Poundcake (Live in Dallas 1991)

The song Poundcake, performed live by Van Halen in Dallas on December 4, 1991, is a standout track from their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. One of the most iconic elements of the song is Eddie Van Halen’s use of a Makita 6012HD power drill in the introduction and guitar solo. According to Eddie, the idea came about when a guitar technician was using a drill at 5150 Studios, and the sound reminded him of “kick-starting your engine.” He painted a drill with his signature Frankenstrat stripes for live performances, and it became a visual hallmark of the song’s music video, directed by Andy Morahan. The video features a young woman, played by Diane Manzo, auditioning while observing other models, with the band performing on an illuminated stage. Manzo later shared in a 2014 Noblemania interview that she was chosen unanimously by the band, with Eddie personally favoring her, and she earned $1,500–$2,000 for the shoot after negotiating overtime.

Another piece of trivia comes from the song’s development. Eddie Van Halen revealed that Poundcake didn’t initially stand out until producer Andy Johns suggested doubling the rhythm tracks with two electric 12-string guitars, which added depth beneath Eddie’s signature gritty guitar sound. Alex Van Halen played a key role in the song’s creation, as he rediscovered a brief riff Eddie had recorded while jamming, pushing his brother to develop it into the track. The live Dallas performance, captured during the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour, was a free concert for 50,000 fans, organized after Sammy Hagar promised to make up for a 1988 show where he performed with laryngitis. This story, shared by radio host Redbeard on In The Studio, highlights the band’s commitment to their fans, despite logistical challenges that frustrated their manager, Ed Leffler.

Social media posts have also celebrated the song’s legacy. In 2024, Sammy Hagar posted on X, promoting the HD-remastered Dallas performance as part of the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition), released by Rhino. The clip, shared on May 24, 2024, by @GregRenoff, featured MTV VJ Martha Quinn introducing the song, underscoring its cultural impact. Fans on Reddit’s r/vanhalen community praised the Dallas footage, with one user, tonyiommi70, describing it as “fantastic” and reminiscing about watching a bootleg VHS of the show. The song’s raw energy, driven by Eddie’s innovative use of a prototype Peavey 5150 amplifier, helped it hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

Van Halen began in Pasadena, California, in the early 1970s when brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, born in the Netherlands, started playing music together. Inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream, they formed a band called Genesis, later renamed Mammoth, with Eddie on vocals and guitar, Alex on drums, and Mark Stone on bass. By 1974, they recruited bassist Michael Anthony and charismatic frontman David Lee Roth, becoming Van Halen. The band honed their sound playing backyard parties and clubs on the Sunset Strip, gaining a local following. Their big break came when Warner Bros. producer Ted Templeman saw them perform at the Starwood Club in 1977, leading to a record deal. Their 1978 self-titled debut album, featuring hits like Runnin’ with the Devil and Eruption, revolutionized hard rock with Eddie’s virtuosic guitar work and the band’s high-energy performances, launching them to global stardom.

Fans can connect with Van Halen through their official website at vanhalen.com and shop for merchandise at vanhalenstore.com. Sammy Hagar maintains an active presence on his official site, redrocker.com, and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fan communities thrive online, with the Van Halen News Desk (vhnd.com) offering news and archives, and the r/vanhalen subreddit fostering discussions among 28,000 members. On Facebook, groups like Van Halen Fans and Van Halen News Desk keep the band’s legacy alive, sharing memories and updates about releases like the Dallas 1991 footage.