Review by Doug Houser - dhouser@magicnet.net

I just got back from Fern Station in Orlando. I still can't hear. That was the loudest show I have ever been to.

Anyway, my wife and I had front row center the entire show. Many times Dave made sexual comments to my wife. I thought that was cool. He poured Jack all over me and the girl next to me. It actually got in my eyes and I couldn't see at all for a couple minutes.

The place looked like it fit 500 people. The songs were the same as the other setlists. Dave started the show at around 10:30 and we were in the front row at 8:00. By that time, we were worn out by standing and had nothing to drink because we didn't want to lose our spot.

The band was decent although I couldn't hear any notes at all because it was so loud and we were so close. During the beginning of Hot For Teacher, I heard nothing but distortion. The bass and drums were great but Bart couldn't do the Mean Street taps or the Dance The Night Away solo very well. I was a little disappointed with him. It seemed like he wasn't having as much fun up there as the other guys. It seemed like he was from a middle class family and just learned the music. Not much feeling. Edward is much much much better and I have much more respect for him now.

I'd say the best songs tonight were Hot For Teacher, So This Is Love, and believe it or not, Little Dreamer. I never thought I would say that but I think Dave, and everybody else needed a slow one.

I think Dave could have gone on all night. He is in great shape and had so much energy. Dave was incredible. He looks and acts like a cartoon up there. Other than his hair, he hasn't changed since 78! Dave sang perfect. He did everything he possibly could do on the stage which was about 4 foot by 20 foot. No room for splits but he threw his leg up about 3 times per song.

When is VH going to cut the bullshit and ask him back? I've had it with their bullshit attitudes.

Well, it has been little over two hours since Dave rolled through our town, and I'm torn both ways by his performance. First off, this is my first time seeing Dave in concert. But, I can definitely say that the guy has an unbelieveable stage presence, and is one hell of a great performer. From the swaggering walk, to the bravado brandishing talk, Dave definitely lives up to his legendary status.

However, this is not a trip back to the days that Van Halen ruled heaven and earth. Here are the highlights:

1. The venue was a former strip club (nice enough, but not good enough for a legend)
2. The band is tight, and Bart comes across as a great guitair player and a very nice guy. Dave should let him get out of the EVH mold a bit, for he seems to be quite talented.
3. Dave sings well, but he does not sound like the Dave on the VH records. His voice is much closer to the one on the DLR Band album. It is also great to hear the greatest Van Halen songs sung by the original himself.
4. Dave is the most sexual person I have ever seen. Every moment of his time was spent either playing with his cock, blowing his mike, or pouring beer and/or spitting on his genitalia. This guy really is fixated on his pecker.
5. Dave's show seems to be a close carbon copy of the other shows I have read about. He even got pissed off at a member of the audience again. This time the weapon thrown at him appeared to be a Charm's Blow Pop. Dave stopped the show, had a fit, belted out insult after insult about how the guy's girlfriend would be blowing him that night, and then proceeded to cuss to himself during the rest of the song. I can just imagine how pissed he would get if someone held up a banner asking him to play "Right Now."
6. Dave sweats like no other human being. Tons of it.
7. A roadie told me that, in effect, Dave has let Van Halen know that he is available.
8. Dave has very little physical contact with his fans. Even beautiful girls had to beg for his attentions. It is as if Dave has the Howard Hughes germ phobia.

I don't mean to sound down on Dave, as I loved the show. Believe me, there is no show in the world like Diamond Dave's. It is just a shame that Dave is caught in the late 70's rock god image of himself. He just can't seem to get past the Van Halen years, even though he has some great songs under his belt as a solo artist.

When Dave played Yankee Rose and Tobacco Road, you could see that he was really enjoying himself. Why not play a few from the latest DLR Band album, or any other number of solo songs? Why not even play Me Wise Magic?

After seeing the show, I came away both awed by the greatest showman in rock, and sad in the realization that Dave may just wither away. The Van Halens, in my opinion, will never take him back. He is just too Dave for them (and for his own good), and it looks like he will never change.

I'm not so sure The Station was ready for a show like that. Loud and furious is the best way to describe it. I've seen Roth seven previous times and that was the most pumped I've ever seen him. I think there were some heavy drugs goin'on backstage and the party carried over to the front of the house.

He had his usual fun with the ladies in the house, and even busted on a guy for drinking a zima.(a blow to his manhood). Roth as always grabs your attention and doesn't let go. The Elvis Presley of my generation, the king of bravado, the MC of the new millenium.

Hey Eddie, give the people what they want. After all, were the ones who have been paying your bills for over 20 years. It's time for a little payback! Do the right thing and make the call.

Walking up to the Station in Fern Park, Florida you would never have guessed that we were about to see David Lee Roth. As we were walking up we got the privilege of seeing him pull in on his tour bus. He was sitting in the window looking out, when he saw us he quickly shut a curtain.

We were still a little skeptical about this performance due to all of the negative publicity about his voice, etc. from the ex band members. He was set to hit the stage at 10pm but as usual he got on about 30 minutes late. The room was hot, sweaty, and smokey, and this added to our curiosity as we pushed our way to the edge of the stage.

When they finally got on the band was tight, the set list was a good flashback, and Dave and his band members were ready to rock!! We are here to say that David Lee Roth's voice and overall performance was stellar. He should keep on rockin' with this new band of his. We do not want to sound biased, we love Van Halen (the one and only original). But David Lee Roth proved that the Van Halen brothers lied. Most particularly his voice was 110%. He kicked serious ass.

It was getting to be about 6pm. and I arrive at the club to meet up with our fellow lister Doug Houser! Seems there's a line of five at the door! Doug's not here yet ..I proceed to the rear of the club were the busses park! Doug's not here..there's this one dude that I believe lives on those steps 'cuz he is always there!! He has the same DAVE stuff he had in 94..he is just an autograph hound..doesn't even have tickets.. DIRTBAG!!! There's a roped off area that's not normal with signs that say PASSES ONLY!! I think..

CLUB DAVE?? We talk with a tech fo the band and he say's he played with THIN LIZZY for six months!! Meanwhile I am carrying my CFTH hardback .... During this time I met up with Doug H. and his lovely wife and we proceed to the front! They get in line and I'm back to the circling of the club lookin' for clues of this PASSES ONLY thing and manage to lock my keys in my truck!! I get back around to the front and by now there is a considerable line! The phone booths are right at the front and I get on one calling my wife so she can bring my spare keys when she comes..er..arrives at the club!! While I'm on the phone I hold up my EDDIE DID IT sticker, that I got from Suzy Tudor, so the line can read it...I love an audience!!

Everyone asked if I was selling them!!! One guy with a foreign accent ask what the book was and I showed him and next thing ya know it's got a crowd formed around it and is being passed around! I was suprised how many people didn't know about it...this book I've taken to NYC with hopes of getting DAVE to scribble his name!!

Finally it's nearing showtime...I've been outside waitin' for a friend aaaaand maybe catch DAVE getting there!! I'm a fan..the other guy a signature hound! EVERYONE is inside...the floor is packed..it's getting pretty loud inside! My friend arrives and it's inside we go!!

Once inside we push through the crowd over to the left side of the stage if you're facing it...actually called stage right. I know there's a spot there for ME 'cuz...I just know there's a spot!! We get there and we are right in front of the speakers...find somethin' to plug the ears!!! Look here's BRENDA...my wife arrives just in time!!! Finally after waiting a spell everyone on the upper level was cheering!! THE KING has entered the building, you see to get to the stage they had to cut through the crowd up a few stairs up from us!! PEOPLE WERE GOIN' CRAZY!!

IT'S SHOWTIME!!! The lights come on, the music starts..the tissue in my ears..pointless!! I've stood at this spot for tons of shows.. I saw Steve Vai here...nothin' compared to this SONIC ASSAULT!!! A couple leave from their spots against the front wall, probably because it's so loud!! We take their spots...well..where we were, was in the shade from the lights.

When we moved over two step the temperature change from about 80 to RELENTLESS jungle HEAT!! I tell you what ..the ceilings were low.. the lights were HOT!!! DAVE was cookin'!!! Here's were I'm supposed to pull out my music education 101 and pick the band apart...WRONG..these guys ROOCK and give the song TIGHT a whole new name!!! Besides during the solos is when DAVE is carrying on right in our faces and that makes it a lil hard to evaluate BART'S work!!

I was right in front of TODD and that will explain the guitar pick that he tossed to my wife which bounced out of her hand and down my shirt! She recovered it and it is cool!!!

You all know the story. DAVE did tons o' HIS VH tunes!! This DAVE crew dude kept telling these two security drones to stand right in front of the speakers that are pushed to the front of the stage, the ones I'm standing beside! Well, DAVE says to one of them.."You in show business pal??!! He shakes his head no with a smile. Dave says, "Then get your ass off the stage!! At one point an asshole throws the broken off tip of a drumstick and almost nails DAVE in the face...it hits his shoulder and falls at his feet...the music stops ... DAVE says "Some asshole just threw a lollipop at me!!! We know who you are and you girlfriend is backstage right now sayin' (as he does the ..uh..marbles in the mouth motion/mumble!!)

At one point in a song DAVE says "and now for the benediction"... which to me, whose been goin' to church steady for 36 years, was great.. although the benediction comes near the end!!!! During the only few seconds they used a strobe light DAVE teased the ladies by seein' if his moon could drown out the strobes!!

Earlier he gave Doug Houser & his wife his special GOLDEN SHOWER!!! He swings his sword he screams his screams..he takes the microphone puts it down his pants about to his knee and rubs it on the BETTY up fronts face..HE IS DAVE!!!! HE IS KING!!!!! Cheers, Douglas T.

This is my second show in as many days. As luck would have it, I was staying at the same hotel as Dave and ran into him in the parking lot. He told me "I'd like some privacy" and his bodyguard told me to leave the area. As a guest of the hotel, I felt that I had a right to be there, but I didn't argue.

After Dave's comment to me, it was pretty much final. The show was good, but the venue was too small and it was HOT! They had the A/C turned off and the doors open. Dave must have been in a bad mood because all he did was curse on stage. Cursing at the fans and at whoever else. Has he forgotten that we are his fans?

Does Diamond Dave still have the goods? Does Roth have the stamina to recapture a spot with his old bandmates?

The answer is undoubtedly yes. Dave pulled off a stellar set of Van Halen classics and a couple solo tunes at the legendary Station in Fern Park near Orlando, to show that he's up to the task if called to rekindle the magic of the original Van Halen lineup.

The sound system was a tad loud for the venue, but coupled with Dave's performance, definitely produced all the energy of a full scale arena show. Opening with 1984's "Hot for Teacher", Roth quickly worked the crowd into a sweat, following with "Panama" and "Little Guitars" from Van Halen's Diver Down album.

Roth continued his set sprinkled with trademark profanities, occasional high kicks and crotch grabs. The set list was a cornucopia of deeper Van Halen album tracks, including "Atomic Punk", "Mean Street", "Unchained" and "So This Is Love", well woven through many radio staples such as "Dance The Night Away", "Ice Cream Man" and "You Really Got Me" including something closely resembling "Eruption" from Dave's guitarist.

The night ended with "Jump", leaving everyone wondering if Dave would do just that if called by the brothers Van Halen.

Might as well.

IRON DAVE ADAMS
7-midnight, WHTQ-FM Orlando.

Hot For Teacher
Panama
Little Guitars
Dance The Night Away Mean Street
Runnin' With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
So This Is Love?
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Little Dreamer
Atomic Punk
Ice Cream Man
Everybody Wants Some
Yankee Rose
Tobacco Road
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Unchained
Jump

DLR Solo: 02
Van Halen: 17

Total: 19

N/A