New Interview With Ralph Saenz of the Atomic Punks!

[Brett]

Our resident Punks connection, Fab Shadow, recently asked Ralph Saenz (David Lee Ralph of the Atomic Punks) a couple questions about Dave's current tour and Brian Young's departure, and how that has affected the Punks. Short little interview, but some more nice insight into a guy who is hands down the best David Lee Roth impersonator alive. Don't believe me? Go see the Punks live, and you'll change your mind.

Thanks to Fab and to Ralph for letting us re-print this little diddy.



FS = Fabulous Shadow
RS = Ralph Saenz

FS: How do you feel about Dave stealing all your guitar players?

RS: Feel great that he comes and takes our guitar players. That means we are doing right. I'm sad Brian is gone, but Brian is having the time of his life right now.

FS: You were seen at a DLR/Sammy concert. What did you think of Dave's performance?

RS: He was David Lee Roth. He did what he has done for years. Dave Rocks PERIOD! And this time around he has a great band.

FS: Of Brians?

RS: Brian did exactly what he has done for the Punks. Note for note Edward Van Halen. He also got a chance to do some of his own stuff which was really cool.

FS: How does it make you feel that many people who have seen the show think that you do a better Dave than Dave is doing?

RS: They have to remember that David Lee has been playing those songs for 25 years. He wrote them and recorded them. For me I have only the records to go off. I have to sing the stuff as close to the record as I can because that is what people expect. If I wrote them, recorded them, and played them for 25 years, I would change them too. I am a tribute to the David Lee Roth Van Halen years and I am so grateful for the music they wrote that I get to perform. Dave kicks ass and he is a really cool guy. He is my friend and I am lucky that he endorses what we do.

FS: A lot of people are calling Dave's band a Van Halen cover band. Do you think that's what it is?

RS: I don't know it that is the right label for them. If I went to see David Lee and the band played the Van Halen music totally different I would be pissed. They play the VH stuff great. I think that is what people want.

FS: How does it make you feel when people say that you should be the next lead singer for VH? If asked would you consider it?

RS: That's is very nice to hear. Yes, how could anyone pass that up

FS: How has the DLR/Sam Tour affected The Atomic Punks?

RS: People are now more excited about Van Halen music in general. Now that Dave and Sammy are out there playing huge venues it has brought people out that would not even go out to see a band at a club. Van Halen rules and there is no denying the power of VH even with Sammy. Both bands ruled. Now people want to hear the music even more.

FS: How have your fans accepted Russ in place of Brian?

RS: Everyone loves him. Russ is an amazing talented guitar player.

FS: I know he's an excellent guitar player because I have heard him with Metal Shop, but how is he fitting into the role of EVH?

RS: Great.

FS: Since the original bass player is back and Russ is now on guitar, will there be a spot available for Brian after the tour ends?

RS: Well David is already recording this week and I think they have booked even more shows for Japan, Europe, and so on. I don't think Brian will be coming back anytime soon. He is having the time of his life.

FS: Are you a Roftard? (This is a silly term made up by a Sammy lover for anyone who will defend Dave to hilt.)

RS: No I don't defend anyone, I'm not a lawyer.



Hey guys! At Ralph's request I'm adding a few pics to introduce Russ and Joe. You'll also see Scott kickin' arse on the Tama's. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]











And finally, here's a message directly from Ralph to all of us.

"The Atomic Punks want to thank everyone who has ever come to our shows.
We also want to say thanks for the interview and Lisa you totally ROCK!
Van Halen Rules so do Van Halen Fans!!!!!!!!!!!
See you at the next show."

Yes you will!

[badkaraoke]

Originally posted by Brett:
FS: Are you a Roftard? (This is a silly term made up by a Sammy lover for anyone who will defend Dave to hilt.)

[img]graemlins/scared.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/wtf.gif[/img]

SAMMY LOVER??!

Bwahahahahahahahhaaaa!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm a "Sammy Lover".

LOL.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

Fuck..that was funny.

ROTFLMAO!

Hey: I like the whole thing (I like music), I prefer Roth era and I think there are roftards out there, but it's just a joke.

Good interview - thanks for sharing!

bk

[ July 01, 2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: badkaraoke ]

[JMJ]

japan and europe? wow!

someone is making some serious bones on this tour!!!

curious to see how many more shows mikey plays on.

brian is great! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] the man can shred!

JMJ

[CaboBrian]

I've seen the Punks three times and each show was awesome. I've met Ralph all three times and have to say he is a great guy. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[dirtymovies]

Thanks Fab LOVER!

[JWS_5150]

Great interview! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[Raldo]

Good interview, thanks. I've never seen the 'Punks' live and it looks like I'm missing something good.

[DLR'sCock]

Originally posted by JMJ:
japan and europe? wow!

someone is making some serious bones on this tour!!!

curious to see how many more shows mikey plays on.

brian is great! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] the man can shred!

JMJ

I told you guys they were going to do a world tour!!!!!! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img]

[Zahzoo]

Cool stuff!! Thanks Fab Shad!!! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Let's see... we got the Use-to-Be's and the Wanna-Be's and Switzerland out playing, talkin, and goin... Damn... all we need is the real deal to fire up!!!! [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/wtf.gif[/img]

[DLR'sCock]

Originally posted by Zahzoo:
Cool stuff!! Thanks Fab Shad!!! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Let's see... we got the Use-to-Be's and the Wanna-Be's and Switzerland out playing, talkin, and goin... Damn... all we need is the real deal to fire up!!!! [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/wtf.gif[/img]

The real deal is fired up. His name is David Lee Roth.

[Canyon Carver]

Great interview.
Ralph comes out like the gentleman that he is.
For those of you who have never seen the Punks perform, you have got to see them; you have no idea what you're missing. They are amazing, and really are the closest thing you will ever come to experiencing early Van Halen.

[Zahzoo]

Originally posted by DLR'sCock:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Zahzoo:


Use-to-Be's [img]graemlins/wtf.gif[/img]

The real deal is fired up. His name is David Lee Roth.</font>[/QUOTE]Now now Cock... DLR in the context of my post falls into the Use-to-Be's as in Use-to-Be a member of Van Halen.

No question about it... DLR is a real deal!! Although many of us don't quite have a handle on what goes on in other people's realities... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/drunk.gif[/img]

[therealdeal]

brett,

Thanx for sharing this interview.

RS: They have to remember that David Lee has been playing those songs for 25 years. He wrote them and recorded them. For me I have only the records to go off. I have to sing the stuff as close to the record as I can because that is what people expect. If I wrote them, recorded them, and played them for 25 years, I would change them too. I am a tribute to the David Lee Roth Van Halen years and I am so grateful for the music they wrote that I get to perform.

I've never seen the SoCal (THE) Atomic Punks, but I've heard plenty about Ralph's and the rest of the band's very close recreation of "the real deal". This is my first encounter with some quotes attributed to Ralph, and he sounds like a good guy. The quote above mirrors my feelings about singing Dave during a good portion of The Real Deal's live shows. Ralph is blessed to (I assume) be able to sound so close to a 20-something DLR.

When I first joined The Real Deal, I was reluctant to attempt much of the old VH catalog. My natural range is Robert Plant & Brian Johnson. But at my audition the rest of my band sounded so close to "the real deal" I couldn't say no. It took about 8 months for my voice to adapt to doing the old VH on a regular basis. Now it easily ranks among the most anticipated material at our shows. We could easily turn into a VH tribute - Ray is probably the best Eddie that's playing out (I'm sure there's plenty of great closet Eddies around here) in the Bay Area - but all of us would miss playing Montrose & Y&T & UFO & Zeppelin too much...

I'd be curious to know a little about how long Atomic Punks have been around and Ralph's history in particular. Also, my band is planning to be at NAMM again in '03 - does anyone hanging out here know of any rock venues in/around Anaheim worth playing? At this year's NAMM I looked into some venues and figured the Palomino was the best fit for us. Problem is that that place is way the hell out in West LA somewhere. Any tips are greatly appreciated... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

The Real Deal

PS: Z & DLR'sC, thanx for all the shameless plugs! [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img]

[DLR'sCock]

Originally posted by Zahzoo:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DLR'sCock:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Zahzoo:


Use-to-Be's [img]graemlins/wtf.gif[/img]

The real deal is fired up. His name is David Lee Roth.</font>[/QUOTE]Now now Cock... DLR in the context of my post falls into the Use-to-Be's as in Use-to-Be a member of Van Halen.

No question about it... DLR is a real deal!! Although many of us don't quite have a handle on what goes on in other people's realities... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/drunk.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Fair enough... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]