Over the last three years, the VHND has kept up with three young musicians who've been performing excellent Van Halen covers, but always having to do them long distance, as two of them live in Québec, and one lives in Australia. This summer, however, they all got together for the first time — to perform several gigs as the Jacob Deraps Band! Watch their latest Van Halen cover, … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2017
When Van Halen Kicked Up ‘One Way To Rock’ Ten Notches
How do you turn a pretty decent rock song into an ABSOLUTELY EPIC guitar song? You just add Eddie Van Halen, of course. It was on this day in 1986 that Van Halen was filmed in New Haven Connecticut, which resulted in our favorite recorded version of "There's Only One Way to Rock." If you want to appreciate the difference Eddie Van Halen can make on guitar, just listen to … [Read more...]
10-Second Sneak Peek of Wolfgang Van Halen’s Music
Update 8/28/17: Wolf tweeted it today. Embedded above. Listen to a 10-second sneak peek of Wolfgang Van Halen's solo project in the video above. The snippet was posted by Wolfgang himself this week as an Instagram Story. All Instagram Stories are automatically deleted by Instagram 24 hours after they're posted, but – wouldn't you know it – someone grabbed the audio and … [Read more...]
Wolfgang: ‘Shouldn’t Be Too Much Longer’ Until Solo Album Finished
Wolfgang posted the following message today on social media, along with the above photo: "Progress. Shouldn't be too much longer until everything I've been working on is done." Sounds like his solo project is coming along. Earlier this year, VHND received confirmation that the talented 26-year-old, who's been playing bass in Van Halen since 2006, is doing it all (bass, … [Read more...]
10-Year-Old Drummer Avery Molek Performs 9-Song Van Halen Medley
This kid never ceases to amaze us! Watch Avery Molek's new video released today, where the 10-year-old drumming prodigy performs a medley of 9 Van Halen classics! Nice song choices, Avery! Related Avery Molek articles: Our original feature on young drumming prodigy Avery Molek, 6-Year-Old Drummer Shreds Van Halen’s ‘Hot For Teacher’, wracked up over two million views … [Read more...]
1975: A 20-year-old Eddie Van Halen Plays Acoustic Guitar at a Wedding
First, we want to thank Greg Renoff, author of Van Halen Rising, for unearthing this absolute gem of a photo! This was posted on the VHR Facebook page yesterday. In this photograph from 1975, a 20-year-old Edward Van Halen plays acoustic guitar at a wedding. The piano player is Kenny Smith, who went on to become a music industry sales guru. Kenny and Eddie were playing for … [Read more...]
Billy Sheehan Looks Back at Van Halen’s Early Years & David Lee Roth Band
On this day in 1986 (Aug. 16th), David Lee Roth began his first solo tour in Hampton, VA with Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai, and Gregg Bissonette! In a new interview, Billy Sheehan gives a very candid interview about his years with DLR, his bizarre exit, the near "Eat' em & Smile" reunion, and how he almost ended up in Van Halen! (Listen below). Eat 'em and Smile Tour With … [Read more...]
Review – Mad Anthony’s Hot Sauces, BBQ Sauces, and Fiery Hot Mustard
We've got news for Michael Anthony fans and hot sauce connoisseurs out there — we've got a new, in depth review of all five flavors of Mad Anthony sauces! Last summer, Michael switched to a newer and larger manufacturer and distributor for his entire line of award-winning MAD ANTHONY'S SAUCES. This has brought a couple benefits: - For those of you who wanted more heat, … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s ‘Ice Cream Man’ Covered by Jacob Deraps Band
Over the last three years, the VHND has kept up with three young musicians who've been performing excellent Van Halen covers, but always having to do them long distance, as two of them live in Québec, and one lives in Australia. This summer, however, they all got together for the first time — to perform several gigs as the Jacob Deraps Band! Watch their latest Van Halen cover, … [Read more...]
Watch Sons of Apollo Perform Van Halen Cover
Photo: Alyson Camus An impressive cover of Van Halen classic's, "And the Cradle Will Rock…”, was performed by Sons of Apollo this week, which can be viewed below. Sons of Apollo is the newly formed progressive metal supergroup who confirmed they’ll release a debut album this fall. The brainchild of ex-Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, the band … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Talks Hypothetical Van Halen Reunion in Maxim Interview
In a new interview with Maxim, Sammy Hagar says he wants to get Van Halen back together--with both him AND David Lee Roth on the same stage. Here's the Van Halen content for the interview: There’s been talk of a Van Halen reunion tour with both you and David Lee Roth. Have you been approached and would you do it? First of all, I have not been approached. Secondly, it … [Read more...]