Category Archives: Van Halen

If I had been any closer to the stage at that Van Halen show the other night, I’d be carrying Eddie’s baby

By Daddy Scratches | Published: January 11, 2012

I knew going into last Thursday night’s Van Halen concert that, based solely on the size of the venue, I’d be fairly close to the stage … but I didn’t know I’d be THIS close: No, seriously: One of the most awesome things about sitting this close to the stage while seeing Van Halen perform in a tiny little basement club in New York City … is being able to say that you were sitting this close to the stage while seeing Van Halen perform in a tiny little basement club in New York City. In truth, the show was… [read the rest]

Also posted in Music | 35 Comments

That blow job I offered 2012? Already paying off.

By Daddy Scratches | Published: January 3, 2012

So there’s that whole thing with me and Van Halen, right? Well, the band is about to release its first new album with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years, and to drum up some excitement, the boys are playing a private show Thursday night in New York City at a little hole-in-the-wall place that holds only a couple hundred people. It’s about as big as my kitchen. (Background info: My kitchen = Not so big.) Here’s the outside: Here’s the inside: Now, the newly minted Year 2012, after hearing what I was willing to do in order to… [read the rest]

Also posted in Music | 17 Comments

Do the chickens have large talons?

By Daddy Scratches | Published: August 27, 2009

A few months ago, I was all “Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot!” And you loved it. (At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.) Now, if you’ll please indulge me once more, I’m going to go all “Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot!” on you again … but, after this entry, you probably won’t have to hear about them for a while, because Chad, their drummer, will soon head into the studio to record a new album with his main group, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and when that happens, I fear that Chickenfoot won’t ride again for quite some time. So. Chickenfoot came to… [read the rest]

Also posted in Marriage, Music, Zan | 20 Comments

Battered Van Halen-fan syndrome

By Daddy Scratches | Published: April 25, 2007

Look, I appreciate your concern, but, really, I’m OK. He’s not going to hurt me again. Yes, I know it’s not the first time he’s said he’d change … not the first time he’s said it won’t happen again … that he’ll stop drinking … that I can trust him … that he really loves me. I know. But, seriously, I think he really means it this time. I mean, look: he went and got help. Real help. Professional help. That month he just spent in rehab … I mean, c’mon, that’s a big step. He’s making a real effort.… [read the rest]

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Gilford Cabo Wabo, NH

By Daddy Scratches | Published: July 5, 2006

As anyone who has spent more than 60 seconds in my presence can tell you, I have several yarns I like to spin about exciting moments I have had with the members of Van Halen. The man standing between Wonder Woman and me in the photo above is Kevin Dugan, a good friend to whom I owe a great deal of credit for quite a few of those experiences—the latest of which took place last week, and buried the needle deep into the red on the Holy-Shit-That-Was-Coolometer. Kevin is the bass-tech extraordinaire for Mr. Michael Anthony of the once-mighty Van… [read the rest]

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Van Halen (or, The Band That Ate My Life)

By Daddy Scratches | Published: April 9, 2006

Me & Ed, '93

OK, so I’ve been off the radar for a while because I was building a website dedicated to the goings on in the dysfunctional world of Van Halen.

The sane among you are most likely wondering, “Why the hell would someone spend so much time and energy building a website about Van Halen?” Fair enough. Allow me to explain.… [read the rest]

Also posted in Music | 17 Comments

C’mon, Dave, gimme a break

By Daddy Scratches | Published: January 3, 2006

Twenty minutes. That’s roughly how long I was able to listen to David Lee Roth’s first broadcast as the East Coast replacement for Howard Stern before I had to bail. I wanted to like it. Really, I did. There was a time, mind you, when I thought David Lee Roth was officially The Coolest Motherfucker Who Ever Walked the Earth. Unfortunately, that time was about 20 years ago. Prior to Dave’s radio debut, I predicted his show would last six months. After hearing him today, I’m halving that. I once called in to Howard’s show during a segment when Dave… [read the rest]

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