Former lead singer of LA Guns
Currently participating in 3 separate bands
Star of the "Danger Kitty" Discover Card commercial
Stellar performance in the movie "Rock Star"

This is one busy guy. Thankfully, he was cool enough to take the time to answer some questions for us.

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SoCalChelle: How old were you when you got into music?

Ralph Saenz: 9 years old, I sang in the school plays and musicals.

Chelle: What instruments do you play, if any?

Ralph: Guitar was my first instrument. Then piano, bass. I sing better than I play.

Chelle: What instrument would you most like to learn and why?

Ralph: Harmonica, for the shows.

Chelle: Do you have any future plans to hit the east coast?

Ralph: Absolutely. We are doing a tour called Fake Fest that gets us out to the Midwest.
(see upcoming dates on http://www.theatomicpunks.net)

Chelle: Are there any bands you haven't seen that you would like to?

Ralph: Stone Temple Pilots

Chelle: What's the funniest thing that's ever happened at a gig? Worst thing? Weirdest thing?

Ralph: Funniest: the airlines lost my luggage with all my costumes. So we went to a Halloween store and I created a costume from whatever I could find. Lets just say I looked like I was in Twisted Sister.

Worst thing: Everything has been really great so far (NOTE: this answer has since changed. See next post)

Weirdest thing: Meeting David Lee Roth. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone
Updated answer on one of the questions: I had asked Ralph about the worst thing that had ever happened at a gig, and he replied that everything had been good so far. Well, he answered that question before Saturday night's gig in Pasadena. They blew a breaker and it took about a half hour to get the power back on.......

Chelle: Wanna change that "worst thing that happened at a gig" answer since the power outtage last night?

Ralph: You could add that for sure LOL

Chelle: Do you play any VH keyboard tunes, and if so, who plays keys?

Ralph: Sometimes we have a keyboard player sit in and we do Jump.

Chelle: If Van Halen reunites with DLR and goes on tour, how do you think that will affect attendance at the Punks' shows, if at all? What if they reunite with Sammy?

Ralph: It’s really is hard to say. Lets just hope it happens. I want them to play together again. If Sammy got back together with them that would be cool too. Sammy Rules - in his own way. Dave is King

Chelle: Some people are saying that, if VH can't get DLR back they should get you as lead singer. What is your reaction to that statement and would you take the job?

Ralph: It's nice to be in that sentence, but I think they need to have David back and no one else. Although I would not say no. But I think Van Halen fans want David Lee and that's it. I know I do!

Chelle: Who would you like to see sing for Van Halen if Sam or Dave don't come back?

Ralph: I’d like to try

Chelle: I know Michael Anthony has played with the Punks before. Have any of the other band members been to a show? And if so, what did they think?

Ralph: David Lee claims he has been to several shows, however I have never seen him there. Dave said he thought we did a great job. Eddie saw us when we first started out. He said, "Cool" then he took our guitar player out to his car and played him the whole Balance record.

Chelle: What other members of the band have you met?

Ralph: I have never met Alex.

Chelle: I know you've probably been asked this a million times, but what's your favorite VH album and why?

Ralph: I love them all. They Fuckin' RULE!

Chelle: Where do you shop for "David Lee Ralph" clothes?

Ralph: I have them all made for me.

Chelle: Has anyone ever mistaken you for DLR (or any other rock star for that matter)?

Ralph: No, There are not many people around with long blonde hair anymore.

Chelle: What's your favorite venue to do a show at?

Ralph: Well each venue has it's own great thing about it. Mostly the people that come to the show make any small or big venue exciting to play.

Chelle: Is it true that they painted over all the "graffiti" in the dressing room of the Whiskey? (for those that aren't aware, the entire walls and ceiling were covered with the autographs, drawings, doodles, etc of almost every band that had ever played there).

Ralph: Yes it's all gone. Just black walls.

Chelle: Obviously, you like Van Halen. What are some of your other favorite bands/artists? Any that might surprise us?

Ralph: Crue, Def Leppard, GnR, Backstreet boys (please!) Nickelback, STP

Chelle: What do you think of the current state of music?

Ralph: I think it is ok, it's just different. I like about 3 new bands but I wouldn’t buy their records. I'm so thankful I am in the Atomic Punks.

Chelle: What are some of the current CD's you are listening to?

Ralph: Def Leppard-Van Halen-STP (after a show) Pantera-Scorpions- (before the show)

Chelle: What was your favorite decade of music?

Ralph: That's easy - 80's

Chelle: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Ralph: Hang out with my wife. She is just so awesome. We go to the movies, shopping (for shoes for her), out to eat, workout together. Any other time is spent on my Playstation (Metal Gear II - Madden 2002)

Chelle: Talk about some of your other bands/projects besides the Punks.

Ralph: Well I'm in a band called Metal Shop a.k.a. Danger Kitty. We play at the Viper Room in Hollywood every Monday night and Wed night in San Diego at a place called The Bitter End. Also I play in a Disco band called Knight Fever. We play every Thursday night in San Diego at the Bitter End. All dates for these other bands are on the Atomic Punks "Upcoming Shows" on our site.

Chelle: Have you received any contract offers to do original music?

Ralph: Not since 97 when I was with L.A. Guns. But I write music for T.V. and movies. I also do session work.

Chelle: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 10? 20?

Ralph: I don’t know. I would like to play in the Atomic Punks forever. I know I will always sing whether people come to see me perform or not, only time will tell.

Chelle: Your buddy Bart Walsh: He's in the DLR Band, he's out of the DLR Band, he's back in the DLR Band, he's offering guitar lessons......What's the deal? Do you still talk to him?

Ralph: Yes we talk, but I don’t even know what's going on. I have information on who the new guitar player is but I can't say until David lee gives the OK.

Chelle: I was pleasantly surprised when you guys played Yankee Rose at the House of Blues show last Friday night (congrats on the sold out show, by the way). Any plans of adding any more solo DLR songs to your setlist?

Ralph: Absolutely. Dave's solo stuff rocked.

Chelle: The Punks have a quite a following. I've talked to people that have gone to as many as 50 of your shows. I know you'll say you appreciate people coming back to see you so much, but truthfully, don't you think it's just a little weird?

Ralph: Not really I think its compliment. I feel blessed that someone would even want to see our show 3 times in a year. That's what you call a loyal Van Halen fan. I think it's great.