Whenever I got to Repo Records, especially on Record Store Day, I tend to find Bootlegs while waiting in line. I think he does it on purpose knowing I’m a sucker for those things (not true as he doesn’t know me from Adam). The last few trips have been very successful and this last trip was no exception. This time I found another Van Halen Bootleg and this one was called ‘Zero Demos’ and it is a collection of the demos produced by Gene Simmons way back in 1976. I have always wanted to hear and have those demos and now I do.

You probably have already heard the story of Gene Simmons involvement in Van Halen so I won’t go in to too much detail. Gene saw them play and fell in love with them. He took them under his demonic wing and took the band in to the studio and they recorded a 10 song demo tape that Gene shopped around to try and get them a deal. He was unable to and his demands with Kiss were huge, so he ripped up the contract and let them find their own way which they did and the rest is history. During this time, Gene had Eddie and Alex help with some demos for Kiss including “Got Love for Sale”, “Christine Sixteen” and “Tunnel of Love” which were long in demand and I have copies thanks to Gene Simmons’ The Vault!!

This bootleg is fairly new as it came out in 2022 from Yellow Dog Records. I like how the front cover is a reproduction of the debut album cover with the ‘Zero Demos’ at the top. The back has a bunch of live shots of the band. And with a lot of bootlegs, there are mistakes and the only one I really see is the “House of Pain” demo is listed as “House In Pain”…close enough I guess. The vinyl is a red/yellow splatter and looks beautiful. The label is easy with the word Zero and Side A or B. Can’t much simpler than that without just putting a blank label on it. What do I have to say about the music? Well, we will see in a minute, but the sound is fantastic for demos from 1976 that have probably been transferred from tape to tape to tape over the years. 

SIDE A:

The set opens with “On Fire” and it sounds pretty much like the final version from their 1978 debut. Well, mostly there anywhere. It still needed Ted Templeman’s touch to push it over the top, but Dave sounds great, the backing vocals are fantastic and Eddie’s talent is still very apparent. 

Now, that isn’t the same for “Woman in Love” which is almost unrecognizable when you think about the song “Woman in Love” on Van Halen II. The swagger isn’t there from Dave and the song feels lighter without the punch that later VH would give their songs.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=iWVG18hGcaM%3Fsi%3DNVTYZRrjvl5OcZzR

“House of Pain” is up next and damn, this is a vicious song. Dave’s vocals when he screams “House Of Pain” are almost Gene Simmons’ demon like vocals. They are just nasty and in a good way. The outro to it, is the same opening that would be used on “Runnin’ With the Devil” on the debut. This is one of the best songs on the album for me. The studio version to this song wouldn’t happen until the ‘1984’ album and it was actually toned down and made in the style of that record. I think it was neutered a bit.

Then we get “Runnin’ with the Devil” and it is pretty close to the final version on the debut, but lacking the Ted touch to take it to the next level. Cool though to hear this early version of it. The final song on Side A is “She’s the Woman” which would be re-written and tweaked for ‘A Different Kind of Truth’ in 2012 so 36 years later. I love the opening guitar on this one as Eddie shows early on what a talent he is. Gene still couldn’t capture the magic that would become Van Halen though.

SIDE B:

Side B kicks off with “Let’s Get Rockin” which would become completely different as “Outta Space” from 2012’s ’A Different Kind of Truth’. I think the song kicks ass here as the band goes balls-to-the wall ballistic with this one. Alex’s drums, Michael’s bass and Eddie’s guitar all were “on fire” with this one (sorry, about that pun). 

Then we get “Big Trouble” which was also used on that 2012 album except it was known as “Big River” there. Here it is a raw, punchy song and Dave sounds so young and incredible. I think this is another of the coolest songs on the album.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SKWTZJ8XArs%3Fsi%3DRFRP4HryF4aIw_L1

“Somebody Get Me A Doctor” is one of the earliest Van Halen songs to ever be written. It wound up on ‘Van Halen II’ and it is pretty solid shape here on this demo. The bones are here and some good structure, but Ted takes it to the next level with his production. I do love Dave’s on this one too. He already has that swagger. 

Then we get to a song I don’t think has ever wound up on anything and that song is “Babe, Don’t Leave Me Alone”. It isn’t a bad song either so not sure why it was never used. It does lack some of the Van Halen flair, but with a little work it could be something special. 

The final track is “Put Out the Lights” and you will recognize that riff as it was used on “Beat’s Workin'” from 2012’s ‘A Different Kind of Truth’. David Lee Roth is in fine form and this sounds like a Van Halen song, but again lacking that punch.

The one thing I notice with the demos is that Gene could never capture the magic that is Eddie Van Halen. Yeah, these songs show he has talent, but there is no “WOW” factor at all. They sound like any other band around that time, lacking a little something extra that would come with the help of Ted Templeman. With him at the helm, Van Halen would explode and ooze talent and swagger. Gene missed out with Van Halen, but he’s still worth millions so I am sure he doesn’t care anymore. I am truly excited to finally get these demos in my collection. And the sound quality on this release is spectacular. They have done a really great job in cleaning these up. My Overall Score is a 5.0out of 5.0 Stars and that is due to the history of these songs. Another favorite in the bootleg collection for me. It feels like a lost Van Halen album.