CHAD's Updates

CHAD added 'UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here―and Out There'

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 15:13:07 -0700

CHAD gave 3 stars to UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here―and Out There (Hardcover) by Garrett M. Graff

CHAD added 'Brothers'

Sun, 18 May 2025 05:16:38 -0700

CHAD gave 5 stars to Brothers (Kindle Edition) by Alex Van Halen
This is not simply a history of Van Halen. That has been attempted elsewhere by authors and witnesses such as Noel Monk and others. What sets this book apart is the fact that it is a personal story of the two brothers whose life journey together gave us some of the greatest music that ever existed. Yes, others played key parts in the drama that was Van Halen, but Eddie and Alex (always seemingly mentioned in that order) were not just the engine of the band but also its heart.

Alex Van Halen often got overshadowed by his brother’s trailblazing virtuosity on the electric guitar, and you can tell from his writing that he was comfortable with that reality however, the fact remains that his musicianship - and, more importantly, his unwavering commitment to his brother - was the glue that kept that rock n’ roll juggernaut moving for as long as it did.

I admit that I expected more vitriol directed at Diamond Dave (David Lee Roth), but that is largely absent. Instead, the reader gets a very balanced assessment of Roth’s contribution - one that praises how his lyrical talents and showmanship combined nearly perfectly with what the rest of the band brought to the creative process. Of course, Alex also saves space to criticize how Dave’s massive ego eventually led to them parting ways at what was the height of Van Halen’s powers.

Alex gives some great insights into their early lives, most notably their arrival as immigrants from the Netherlands. The influence of their musician father is also prominent, and not just during their boyhood. Their mother is a more complex figure in their story but still very important in many different ways.

I was only (a little) disappointed that we didn’t get more about the “Van Hagar” years, as that was such a wildly successful and creatively fruitful time in the history of Van Halen. While I know that Alex intended this to be focused on his and Eddie’s brotherhood (hence, the title), it seems like that would have shown through even more during that second phase of the band’s saga. And, of course, I don’t understand why Michael Anthony is mentioned hardly at all.

But this book was incredible. Period. “Brothers” is essential reading for all Van Halen Fans - and for fans of rock ‘n roll in general. A truly heartfelt account.

CHAD is on page 137 of 240 of Brothers

Fri, 09 May 2025 18:31:42 -0700

CHAD FOSTER is on page 137 of 240 of Brothers.

CHAD is currently reading 'Brothers'

Tue, 06 May 2025 15:34:49 -0700

CHAD is currently reading Brothers by Alex Van Halen

CHAD is currently reading 'UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here―and Out There'

Thu, 01 May 2025 06:11:31 -0700

CHAD is currently reading UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here―and Out There by Garrett M. Graff

CHAD added 'A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way'

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 05:37:34 -0700

CHAD gave 5 stars to A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way (Hardcover) by Gary Holt
Gary Holt’s story is an inspiring account of his journey through thrash metal history. While he is undoubtedly among the most important pioneers of thrash, he is also that genre’s “everyman.” Holt lacks the ego and pretense that have come to define a few of his more famous contemporaries. Like all of us fans, he has regrets and made mistakes - many of which he recounts in this book. Unlike the rest of us earthlings, he has created some of the most impressive guitar riffs in thrash metal history. For that alone he deserves a place on the Mount Rushmore of Metal!

One cannot separate Gary’s story from that of his band, Exodus. He has been the heart and soul of Exodus since nearly the beginning. Although not technically a founding member, it is hard to believe that Exodus would have continued to exist after Kirk Hammett’s departure without Gary Holt’s drive and vision. Personally, I prefer Exodus over Metallica (Hammett’s destination when he left), and that is mainly because Gary and the boys have remained 100% true to their thrash roots while Metallica have grown into a global phenomenon. I don’t blame them for that. But while Exodus have involved in interesting ways too, they still carry that raw, unadulterated aggression that harkens back to the old days. That is what I love.

The side stories contained in this saga are incredible. The memories of the late Paul Baloff loom large, as does Gary’s stint with SLAYER. In the background are all the other icons of that early period of Bay Area thrash — You’ll find pretty much all of them here.

Overall, this is one of my two favorite books about the genre of music that I love so much. In large part, that is because of Gary Holt’s genuine nature and attitude towards life. And, of course, he is still thrashing today! We are lucky to have existed in this earth at the same time as him and his music.

CHAD is currently reading 'A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way'

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:57:04 -0700

CHAD is currently reading A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way by Gary Holt

CHAD added 'Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today'

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:56:58 -0700

CHAD gave 4 stars to Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today (Paperback) by William F Owen

CHAD is currently reading 'Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today'

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 19:57:55 -0800

CHAD is currently reading Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today by William F Owen

CHAD added 'No One Here Gets Out Alive'

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:32:46 -0800

CHAD gave 5 stars to No One Here Gets Out Alive (Paperback) by Jerry Hopkins
The first time I read this book was when I was a sophomore in high school during the early 1990s. Revisiting it at the end of my 40s, the journey felt different. As a young man I was so fascinated with Jim Morrison’s immense talent, his deliberate strangeness, and rebellion that I saw little else in his story. It was hard at that point in my life to see beyond the Val Kilmer movie poster.

Now, with decades more experience of my own, I dwelled more on the price of his genius as well as the small details that are easily lost in the blinding glare of Jim Morrison’s legend. These details include his genuine commitment to an equal partnership with the other members of the Doors - How he truly worked to ensure that he wasn’t singled out above the rest of the band even though the recording companies all sought to market him individually.

Though the authors might argue otherwise, it seemed that Morrison just couldn’t connect with anyone, at least not in a sustainable way. He was self-destructive in nearly every aspect of his personal conduct. In the end, Morrison wanted to be taken seriously as a poet and artist beyond the rock star status that he earned with the Doors. Perhaps that desire fueled what seemed (to me, at least) a constant sense of longing for something more; something different and ever just out of his reach. In the end, it consumed him like a sun expanding and darkening as it dies in the cold void of the universe.