• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Michael Anthony and Van Halen

#141
JimmyM said:
i hear lots of bass players on records that i think i'm better than they are. that doesn't mean they suck...that just means i'm pretty good ;) but a lot of them are still very good.
Click to expand...

Again +1.

What I'm about to say isn't really on the original topic of the thread, but since a lot of people are saying things along the line, I want to point something out.

One thing I learned the hard way, is that going around thinking and saying your better than people will cost you gigs and prevent people from recruiting you into their band if they're auditioning.

Unfortunately, I'm speaking from personal experience. About 6 or 7 years ago, I was one of those egotistical jackwagons that actually said to people "I'm better than this guy, why the hell is he in a band and I'm not?"

As fate would have it, it turned out some of the bassists I was dissing were in the band of the person I was dissing them too. Needless to say, word got around that I was an egotistical jerk. To this day there are a couple of people that will not hire me or start a project with me because of my actions then.

Moral of the story, it doesn't matter who you think sucks and who you think you're better than, because it's best to just keep your big trap shut when it comes to things like that. Especially, when the persons been a working professional for 40 years. Music is also not a competitive sport, you don't have to be the best out there to be good at what you're doing.
 
#142
prd004 said:
I've heard him play and sing, thus my post. For years and years I thought the only reason he was in the band was because he could sing the high harmonies, and then I heard him live. No talent.
Click to expand...


i donno man..i was listening to some Fair Warning cuts at the gym today and Mean Street struck me that Mike's right hand technique is fairly nimble....i'm not a huge fan of rock bass but i think he served the band well...someone's gotta stay outta the way of the Van Halen brothers ...
 
#143
Billyzoom said:
I used to have a low regard for MA back in the day, but it was largely due to his jack daniels bass and his silly "bass solo". Just a bunch of noise and foolishness.

Then I wised up some and grew up some. It's all been said here....he holds down the bottom, understands his role, is a great entertainer, excellent background vocals, etc. He's a pro. Not a virtuoso, but a solid musician and a seasoned pro.

Of course, he was also the lone class act in a band full of attention-starved, immature, classless, egocentric d***heads. You might have made them four for four.

Joel
Click to expand...


i would agree ..i think this sums it up nicely ....
 
#144
cassanova said:
Moral of the story, it doesn't matter who you think sucks and who you think you're better than, because it's best to just keep your big trap shut when it comes to things like that. Especially, when the persons been a working professional for 40 years. Music is also not a competitive sport, you don't have to be the best out there to be good at what you're doing.
Click to expand...

Exactly. If you act like a twit, don't be surprised when people treat you like one.
 
#146
I don't get this thread. I assume M.A. wrote most, or all of the bass lines for songs that sold massive numbers of records... He didn't learn to copy them... he WROTE them. He played stadiums all over the world.... Is a complete pro player, who sings at the same time.... and managed to keep his ego in check to stay with a successful band for years... Then he went off to play with other great players... And people here want to say he's no good? Clearly bass players are sometimes hired because they fit in with the personalities of the other players, even if they're not monster soloists... and in the case of guitar-god types, they often get rid of bass-soloists so they don't have to compete with them. I've been playing bass for 38 years, sometimes professionally, sometimes just semi-professionally, and I cannot imagine ever thinking someone "Sucks" just because I don't care for the tone, or the style or whatever. Personally, I'm sick of bass solo wanking/slapping that drones on forever and does nothing to support the song or the rest or the band. I'm glad he played the parts he did.. they fit the music, and allowed EVH to shine... which I imagine was his job. No matter how good you are, or just think you are.... There is plenty we can all learn from anyone who has had the level of success that Mr. Anthony has had. And... Although I never met the guy... I know people who have, and they said he was a sincerely nice, very humble guy.... Who exactly are any of us to have anything but admiration for him?
 
#147
Well said, Boisebassco. I did read somewhere (?) that EVH took more and more total control over the writing/playing of the baselines on the last few albums MA was there for (If I find this again, I'll post the link). I remember thinking that Eddie came across as a self-server, ego-maniac in that article. What has come out about the "behind the scenes" BS in the band and the way MA handled it seems to show Michael in a good light, thought. He still seems like a great guy and EVH can never take that away from him. BTW...I love his hot sauces, too:)
 
#148
Medford Bassman said:
I suggest people read the article. Basically, Sammy is saying EVH is beyond a drunk crazy person.

Sammy's comments about Michael center around how the VH brothers regulated MA to a sideman position on the 2004 tour and really lowered his income as opposed to the four way split it always was. I get the impression Sammy thought it was uncalled for, mean spirited and down right low.

I was impressed in the article how well it seems Sammy has his head screwed on.

One exmaple he gave was at the end of the tour, he had bottles of his tequila his company produces. He had a bottle for each of the 127 employees on the tour he was autographing and was planning on giving to each employee. Apparently, while signing bottles, EVH came and started to grab a bottle to drink. Sammy explained to EVH that he has an exact amount and not to touch them because that meant an employee would be left out. EVH didn't care and basically made comments it's all about him, etc. Very sad really.

Sammy also talks about the lack of personal hygiene, EVH pulling his own teeth, missing many teeth and the remaining being black anyway. really, really sad.
Click to expand...

I just read some excerpts. Dang, Eddie is a major nutcase. Check it out: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

As far as Michael Anthony goes, he's a very good bassist and singer. I've seen VH with both Roth and Hagar, and the shows were great. Of course this was back in the 80's, before Eddie started on the meth. It's a pitiful story, but clearly the guy is a narcissist. Too bad too -- he used to be a fabulous guitarist.
 
#150
boisebassco said:
I don't get this thread. I assume M.A. wrote most, or all of the bass lines for songs that sold massive numbers of records... He didn't learn to copy them... he WROTE them. He played stadiums all over the world.... Is a complete pro player, who sings at the same time.... and managed to keep his ego in check to stay with a successful band for years... Then he went off to play with other great players... And people here want to say he's no good? Clearly bass players are sometimes hired because they fit in with the personalities of the other players, even if they're not monster soloists... and in the case of guitar-god types, they often get rid of bass-soloists so they don't have to compete with them. I've been playing bass for 38 years, sometimes professionally, sometimes just semi-professionally, and I cannot imagine ever thinking someone "Sucks" just because I don't care for the tone, or the style or whatever. Personally, I'm sick of bass solo wanking/slapping that drones on forever and does nothing to support the song or the rest or the band. I'm glad he played the parts he did.. they fit the music, and allowed EVH to shine... which I imagine was his job. No matter how good you are, or just think you are.... There is plenty we can all learn from anyone who has had the level of success that Mr. Anthony has had. And... Although I never met the guy... I know people who have, and they said he was a sincerely nice, very humble guy.... Who exactly are any of us to have anything but admiration for him?
Click to expand...

well spoken!
 
#151
The bad part about playing bass for EVH is on a lot of tracks the bass is buried below the guitar, vocals and drums. I have been in cover bands where I had to learn EVH songs. I pretty much had to make up my own bass part because I couldn't really hear one on the recording. There are a few songs where the bass stands out, but that is an exception.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass nitro
#153
Van Halen was one person. Ed.
MA was very lucky to be with him for so many years. If Ed was not nice towards him he could have left. It was only a rock n roll band..bass players get fired all the time. I do not feel sorry for him just because he used to be very rich and now because of bad Ed he dont earn as much anymore. MA has been way luckier than most of us.
I suspect that Ed himself did some of the bass playing on the records. E.g 1984.
 
#154
"Lucky" implies that MA or any successful pro of any kind, (Music, acting, sports, whatever), didn't put himself out there to Work in his field... Devote his life to making music, touring, being a side-man to bigger names, making less money, staying in hotel rooms every night of the year when you'd rather be home... if you even have a home in the beginning. MA did that while I, and I suspect most of us were content to choose family or a day job to have some security, instead of risking everything trying to make it in a very tough industry. It's not nearly as glamorous or easy as people seem to think. It's work. It's great to love what you do... but night after night, year after year.... I respect anyone who made those sacrifices, and I'm happy for the success he has earned because of it. We all make choices, and we should all take responsibility for where our choices have gotten us. Luck? Not so much.
 
#157
factorplayer said:
I looked at some of the links to the rolling stone articles/slideshows but none actually mention MA. Is that only in Sammy's book or what?
Click to expand...

Yes, they quotes are from Sammy's book. The point was to show what a wanker Eddie is. And for Michael to take the high road and not bash him -- when it would be so easy -- shows how much class MA has.
 
#158
VH was never my thing and Michael Anthony not one of my influences. Having said that the dude can play, really play. He could most likely kick our collective asses around the block. Geeze show some respect all you jazzbassspluckingjacowannbes. :hiding:
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass nitro
#159
sammyp said:
i donno man..i was listening to some Fair Warning cuts at the gym today and Mean Street struck me that Mike's right hand technique is fairly nimble....i'm not a huge fan of rock bass but i think he served the band well...someone's gotta stay outta the way of the Van Halen brothers ...
Click to expand...

That is one of the best rock albums of all times. So underrated.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back