I think people are reading way too much into that Van Halen soundcheck video (here it is again). Yes, it comes to an end quickly, but if you listen to the beginning they were told to only play for 45 seconds.

One thing that does stick out to me, though, is that it sounds like Eddie goes into the bridge of the song instead of the second verse. It may be just a creative way for him to end the minute or so of playing, but if it's a true mistake it's a pretty big one. You can listen to a full version of the song here. The soundcheck clip ends at about 1:10 in this new video, and the bridge starts at 1:56. Either way, Sammy and/or Mikey should've come in with more vocals right around the time this clip stopped (but they probably didn't, because it's only a soundcheck).

Anyway...all bands soundcheck differently (and Sammy doesn't even soundcheck with Chickenfoot), and I don't think this means anything or was a sign of things to come in Van Halen. I do agree that the Chickenfoot soundcheck looks more FUN than this Van Halen one (or most other bands' soundchecks), but that's another issue entirely...

And about interview comments, I've always found Sammy and Mikey to be completely honest (positive and negative) about Eddie. They may be critical of his work ethic, but they also rarely comment on his drinking and have never commented on (confirmed or denied) his rumored drug use.

Sammy has said some things about Eddie that could be seen as mean (the way he plays "all over the place" in a song, how long it takes him to write, etc.), but those comments always come as a comparison to something else. Sammy will say Eddie plays all over the place when he's talking about Joe, who knows to hold back a bit. Or he'll say at a show that it took him 43 days to write a song in Van Halen because he's talking about how cool it is for Chickenfoot to have done a whole album in that same period of time.

I just thought I'd add my two cents...I'm usually very critical of Eddie, but I don't see reason for that with this.

Pip55 - no "aye"? Yes one day I must go to those 2 "irelands" :>) and OK I could use jersey possibly, what do you call a cycling top then smartypants? lol.

Scuby - oh I get it re the RX8. Haven't checked the vids yet but will do tonight.

the EVH subject...well ive gotten into this at youtube many times...but heres my opinion for whatever its worth....

I was the one biggest fan EVH probably ever had so this isnt coming from someone who doesnt respect Eddie. What i dont respect is.....when a fan approached him back in the day he would throw a bodyguard at them...more than once hes tryed to sue or profit from remakes of his guitars...now he sells them for $25,000...Hes wrote some of the most amazing songs in Rock History but takes his talent for granted and uses it as a tool to keep releasing overpriced gear for profit without releasing any new music.....his performance last tour was some of the sloppiest playing ive ever heard...definately not the Eddie of the 80's...and as a musician His tricks are now getting boring to me and my ears hear feeling and expression and a whole other level coming from Joe and a few others. So if your a music listening fan and you good with the old classics...thats great...i am a musician and try to excel every day...through knowledge and experience...and Joe has taught me 100x times more than Eddie through there music.....the world calls EVH a Guitar God....but the only person i find worthy of God or King when it comes to the guitar is...well just guess...lol....Eddie has become an example of what not to do......as Far as respect from Sammy and Mike....ive heard and read almost every interview with these guys and never once did they ever say anything bad and always the truth....Eddies comments have always been negative or plain ol lies and even his fans Rank on Mike and Sammy though Eddie is the one that chose them both. When the Chickenfoot site opened , some very negative comments were posted...They were coming directly from the EVH camp....dont ask me how i know this..but it was true....finally...the hall of Fame Blow off...was another nail in the coffin of my fanship.....and seeing Chcikenfoot Sammy wearing his OU812 shirt at the beacon was clearly a sign of respect...yeah i have old band shirts...i would never wear them in public...lol...say what you want but Eddies ego and arrogance will never change as its repeated with every group he plays with....a majority of my comments would be forgotten if a heard a new song as promised by eddie for years, decades..whatever...tired of hoping for him to come to....probably too late....He was asked about his opinion of Chickenfoot and he said.." I dont listen to anyone".....bullshit!....pretty much my last interest in Him Latest news from EVH is he had surgery on his arm and wont be able to play....2 weeks later hes twittering that he playing old VH songs...some ol same ol...lies and no new music...thats all.

Austin DTS- your points are 100% valid and i agree...You cant blame Sammy for having a little built up anger when he gave Eddie 100% and dealt with his crap and he played the kick the guy out card..the easy road...and for Mike who should be more angry than anyone....is smiling and happy all the time..he must have been like family to the VH's...ill never understand that move..Eddie should have started a new band w/ wolfie but no new music..lol

Happy Birthday Sammy!

Do The Stu: Thanks for the info. How have you been?

McDave: Great to hear from you. How are you and the family doing? Sorry to hear about the unemployment thing. What's the weather doing over there? The weather here is getting colder. First we had normal 70 degree weather and then all of a sudden, we're in the 50s. It's going to be that way all this week. I'm still running. I finally got up to 20 miles nonstop last Sunday. A marathon should be coming up soon for me (to accomplish).

Work at the hotel went well today. Now I work the next two days at the guitar shop which is cool. In case you are wondering, I have sold about seven guitars (acoustic), as well as some accessories. Our website is going through a little makeover right now, but it should be done soon so I can post the link soon.

scuba...yer just pissed yer bro robbed yer skirt

SARCASM

i like t think myself a bit witty & never laugh at a person, always with em in company

posts dont give clarity to anothers personality unfortunately but for me it goes like this

i like a peep i,ll hang around, i dont.. i leave

If they hit me....I cut them a new mouth

thats how i tick, love or hate that viewpoint, i dont give a toss, i call a spade a spade, t be blunt... i dont fuck around

So Sccobs.....how long did it take to flatten out the front of yer skirt t look like a gay Scot or did yer brother do it for y?

Sleep failure.........

Cappy Steve - it was so sharp I almost missed it, but very funny use of wordage.

Scuba - ah, got you re headphones... scilly, v good.

Skippy - aye, very good on the irelands. It's a cycling jersey, gotta be. I'll check with Lance lol

slanshroom - if you call a spade a spade, out of curioisity, what would you call James Blunt?

Oh, P.S Skippsy Wippsy girl (!?)....

Aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye

That should help, sorry I missed it before

edited to say.... this looks like a high quality DVD of Mr Big 2009 tour so think I'll be getting that to last me over until the PSATMOR DVD drops

GlitzMan....it was 26 degrees at 9 this morning, but warmed into the 50's by the afternoon. The inch of snow we got the other day is gone but it won't be long before there is more. Yeah the economy still sucks up here. I have some small jobs lined up so all is not lost.

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Keniko!

Pip, thanks :-) Me mums still giving us a worry. Hopefully she'll be right as rain soon enough.

Cappy, I been told that "pippy" is his bedroom name, Don't use it unless you wanna get a rIse out of him. lmao!

Jjc2009: funny, I think it's more related to guitar and your driver. I barely crack 1/4 on my Marshall volume through the clean with a js1000 and a satchurator with no other effects and can get almost instant feedback sitting 2 m away in my lounge room. Tilting the guitar and pivoting and rolling it I can just about get all the notes I need for the intro. Some are a little more work. I'll try tonight with my little portable peavey and see how I go...

What's your distortion coming from?

pip: no, they are a fine artist, not a clearcoat specialist. I wouldn't want to waste their time.

Looks like I can use the high quality 2-part auto-clear the spray guys have here. They have the test piece now. If it works I'll give them the guitar in a week or so.
Roo