VAN HALEN – US FESTIVAL 1983 REHEARSAL SOUNDBOARD (2 CD)

Description

A&M Studios Soundstage, Los Angeles, CA, USA 21st May 1983

　What is this!? From the newly excavated soundboard series by engineer “Roy,” who has produced a string of shocking works, comes a shocking sound source that is on a completely different level from anything that has come before. This is an urgent release on this 2CD pressing, an ultra-eventful record that is currently causing excitement among collectors worldwide!

　Permanently preserved in this work is a rehearsal album taken place in Los Angeles on May 21, 1983. It is a stereo soundboard recording recorded at the final rehearsal for the “US Festival,” the existence of which had never been known until now.

　Speaking of rehearsals from the “DIVER DOWN” era, “REHEARSALS 1983 SOUNDBOARD (Zodiac 838)” for the South American tour is still fresh in my memory, but that was a studio session with few complete songs. In contrast, this work is a full set that is just like a real performance with a small audience, and Dave’s MC and show composition are the concert itself. Despite this, its existence was unknown to anyone until today…it is truly an ultra-rare treasure.

　What was the timing of this unexplored location? First, let’s take a bird’s-eye view of their activities at the time and then delve into the position of this work, incorporating the newly discovered soundboard series.

● 1982
“HIDE YOUR SHEEP Tour”
July 14th – August 21st: North America #1 (26 performances) ← * 8 works
· September 1st – 25th: North America #2 (17 performances) ← * 4 works
· October 7th – December 11th: North America #3 (38 performances) ← * 3 works
● 1983
“NO PROBLEM Tour”
Date unknown “REHEARSALS 1983 SOUNDBOARD”
January 14th – February 12th: South America (15 performances) ← * 4 works
* May 21st: LA rehearsal ← ★ This work ★
· May 29th: US Festival appearance

[Rehearsal just before the legendary event whose existence was unknown]
　This is VAN HALEN from the “DIVER DOWN” era. Following the album’s usual “HIDE YOUR SHEEP Tour” and the only South American tour in history, the “NO PROBLEM Tour,” Van Halen’s final performance was at the historic “US Festival.” The performance drew 670,000 people, and through television coverage, brought the name, sound, and visuals of heavy metal, which had previously been nothing more than “a strangely named music called heavy metal,” into living rooms across the United States. Van Halen was the grand finale of “HEAVY METAL DAY,” truly rewriting music history.

　This album was recorded just eight days before this historic festival. According to Van Halen expert Greg Renov’s research, the band rehearsed for several weeks. Initially, they began at their usual Zoetrope Studios, but moved midway through the rehearsal to A&M Studios, where this album was recorded on the A&M soundstage. Roy’s tape simply read “Rehearsal US Fest,” but Dave’s MC comment that this was “the final rehearsal for next weekend’s festival” revealed the secret location.

[A completely different rehearsal atmosphere from usual]
　This album, which details this rehearsal atmosphere, is recorded by engineer Roy, as always, using a superb stereo soundboard directly connected to the mix desk. Because it wasn’t a large venue, it’s even easier to listen to than usual. However, what’s different is the atmosphere of the show, which exudes the feeling of a private, secret gig. While the nuances of the performance are different, Dave is the most important factor. This film is bursting with comedic skill, as he talks to the audience from the very beginning, joking about how it’s not your average show, the lighting is crappy, and how to just enjoy a laid back jam.

　Furthermore, the MC after “Runnin’ With the Devil” was also different from usual. While he usually teases the audience or shares local anecdotes, this album jokingly reveals how he ended up performing at the “US Fest.” The “US Fest” was funded by Apple’s Steve Wozniak, and Dave pokes fun at the organizers, saying, “I don’t know anything about computers,” revealing a very dated sentiment. He even sings an impromptu song mocking Wozniak.

[A live performance on stage just before the legendary festival]
　While this is a rehearsal album, the stage itself is just like the real thing…or rather, it is. They perform a set almost identical to the “US Fest” eight days later. Let’s take a look at the contents here.

● Diver Down (7 songs)
・ The Full Bug / Little Guitars / Dancing In The Street (★) / Cathedral / Secrets / Intruder / (Oh) Pretty Woman
● Others (4 songs + 5 songs)
・ Fuse of Flame: Runnin’ With the Devil / Jamie’s Cryin’ / Ice Cream Man / You Really Got Me (Happy Trails)
・ Others: Romeo Delight / Unchained / So This Is Love? (★) / Somebody Get Me A Doctor / Everybody Wants Some!! / Dave’s Wozniak Song (★★)
*Note: The “★” mark indicates songs that were not included in the new excavation soundboard series so far. In particular, the “★★” mark indicates songs that were not even included in the “US Festival” performance.

…And so on. “Dancing In The Street” and “So This Is Love?” have never appeared in the vast new excavation soundboard series to date, but “Dancing In The Street” in particular is an ultra-rare song that has only been played five times in the entire history of VAN HALEN. And “Dave’s Wozniak Song,” this is a mocking song based on the aforementioned Wozniak, and it’s an improvisation that you’ll only hear here, ever.

　Each of the “Roy” soundboard series was shocking, but this one is an impactful album that is incomparable to anything else. It is a live performance that was previously unknown, and above all, an unknown recording directly connected to the legendary event “US Festival” that changed music history. The live performance ahead of that legendary stage will be poured into your brain with a superb soundboard. It’s truly an event.

　This isn’t just a rehearsal recording. It includes songs never before heard in the series, extremely rare songs only played on one hand in the band’s entire history, MCs and improvisations exclusive to this day, and more. This is a truly exceptional live album with plenty to listen to. Enjoy it anytime, anywhere with the 2-CD press, which will never lose its luster.

★ This is a stereo soundboard recording of the public rehearsal for the “US Festival” held in Los Angeles on May 21, 1983. This is the final rehearsal, held in full concert format with an audience, on a previously unknown, ultra-rare stage. This is the latest installment in the newly unearthed soundboard series, recorded by engineer Roy. Enjoy Dave’s hilarious talk and incredibly rare songs, making this an absolute must-have.

Disc:1 (47:08)
1. Dave’s Intro
2. Romeo Delight
3. Unchained
4. Drum Solo
5. The Full Bug
6. Runnin’ With The Devil
7. Dave’s US Festival Story
8. Jamie’s Cryin’
9. So This Is Love?
10. Little Guitars
11. Bass Solo
12. Dancing In The Street
13. Somebody Get Me A Doctor / Girl Gone Bad (cut)

Disc:2 (43:18)
1. Cathedral
2. Secrets
3. Drum Solo II
4. Everybody Wants Some!!
5. Dave’s Wozniak Song
6. Ice Cream Man
7. Intruder
8. Pretty Woman
9. Guitar Solo
10. You Really Got Me
11. Happy Trails
12. You Really Got Me (Reprise)