The DLR Cast

Episode 23: Interview with Steve Brown (Trixter, Def Leppard, Tokyo Motor Fist)

The awesome Steve Brown is this week's guest interview. Steve talks about digging both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, how Van Halen influenced him to form Trixter, that time (pre-fame) he ran on stage during a Van Halen show, and meeting Dave when Trixter was recording their debut album. 
At the top, Darren and Steve talk about some various DLR news: Dave donates a cool jacket for a MusicCares auction which segues into a conversation about his evolving aesthetic thru the years; former Dave guitarist Brian Young talks about working with Dave and Dave once expressed interest in managing Tesla? Plus, hello, Finland and Australia! 
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Steve Brown not only founded Trixter but he's also part of Tokyo Motor Fist, played with Danger Danger, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the Broadway musical Rock of Ages and is the only guy to fill-in for both Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen of Def Leppard. Find out more about Steve at http://www.stevebrownrocks.com.

Episode 22: Interview with Percussionist Sammy Figueroa

Darren and Steve discuss the latest Van Halen tribute show rumors and more. Then, Darren has a fun conversation with percussionist extraordinaire Sammy Figueroa. Sammy played on David Lee Roth's "Crazy From The Heat, "Eat 'Em And Smile" and "Skyscraper."
Sammy Figueroa has long been regarded as one of the world's great musicians and has played on countless records and is well-known for his versatility in a multitude of musical styles. Besides playing with Dave he's also played with David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, and George Benson. He also has a radio show which you can check out via Mixcloud Select. More on Sammy can be found online via www.sammyfigueroa.com.
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Episode 21: Interview with American Hi-Fi's Stacy Jones

Happy New Year! Its the first episode recorded in 2021 and Darren speaks with the great Stacy Jones (American Hi-Fi, Miley Cyrus, Veruca Salt, Letters To Cleo, Hey Monday, Matchbox Twenty) about a bunch o' cool things and Stacy has a cool Van Halen story, too! Prior to that Darren and Steve chat about the special, all-Van Halen edition of Life Magazine that's on newsstands and VH's "dark period."
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Episode 20: Interview with Richard Hilton ("Your Filthy Little Mouth" keyboardist)

Happy New Year! In this new episode of "The DLR Cast," Darren and Steve speak with Richard Hilton, who played keyboards on David Lee Roth's "Your Filthy Little Mouth" album. Richard gives the details on how he first met Dave (and who was there!), working with the legendary Nile Rodgers (who produced "YFLM"), and working on -- and collaborating with Dave -- while recording the album. Plus, Richard gives details on the lyrics, co-writing "You're Breathing It," his contributions to the background vocals, Dave's very clear musical vision, and how enjoyable it was recording the album at the Hit Factory studio in New York.
 

Episode 19: Interview With Drummer Ron Wikso

Darren and Steve are thrilled to welcome drummer-extraordinaire Ron Wikso to The DLR Cast!
If you saw David Lee Roth on the "Your Filthy Little Mouth Tour" in 1994, then you were digging Ron on the skins! Ron talks about his playing with...a ton of people actually, including Foreigner, The Storm, Cher, Gregg Rolie, Y&T's Dave Meniketti and a slew of others, and how he got the gig with Dave via Gregg Bissonette! Ron also talks about auditioning and rehearsing for the Dave gig at Dave's house, playing in that L.A. area rockers baseball league, charting out "Dance The Night Away," sharing a tour bus with Dave, and how you always have to be versatile.
Plus, Ron's got info on the "Night Life" promo CD with live "YFLM" tracks and what he's up to now. And some financial advice! The guy is versatile! Find out more about Ron at www.RonWikso.com.
...and The DLR Cast might be #1 ranked podcast about Diamond David Lee Roth!
 
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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!