Drummer BRIAN TICHY Comments On EDDIE VAN HALEN Jam

Drummer Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, GILBY CLARKE, PRIDE & GLORY) performed with Eddie Van Halen in late September for the launch of a porn movie called "Sacred Sin", for which Eddie recorded two songs. Dubbed "The Gathering", the private, invitation-only bash took place on September 30 at "the 5150 Estate in Los Angeles," which is Van Halen's home.

Commented Brian: "Someone who knows someone who knows someone suggest[ed] that we should be the house band at a party Eddie Van Halen is having in his backyard at the end of September. Of course we [were] psyched. This included Eddie wanting to rehearse with us the day before the party in his backyard. We rehearsed, then the next day played the party.

"The whole damn thing is still totally surreal to me. Eddie was without a doubt one of my top three influences and inspirations growing and practicing drums and guitar. I saw the 'Diver Down' tour, learned all the drum licks on every David Lee Roth-era record, and VH was one of my favorite bands growing up. I wasn't just into VAN HALEN, I looked for stuff to learn from them. So there ya have it. I played with one of my all time idols. I received more than enough kind words from him and he was beyond nice and treated us all with total respect. Chalk this up as one my career highlights... Playing Neil Peart's drums at Madison Square Garden, touring with OZZY OSBOURNE and this. Go to www.youtube.com, type in Eddie Van Halen and you can see some little bootleg clips of this.

"By the way, we all know how great Eddie is and there is no doubt about how much ground he's broke on guitar. But what is not talked about that much that I got to feel first hand, was his GROOVE. His natural internal feel is so heavy, slinky and fat. It is rare to play with someone that locks up with so little effort yet is so 'there.' Eddie has it all together and always has... It was beyond an honor to get that kind opportunity."

In other news, Tichy has posted the following message on his official web site:

"So Jason Bonham [son of late LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham] plays drums in FOREIGNER. He's been playing with them for a couple years now. I used to play drums in FOREIGNER from '98 up to the beginning of 2000. BILLY IDOL and FOREIGNER played back-to-back this summer at the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota. Jason sounds great with FOREIGNER and they sound great with him. It was cool to see them again and made me remember how much fun it was to play all those FOREIGNER hits. They have so many great classic rock songs.

"Anyway, it's strange how things go round.... Jason recently injured his wrist and will be out of commission for a bit. He rang me up to see if I was available to fill in while he gets better. So I will be jumping back with the Foreigners for about five shows in December. I am really looking forward to it but wish it didn't have to happen at Jason's expense. I don't have the exact dates yet, but some are in Texas and one is in Oklahoma."