More new music from the forthcoming Van Halen album, “A Different Kind Of Truth,” has surfaced online.
The fourth time is a charm for “Big River,” which has been in the VH toolbox since the mid-70s.
Originally known as “Big Trouble,” the song was first recorded for the Gene Simmons-produced demos in 1976; it was redone for the 1977 Warner Brothers demos, and then again during the “Diver Down” sessions in 1982, according the Van Halen Encyclopedia. The song was intended for “Diver Down” and later for “1984,” but appeared on neither.
Other than its title, the tune is not related in any way to "Big Trouble" from David Lee Roth's 1986 solo debut album “Eat 'Em and Smile.”
Like “Tattoo,” the first single from “A Different Kind Of Truth,” the track is one of several cuts on the new disc that are based on songs written and/or demoed in the band’s early years.
"It's material that Eddie and I generated, literally, in 1975, 1976 and 1977," Roth tells the Los Angeles Times in a new interview. "Usually fellas in our weight division will kind of gamely — or ironically, wink, wink — try to hail back to it [but] keep a safe, mature distance from it."
“A Different Kind Of Truth” is due February 7.
Van Halen Van Halen – Big River (preview)
Van Halen – Big Trouble (1976 demo)
See also:
David Lee Roth talks new Van Halen album
AUDIO: Van Halen – Bullethead preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – China Town preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – The Trouble With Never preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Stay Frosty preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Blood And Fire preview
Wednesday: Van Halen to debut new song on CSI
Van Halen add more dates to US tour
Van Halen: Tattoo hits #1 on Billboard Hard Rock Singles chart
VIDEO: David Lee Roth explains Van Halen’s Tattoo
VIDEO: Van Halen unplug for You Really Got Me
Van Halen: David Lee Roth’s handwritten lyrics to Tattoo
Sammy Hagar slams new Van Halen single
Van Halen: Tattoo earns Top 20 debut on Billboard’s Rock Songs chart
Van Halen offering new album on vinyl
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 3rd week
Eddie Van Halen donates 75 guitars to L.A. schools
VIDEO: Van Halen – Tattoo
Van Halen: ‘Tattoo’ video preview
Van Halen recording engineer talks about new album
AUDIO: Van Halen ‘Tattoo’ single goes on sale, extended preview available
Van Halen singer’s uncle raves about Café Wha? show
VIDEO: Van Halen’s David Lee Roth – Ode To Uncle Manny
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 2nd week
Van Halen: ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ Deluxe Edition details
Van Halen: 'A Different Kind Of Truth' track listing
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 1979 classics in New York
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 1978 classics in New York
AUDIO: Preview new Van Halen single, ‘Tattoo’
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 'Panama' at New York club show
VIDEO: Van Halen arriving at Café Wha? in New York
VIDEO: Van Halen debut new song at New York club show
Van Halen: ‘Tattoo’ single available for pre-order
Van Halen 2012 tour dates announced
PHOTOS: First pictures at Van Halen LIVE in New York
VIDEO: Van Halen’s David Lee Roth confirms album title, New York concerts
Van Halen: New album title revealed?
AUDIO: Van Halen talk about the old days
NBC's Al Roker uncooperative on Van Halen flight to New York
Van Halen: 'Tattoo' single arrives next week, tour starts next month
Van Halen to play New York club show this Thursday
hennemusic: Van Halen leads list of Rockers To Watch in 2012
VIDEO: Van Halen talk about playing wet t-shirt contests
VIDEO: Eddie Van Halen remembers his 1958 Volvo
VIDEO: Van Halen’s David Lee Roth scrapbook, part 1
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10
Van Halen billboard displayed in Times Square
VIDEO: Van Halen remember the club days
VIDEO: Van Halen release raw 2012 tour promos
Van Halen tour: VIP packages will be available
Van Halen rehearsal update
Van Halen: single, video & album release dates revealed
Van Halen announce 2012 tour
Holiday message from Eddie Van Halen
AUDIO: Rare 1978 Van Halen interview
Van Halen win two hennemusic Rock News Awards
Rock News Artist Of The Year #1: VAN HALEN
Rock News Story Of The Year #1: VAN HALEN
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10
Beach Boys confirm they, not Van Halen, were Grammys surprise
Rock News Story Of The Year #9: VAN HALEN
2011 hennemusic Rock News Awards finalists announced
PHOTOS: Van Halen 1978 in-store appearance
Sammy Hagar says new Van Halen is old Van Halen
