Half assed Half Review of Half a David Lee Roth show

[Anthrax442]

Went to the DLR show in Gary tonight at the Hard Rock Casino. Got there early because I drove straight from work, so I ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and gambled a bit to kill time.

The time on the ticket was 6:00, which I knew was doors, but nowhere did it say showtime, and at every previous show on the tour, he hadn't gone on before eight, so I assumed it was a two hour delay. The earliest he had gone on was 7:45, but that was a show where the doors were at 5:30.

So, I figured 7:30 would be a safe time to walk over, get to my seat and chill for 15 to 30 min before he goes on.

NOPE. Walked in and he was already into Dance the Night Away, halfway through the set. To say I was pissed is an understatement, but it's probably my fault for not going and asking one of the doormen.

As far as what I caught of the show goes, I think he's great, and the band is tight as fuck. The only thing I could even take points off for was the keyboard tone on Jump, it seemed a little off, but most people did NOT care.

If you don't like him, think his voice is pitchy, makes too many goofy facial expressions, whatever, I don't think anything he does at this point is going to convert you, but other than missing half the show, I had a great time.

Also, one last note, while I had thought it was odd he wasn't going out with an opener, I chalked that up to just Roth being Roth and wanting to do his own thing, but what really struck me as odd tonight (other than going on at 7 PM), was that there was NO merch stand. None. Zip. Unless maybe it was only setup before the show and they tore it down before he was done, but there's also no merch on his site, so maybe he's just not doing that either.

Anyway, I was so annoyed that I sat down and bought front row seats to his show Saturday in Du Quoin (wherever the fuck that is), so that should be interesting.

[Fat_Elvis]

That sucks you missed half. Hopefully, you won at gambling.

[LAglamrocker]

When Anthrax442 tries to do LAglamrocker type review it’s bigger failure than seeing show in a sh*thole like Gary Indiana
Missing the show that’s hilarious - I give that 5 stars

No opener for Roth? Guess Hurricane 2025 was busy

[Anthrax442]

When Anthrax442 tries to do LAglamrocker type review it’s bigger failure than seeing show in a sh*thole like Gary Indiana
Missing the show that’s hilarious - I give that 5 stars

No opener for Roth? Guess Hurricane 2025 was busy

I'm actually going to take all of that as a compliment.

[ijwthstd]

Seems he is playing mostly casinos and fairs which traditionally don't have openers.

[Wiseacre]

That sucks you missed half. Hopefully, you won at gambling.

Likely gambled and lost twice that night.

[Anthrax442]

Seems he is playing mostly casinos and fairs which traditionally don't have openers.

It depends on the tour. Previously, I'd seen three Casino shows:

Judas Priest w/Steel Panther
Anthrax w/BLS and Hatebreed
Extreme w/Living Colour

But point taken.

[LurkingAtWork]

There's a casino near me where I've seen a few shows, none had an opener and all started exactly on time. Great for old people, no standing around.

[tooth]

There's a casino near me where I've seen a few shows, none had an opener and all started exactly on time. Great for old people, no standing around.

City Winery Boston does that &, as an old person, it's beautiful. The show starts at 7:30, whether there's an opener or not, & most often there isn't. Also, they come around for "last call" like 1/2 way through the show. So, once the band finishes, see ya!

[Anthrax442]

There's a casino near me where I've seen a few shows, none had an opener and all started exactly on time. Great for old people, no standing around.

The Hard Rock is annoying about this for some reason. Had the same issue in reverse for the Anthrax show. Ticket said 6:30 PM on that one, and Hatebreed didn't go on until 7:45, so we were standing around waiting for an hour. That was why I didn't go in early for Roth.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

That's actually one of the most positive reviews I've read of Dave in awhile! People that are going to just say "hey, there's David Lee Roth playing Van Halen songs" are the ones having the best time.

Those that go saying "why does he have 5 black backing singers?" "Why doesn't he tour with Mike at least...or any of his previous band mates" are not having fun.

I can't get past the voice anymore. I remember when he had his radio show he would sing along to songs and I was thinking how bad he always sounded. Like "why is he singing like that?". Then that became his actual singing style for the rest of his career. I've heard it best described as "yelp". Like he lost all the grit and power in his voice. Still...I feel bad about not seeing him on this tour.

[Anthrax442]

That's actually one of the most positive reviews I've read of Dave in awhile! People that are going to just say "hey, there's David Lee Roth playing Van Halen songs" are the ones having the best time.

Those that go saying "why does he have 5 black backing singers?" "Why doesn't he tour with Mike at least...or any of his previous band mates" are not having fun.

I can't get past the voice anymore. I remember when he had his radio show he would sing along to songs and I was thinking how bad he always sounded. Like "why is he singing like that?". Then that became his actual singing style for the rest of his career. I've heard it best described as "yelp". Like he lost all the grit and power in his voice. Still...I feel bad about not seeing him on this tour.

To me, I totally get why some people wouldn't like the yelping, but it's not like he does that for 100 percent of every song. And it's easy to hyper focus on all the imperfections when you're watching something on video, which seems to be a majority of the complains, not people in the actual audience.

The backup singers are great, and really helps fill out the harmonies on some of those songs. If I was going to say someone sticks out, it would be the bassist, he's a solid musician, but he looks twenty years younger than everyone else and he doesn't scream rock and roll. But he plays the songs how Roth wants and stays the fuck out of the way.

[That-guy]

I was there early.
There was no merch sold.
He actually started at 6:55.
The dance mat and wireless mic are gone.
Perfect setlist for the old school VH fan.
Tight band.
The guitar player was fucking amazing. Absolutely nailed Eddie’s parts.

[Anthrax442]

I was there early.
There was no merch sold.
He actually started at 6:55.
The dance mat and wireless mic are gone.
Perfect setlist for the old school VH fan.
Tight band.
The guitar player was fucking amazing. Absolutely nailed Eddie’s parts.

Al Estrada is the fucking man. I would never say he's a better guitar player than Joe Satriani, but he's CLEARLY a better Eddie Van Halen than Joe.

[Fletch]

As much as I like Al - and he’s truly fantastic - I do wish he’d have given the guys on his early 00 tour a call. Especially Brian Young his guitar player then. Those guys were great - but then again, so is his current band.

[LAglamrocker]

Dave BIG mistake NOT bring merch to Gary Indiana 2025
BIG mistake $$$$$
BIG

How much is omelette at Indian Casino in Indiana? In 2025?
So Cal omelette casino price 21.50$ had one before Slaughter last year…..Slaughter and omelette NIGHT!!!!

[El Vampiro Blanco]

As much as I like Al - and he’s truly fantastic - I do wish he’d have given the guys on his early 00 tour a call. Especially Brian Young his guitar player then. Those guys were great - but then again, so is his current band.

Didnt Brian Young commit suicide?
Never mind, I see I'm talking nonsense...

[Bono Nettencourt]

As much as I like Al - and he’s truly fantastic - I do wish he’d have given the guys on his early 00 tour a call. Especially Brian Young his guitar player then. Those guys were great - but then again, so is his current band.

Didnt Brian Young commit suicide?

Just career suicide by being Roth's "music director" during his 90-day morning radio tenure...

[Tymaster]

That sucks you missed half. Hopefully, you won at gambling.

Likely gambled and lost twice that night.

I would consider missing DLR a huge win.

[LAglamrocker]

Why would you even gamble
You already lost in life showing up for”fun” night out in Gary Indiana

Seeing Killer Dwarfs in the sun at legendary venue in week or so that’s what winning is

Never understood why not plan to “win” every second of everyday

[Hootchietoad]

I saw him in NH a last week and thoroughly enjoyed the show. At this point everyone knows what they are getting and nothing is going to change their mind.

I read this in a review after my show and it hits the nail on the head for me

“ I can only assume that anyone who didn’t leave the show grinning ear to ear and hoarse from singing was never a true Van Halen fan in the first place. Kudos to Dave’s band, who did a tremendous job maneuvering, navigating, and keeping up with him. They were the unsung heroes of the night, allowing Dave to soar!”

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/conc ... gust-2025/

[Anthrax442]

I saw him in NH a last week and thoroughly enjoyed the show. At this point everyone knows what they are getting and nothing is going to change their mind.

I read this in a review after my show and it hits the nail on the head for me

“ I can only assume that anyone who didn’t leave the show grinning ear to ear and hoarse from singing was never a true Van Halen fan in the first place. Kudos to Dave’s band, who did a tremendous job maneuvering, navigating, and keeping up with him. They were the unsung heroes of the night, allowing Dave to soar!”

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/conc ... gust-2025/

I did end up going to that Du Quoin show last night. Ended up front row, dead center. Seemed like Roth was having more fun that at Gary, and he and the band were grooving and jamming a bit more. Still super tight, and same setlist, but the show just seemed like it had a better vibe to it.

[TBONESBURDEN]

I saw him in NH a last week and thoroughly enjoyed the show. At this point everyone knows what they are getting and nothing is going to change their mind.

I read this in a review after my show and it hits the nail on the head for me

“ I can only assume that anyone who didn’t leave the show grinning ear to ear and hoarse from singing was never a true Van Halen fan in the first place. Kudos to Dave’s band, who did a tremendous job maneuvering, navigating, and keeping up with him. They were the unsung heroes of the night, allowing Dave to soar!”

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/conc ... gust-2025/

I did end up going to that Du Quoin show last night. Ended up front row, dead center. Seemed like Roth was having more fun that at Gary, and he and the band were grooving and jamming a bit more. Still super tight, and same setlist, but the show just seemed like it had a better vibe to it.

I was there also just to the left of ya. My buddy I was with said he looked at clips from a few nights before and said Dave was mailing it in. He sure wasn't last night. I was wishy washy on even going but, I'm glad I did.

[Anthrax442]

I was there also just to the left of ya. My buddy I was with said he looked at clips from a few nights before and said Dave was mailing it in. He sure wasn't last night. I was wishy washy on even going but, I'm glad I did.

What was up with G Love and Special Sauce opening? I hadn't thought about those guys in 25 years. Were they advertised at all in the area?

[Bono Nettencourt]

I was there also just to the left of ya. My buddy I was with said he looked at clips from a few nights before and said Dave was mailing it in. He sure wasn't last night. I was wishy washy on even going but, I'm glad I did.

What was up with G Love and Special Sauce opening? I hadn't thought about those guys in 25 years. Were they advertised at all in the area?

Stick it in the fridge!

[Wiseacre]

Why would you even gamble
You already lost in life showing up for”fun” night out in Gary Indiana

Seeing Killer Dwarfs in the sun at legendary venue in week or so that’s what winning is

Never understood why not plan to “win” every second of everyday

Fun fact. The very first ANACRUSIS live performance ever was opening for the Killer Dwarfs at Mississippi Nights, St. Louis in March of 1987. The crowd was basically our band, a few of our fans and some family members but they still played great and were a really good band.

[Anthrax442]

I was there also just to the left of ya. My buddy I was with said he looked at clips from a few nights before and said Dave was mailing it in. He sure wasn't last night. I was wishy washy on even going but, I'm glad I did.

What was up with G Love and Special Sauce opening? I hadn't thought about those guys in 25 years. Were they advertised at all in the area?

Stick it in the fridge!

[Bono Nettencourt]

I'm frankly amazed that he's still touring. His shit was played 30 years ago.

[TBONESBURDEN]

I was there also just to the left of ya. My buddy I was with said he looked at clips from a few nights before and said Dave was mailing it in. He sure wasn't last night. I was wishy washy on even going but, I'm glad I did.

What was up with G Love and Special Sauce opening? I hadn't thought about those guys in 25 years. Were they advertised at all in the area?

Same here. No advertisement as far as I know. I didn't even think there was gonna be an opener. They played Carbondale a few times back in the day and would pack them in.
The lady in front of me was cringing and plugging her ears everytime he blew on that harp...ha ha