June 2007 Featured User

DLR4VH

DLR4VH - Derek plays guitar for VH tribute band, Panama. Here's a short bio he wrote for us, followed by his interview.

Derek: I'm 43 & married for 19 years this June. I have two boys, Blaine 17 (looks just like Nikki Sixx) and Clay 13 (awsome guitar player and drummer). I've been playing guitar for 27 years (on and off). Of course Eddie is the reason I picked up the guitar. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). I work for a technology company and I sell IT Services to a major coffee company based in Seattle, WA.

Chelle: Where are you from?
Derek: Southern California all my life…grew up in Whittier until I was 10 and then moved to Hacienda Heights. I live in Orange County now.

Chelle: Do you have any siblings?
Derek: Two brothers, both older.

Chelle: What is your earliest memory?
Derek: Getting stitches in my forehead at 5 or 6 (remember I have two older brothers).

Chelle: I know you've seen DLR live cuz we saw him with you at Morongo. But have you seen Van Halen/Van Hagar live?
Derek: Yes! My first VH concert was the VH II tour in 1979 at the Forum in Los Angeles (terrible seats however). I went to every VH tour with DLR except the first one (a good friend of mine recently told me that we were actually considering seeing VH in '78 at Anaheim Stadium but we didn't go…of course we were only 14 then). Starting with WACF tour I went to two shows each tour. When VH& DLR split I did not go to see VH (5150 & OU812 Tours) and went to see DLR (Eat'em tour twice). I had tickets to see DLR for Skyscraper but the show never materialized, I believe due to poor ticket sales. The next time I went to see VH was the FUCK tour. I also went to the Live RHRN tour, Balance, and the '04 reunion three times. I've seen solo DLR every tour since 1999.

Chelle: Which show was most memorable for you?
Derek: They're all memorable but 1984 stands out.

Chelle: What makes that one stand out for you?
Derek: Van Halen was at the pinnacle of their career and they had a Huge stage show that year but most importantly, I had good seats that tour!

Chelle: Who else have you met from the VH/DLR boards?
Derek: Of course Jason Lee and you and only a hand full of others.

Chelle: Oh yeah, I remember that show you did with Jason. Here's a pic

And speaking of Jason, he has a few questions for you as well...

Jason: What's your favorite song to play?
Derek: I'm The One because it's complete guitar acrobatics!

Jason: What's the tune the crowd always goes crazy for?
Derek: This is easy, Hot For Teacher.

Jason: What tune was the hardest to learn?
Derek: I'm The One, not so much because of all the crazy riffs but it has a “swing” timing that's not easy, especially for a rock guitar player.

Jason: What's the most fun gig you've ever done?
Derek: House of Blues on the main stage in front of 700 or so people.

Derek: Trinidad, South America was crazy too. We played in front of 2000 screaming people who thought we were the real thing!

Chelle: What were you doing in Trinidad? And what happened when they found out you weren't the real thing? lol
Derek: We got booked to play a Rock Festival called “Headbanger's Ball.” Well I did sign some autographs as “Eddie” so I don't know if they'll ever found out…who am I to disappoint?

Jason: What do you think of the Atomic Punks, and do you think your band will be able to achieve the same success as they have?
Derek: Not only is the Atomic Punks the best tribute to Van Halen, they're the best tribute band period. The AP's have a 10 year head start on us so if we do achieve the same success, it's going to take us a while.

Chelle: What if Dave asked you to be his guitar player? Would you do it?
Derek: In a heartbeat. In a New York second. I was asked to send a demo to DLR's people last year, I think he was preparing just in case Brian wasn't available. Obviously Brian toured and I never heard anything back. Brian's the best!

Chelle: What is your opinion of the current state of VH?
Derek: Hopeful.

Chelle: What do you think of the idea of Wolfie playing bass for them?
Derek: When it was announced, Eddie said Wolfie had only been playing bass for three months so I thought the idea was preposterous. Hopefully a sober and clearer Eddie will realize a “classic” VH reunion is not a reunion unless Michael Anthony is involved…like I said, I'm hopeful.

Chelle: Will you still go see them if Mike's not there?
Derek: Yes. I'll go see VH if Gene Simmons is playing bass. I will always go see VH.

Chelle: Ever met any VH band members?
Derek: Only at the NAMM show, Eddie and Michael. Never one-on-one.

Chelle: Which year did you meet Eddie? What was your impression of him at that time?
Derek: Have you ever seen the picture attached of Eddie, it was circulating the internet quite a bit, I took it at NAMM '03. I thought he was a little off kilter (to put it nicely).

Chelle: Have you been in any other bands?
Derek: Many. I've been playing in bands since I was 17. Syren, Swindler, Stormer (as long as it starts with an “S” I guess I was cool with the name).

Chelle: Any original music we can hear?
Derek: I do have original music recorded but it's not on the web.

Chelle: Any way of hearing it? Who would you say your influences are?
Derek: I have a CD that I could convert into MP3s. My influences include EVH, Rhodes, Tipton, May, Vai, DeMartini, Jabs

Chelle: Do you play any other instruments?
Derek: No.

Chelle: What's the link to your myspace page?
Derek: http://www.myspace.com/eddievanheineken
My band website is www.vhtributeband.com

Chelle: If you could get away with it, who would you kill?
Derek: I couldn't kill anyone, even if no one would find out as my conscience wouldn't let me get away with it.

Chelle: How much cash do you have on you right now?
Derek: $20 bucks and a Starbucks card.

Chelle: If your company gave year-long paid sabbaticals, what would you do for that year?
Derek: Travel. I'm a big fan of exotic beaches.

Chelle: Do you collect anything?
Derek: Guitars. I only have 11 and they're all somehow VH related (imagine that). I once owned one of Eddie's Kramers but have since sold it (kicking myself).

Chelle: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
Derek: The people who know me as a musician would be surprised that I'm an executive in the corporate world and the people who know me from the corporate world would be surprised I put on a wig and pretend to be Eddie Van Halen on the weekends.

Chelle: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
Derek: Put on a wig and pretend to be Eddie Van Halen.

Chelle: LOL! Have you ever been told that you resemble a celebrity (when you aren't wearing the Eddie wig)?
Derek: Yes, Ben Stiller.

Chelle: Hahaha! Now that you mention it, yeah, I can see that. Anything else you'd like to say?
Derek: I've often pondered, what's more silly, putting on a wig and dressing up as Eddie Van Halen and playing Van Halen's music as if it were my own OR being the guy who pays the $10 to come see the spectacle? In the end, it's all about having a good time and playing guitar in a Van Halen tribute band is a BLAST and the people who come out seem to really enjoy it!