Vandenberg back in action

[Enjolras56]

Haven't seen this discussed here yet.

One of my early influences, Adrian Vandenberg, has a new band called Vandenberg's Moonkings.
https://www.facebook.com/moonkingsband?ref=br_tf
Looks like they have an album coming out Feb '14.

The singer seems to have a great voice.

Excited to see this happening as I've followed Adrian for years since the Whitesnake days. The 1987 album's videos were really influential on me as a young kid- took me a while to discover it was Sykes playing and Adrian only played on the "Here I Go Again" solo. But it led me to discover his earlier work with Vandenberg and I totally got into his melodic, tasty playing.
I've always felt bad for Adrian that he didn't actually get to play on the album he co-wrote with Coverdale (Slip Of The Tongue) cuz of his hand issue and that he basically hasn't been heard from musically since. (yes, I'm aware of Manic Eden).

Good to see him back and hope it's good!

 

[Inca Roads]

Singer has a bit of that 'Ole
Ray Gillan goin' on.

 

[jabps]

Looking forward to it...Adrian was/has always been one of my top 3 favorite players.

Maybe one day Coverdale will release the original tracks to Slip...most have Adrian's playing on it, backing tracks and solo's. Even though he did have an injury I still believe there was more behind the scene's hijinks that kept him off Slip. Essentially the album was done. I've always felt Coverdale took a shot on getting "the" name guitar player at the time and in order to do so had to give Vai everything he wanted. And in typical Vai control freek fashion he did just that...in the process ruining a very basic hard rock record. And slamming the door on Vandenberg...which in fairness, Adrian had done to Vivian.

Manic Eden, Adrian's follow up project is actually a really good record but playing wise was altogether different as he tried his hand at more of a blues based playing.

Also the concerts he did with Whitesnake a few years after his initial time with them...DeMartini was the other guitarist, are less than inspiring as well. Hopefully this recording will harken back to his solo band days....the playing on those are amazing. Adrians solo comp skills were right up there with Rhoads in my opinion at that time. Would like to see him get back to that...sadly few of my faves ever get back to that level i.e. Lynch, Jake etc...

 

[Scottfn308]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him. He was also an influence on my playing early on, and I actually got to meet him one at a music store in Knoxville TN, when he was on tour with Whitesnake. This was also about the time when his Vandenberg guitar first came out. He was very nice and posed for all the photos we wanted to take and signed a Peavey ad for me.

I still have that ad in my autograph collection, but my Vandenberg guitar is gone. Wish I still had it. However, I do know the guy that has it now, but he won't sell it back to me.

Regards,

Scott

 

[jabps]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him. He was also an influence on my playing early on, and I actually got to meet him one at a music store in Knoxville TN, when he was on tour with Whitesnake. This was also about the time when his Vandenberg guitar first came out. He was very nice and posed for all the photos we wanted to take and signed a Peavey ad for me.

I still have that ad in my autograph collection, but my Vandenberg guitar is gone. Wish I still had it. However, I do know the guy that has it now, but he won't sell it back to me.

Regards,

Scott

Claims to have been doing tendon stretching exercises which laid him up for bit. I saw the Slip tour twice...was on fire at the Nashville show, not so much the next show.

What store in Knoxville...went to UT. Used to frequent all those places and saw the '87 tour when they started headlining at TBA. Caught that tour 4 times...Vivian and Adrian cut heads for sure.

 

[Scottfn308]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him. He was also an influence on my playing early on, and I actually got to meet him one at a music store in Knoxville TN, when he was on tour with Whitesnake. This was also about the time when his Vandenberg guitar first came out. He was very nice and posed for all the photos we wanted to take and signed a Peavey ad for me.

I still have that ad in my autograph collection, but my Vandenberg guitar is gone. Wish I still had it. However, I do know the guy that has it now, but he won't sell it back to me.

Regards,

Scott

Claims to have been doing tendon stretching exercises which laid him up for bit. I saw the Slip tour twice...was on fire at the Nashville show, not so much the next show.

What store in Knoxville...went to UT. Used to frequent all those places and saw the '87 tour when they started headlining at TBA. Caught that tour 4 times...Vivian and Adrian cut heads for sure.

I saw them at Broadway Sound on North Broadway in Knoxville. Met them at the store, but didn't get to go to the show since I was playing a gig with my band at the time. Still regret that. LOL

 

[jabps]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him. He was also an influence on my playing early on, and I actually got to meet him one at a music store in Knoxville TN, when he was on tour with Whitesnake. This was also about the time when his Vandenberg guitar first came out. He was very nice and posed for all the photos we wanted to take and signed a Peavey ad for me.

I still have that ad in my autograph collection, but my Vandenberg guitar is gone. Wish I still had it. However, I do know the guy that has it now, but he won't sell it back to me.

Regards,

Scott

Claims to have been doing tendon stretching exercises which laid him up for bit. I saw the Slip tour twice...was on fire at the Nashville show, not so much the next show.

What store in Knoxville...went to UT. Used to frequent all those places and saw the '87 tour when they started headlining at TBA. Caught that tour 4 times...Vivian and Adrian cut heads for sure.

I saw them at Broadway Sound on North Broadway in Knoxville. Met them at the store, but didn't get to go to the show since I was playing a gig with my band at the time. Still regret that. LOL

Oh yeah, I remember that place. Remember they had a Red Vandenberg in there that I wanted for the longest. Heck man that was probably the night they headlined Thompson Boling. Think there was like 16k there and it still wasn't full because that place was so damn big at the time lol. Knoxville had some good stores back then...there was a store on Chapman Highway, and a couple out in the West Town mall area....I forgot the names. I took a few classical lessons from Ben Bolt at the time at one of those stores. Wish I could remember the names of them.

 

[lespaul6]

fantastic... cant wait!

 

[Enjolras56]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him.

I remember reading the GFTPM magazine interviews: vague references to exercises from an old book that required him to whip his hand back and forth. He also said it wasn't carpal tunnel but a problem which caused a lack of normal "vegetative function to his arm." Never really seen a clear diagnosis mentioned.
Knowing what I know now about musculoskeletal injuries, it may have been Thoracic Outlet Syndrome where various anatomical problems along the pathway of the blood and/or nerve tissue to the arm can cause impingement and lead to pain/numbness/tingling, etc or a cervical nerve impingement issue. Either way, it's unlikely that he got it from those exercise unless he was doing them for a very long time over a number of months or years.

Anyways... learning about some of the B.S. that goes on behind the scenes in the biz, I wouldn't doubt what jabps said about the story being made up or exaggerated.

I hope to hear a re-worked "SAILING SHIPS" (originally off Slip) as I read that was a very personal song for Adrian. That tune deserves to be a classic IMO. I love Vai, but his playing just did not work with that project.

 

[Scottfn308]

What was his issue with his hand ? I seem to remember vaguely hearing about it, but never did hear directly waht happened to him. He was also an influence on my playing early on, and I actually got to meet him one at a music store in Knoxville TN, when he was on tour with Whitesnake. This was also about the time when his Vandenberg guitar first came out. He was very nice and posed for all the photos we wanted to take and signed a Peavey ad for me.

I still have that ad in my autograph collection, but my Vandenberg guitar is gone. Wish I still had it. However, I do know the guy that has it now, but he won't sell it back to me.

Regards,

Scott

Claims to have been doing tendon stretching exercises which laid him up for bit. I saw the Slip tour twice...was on fire at the Nashville show, not so much the next show.

What store in Knoxville...went to UT. Used to frequent all those places and saw the '87 tour when they started headlining at TBA. Caught that tour 4 times...Vivian and Adrian cut heads for sure.

I saw them at Broadway Sound on North Broadway in Knoxville. Met them at the store, but didn't get to go to the show since I was playing a gig with my band at the time. Still regret that. LOL

Oh yeah, I remember that place. Remember they had a Red Vandenberg in there that I wanted for the longest. Heck man that was probably the night they headlined Thompson Boling. Think there was like 16k there and it still wasn't full because that place was so damn big at the time lol. Knoxville had some good stores back then...there was a store on Chapman Highway, and a couple out in the West Town mall area....I forgot the names. I took a few classical lessons from Ben Bolt at the time at one of those stores. Wish I could remember the names of them.

Yeah, that was the concert. Had a lot of good ones in K-Ville back then. The Chapman Highway Guitar Shop was awesome. The one out west was Hewglie's and Rob Payne's were a couple of others. Rik's Music came later.

Regards,

Scott

 

[Iron Dog]

Nice, I always liked Adrian, looking forward to this album. It's going to be a good year for music.

 

[Badronald]

Sorry. Based on that clip I wouldn't expect too much.

Try and write something a little original. At least try........

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Something "original"? Come on dude.. it's all essentially been done. What is interesting is each person's take on it at this point.. I think this is a cool sound for him. Taking back the gain a little and letting the raw tones cut through. Not sure I like the singer but will be interesting to hear what a full song sounds like with a lead.

 

[Badronald]

Something "original"? Come on dude.. it's all essentially been done. What is interesting is each person's take on it at this point.. I think this is a cool sound for him. Taking back the gain a little and letting the raw tones cut through. Not sure I like the singer but will be interesting to hear what a full song sounds like with a lead.

Nah. It hasn't all been done. Don't be so cynical man. There are plenty of great melodies, chord patterns and riffs still out there.

 

[garey77]

I'd like to hear something experimental from this camp. The production sounds great, playing spot on, but c'mon… what's with the damn blues/hard rock revival shtuff going on with all these guys?!

 

[Enjolras56]

I'd like to hear something experimental from this camp. The production sounds great, playing spot on, but c'mon… what's with the damn blues/hard rock revival shtuff going on with all these guys?!

I hear you guys, but not gonna happen here. Adrian said himself on his Facebook page it's gonna be very much in the classic bluesy hard rock vein.
The guy spent more than a decade away from music focusing on painting.
Just glad to see him playing again even if it's not gonna change the world.

 

[dstroud]

I dig it! I always liked his nice cleaner playing/tone on the early stuff. Seems like I'm hearing that here

 

[mojotone]

The production sounds great, playing spot on, but c'mon… what's with the damn blues/hard rock revival shtuff going on with all these guys?!

And the problem is ???????

 

[Chubtone]

Hopefully this recording will harken back to his solo band days....the playing on those are amazing. Adrians solo comp skills were right up there with Rhoads in my opinion at that time. Would like to see him get back to that

Exactly my feelings too. One of my absolute favorites of all time.

 

[JerEvil]

The production sounds great, playing spot on, but c'mon… what's with the damn blues/hard rock revival shtuff going on with all these guys?!

And the problem is ???????

Right? I am certainly more interested in this than Red Dragon Cartel.