahead. They were all business and banged out song after song, Roth was brief & let the music do the talking.  Roth's voice was amazing from the start & continued to get stronger through the entire show. (not a crack in his voice)  I never saw a lead singer so happy to be on stage.  The most dialog of the night came with Roth telling a little story before "Ice Cream Man",  (I think everyone related to his story!!!)

Eddie's guitar playing was effortless, flawless and did not miss a note. His talent is amazing. Usually I am bored by a drum solo but  Alex keep everyone's attention and bathroom brakes were non-existent
Wolfgang did a terrific job on bass/backing vocals and it was obvious Eddie is a proud father. They were on stage over 2 hours The show ended with Jump and nobody left disappointed.

I would not think twice about going to see them again at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 13th. (Some of the best money I ever spent on a concert!!!), YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW!!!!