This issue's feature #2 is Legend.....Kevin Dugan/Van Halen etc.

       Pix courtesy madanthonycafe.com

RCL-Q- What is your first memory of seeing the Killer Dwarfs in 1984 (Explain where) and what did the guys in Van Halen think of the Dwarfs.

1.To the best of my recollection. The first time I saw the Killer  Dwarfs was in 84' on the 1984 (duh) Van Halen tour. On nights off Michael (Anthony) and myself would go out to dinner and nine times out of ten, we would head to a rock club after. If memory serves, (questionable area there) we were in Winnipeg Canada and we ended up at this club where you and the K-Dwarfs were playing. After getting seated and ordering drinks, we started to watch the band. Needless to say we were blown away by the playing and stage show (which ultimately led to our meeting you) I still remember Michael looking up and saying "Whoa check out the lead singer" He was doing handstands and singing up side down. I also seem to remember Michael going up and jamming with you guys. If he didn't, then I'm thinking of another night, cause that was something he did quite frequently.

RCL-Q- When did you first work for Van Halen..and what position did you have?

2. I first went to work for the band (VH) in late 1980- early 81. I started out as Michael's bass tech and within a year, I also became the band crew chief.

RCL-Q-Is Mike Anthony one of the nicest guys in Rock to work for?

3. Is Michael Anthony a nice guy. Let's see, besides the frequent beatings I'd have to say yes!!!!!! .M.A. is without a doubt the nicest guy in Rock-n-Roll. I'm not saying this for job security. It is just fact. Michael cares so much about his fans that to this day I am blown away by how giving he is when it comes to them (the fans). Sometimes he is too nice and I will step in and be the bad guy, and ask people to back off a bit. Example;  I will not allow fans to approach Michael if he is in the middle of dinner with his family, I think that's just fucking rude. I will politely (at first) ask them to wait till he is through eating.

RCL-Q- What instruments do you tech other than Bass.

4. Let's see,,,,I work as the following, bass tech, guitar tech, drum tech, (I grew up playing drums) stage manager, road manager and security.

RCL-Q- After all these years on tour, do you still enjoy the rides on the tour bus, hotels and all the bullshit that goes along with Rock & Roll, or are you getting tired of it.

5. I have been on the road for thirty one years and still love (almost)  every second of it. People ask me allot, are you getting sick of it, and I think "sick of what? Traveling the world, staying in nice hotels, meeting new people all the time, hmm let's  see,,,,,NOO, I love it. One of my favorite things on the road is the bus. The tour bus is my second home.

RCL-Q-  What have you been up to lately as far as tours and what future projects are on the go for you. ( Plug anything you want )

6.What have I been up too? Well this summer I did Poison, again. I have been friends with those guys for ever and have been working for them for the last five years. Great band, wonderful crew, and always a killer show. Shortly after that I went down to Cabo and helped out Sammy Hagars crew doing the annual birthday bash. It was stellar. I got to hang with Michael, Sam, and  his band. I've got to say The Waboritas are some of the nicest folks you could ever have the pleasure to meet. Other than that, I'm just putting together my new punk band,,,, Fecal Matter,,, Just kidding.


RCL-Q- You have known Craig Defalco (Laidlaw) for many years. Did you get him his gig when he started working for Mike Anthony after you took a break, and how did all that transpire?

7. Craig Datehead DeFalco,,,,, No I didn't get Craig the gig with Michael. In 1990 I wanted to take a little time off. I had been partying way to much and just wanted to stay off the road for awhile, so I went on a self imposed hiatus and started my own production company, D&M productions. The M (in D&M) is my partner Frank J. MaMana, a musician and lawyer. He is by the way..one of the three honest lawyers in the country. During that time I still did pre-production for the Van Halen tours but Craig stepped in and teched for Michael till I returned to active duty (as it were).

RCL-Q- You have been known to tech for C.C.Deville from Poison. Is C.C. a demanding guitarist to work for.

8. The only time I ever teched for CC was in the studio and he was a gem. CC DeVille is without a doubt one of my favorite Rock Stars of all time. To say he is a colorful character is an injustice. He is a riot and I love him,,,but I don't road tech for him. As of late that job has been more than aptly filled by my good friend and incredible guitar player in his own rite, Michael Keegan. Mike also techs for a guy named Edward Van Something. 

RCL-Q-  Do you play guitar and bass yourself, and which instrument do you prefer to tech if you had the choice?

9. I play a little bass and a little guitar, but as I mentioned earlier I am drummer. No threat to any serious drummer mind you, but I've had my moments. As far as my personal preference as a tech, bottom line, I could never work for someone who is a major asshole and or someone I didn't like. Let me also state at this point in time I HATE seeing superstar roadies who blow off fans and treat people like they were the STAR attraction. There are allot of guys like that in the business, and I personally won't put up with it on any of my crews. On tour, techs have to remember they represent the band and the other tour personal. If some young kid comes up to a tech and asks for a pick, and the tech can't be bothered and tells him to fuck off, that not only reflects on the band and the rest of the crew, it reflects on ALL touring personal. As far as my personal best scenario, I'm prejudice. I think Michael Anthony and I have a chemistry that is rare and wonderful indeed and I look forward to touring with him again as soon as that happens.

         madanthonycafe.com

RCL-Q- Which amps do think kick ass and are reliable performance wise for touring.  (Bass & Guitar) Any new gear on the scene we should know about?

10. Gear, HMMM,,,,The best most reliable bass gear going today is the best and most reliable bass gear that was in the beginning, and shall be for all time. AMPEG and all their products. I also love Crate line of amps in the last five years. The voodoo series absolutely kicks ass, and the new 300 watt amp is un fucking believable. Go to ST. Louis Music.


RCL-Q- Which city other than your own do you think has the most soul and you  look forward to always returning to when you are on tour? (Anywhere in the world)

11. Favorite Cities,,, I LOVE Las Vegas, enough said. New Orleans is also a one of a kind vibe that I thoroughly thrive on. I also love the hustle and madness of Tokyo


RCL-Q- What is one of your fondest or funniest memories of working for Van Halen 
in the David Lee Roth days? You must have a million.

12. Fondest memories of VH. Wow..way too many come to mind to get into. I will say, one is the 1983 DisgUSt Festival (The US Festival). To make a long story shorter, during Michael (Anthony's) solo, he is the only person on stage. Now this particular gig he is alone in front of over 300,000 people.The only time he played a guitar that is on a cable was at the beginning of the solo. It was a bass synthesizer with a 48 pin cable. Well, Michael was used to our regular touring stage width, but the festival stage was like, thirty feet wider. So any how, Michael ended up going way to far stage left and pulled (broke) out the pin-cable on the bass synth guitar. All of the sudden his rig goes totally dead, so he turns and looks my way for a brief second before he launches the guitar into the heavens. When it came crashing back down to the stage, needless to say, it totally fucked the guitar. It looked like part of the show, so to keep the thing going, I ran out with another guitar and kinda shoved Michael while screaming at him to act pissed at me. Well it all worked out, and Michael and I apparently did a great acting job, because a bunch of crew guys and Michaels wife told me "It was nice working with ya Dugie". By the way this whole incident is chronicled on tape (Showtime US festival coverage), and can be found somewhere out there on the internet. See ya soon, out there on the ROAD.......All the Best Kevin K 

      Pic courtesy van-halen.com 

 www.madathonycafe.com   www.stlouismusic.com     www.van-halen.com

A big Thank You Kevin from all of us at RCL. Happy travels and be safe!!!!!

     

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