RollingStone.com has posted a couple of short excerpts from an exclusive interview it conducted with VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth about burying the ax with Eddie Van Halen, playing the old favorites with a different attitude and the possibility of a permanent VH reunion.
On his first post-reunion jam with Eddie:
Roth: Eddie and I wrote the songs, every note, every syllable, as if we invented a language that only we can speak. It was an easy, natural thing… When you speak a language that you both created, it's natural to go, "I know you." So it was very easy. There wasn't any stumble at all. I just showed up, and twenty minutes later, it was the usual, "How's the wife, how's the kids, let's play." When you're born to do that language, you speak it naturally. I never forgot it.
On how rehearsals are going:
Roth: The chemistry is combustible. There's an explosive sound there that is, I think, perhaps… unless you were there, which most folks weren't, than you may have forgotten. This is really sophisticated, smart stuff. Everybody's at the top of their game in terms of… it's not just intangible things. My voice is arguably better than it was when I left the band back when. I love what I do, perhaps for some different reasons now than I did, more so than I did. It's a privilege to do what I do for a living.
On whether or not the reunion will be permanent:
Roth: God willin', and the creek don't run dry, just like Grandma Roth used to say. Barring any act of God or Ferrari…yeah. I have hope and faith, and that's more than just the name of a couple of strippers from Albuquerque.
THE CULT vocalist Ian Astbury has officially moved on from working with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of THE DOORS. The band, performing under the moniker RIDERS ON THE STORM, has toured the world extensively over the past four years, and had just completed a sold-out 13-date tour of Europe. Astbury, who is now fully engaged in re-launching THE CULT alongside guitarist Billy Duffy, has decided it was time to close that chapter of his musical career.
"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," Astbury said in a statement. "I have enjoyed performing and sharing the stage with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger immensely. I have learned a great deal from the both of them, and it certainly has expanded my abilities as a performer. This has been a difficult decision to make but I feel I would be holding them back as well as myself if I did not depart at this time. Great love and respect to all the fans. Thank you for everything you have shared with me...."
There is no word at press time on his possible replacement; however, RIDERS ON THE STORM manager Tom Vitorino stated that the band will continue to perform, and is currently considering a very short list of vocalists.
DEEP PURPLE and GODSMACK have been confirmed for this year's Rock Fest, set to take place July 19-22 in Cadott, Wisconsin. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Thursday, July 19:
04:30 DENNIS DEYOUNG
06:30 THE MICK FLEETWOOD BAND
08:45 DEEP PURPLE
11:00 BOSTON
