This month’s Classic Albums Column focuses on Van Halen’s second album Van Halen II. Mars Attacks Podcast episode 46 features comments from Charlie Benante, Gene Hoglan, Glen Drover, Chris Poland, Alan Tecchio, Dave Reffett, Martin Popoff, Mark Strigl, and John from Iron City Rocks. As we established with the previous podcast we also discuss why this album was selected. You will find the podcast at the bottom of this post.

Here are comments that have been contributed to us via e-mail regarding Van Halen II. Remember to check out the index page if you’re not sure who someone is, or to check out their sites to find out more about what they do. Again, these comments are in the order we’ve received them.

Bumblefoot – Some really cool songs on this album – Doctor, Bottoms Up, Outta Love, Light Up the Sky, DOA… great guitar moments in every song, that incredible guitar sound that I WISH I could get – and a great acoustic instrumental to break things up – it’s a killer follow up to a groundbreaking debut album.

Greg Prato – Not sure what my favorite VH album is (perhaps either ‘Van Halen’ or ‘Fair Warning’), but ‘VH II’ is a classic as well. Raw and rocking, that DLR era VH line-up was – to borrow a quote from the movie ‘The Blues Brothers’ – powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline. “Dance the Night Away,” “Outta Love Again,” “Light Up the Sky,” “DOA” – VH was unquestionably THE KINGS of US rock n’ roll in the early 1980′s…until Mr. Roth exited.

Dave Starr – I think the debut CD was better, but this record is still pretty cool. EVH re-wrote the book on rock/metal guitar.

Dan Lorenzo – While I fully understand Eddie Van Halen is one of the most important guitarists of all time, I never got in to Van Halen too much. Obviously they have a dozen or so phenomenal songs. Here’s what I didn’t like. I don’t like guys in overalls. I’m not a fan of guitarists smiling onstage. Diamond Dave? Too Hollywood for me. To lead off your 2nd cd with a fucking cover song? You’re kidding me, right? HADES did cover “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” in the early 80s back when we were a cover band, but only because our drummer at the time was an enormous VH fan. “Dance The Night Away” is a nice enough song..if you’re a girl. I DID love songs off other VH albums like “Atomic Punk”, “Everybody Wants Some”. Jamie’s Crying”…..but I never felt the desire to see VH live. Too California. Too happy. Not heavy in any way shape or form. I know most people would disagree with me…but I would have been fine if Van Halen never existed.

Jon Leon – Along with GNR Appetite for Destruction the most important LA sunset strip rocker metal album ever recorded. Dead or Alive is the greatest LA rebel teenage anthem ever. Never was Van Halen so full of killer riffing. David Lee Roth has never been better and I would kill to go back in time to a backyard party in Pasadena when this album was released and see this band live. I would do kegstands all night.

Erik Kluiber – One of the greatest bands of all time. Anything from the Roth era is pure gold

Ricky Armellino – I think Jack likes that record. I don’t know, I never owned a Sunbird or anything like that so it never rotated in my car. No one wants to hear Van Halen coming out of a jeep. They just want that all wheel drive muscle roaring. What up ladies.

Chris Tsangarides – Another of my all time faves! Although it took me a long time to come to terms with Alex’s “donk” sound of his snare. Just by using one guitar through most of the album demonstrates how awesome they would have sounded in the live concert! Eddie’s guitar is like nothing we had heard back then and started a whole new trend for guitar players….

Kevin Estrada – This album has to be one of, if not THE, most anticipated albums in my life. Van Halen was my band. I will never forget the day I discovered the band – I was 11 years old, walking through a department store with my mother and brother. I flipped through the new releases in their tiny record department. The sight of Edward Van Halen’s black and white striped Frankenstrat changed my life. My brother and I put our money together and purchased the LP. That piece of vinyl never left our turntable! I had never been so moved and changed by music in my life. This is what I was looking for, I had finally found it – Van Halen. I counted down the months, weeks, days until the release of Van Halen II. I was not disappointed! From the opening notes of “You’re No Good” to Dave’s farewell kiss on “Beautiful Girls” – it was perfection! The songs, the solos, the vocals, the tone, the attitude – it was all there.

Jim Florentine – No sophomore jinx here. DOA is my fav Van Halen song

JL – The typical thing would be to just focus on Eddie Van Halen, but I was never a fan of the guitar heroes and all of their pyrotechnics. With this album David Lee Roth’s vocal excesses really stand out. You have to really listen to the vocal tracks to realize how over the top he really was. There are times when it seems as if there are two notes coming out of his mouth at the same time. Listening to him leaves me speachless!

Chris Shrum – A trend setting classic album and a piece of music history

Mikey Pannone – Very underrated album! Heavier than the first one. You can tell they had such a great time recording it. “Light up the Sky” is probably my favorite track from this one.

John Nymann – It’s tough to follow Van Halen’s epic first release, even for VH. This second album does have some classic moments, though, to solidify them as the world’s premier party rock band. Starting off with a cover tune “Your No Good” was just No Good! Especially, when they have the perfect song “Dance the Night Away” (Pure Power Pop) this should have started the record, IMO. “Doctor” and “Bottoms Up” are typical VH tunes and work good to fill out the album. The highlights for me are Eddie’s “Spanish Fly”…his amazing dancing fingers, so clean and pure of a performance on a nylon string. The cool groove tune “Women In Love”…Michael Anthony’s vocals sound great on this tune. And the classic David Lee Roth moment “Beautiful Girls.” Also, I’d give “Light Up The Sky” an honorable mention for an inventive tune and arrangement for the time.

Will Carroll – A classic. Maybe the greatest summertime rock album ever made. Even the muddy production can’t stop the vibe and brilliance.

Steve Smyth – Love this album, as this was one of the first albums I learned in it’s entirety. Eddie’s tone on this album is amazing, the harmonies of Michael, Eddie and David Lee are awesome and hard to beat! My favorite songs are: Somebody Get Me A Doctor, DOA, Spanish Fly, jesus, the entire album rocks!

Chad Bowar – I wasn’t very old when Van Halen II was released, and discovered it a few years later along with the rest of Van Halen’s early material. I prefer their debut album, but II has some great songs as well. “Dance The Night Away” and “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” are classics. Sammy Hagar is a better singer, but David Lee Roth is the consumate frontman, and the Roth-era albums are great. I actually don’t want them to make a new record, because there’s no way the Van Halen of today can hold a candle to the Van Halen of the late ’70s/early ’80s.

Karl “Inski” Szulik – ‘Beautiful Girls’ was one of the first rock/metal songs I attempted to learn when I got my first electric guitar. I had already had a few years practice on acoustic, but totally wanted to rock it with overdriven guitar! That day I came home and spent hours practicing that song. All my mates dropped by that night and were like “play some Offspring dude!” But instead I ripped out ‘Beautiful Girls’ and kicked arse! Eventually I bought a Peavey Wolfgang so I could be just like Eddie. He is incredibly talented and someone I still look up to as a guitarist.

Domonic R – I understand that most of the tracks of the VH2 was done prior to the first one. This one had to be a nice addition to the VH collection. And actually did a great job in keeping the power and the guitar shredding to a max. One of the greatest follow up releases to date.

Ken Pierce – “Van Halen II” was a strong successor to the self-titled debut for sure. I always felt that VHII was a tad more playful in its song composition with tunes like “Bottom’s Up”, “Beautiful Girls” and the blockbuster single “Dance The Night Away”. “Light Up The Sky” felt like an anthem of living an energetic life to me and I just loved the drum solo as a player myself around that time. The grand presentation of the bands logo on the album cover spoke volumes to the bands power and the material still holds up thirty years later.

Remember that you can go here index page to find out further details on everyone involved in the column.

The podcast portion can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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Don’t miss our good friend Glen Drover along with Dave Martone this Sunday “Live At Metal Works”. The show takes place in Toronto, but you can see it from the comfort of your home.

Glen will also be lending his comments to Mars Attack’s Classic Albums Column.

Shredding The Envelope – Caravan Of Cannibals
Aerosmith – Lord Of The Thighs
Anthrax – Earth on Hell
Anthrax – Black Dahlia
Megadeth – Public Enemy No. 1
Generation Kill – Red, White, and Blood
Bumblefoot – Let Your Voice Be Heard
Sister Sin (Featuring Doro) – Rock N Roll
Watchtower – The Size Of The Matter
Warbringer – Shattered Like Glass
Demon Hunter – The Wind
Fair To Midland – Whiskey & Ritalin
High Spirits – Nights In Black
White Wizzard – West L.A. Nights

The latest episode of the podcast contains an interview with drumming legend Carmine Appice. During the episode he discusses the latest album by King Kobra, why Paul Shortino is in the band and not Marcie Free, how he got into doing drum clinics, his upcoming autobiography which is co-authored by Greg Prato, and what Carmine finds exciting or boring with other autobiographies he’s read. He also discusses Ozzy’s legendary ant story, something he thinks never took place. Along the way he also touches upon a bunch of the bands he’s played with over the years.

During the episode you’ll hear tracks by King Kobra, Blue Murder and VBA a project that features Spanish blues guitarist Javier Vargas, Tim Bogert, Carmine and Paul Shortino.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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Tonight’s episode will is a hodgepodge of hard rock and metal. You’ll hear new tracks from Megadeth, Generation Kill, Anthrax and Bumblefoot. You’ll also hear some older tracks by Aerosmith, Shredding The Envelope, covers by Sister Sin, etc.

Mars Attacks Radio airs exclusively on stream A of Mark Strigl Radio 8PM EST / 5PM PST. You can also listen to the episode directly from our homepage.

We’re working hard to get as many comments as we can on all of the featured albums. Little by little we’re adding people as we go, and although there are stumbling blocks here and there, it’s astonishing how many of the people involved mention how much fun it is to revisit these albums. We receive all types of comments, everything from being on tour with a certain band, to others letting us know how an album made them pick up an instrument, etc. What we’re going to do from now on is post who has just come along and lent their comments to the column.

Now, we have plenty of people that agree to provide us with their comments, but due to the fact that they’re too busy, or aren’t permitted by someone in their camp, they aren’t unable to participate. We aren’t listing them on the site because we feel it would be a big let down to mention someone has sent us their comments, and things don’t end up panning out. If you want your favorite band or artist to lend their comments to the column, let them know, tell them to contact us at input[@]marsattacksradio.com (without the brackets).

With regards to some of the newest additions. The first is a guitarist, he’s played in Nevermore, Testament and a slew of other bands, including his current band Forbidden, his name is Steve Smyth. Members of the legendary thrash band Death Angel are also involved, their guitarist Ted Aguilar and drummer Will Carroll have provided us with their thoughts. Staying in the Bay Area, you have John Nymann from legendary hard rock band Y&T. Hailing from NYC by the way of Salt Lake City you have Sean Bryant of the band Hull. Pest, the vocalist for Norwegian death metal band Gorgoroth is on board. So is Owain, guitarist of the British band Xerath. One of the most prolific hard rock and metal authors, Martin Popoff we gracious enough to lend his comments to the podcast portion of the column, as has guitar virtuoso Dave Reffett. If you don’t know who Dave is check out Shredding The Envelope’s The Call Of The Flame. It is chalked full of great guests like Joe Stump, Michael Angelo Batio, Glen Drover, Chris Poland, George Lynch, and Mike Mangini (would be cool to get all of those folks involved as well!).

Keep checking back for updates, and thanks to all of you that listen/read the Classic Albums Column here on Mars Attacks.

Dishwalla – Policy Of Truth
Marilyn Manson – Tainted Love
Foo Fighters – Darling Nikki
Shandi’s Addiction – Calling Dr. Love
Vision Of Disorder – Don’t Let Me Down
Communic – In Union We Stand
Iron Maiden – Cross Eyed Mary
System Of A Down – Snowblind
Metallica – The Wait
World Under Blood – Wake Up Dead
Filter – Gimme All Your Lovin
Killers – Children Of The Revolution
Fear Factory – School
Machine Head – Message In A Bottle

Wrapping up the week at the Mars Attacks / Fusion Sonica / Incoherent Ramblings of Victor M. Ruiz with a bunch of different things.

Over on Stream A of MarkStriglRadio.com you’ll find various Mars Attacks Radio Shows. Last night’s episodes of Covers kicks things off, followed by A Mixed Bag Of New Music, the White Wizzard Special, Closet Bands episode, 2000s and 90s
specials. All the fun starts at 4PM EST / 1PM PST.

After Mars Attacks Radio, you get the final airing of last month’s Fusion Sonica Radio. Yes I talk in Spanish between songs, and you may not understand that, but I’m sure you understand that all of the tracks kick ass!

Over at Fusion Sonica Podcast and the Incoherent Ramblings of Victor M. Ruiz things are geared towards the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the NY Steel Benefit show, and the Lokomitiv Yaroslavl tragedy which took place earlier this week. The Incoherent Ramblings also brings you a bunch of TV talk, comments regarding lullaby tribute albums, and a few other topics. You can stream or download the Fusion Sonica episode from here, and the Incoherent Ramblings Of Victor M. Ruiz episode from here.

Remember that we also have two great interviews on this week’s Mars Attacks Podcast, one with Alexis Brown of Straight Line Stitch. The other with the “metal queen” Doro Pesch. Check the episode out here.

Wrapping things up at Fusion Sonica is the return of the video of the week. This week Megadeth’s new track Public Enemy Number 1 is featured. I realize it isn’t a full blown video, but it’s a cool song none the less. You’ll find the video here.

Have a great weekend, and leave us your feedback!

Tonight’s Mars Attacks Radio Show consists of covers by various Hard Rock, Alternative Rock and Metal band performing a series of cover tunes. You’ll hear songs originally performed by Depeche Mode, Soft Cells, Prince, Kiss, Twisted Sister, Overkill, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Killing Joke, Megadeth, ZZ Top, T-Rex, Nirvana and The Police.

Tune in tonight at 8PM EST / 5 PM Pacific only on Stream A of MarkStriglRadio.com, iTunes, and the Live 365 player to the right of the home page. You’ll also find the various times when the show will replay this week.

During the latest episode of the Mars Attacks Podcast we have two special interviews, one with Doro Pesch, and the other with Straight Line Stitch’s Alexis Brown. Doro came on to lend her comments to the Classic Albums Column, but we ended up veering off into another direction and discussed her collaboration with Peter Steele on the track Decent. How she pulled together the special guests featured on her DVD 25 Years In Rock (which is about to be released in the US). Some upcoming shows in New York and Chicago that will also feature a series of special guests. What it was like for her to jump on stage with Twisted Sister at the end of the NY Steel Benefit show, among other things. She also let’s slip that she’s writing new material that will end up on her next album.

Alexis Brown isn’t your typical singer. Yes she’s featured as one of the “Hottest Chicks In Metal”, but her voice sets her apart from pretty much any other singer that has been featured on Revolver’s list. She has a unique style that was forged by listening to some artists that may not be deemed as “cool” by today’s standards. But she has no issue discussing them with us. Some of the other things she discussed include the recording of Straight Line Stitch’s latest album The Fight Of Our Lives, what it’s been like to tour with the band, the camaraderie with other bands, and even lending a hand to Kittie. She also points out how important it is for the band to make an impression every night on stage.

Throughout the episode you’ll hear assorted tracks from both Doro and Straight Line Stitch.

Thanks to Bill from E1 and Liz from Earsplit Compound(not Ear Splitter like is mentioned during the episode) for setting things up with Alexis and Doro.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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