Van Halen's Bad Habits (New VH Interview)

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/eddie-van-halen-my-dad-gave-me-a-shot-of-vodka-and-a-cigarette-when-i-was-12-years-old/

Posted: 25 March, 2013 by Triple M
Van Halen’s Bad Habits
Eddie spills beans on biggest myths surrounding the 70s rock legends

Eddie and Alex Van Halen back in the day (Getty Images)

Van Halen will be here for the Stone Music Festival and guess what, Eddie (guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums) spoke to Triple M’s Grill Team. Right away, The Grill Team played a bit of fact or fiction with the 70s rock legends.

Eddie is it true your dad gave you a shot of vodka and a cigarette when you were 12-years-old to help combat nerves?

“Yes, to help calm my nerves. Worked for him and worked for me for a lot of years, but those days are over now. I quit smoking and quit drinking about five or six years ago. There goes the neighbourhood!,” laughed Eddie.

Alex, you are an ordained minister?

“I don’t promote it but I don’t deny it,” said Alex. “I’m in a rock band so you have to take everything with a grain of salt.”

Van Halen are actually the band KISS without make-up?

“I think we’re much better looking,” laughs Alex.

Of course, Van Halen hit Australia this April with the old dog, David Lee Roth on vocals. Is it good to have Diamond Dave back in the band?

“It’s like you walk into the studio and we haven’t been together for a while and there’s this overwhelming sense of ‘coming home’. That’s the best way I can describe it,” said Alex.

“All the time we were apart was if it hadn’t existed and we picked up the fisti-cuffs right away,” laughed Alex. “It’s like a pair of jeans that just fit right.”

Eddie’s son Wolfgang has been playing bass in the band for the past seven years, after repalcing orginal bassist Michael Anthony in 2006.

“Of course it’s exciting, and he keeps us young,” laughed Eddie of having his son in the band.

Added Alex: “It’s good to have a different perspective on the music we recorded 35 years ago. We’re really happy the music has stood the test time and I think having a different generation involved with it gives us a different perspective.”

We cannot wait to see them at the Stone Music Festival on the 20th and 21st of April.

Listen To Eddie And Alex Van Halen:
http://ak.c.ooyala.com/w3MWlnYTqtk3opDzL8kEtHgCtpkot-Ea/DOcJ-FxaFrRg4gtDEwOjNpOjA7Uw_rn1.ogg