Poundcake (Live in Dallas 1991)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the high-energy track "Poundcake (Live in Dallas 1991)" by Van Halen, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks rocking out! This live performance, captured at the West End Marketplace in Dallas, Texas, on December 4, 1991, is a standout from the band’s For Unlawful_Carnal_Knowledge era. One of the coolest bits of trivia about "Poundcake" is its iconic intro, where Eddie Van Halen used a Makita 6012HD power drill to create a gritty, engine-revving sound. Eddie stumbled upon this effect when a guitar tech was using a drill at 5150 Studios, and he held it to his guitar pickups, discovering it was in the same key as the song. He later painted the drill in his signature red, black, and white Frankenstrat stripes for live shows, making it a visual and sonic spectacle. The song’s raw energy was amplified by producer Andy Johns’ suggestion to layer two electric 12-string guitars under Eddie’s signature dirty guitar sound, giving the track its thick, driving rhythm.

Another wild story tied to the Dallas 1991 performance is how it came to be. During a 1988 Dallas show, Sammy Hagar was battling laryngitis and felt he’d let the fans down. Between songs, he promised a free Van Halen concert to make it up to them, much to the horror of their manager, Ed Leffler, who saw logistical nightmares. Three and a half years later, Van Halen delivered on that promise, shutting down downtown Dallas streets for a free concert that drew an estimated 50,000 fans. The event was so secretive that the permit listed a fake band name, adding to its urban legend status in Dallas rock history. Sammy Hagar later explained in a 1991 interview with the Indianapolis Star that the song’s lyrics were inspired by the simplicity of a poundcake recipe—four equal ingredients, symbolizing a straightforward, honest love. He described it as a “twisted love song with a sense of humor,” reflecting his preference for “down-home” women over flashy city types.

The music video for "Poundcake," directed by Andy Morahan, also has its share of trivia. It features a young woman, played by Diane Manzo, auditioning at a “Van Halen Casting” while spying on more provocative models. Manzo, who was around 30 at the time, was reportedly Eddie Van Halen’s top pick for the role, a fact she learned years later from the casting director. The video’s mix of the band’s performance and cheeky narrative made it a 1991 MTV staple, with the song hitting number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. On X, fans still rave about the track, with posts like one from @Racer24 in 2017 highlighting Eddie’s drill technique, and @RockTheseTweets in 2022 noting its two-week reign at number one. The live Dallas version was remastered in HD for the 2024 Expanded Edition of For_Unlawful_Carnal_Knowledge, released on July 12, as shared by Sammy Hagar on X.

Van Halen’s journey began in Pasadena, California, in the early 1970s. Brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, moved to the U.S. in 1962. Their father, a musician, inspired their love for music, and the brothers started playing together as teens. They formed a band called Genesis, later renamed Mammoth, with Eddie on vocals and guitar, Alex on drums, and Mark Stone on bass. In 1973, David Lee Roth joined as lead singer, and Michael Anthony replaced Stone on bass, completing the classic lineup. After discovering another band named Genesis, they became Van Halen in 1974. Gigging around Los Angeles, they built a cult following with their explosive live shows. In 1977, Warner Bros. producer Ted Templeman caught their act at the Starwood Club and signed them. Their 1978 debut album, Van Halen, with hits like “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love,” skyrocketed them to fame, blending Eddie’s virtuosic guitar work with Roth’s flamboyant vocals.

Fans can dive deeper into Van Halen’s world through their official website and social media, though the band’s accounts are less active since Eddie’s passing in 2020. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for updates, and follow Van Halen on X for fan interactions. Sammy Hagar, a key figure in the "Poundcake" era, stays active on X and his website. Fan communities thrive online, with Van Halen News Desk offering detailed news and history. On Facebook, groups like Van Halen Fans and Van Halen Forever keep the spirit alive, sharing memories and rare content. The Zoo Freaks can join these communities to connect with fellow fans and keep rocking to Van Halen’s timeless sound.