Best of Both Worlds

Ex-Van Halen & Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony says there’s no competition between the bands as both prepare to release new albums

Reported by Bruce Henne

Published: June 27, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Runnin' with the Devil

Michael Anthony has lived in both worlds, so he’s probably more curious than most when it comes to the new VH album – the band’s first with David Lee Roth in 27 years, and first with his replacement, new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen.
“Yeah, I’m curious to see what they come out with, but there’s no type of competitive type thing,” the bassist tells Ultimate Classic Rock.
“It’s funny, I go online, and see what the fans are saying, you know, ‘Oh my God, it’s gonna be Van Halen against Chickenfoot this year, both things coming out, and what’s going to be better?’ and blah blah blah. If they out put out a great album, that’s great. I just know that ours is great, and I’m really proud of it.”
Anthony was unceremoniously dumped as VH bassist for reasons, he believes, have nothing to do with music.
“Some Van Halen fans say I left the band to hook up with Sammy, but I never said, ‘I quit’,” Michael told Mojo last year.
“There was nothing going on in the Van Halen camp, but Eddie kinda backed me up against a wall. . . Eddie felt that I was a traitor. I helped hook Sammy back up with them for the 2004 reunion tour, but Eddie didn’t want me to be a part of that originally, so I took a big pay cut.
“I’m not crying, I didn’t need the money. I did that because I wanted to play for the fans. I signed away any legal rights I had with the name, the trademark or whatever. I did it because if that was the last time Van Halen would ever be on stage, I wanted to be part of it.”
“The major reason why I’m not in Van Halen (now) is because I became friends with Sammy again. The Van Halen brothers never got over that. If they hold a grudge, they hold it forever.”
For Anthony, it’s all old news as the past is best left in the past.
“Well, you know what?! As far as people saying, ‘Do you miss Van Halen?’ or any of that kind of stuff, I’ve totally moved on. Man, I am just in my total happy place right now.”
Anthony celebrated his 57th birthday last week and let Chickenfoot fans know what’s up with their new record.
“Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes!,” wrote Anthony on Facebook. “The only thing that makes my day better is that mixing on the new Chickenfoot CD is done! It’s a lot heavier than the first record and I can’t wait to get it out there!”