Comments on: Girl Gone Bad by Van Halen, Drum Cover http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/ THE blog for all things drumming Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:48:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: john http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-10465 john Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:16:14 +0000 http://theparadiddler.com/?p=1042#comment-10465 A lot of people think Michael Anthony could've played better - but according to Eddie, in most bands the drums are the bottom or foundation. In VH it was different because Ed and Al had such an innate connection, that Mike became the bottom - a lot of time just playing 1/8th notes and keeping the foundation, so Ed and Al could do whatever they wanted. Mike also said that he didn't want to play lead bass, because with him doing too much, and Ed all over the place, it would be chaos. I think VH owes a lot of their commercial success to his simple chugging bass lines and his signature harmonies. I saw them on the last tour and as good as Eddie's son may be, the vocals were lacking as was the whole vibe... A lot of people think Michael Anthony could’ve played better – but according to Eddie, in most bands the drums are the bottom or foundation. In VH it was different because Ed and Al had such an innate connection, that Mike became the bottom – a lot of time just playing 1/8th notes and keeping the foundation, so Ed and Al could do whatever they wanted. Mike also said that he didn’t want to play lead bass, because with him doing too much, and Ed all over the place, it would be chaos. I think VH owes a lot of their commercial success to his simple chugging bass lines and his signature harmonies. I saw them on the last tour and as good as Eddie’s son may be, the vocals were lacking as was the whole vibe…

]]> By: Omar http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-10464 Omar Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:52:43 +0000 http://theparadiddler.com/?p=1042#comment-10464 Hey John. Thanks for the compliments! To this day that's one of my favorite covers, even though I was very rough back then. I knew it could have been even better, but I was happy with the result. As far as Michael Anthony, my feelings are mixed about him. His vocals are unmistakably Van Halen, a vital key to their vocal sound. But as far as his bass playing, I'm not a big fan. In saying that, though, he had flashes of brilliance, in the aforementioned "Girl Gone Bad", and in "Hang 'Em High", my <em>two </em>favorite Van Halen songs. I tended to be frustrated with him at times because I always thought he could play better, but didn't always do so (at least in my ears). But whatever negativity he gets, his playing did allow Eddie and Alex to play at their level of excellence, so just for that he was integral to their musical success. Again, I'm very glad you liked the cover. And if you ever play this song in a band, have the drummer look at my video! :) Hey John.

Thanks for the compliments! To this day that’s one of my favorite covers, even though I was very rough back then. I knew it could have been even better, but I was happy with the result.

As far as Michael Anthony, my feelings are mixed about him. His vocals are unmistakably Van Halen, a vital key to their vocal sound. But as far as his bass playing, I’m not a big fan. In saying that, though, he had flashes of brilliance, in the aforementioned “Girl Gone Bad”, and in “Hang ‘Em High”, my two favorite Van Halen songs.

I tended to be frustrated with him at times because I always thought he could play better, but didn’t always do so (at least in my ears). But whatever negativity he gets, his playing did allow Eddie and Alex to play at their level of excellence, so just for that he was integral to their musical success.

Again, I’m very glad you liked the cover. And if you ever play this song in a band, have the drummer look at my video! :)

]]> By: john http://theparadiddler.com/2009/08/10/girl-gone-bad-by-van-halen-drum-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-10461 john Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:18:13 +0000 http://theparadiddler.com/?p=1042#comment-10461 Great song - and great job. I think this was the only real live jam on any VH record - no overdubs, just 3 of them blasting away. As you pointed out, Alex sounds his best and if you listen closely to the bass line, Michael Anthony is jamming all over the place. Eddie never once gave that guy any credit. He was a HUGE part of their sound, holding down the bottom on bass and his background vocals were a defining part of their sound. It's a shame they screwed him. I agree with you - one of their best songs !! I'm a guitar player and wish I had a drummer who could play this as well as you !! Great song – and great job. I think this was the only real live jam on any VH record – no overdubs, just 3 of them blasting away. As you pointed out, Alex sounds his best and if you listen closely to the bass line, Michael Anthony is jamming all over the place. Eddie never once gave that guy any credit. He was a HUGE part of their sound, holding down the bottom on bass and his background vocals were a defining part of their sound. It’s a shame they screwed him. I agree with you – one of their best songs !! I’m a guitar player and wish I had a drummer who could play this as well as you !!

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