The DLR Cast

Episode 18: Interview with Van Halen News Desk's Eric Senich

Darren and Steve are thrilled to welcome Eric Senich of the mighty Van Halen News Desk! Prior to the interview Darren and Steve talk about Dave's Sammy Hagar-inspired artwork, and Sammy's response. Then Steve and Darren talk with Eric about how Eric first got into Diamond David Lee Roth and Van Halen, Dave the Renaissance Man, Dave's vocals, the fact that "Just Like Paradise" is a pop gem, various takes on the Eat 'Em and Smile, Skyscraper, A Little Ain't Enough and Your Filthy Little Mouth albums, driving friends crazy with all-Dave, all the time, how Wolfgang Van Halen reached out to Dave to get Van Halen back together, and what might be in the Van Halen vaults. Plus, what we would like to see Dave do next, and that "She's My Machine" is a much cooler song than people think!
Eric Senich not only writes for the Van Halen News Desk but he's also got a cool podcast, DISCoveries With Eric Senich that you should check out.
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Episode 17: Interview with Steel Panther's Michael Starr + More Wolfgang Van Halen & Dave News

Darren and Steve talk about Wolfgang Van Halen's recent Howard Stern interview, his new song "Distance" and band, Mammoth WVH. Plus, the news about Diamond Dave around and from all the Wolfgang press. And this week's news-making interview: Darren talks with Michael Starr of Steel Panther.
For more of Darren's cool interviews with musicians, actors and more, check out the Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz everywhere you get your podcasts!
 
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Episode 16: What Is The Roth Project?

Steve and Darren take a deep and meandering look at The Roth Project, the dystopian, sci-fi digital graphic novel David Lee Roth recently released via DavidLeeRoth.com. What is it and why? Who is involved? We try and find out!
 
Odds are good that The DLR Cast on Twitter won't be as entertaining as the actual podcast but you can follow us here: @TheDLRCast
 

Episode 15: Interview With The Bissonette Brothers & "Somewhere Over The Rainbow Bar & Grill"

Steve and Darren discuss the surprise David Lee Roth track that just came out, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow Bar & Grill." Recorded sometime in the last decade, featuring John 5 on guitar and bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums, upon release DLR dedicated it Eddie Van Halen.
Then Darren talks with Gregg and Matt Bissonette! Greg (drums) and Matt (bass) were the rhythm section on Dave's Skyscraper tour and the A Little Ain't Enough Album. They talk about their careers, doing session work, touring with Ringo Starr, the Friends TV score, and, their cool new band The Reddcoats. The Reddcoats' first single, "Just Gimme The News" is out now. 
 
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Episode 14: Interview with Tyler Bryant (& Thoughts On Some Ridiculous Van Halen Rumors)

This episode's interview is with Tyler Bryant of Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown. Tyler talks about the huge influence Eddie Van Halen and the first Van Halen album were on him, his first guitar, David Lee Roth still writing cool lyrics (re: the last Van Halen album A Different Kind Of Truth) and a special appearance of his Diamond Dave soundboard.
Also, Steven and Darren spoke about the ridiculous Van Halen reformation/tribute rumors that Wolfgang Van Halen had to shoot down on social media. And, of course, go down a couple different paths from there.
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown is an American rock band. Founded in Nashville, Tennessee by guitarist Tyler Bryant, the group has since released four successful studio albums, and has toured with such groups as Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as making appearances at several rock-themed music festivals. The group's current lineup consists of Tyler Bryant (lead guitar & vocals), Graham Whitford (rhythm guitar), Ryan Fitzgerald (bass), and Caleb Crosby (drums). Their latest album Pressure, just came out last month and is killer!
 
 

Episode 13: Interview with Less Than Jake's Chris DeMakes + More Eddie Van Halen

The episode with 2 intros!
Intro #1: Steve and Darren discuss Eddie Van Halen's death, Sammy Hagar reportedly patching things up with Eddie, social media posts, and speculation about what might happen next.
Intro #2: As recorded before Eddie's passing and Darren and Steve talk about the death of Mark Stone, the original Van Halen bassist.
The Interview: Darren has a fun time with Chris DeMakes from Less Than Jake talking David Lee Roth, Van Halen, and more. A great guy who hosts the excellent, recently-launched series "Chris DeMakes A Podcast."

Episode 12: Eddie Van Halen (R.I.P.)

As recorded on the evening of October 6, 2020, Darren and Steve discuss the life, (unexpected) death, impact, and influence of the one and only Eddie Van Halen.
Edward Van Halen, R.I.P.

Episode 11: Interview with Longwave's Steve Schiltz

Darren talks with Longwave's Steve Schiltz about his band Longwave, Van Halen, and of course, David Lee Roth! Steve talks about how Eddie's guitar playing was his entry to Van Halen, Dave, and Steve Vai and Jason Becker's catalogs, and how it informed and inspired how own work. Plus, the time Steve and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) were incredulous when a younger travel companion hadn't heard of, and subsequently did not get, the greatness of "Hot For Teacher." And Darren tells Steve about the Japanese import of the Spanish-language version of Eat 'Em And Smile, Sonrisa Salvaje (yes, you read that right).
***
Steve Schiltz co-founded Longwave in 1999, and by 2002 the band was signed with RCA Records. Longwave’s sophomore album, The Strangest Things, helmed by Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann, brought the band’s music to the masses, and international tours with The Strokes, Bloc Party, OK Go and many more followed.
Longwave went on an unofficial hiatus in 2009, after releasing Secrets Are Sinister. After years of collaboration, Schiltz wrote, recorded, mixed and produced Tonight Is The Ghost by himself — the first set of songs from the project that would become Hurricane Bells. The album quickly garnered kind words from critics and a following of fans.
Steve's music has been featured on the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: New Moon, alongside Death Cab For Cutie, The Killers and more. Hurricane Bells released an EP in 2010 and a second album, Tides And Tales, the following year. Another EP, There’s Nothing Precious in the Past, was also completed. The band toured the States and played to crowds in Japan and India. 
Steve has toured with the likes of Albert Hammond Jr., The Pierces, Teddy Thompson and James Iha. His playing and writing can be heard on Blue October’s 2018 hit album I Hope You’re Happy (for which he co-wrote the title song), as well as UK hits by Birdy and Gavin James, and James Bay’s international 2019 hit “Bad”. He's also his own boutique studio, composing music for documentary films and ads for multiple national brands and companies.
In 2019, Longwave reunited and released “If We Ever Live Forever”, followed by “Live At Bowery Ballroom” in 2020. New records by Blue October, Harvard Of The South, and the Japan-only “There’s Nothing Precious In The Past” are all slated for release in 2020.
For more on Steve Schiltz and his music visit SteveSchiltz.com and be sure to check out Darren's work at Paltrowitz.com
 
 
 

Episode 10: Interview with Greg Renoff, author of "Van Halen Rising" and "Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music"

Greg Renoff, author of Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal and Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music joins us to talk about David Lee Roth, Van Halen, Ted Templeman, and so much more. It's a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from the backyard parties that launched VH, Templeman's role with VH and so much great music, to the story behind the songwriting credits on "I'll Wait" from Van Halen's 1984 album. Plus, the acting stylings of Dave's dad, Dr. Roth! And...Tim Conway!
Greg Renoff was born in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in New Jersey. Renoff earned his Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University and his writing has appeared in medium.com/cuepoint, Guitar World, LA Weekly, and Vulture. He and his work have been profiled in Spin, Salon, Maxim, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Magazine, Oklahoma Magazine, Yahoo Entertainment, and the Boston Herald. Greg lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma and enjoys connecting with readers via vanhalenrising.com and twitter.com/GregRenoff.
Greg Renoff's books are available online and at your favorite local bookstore.
 
 

Episode 9: A Conversation With Musician Jesse Harms (David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon)

Darren spoke with the only guy to appear on both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar albums, Jesse Harms. Jesse is a songwriter, keyboardist and producer whose work has appeared on over 15 million albums worldwide. In addition to Dave and Sammy, Jesse has also worked with Heart, REO Speedwagon, Bad English, John Hiatt, Guitar Shorty, Ry Cooder, and Patty Smyth. He also worked with Eddie Money, writing one of Money's biggest hits, "Walk On Water."
In this wide-ranging conversation, Jesse talks about touring, writing and recording with Sammy, life on the road, the realistic expectations and the highs and lows of being a working rock musician, while being a dad and a husband. 
Plus, Darren and Steve talk about Dave's new tour dates -- in 2021!