The DLR Cast

Episode 45: Interview with Brad Tolinski & Chris Gill (Authors of ”Eruption: Conversations With Eddie Van Halen”)

This week Darren talks with Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill, authors of the amazing new book, "Eruption: Conversations With Eddie Van Halen." Of course, EVH is discussed, as is David Lee Roth, their book, and much more. If you haven't got this book yet, what are you waiting for?
At the top, Darren and Steve are just two fools a minute, pontificating about Eruption, Dave going really solo through the years, some thoughts on Michael Anthony and was Van Halen as big in Europe as they could/should have been?  
"Eruption: Conversations With Eddie Van Halen" is available everywhere you buy books including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and your favorite indie bookshop.

Episode 44: Interview With Rocket Ritchotte & Kane Ritchotte

At the top, Darren and Steve talk about "The Last Tour...Unti It Isn't..."or is it? More speculation on Diamond Dave's pending retirement, the New Year's Eve shows in Las Vegas! Why the 90's were Dave's mystery/"lost" era, how it went more "solo" than ever before, with a good number of band members coming and going. And Darren's Alex Van Halen prediction!
Then, not 1, but 2 people -- in the same family -- who played with David Lee Roth: Rocket Ritchotte and his son Kane. Rocket played guitar for several years off and on with Dave and has 2 co-writes on "A Little Ain't Enough"; Kane is a drummer who played with Dave for 2 weeks prior to the 2020 Las Vegas gigs. Both have some amazing inside information on what it's like to tour, hang, and most importantly, play music with Dave. How demanding is Dave? How much rehearsal did they do (short answer: hours!)? Plus, was Bob Ezrin going to produce "A Little Ain't Enough?"
Rocket Ritchotte has played with a ton o' people, find out who and more at RocketRichotte.com. Kane Roberts plays with the band More as well as Haim. Follow Kane on Instagram @kane_ritchotte.

Episode 43: Interview With Artist Margo Z. Nahas (Creator Of Van Halen‘s ”1984” Album Cover)

At the top, it's a bit melancholy as Darren and Steve discuss the 1-year anniversary of Eddie Van Halen's passing (10/6), talk some more about Dave's big retirement announcement, the passing of time, and Dave's upcoming birthday (10/10).
Then, things lighten up as Darren talks with artist Margo Z. Nahas. Margo is the artist who created the most iconic Van Halen album cover of them all, "1984." There's all sorts of fun and cool info about making of that iconic album cover and much more.
Check out Margo's work at Instagram at @miss_go_go and check out www.vanhalen1984.com for more about that album cover.

Episode 42: Big News From David Lee Roth, New Music & An Interview With Robbie Nevil

A lot of big news from David Lee Roth! Darren and Steve dig into the big retirement announcement. Is Dave really retiring? Are there medical issues?
Plus, Dave's December shows in Las Vegas. Who's in the band? Will the setlist be different? Will Alex Van Halen make a guest appearance? And the terrific new track DLR dropped, "Lo-Rez Sunset," from the John 5 sessions.
Then, Darren talks with songwriter extraordinaire Robbie Nevil. Robbie co-wrote 2 tracks on Dave's "A Little Ain't Enough" album, the title track and "Shoot It." Robbie tells why Dave is "a very memorable cat to work with," his songwriting process, and much more.
Robbie Nevil started his musical career as a songwriter and session guitarist, transitioning to the role of recording artist where he landed a chart-topping hit with “C'est La Vie." That led to a steady stream of hits as a songwriter and producer with songs on more than 35 gold & platinum albums. ​Some of the artists who have recorded his songs include Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Smash Mouth, The Pussycat Dolls, Ricky Martin and a long list of Disney projects including "High School Musical" as well as numerous T.V. and film placements including the theme song for "TMZ."
 

Episode 41: Dave at the 2021 Video Music Awards & An Interview with Billy Sheehan

Darren and Steve discuss David Lee Roth's recent appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, what was said and what wasn't, the soon-to-be-50th anniversary of Dave and Alex Van Halen "ragging on each other," and will Dave be in Las Vegas for New Year's Eve?
Then, Darren talks with the amazing Billy Sheehan, discussing the new 30th anniversary edition of Mr. Big's "Lean Into It" album, coming up in Buffalo, New York, his years with Talas, Harvey Weinstein, writing and recording the new Winery Dogs album, almost making the ill-fated "Eat 'Em and Smile" movie, getting together with Steve Vai and Gregg Bissonette, some thoughts on the "Skyscraper" album, and Darren's year is made as Billy talks about the making of "Sonrisa Salvaje!"

Episode 40: Back From Hiatus, Dave, Gene, Nikki & More

The DLR Cast -- your all-natural, artisnal podcast for all-things David Lee Roth -- returns from a short summer hiatus! Darren and Steve riff on the DLR and Gene Simmons imbroglio, Nikki Sixx, speculate on Wolfgang, Sammy and discuss a recent great interview with John5 at AL.com.

Episode 39: Interview with Chuck Shute ("The Chuck Shute Podcast")

Steve and Darren talk with Chuck Shute, the host of The Chuck Shute Podcast. Chuck talks about his Van Halen and David Lee Roth fandom, interesting interviews, all-things rock and roll, and much more
Chuck's aim with his podcast is to "educate, entertain and inspire" and his interviews musicians, athletes, actors, authors and more. Recent interviews include Dee Snider, David Duchovny, Nate Boyer, Ratt's Stephen Pearcy, and John Corabi. Check out The Chuck Schute Podcast everywhere you get podcasts and at ChuckShute.com

Episode 38: Talking About "Crazy From The Heat" with writer/director/producer Steve Herold

It's all about the aborted David Lee Roth flick "Crazy From The Heat!" Darren and Steve speak with filmmaker Steve Herold about Dave's aborted 1985 movie and the actual script. What kind of movie was it supposed to be? Is it funny? Could it have been a hit? How far along was the production? Would the "Eat 'Em and Smile" band been in it? All that, and "No Big 'Ting!"
Writer, director and producer Steve Herold has been working in film and television since graduating from the film program at New York’s School of Visual Arts. His work has included "Killing Fields," "Celebrity Wife Swap," and "Death of an Umbrella Salesman," the latter of which came out earlier this year. Follow Steve and his work at Instagram via @jointfilms.

Episode 37: Interview with Author, Musician, Director & Producer Frank Meyer (Part 2)

Part 2 of our interview with Frank Meyer, who has more David Lee Roth stories, talks about seeing the very first, open-to-the-public Van Halen reunion rehearsal on stage, covering Van Halen's "In A Simple Rhyme" (it's very cool, check it out), talking Van Halen with Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers, meeting Eddie Van Halen at Dweezil Zappa's house, Eddie's infamous backyard party for a movie soundtrack, and much more.
You may have first known musician, author and producer Frank Meyer as the frontman for The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, but Van Halen die-hards may know him from his work on copy-editor and interviewer on photographer Neil Zlozower’s book "Van Halen: A Visual History 1978 – 1984." He has also interviewed David Lee Roth many times -- first time around for POPsmear Magazine -- and featured DLR in the book "On the Road with The Ramones." In addition,  Frank has a great new album with Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers: https://www.instagram.com/spaghettiandf.

Episode 36: Interview with Author, Musician, Director & Producer Frank Meyer (Part 1)

Part 1 of an interview you don't want to miss!! Darren talks with musician, author and producer Frank Meyer. You may have first known him as the frontman for The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, but Van Halen die-hards may know him from his work on copy-editor and interviewer on photographer Neil Zlozower’s book "Van Halen: A Visual History 1978 – 1984." He has also interviewed David Lee Roth many times -- first time around for POPsmear Magazine -- and featured DLR in the book "On the Road with The Ramones." Meyer he's got some amazing Dave stories to tell, from working and drinking a lot with him, to hearing Dave and Van Halen reunion music, as recorded 7 (!) years before they got back together! And as an FYI, Frank has a great new album with Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers -- more on that here: https://www.instagram.com/spaghettiandfrank.