What says 'classic American hard rock' better than the mighty Van Halen? Nothing, right? So, we're not surprised that our friends in Finland would jack some American culture for their outrageously popular band, Steve 'n' Seagulls. (Okay, culture may not exactly be the word that first comes to mind when processing the pun on the band's name and the actor who inspired it, but … [Read more...]
Archives for 2018
Top 20 Van Halen Songs of All Time?
Radio host Eddie Trunk has come up with a list of what he believes are the 20 greatest Van Halen songs of all time. Which song finished first? How many Sammy songs made the list? How many Dave songs made the list? Did Gary Cherone make the list? You’re about to find out. Trunk aired the latest edition of his featured segment called Trunk Top 20 during his Sirius/XM radio … [Read more...]
30 Years Ago: Van Halen Launches ‘Monsters of Rock’ Stadium Tour
Embed from Getty Images 30 years ago this week, "The Monsters of Rock" summer stadium tour launched, featuring Van Halen, the Scorpions, Dokken, Metallica and Kingdom Come. From The New York Times, May 29th, 1988: The Monsters of Rock Open a 23-City Tour America's stadium-rock season opened here today with a bang - or, more precisely, the nine-hour roar of Van … [Read more...]
30th Anniversary Roundtable Discussion: Did Van Halen Bite Off Too Much With ‘OU812’?
30 years after the release of Van Halen's OU812, our friends at Ultimate Classic Rock hosted a roundtable discussion about the album. Featuring UCR staff, along with VHND's Jeff Hausman, and Van Halen Rising author, Greg Renoff, they tackle five big questions about the album. Read everyone's answers to question #1, below, and continue to read the rest at UCR. From … [Read more...]
‘Van Halen Rising’ Author Greg Renoff Discusses All Things Van Halen
We're glad to feature this wonderful interview with Greg Renoff, who literally wrote the book on Van Halen, with 'Van Halen Rising'. Jeff Goebel from Musical Journeys interviewed him in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the incredibly Historic Cain’s Ballroom, where Van Halen performed in 1978. Watch the interview, above. Subjects include David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael … [Read more...]
Watch These Guys React to Hearing ‘Aint Talkin’ Bout Love’ For The First Time
The two guys from the very popular "Lost in Vegas" YouTube series ("Home of the Unbiased Reactions") have ... believe it or not ... never heard Van Halen's ''Ain't Talkin' Bout Love.'' Watch their reaction. Their enthusiasm for the newly discovered song is infectious! Doug from VHND reflects on this video: I absolutely love this video! I really get a kick out of these … [Read more...]
Cobra Kai Star William Zabka Needs No Black Belt To Rock Vintage Van Halen Tee
Make no mistake. William Zabka , one of the two leads in YouTube Red’s new Cobra Kai series, has great respect for the mighty Van Halen. Thus, we can only imagine his showing up on-screen wearing the vintage style “1980 Invasion” t-shirt wasn't just a random choice by the costume department. Johnny Lawrence—he of "Sweep the leg" infamy—shows off the tee in the third episode of … [Read more...]
Tonight in Phoenix: Meet Us at the Atomic Punks!
TONIGHT in PHOENIX / TEMPE! See the Ultimate Van Halen tribute, The Atomic Punks, at Tempe's "Rock and Roll Night Out" at the Marquee Theatre tonight (Friday May 11). Also, meet Jeff & Terri from VHND & Van Halen Store. We’re based in Phoenix, and we're friends with the band, so we'll be there! We're hanging out at the merch booth selling Official VH items. Come … [Read more...]
Product Review: The Next Best Thing to Having Eddie with You
In the Personal Dilemmas section today: guitar woes. Recently got a new 6 string. Great looking guitar, to be sure, but I already had a red semi-hollow body from the same company, and wanted something different. So, bring it to a guy in town known for slinging acrylic and enamel. Fast forward a month. Things, y'know, like real life, keep getting in the way of me getting her … [Read more...]
Why the ‘Jump’ Synthtro Doesn’t Stray Far from the Band’s Raw Roots
Given the endless tone worship and shredding adulation Eddie Van Halen generates within the guitar community, it's somewhat ironic that one of the band's most recognizable sounds comes from a synth. But as a number one hit upon its release and a mainstay of sports arenas and karaoke bars in years since, "Jump" from Van Halen's 1984 is about as classic as it gets—and it’s … [Read more...]
The David Lee Roth Boogie!
Kick off your weekend with "The David Lee Roth Boogie!" Watch it above. The creator of this video, X-RAY SIMON, tells us, "I just did this fun little video to thank VH & Dave ... if you would love to share it with the fans through VHND I'd be the luckiest man in the world ... "David Lee Roth of Van Halen doesn't even need to sing to be great. His signature screams and … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony Meet and Greet at Guitar Center Tonight
Michael Anthony will only be at Guitar Center's Pasadena, California location TONIGHT (Thursday April 26th) at 7pm. "Join us for a meet and greet with the legendary bassist, known for his work with Chickenfoot and Van Halen. Be sure to check out Anthony’s new Signature basses from Schecter Guitar Research." … [Read more...]