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Van Halen Tribute Band
- The Atomic Punks
Biography:
The Atomic Punks are a tribute to early Van Halen, the David Lee
Roth era. Formed in 1994, the Atomic Punks have performed well over
300 shows in places like Hollywood, CA, San Diego, CA, Las Vegas,
NV, Phoenix, AZ, Scottsdale, AZ, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, Honolulu,
HI, Andover, MN, St. Louis, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, most recently Salt
Lake City, UT, and most importantly, Pasadena, CA, where Van Halen
started their meteoric rise to stardom.
Voted "Best Tribute Band" by LA's "Rock City News" three years in a
row, the Atomic Punks have created a national following that
continues to grow by leaps and bounds all the time. The band's
co-founder and lead singer, Ralph Saenz, has also been voted "Best
Singer" four straight times by the magazine, and Van Halen
themselves have endorsed the Atomic Punks!
In his 1997 auto-biography "Crazy from the Heat," former Van Halen
front man David Lee Roth referred to the Atomic Punks as "The best
tribute to Van Halen ever!" Dave cemented his admiration and
appreciation for the Punks' talents by hiring original axe man Bart
Walsh to play guitar on his "DLR Band" tours from 1999-2001. Bart's
replacement, Brian Young, recreated Eddie Van
 Halen's sound and
furious guitar playing so precisely, that Dave again looked to the
Punks, and took the guitarist out on the road in 2002 for his
national tour with fellow ex-Van Halen front man, Sammy Hagar.
Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony performed a set with the Atomic
Punks in Pasadena, CA, and said "I feel like I am back in 1982
performing with the old band!" Anthony added, "The Atomic Punks
rock!" Anthony recently joined the band again on stage, at the House
of Blues in Anaheim, CA on January 31, 2003. He played nine Van
Halen classics with the band including, "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."
Nationally syndicated radio host Howard Stern stated on his show,
"The Atomic Punks become Van Halen. It's the total experience, they
do Van Halen better than Van Halen themselves!"
"Metal Edge" magazine boasts, "Ralph Saenz does David Lee Roth
better than Dave himself!" Ralph's recreation of David Lee Roth's
live persona is so uncanny, it must be witnessed to be believed.
From Dave's trademark costumes, to his signature scream and unique
vocal delivery, Ralph does Dave proud as the ultimate tribute to one
of rock's greatest front men.
Current guitarist Russ Parrish, formerly of Rob Halford's band
Fight, recreates Eddie Van Halen's classic guitar sound, playing
every riff and solo with as much energy and technique as Edward
himself, while capturing all of the enthusiasm and flash of Ed's
engaging live personality.
Original Punks members, Joe Lester (bass), and Scott Patterson
(drums), make up a very formidable rhythm section, providing the
same rock-solid foundation and pulse for Russ and Ralph as Van
Halen's own Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen did for Eddie and
Dave. Joe and Scott also help add all the signature backing vocals
to the early Van Halen masterpieces they play.
There is one important point the band always makes clear at their
shows. The Atomic Punks don't think they are Van Halen, they simply
love to play old Van Halen and it shows in their amazingly
realistic, power-packed stage show. No Van Halen tribute band
captures the note for note performance and feel of an old show like
the Atomic Punks. If you love vintage Van Halen, and wish you could
experience and relive the energy the "Mighty" VH created with
"Diamond" Dave behind the mic, you do not want to miss the Atomic
Punks. They are the ultimate tribute to early Van Halen!
Ralph Saenz (Vocals)
Russ Parrish (Guitar)
Joe Lester (Bass)
Scott Patterson (Drums)
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