A while back, I wrote an article about the current trend of re-forming bands that has seemed to hit recently. My focus was mainly on bands from the 90’s that seemed to be given a new breath of life, but I left our quite an iconic one: Van Halen.

And no, this isn’t another reincarnation of Van Halen with some new singer… we’re talking David Lee Roth style.

Last week “Tattoo”, the newest single from the band, hit iTunes and also has an accompanying music video. After a couple of listens I gotta say that I think it’s pretty rockin’, and certainly brings back their late 70’s sound. Be it nostalgia, fad, gimmick, or novelty, it’s still a breath of fresh air from the stagnant rock scene that has been oozing from mainstream “rock” radio over the last 10+ years.

The video for “Tattoo” is also quite entertaining, and definitely helps remind current audiences of an iconic band from an iconic era.

What do you think about it? Were you a Van Halen-ite? Are you still? (2012 tour dates below video).

-Clay Lancaster (www.claylancaster.com)

2012 Van Halen Tour Dates (more to come):