Frontman David Lee Roth was a recent guest on comedian Marc Maron’s, WTF With Marc Maron, podcast, highlights from the discussion appear below, as per Blabbermouth.net.
On why their relationship declined:
“Why did it fracture? ‘Cause all rock bands fracture It turns into diverse interests. People have the friction of time. And that friction is family; that friction is… sometimes it’s partying, but I don’t know if that’s what really separated Van Halen.”
There were always creative differences, We never got along. It was a beautiful, beautiful pairing of… You’ve seen cowboy movies where the guys are always sabotaging each other but they’re working to somehow accomplish something. And I think you’ll see that in a lot of popular bands. They may have gotten through it, but I don’t know that we ever really grew up and became gentrified. Now, that may not be a good thing; a part of me remained 23 years old forever.”
Speaking about reuniting in 2012, 34 years after Van Halen’s debut release. years after Van Halen’s debut release, as well as making the comeback album, A Different Kind Of Truth:
“Van Halen’s perfect, and I always sensed that perfect would get back together — perfect in its imperfections. Think of your most ruined jeans that barely are jeans. They’re your favorite because of the holes in ’em… Your favorite part of your cowboy boots is the f–ked up part… That kind of imperfection, we value that and we still have it — it’s in the music, and it makes the music more popular than ever.”
On whether he could sit down today and have dinner with the Van Halen brothers:
“Nope. Not even close. Not even close. This is not a golf club. This is a little closer to The Wild Bunch. There is a fury and an antagonism, and what comes out of that is, when it’s good — oh, man.”
Van Halen’s last live performance was in October 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
14 Responses
dave would’ve said “the brady bunch”, but that’s my story.
Stay Frosty Ice Cream Man!
Every media source today is hanging on that one quote about DLR and the VH brothers not being able to have dinner together. I think what Dave’s saying is being taken too literally. It’s probably Dave’s colorful way of saying that the two parties don’t socialize and aren’t particularly pals who hang out. I don’t think anything more should be read from it.
Also, not to get too math nerdy, but….
“Speaking about reuniting in 2012, 23 years after Van Halen’s debut release”….
I think you mean “reuniting in 2007, 23 year’s after Van Halen’s 1984 album” or “reuniting in 2012, 34 year’s after Van Halen’s debut release.”
Thank you, I will fix it, that was Blabbermouth.net’s info.
That is common knowledge any VH knows. They never got along, this isn’t new. As to him saying the friction makes good music, I agree to a point, but besides some mediocre tunes on ADKOT that friction hasn’t produced much besides nostalgia tours. VH was always about pushing boundaries, not staying safe. From Dave’s wild persona, Eddie’s unearthly playing, and Alex’s awesome drumming, it was always extraordinary, Sammy’s vocals, Mike’s vocals and energy… A lot of that was missing from the last tours.
just my opinion.
Is that DLR or Mr. Furley?
that gave me a chuckle.
I’m probably in the minority in NOT wanting to see a Van Halen reunion. Who knows what’s going on with Eddie, whether his health is failing or has just become another Howard Hughes recluse. Alex only follows his little brother around, so he’s not doing anything productive right now. Michael is having the time of his life with Sammy Hagar. God bless them both. And I sure as hell don’t ever want to hear Dave sing again, especially after that sh–ty “Jump” remix he recently released. Personally Van Halen is dead to me.
Off topic, but I’m getting sick and tired of hearing Eddie Trunk s–t all over Judas Priest. Only two original members remain, blah blah blah. Never mind Scott Travis had been in the band for almost 30 YEARS! Never mind KK Downing left the band ON HIS OWN VOLITION! Yet Eddie is all in with Queen, another band with only TWO ORIGINAL MEMBERS, and WITHOUT FREDDIE MERCURY! What about Iron Maiden? They too only have two original members remaining from their debut album (Steve Harris, Dave Murray). Should they call it a career as well Ed? Very inconsistent. Very hypocritical.
I am not defending anyone, as this the first I am learning of this, with Priest being my favorite band, BUT, Mercury died, so…not a good comparison.