XHALEN - The Australian Van Halen Tribute
Diamond David Lee Roth is back in Van Halen, you say? They are back on tour with the sexy one, you say? Well I say he never left! For those who are in the know, we have our own awesome version of this legendary band right here in Melbourne. With our own Diamond Dave right along with it!
Let me indulge you with a preamble… Last year I came across an 80’s cock rock tribute night at the HiFi bar… As dubious and as full of trepidation that I was about spending my hard earned cash on anything but the real thing, I went. We happened to walk in while the Van Halen tribute band ‘XHALEN’ were half way through their set. There was this blonde bundle of energy strutting around the stage with an Eddie Van Halen look alike going crazyass on the guitar! I loved the show and have become hooked on tribute bands from then on. That’s not to say I am any less discerning.
But on the night in question, it was a desired viewing and what greeted me was no less impressive! In fact it was a sleeker more professional looking show, the band seemed to have come into their alter egos and the music screamed Van Halen. All spandex and sequins, skin tight denim and numerous bandanna’s, they were suitably dressed in what one would expect from a band such as this! The group of polished musicians onstage, were now channelling the music they so obviously had a passion for and it really showed.
This band, comprising of Paulee Roth with vocals, Enzo on guitar, Cam on bass and Jimmy on drums had the crowd mesmerised and singing along from the moment the first unforgettable sounds of ‘Unchained’ blasted out of the speakers. We drank up songs such as; ‘Somebody Get Me A Doctor’, ‘Runnin' With The Devil’ and ‘You're No Good’, as lasciviously as downing a shot of jack Daniel’s, which coincidentally seemed to be this Diamond Dave’s, beverage of choice. The bass was even in the shape of jack Daniel’s bottle which was so effortlessly strummed by Cam.
These guys made it look easy and to add to the authenticity, in line with Van Halen’s use of little guys onstage as their security, there was a dastardly little bugger named Joey Russell Jnr, catering to the band’s every security and stage issue or request for shots of liquor. Even when there seemed to be a technical malfunction or two they just took it in their stride, called on Joey to assist and slickly used the time to add a guitar solo.
Calls of “scream for me” as well as the request to “get yourself a drink… I don’t want to have to drink alone” from Paulee Roth, the bands main man, were met with a resounding roar from this more than appreciative bunch of adoring fans. In response the set continued with ‘Bottoms Up’, ‘You Really Got Me’ and the sexy ‘Hot For Teacher’. Again, these were met with screams from the crowd and the singing could be heard almost as loudly as the unfaltering vocalising of the singer himself.
No Van Halen show would be complete without ‘Panama’ and ‘Jump’ and the boys onstage did not disappoint. They had this fan along with others loving it until the very end and then only to be left wanting more…
XHalen have been together since 2005, after "InHalen" disbanded and the members reformed without the previous guitar player who was replaced by the current guitarist, Enzo. Their resume has evolved since then having played some interstate shows in Tasmania and Canberra. They will be headlining at Monsters of Rock on Friday 16th November at HiFi Bar and Ballroom, Melbourne.
Disclaimer: Rarely, The Dwarf will allow tribute bands to be reviewed on the site - in fact there are only two instances where we will allow it - this is one; the other is KISS
