During an appearance on the MetalSucks Podcast, Steel Panther singer Michael Starr talked about Van Halen and impact of COVID-19 on his health and living habits.
When asked about Van Halen, Michael said:
“That is such a hot topic. What a great one to talk about – because I love Van Halen.
“Obviously, the David Lee Roth era is my favorite Van Halen era but after I grew up a little bit and was able to reflect on that era I really – I enjoyed the Van Halen ‘5150′ record when it first came out [in 1986].
“After that, I kind of got disinterested but looking back it’s all great material. And even Van Halen’s original record with David Lee Roth [2012’s ‘A Different Kind of Truth’], all the old demos they redid. That was really cool! I love Van Halen so much that I will take whatever they give.
On what he realized the most amid lockdown, he said:
“I miss the connection with other human beings, and I miss performing so much. And I realized that I need a lot of attention. [Laughs] And I’m not getting the amount of attention I’m used to getting.
“So I started vaping too, and I notice I’m vaping way more and I’m trying to talk to people and I’m Zooming all the time. And I realize that: ‘Oh my god, I really miss this move right here.’ *picks up mic*
“I think I replaced the microphone with a f*ckin’ vape so now I’m like, ‘I gotta quit smoking this vape,’ right?
“It’s been stressful but I’ve adapted to it – like we do as human beings. But change is very difficult. Like, I was telling you earlier about that Master Tour schedule, I really enjoy having a schedule. It makes me feel comfortable.
“And without it, I’ve kind of been just doing whatever I want and it’s just been a huge change, for me personally.
“Just not even being next to the guys on a regular basis has been such an adjustment. We start pitting against each other and thinking, ‘I don’t like this guy,’ and, ‘I don’t like him,’ but then we get on the phone and we’re like, ‘Aww, we love each other… What’s up, dude?’
“I really, really miss the camaraderie between us because I would say probably 60% of my life is touring. Then being home, and doing the home stuff. But now it’s all home, so that’s a big change as well.
“I miss that part of my life because it’s a big part of the passion that drives me as a human being, playing music. So it’s been tough, dude.”