The DLR Cast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 30: Interview with Red Reign's Sam "Sammy Lee" Bendhiem Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

On this edition of "The DLR Cast," Darren and Steve catch up about, then they cut to Darren's recent interview with Red Reign drummer Sam "Sammy Lee" Bendhiem. Sammy Lee probably knows more about Van Halen and DLR than Darren does -- Darren's assessment -- and their conversation touches upon various facets of the DLR catalog (e.g. "Skyscraper," "Eat 'Em And Smile," "DLR Band," "A Different Kind Of Truth") and Sammy nearly meeting Dave a few times.

Sammy also talks about Red Reign's gigging alongside the likes of Tesla, Quiet Riot, Dokken and other DLR-adjacent artists we all dig. Red Reign's latest single is "Not That Way," and we at "The DLR Cast" are big fans of it. Go learn more about Red Reign via www.redreignband.com and www.facebook.com/RedReignBand.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 29: Interview with Tom Beaujour (co-author of "Nothing But A Good Time") Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

This week's interview is with Tom Beaujour, co-author (along with Richard Bienstock) of the awesome new book, "Nothin' But A Good Time: The Uncensored History of the 80's Hard Rock Explosion." Its the definitive, no-holds-barred oral history of 1980s hard rock and hair metal, told by the musicians and industry insiders who lived it. Darren and Tom get into the influence Van Halen and David Lee Roth had on this scene, the scene itself in Southern California, and much more.

At the top, Steve and Darren discuss the ridiculousness of the Grammys and their lame "tribute" to Eddie Van Halen and Wolgang's response. Also, was Michael Anthony going to join Dave onstage at a show last year? And, Paul Stanley's Soul Station and how Diamond Dave should have/could have done something similar, years before.

"Nothin' But A Good Time: The Uncensored History of the 80's Hard Rock Explosion" is available online and at your favorite independent bookstore.

Episode 28: Interview with Danny Zelisko (Author of "All Excess: Occupation Concert Promoter") Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

This week Darren and Steve welcome Danny Zelisko, author of "All Excess: Occupation Concert Promoter." Simply put, Danny is one of the most successful concert promoters to ever book a show and he's been doing that for 46 years and over 12,000 concerts. In "All Excess," Danny navigates you through his musical journey of producing concerts and takes you behind the scenes of it all as he tells you about his years of working with some of world's biggest stars in entertainment, the good friends he's made and the wild and crazy stories.

At the top, Darren and Steve discuss how the last Van Halen album 2012's "A Different Kind of Truth" may be the heaviest VH album of all, Eddie Van Halen's dearth of musical appearances and collaborations outside of VH, and a very strange David Lee Roth story re-surfaces...via Reader's Digest?

You can get Danny's book at all online booksellers and directly at his website, DZPLive.com.

The DLR Cast: The Essential Podcast by and for fans of David Lee Roth.

Episode 27: They're Just Like Us (Except in Interviews) Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

This week on "The DLR Cast," Darren and Steve talk about David Lee Roth in various interviews through the years, from Dave's 1988 appearance on "Larry King Live" to being on Joe Rogan and Marc Maron's podcasts.

Plus, does Gene Simmons love the Costco rotisserie chicken? And how its a crime that there's never been a home video release of either the "Eat 'Em and Smile" or "Skycraper" tours.

Episode 26: Interview with Jonny Polonsky Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

This week Darren has a great interview with the supremely talented and awesome singer/songwriter Jonny Polonsky. Jonny talks about first seeing David Lee Roth and Van Halen on MTV when he was 8 years old, learning Van Halen songs on guitar, Dave as a cultural influence, pursuing passions, the rock & roll lifestyle that used to be versus today, and much more. Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in suburban Wilmette, Illinois, Jonny Polonsky began writing, recording and self-releasing homemade cassettes as a teenager. Filled with smart rock and pop melodies, these cassettes landed in the hands of influential artists he admired, like Reeves Gabrels, Zander Schloss and Frank Black, who helped Jonny do a demo tape and find a manager. Soon the tapes got him a deal with Rick Rubin's American Records, and his debut album "Hi My Name Is Jonny" was released in 1995. Subsequent albums and musical projects included Jonny working with the Brad Wilk and Tim Comerford (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), Maynard James Keen from Tool, including joining Keen's side project Puscifer. As a studio musician he's appeared on albums by Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, The Dixie Chicks, and Pete Yorn. His latest album "Power and Greed and Money and Sex and Death" was released in 2020, recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown in his aparment. For more info visit JonnyPolonsky.com.

Episode 25: Interview with Jeff Cardoni (Film & TV Composer) Feb 07, 2021

Show notes

This week on "The DLR Cast": Darren speaks with composer, musician and David Lee Roth and Van Halen fan, Jeff Cardoni. Jeff talks aboout how his career evolved, composing for TV and movies, great guitar players, and, of course, Dave, Van Halen, and more! At the top: Steve and Darren wonder, "where is Dave?"

Jeff Cardoni's body of work ranges from studio features (e.g. "Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates," "Step Up: All In," "Just Friends, "Open Season 3," "Firehouse Dog," "Miss March") to television scores (e.g. "Silicon Valley," "The Kominsky Method," "Training Day," "Young Sheldon," "CSI:Miami," the re-boot of "Saved By the Bell"). For more on Jeff visit www.jeffcardoni.com

Episode 24: Interview with Doug Brod (Author of "They Just Seem A Little Weird") Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

Steve and Darren have a blast talking with Doug Brod, author of They Just Seem A Little Weird: How KISS, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith and Starz Remade Rock and Roll. Doug talks about the influences those bands had on so many musicians, the artist that connects them all and so much more. And yes, there's a couple of connections with David Lee Roth and Van Halen. At the top: Steve and Darren talk about the recently-released Alex Van Halen interview in Modern Drummer.

They Just Seem A Little Weird: How KISS, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith and Starz Remade Rock and Roll is a fantastic book and you can find it online and in your favorite bookstore. If you've been a fan of any of those bands, or all, you have to read this book! Follow Doug on Twitter: @DougBrod

And follow the podcast on Twitter! @TheDLRCast

Episode 23: Interview with Steve Brown (Trixter, Def Leppard, Tokyo Motor Fist) Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

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!

Follow your favorite podcast about Diamond Dave at Twitter: @TheDLRCast

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 Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

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.

Episode 21: Interview with American Hi-Fi's Stacy Jones Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

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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