Van Splainin (or, The Cultural Significance of Edward Van Halen)

Oct 14 2020 4

Van Splainin (or, The Cultural Significance of Edward Van Halen) Podcast artwork

The legacy of Edward Van Halen is preserved and reframed in a leisurely manner with this ongoing series of relaxed-fit episodes. Justin Zeppa tries to recontextualize the argument for Ed's place as the greatest rock 'n' roll guitar player of all time for his sometimes-bandmate Aaron Bales. Aaron is very patient about it and is frequently rewarded with high-quality rockin' and some trips in a time machine.

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Respect The Wind

Oct 14 2020 102 mins

Well, Edward Van Halen passed away and we are reeling. Aaron and Justin show the internet how to mourn public figures with this meandering conversation about life, death, heroes, music, and bandanas. RIP Ed - we shall not look upon your like again. Good grief? No, Charlie Brown - great grief. Featuring Aaron Bales and Justin Zeppa. We appreciate your support, so please subscribe, r

"5150"

Jun 18 2020 193 mins

Aaron "The Schemer" Bales makes his triumphant return to the Sauropod and kindly endures a rambling lecture about one of Van Halen's signature tunes. Show Rule #1 is temporarily broken in a big way, but fortunately Ed's face-melting riffs and solos are here to carry us on a thrilling journey through time and space. The US Festival. Farm Aid. Tokyo '89. Breakfast Club dances. Everyt

House Of Pain

Dec 28 2017 132 mins

This episode gets a check-in from Quincy Jones, Aaron and Justin talk about how they're not going to talk about "Jump" for about 40 minutes, then wind up with some sweet backstage passes to the year of 1984. Song structure and nasty riffs are the name of the game in this visitation to the start of Ed's Golden Age. Turn it up, friends. Featuring Aaron Bales and Justin Zeppa. We appr

I'm The One

Dec 21 2017 85 mins

Aaron and Justin's rockin' adventure continues as they dive deep into the past to hear a young Edward Van Halen lay waste to all who came before. The historical context is set and the subject of virtuosity is primed for takeoff as the fellas take in some blistering hot licks from the classic debut album, Van Halen. Featuring Aaron Bales and Justin Zeppa. We appreciate your support,

The King

Dec 21 2017 50 mins

It's pretty simple: Justin Zeppa is trying to convince his old bandmate, Aaron Bales, that Edward Van Halen is the greatest rock and roll guitar player of all time. Why? Shhh, it doesn't matter. They start by laying some groundwork of the hows and whys, discuss their takes on what makes certain music "good," establish the idea of a revised narrative, then briefly swing by Canada to