The Atomic Punks (Van Halen Tribute) - BIO
How long have the Punks been together?
The Punks have been together since May, 1994.
Has anyone in the band ever met a member of Van Halen?
Yes. Van Halen bassist, Michael Anthony, got up on stage at the 20/20 Club in Pasadena, CA for an impromptu jam with the band on March 16, 1998. They have also met David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. Also, founding Punks guitarist Bart Walsh toured with David Lee Roth from 1999-2001, and second guitarist Brian Young hit the road with Dave on his 2002 tour with Sammy Hagar. Michael Anthony again jammed with the Punks at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA, on January 31, 2003. He played nine songs with the band, "Runnin' With The Devil," "Hot For Teacher," "Somebody Get Me A Doctor," "Light Up The Sky," "You Really Got Me," "Panama," "Bottoms Up!," "Mean Street," and "On Fire." Mike also joined the band during a private parrty for Yahoo! on May 31st 2007
Did David Lee Roth really mention the Punks in his autobiography?
Yes he did. In his 1997 autobiography, "Crazy From The Heat," Dave mentions the Punks on page 119 with the following quote, "There is no city on the face of the earth that does not play -religiously- classic old-school Van Halen, and have at least one band whose entire approach is to imitate that, right down to the clothing and the haircuts. The most popular one in LA is called Atomic Punks, and wherever they play it's sold out. I checked. I wanted to go see. Evidently it's hysteria."
Have the Punks ever won any awards?
Yes, they were voted the #1 tribute band in LA three years in a row, and former lead singer Ralph Saenz was voted the #1 singer in LA four years in a row by "Rock City News Magazine." Also, founding guitarist Bart Walsh was voted "Best Guitarist" by the magazine in 1998.
What are some places the Punks have played?
The list is very long and always growing. They have played all over Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Sacramento, Seattle, Honolulu, Minnesota, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City. Some familiar places they've played include, The Whisky a Go Go, House of Blues, Irvine Meadows Amphitheater, The Cajun House, 20/20 Club, Paladino's, Canes Bar & Grill, UMB Bank Pavilion (St. Louis, MO), POV's Sports Bar & Grill (Andover, MN). This is just a small list of many places and venues that the Atomic Punks have played at over the past 15 years.
What kind of guitar does Lance play to get the classic Van Halen sound?
Lance plays a specially-built red/black/white striped Wayne Guitar, made by world-renowned guitar maker Wayne Charvel.
