My first exposure to XES WHISKEY (pronounced Excess Whiskey) was while listening to the morning show on 93.3 The Bone and Xes Whiskey were the morning's guests on the show with Cindy Scull and Robert Miguel. I came into the show part way through, having missed their intro and Paul ("The Van Halen Guy") was ripping through a version of "Eruption" from Van Halen's 1979 debut album. Paul's performance was flawless, leaving me impressed enough to call the station and arrange to cover the following day's Pre-Van Halen concert party at House of Blues in Dallas.
What a treat that turned out to be. Paul, Ricky and Ken make up Xes Whiskey, a local Van Halen tribute band. These guys, surrounded by family, friends and fans put on a show that exhibited nothing short of balls-to-the-wall energy, virtuoso performances and a crowd-pleasing style. Their repertoire ranges from the early "Diamond Dave" testosterone-fueled unrefined, edgy hard rock that defined Van Halen all the way through the "Van Hagar" years where the band, as a result of age, experience and Eddie's writing, mellowed, exhibiting more refined arrangements. Paul, Ricky and Ken reproduce the entire VH catalog faithfully (with the exception of Eddie's later keyboard work.) If you couldn't see them you wouldn't know it wasn't the "real thing" on most songs, which I think is the highest compliment I can pay to any Tribute Band.
During their second set, Paul and Ricky took their performance to the audience, mingling with young and old alike, working the crowd like Jon Bon Jovi. Paul's interaction with the crowd extended all the way down to the littlest fans, allowing the kids to play his guitar during the solo (see the slideshow for these pix).
These guys are pros, they're nice guys and a lot of fun. If you get the chance to see them live, don't miss it.
HOUSE OF BLUES - Dallas
wHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Mikey in the Morning - 97.1 The Eagle KEGL Dallas
I'm a huge Vanhalen fan and when I met Paul and heard him play Vanhalen, he blew me away! I gave him the name "Paul the Vanhalen Guy and had him in studio every Friday tearing up Vanhalen!
Edward Vanhalen - 1980 NAMM
Amazing, you remind of me in the club days, keep up the good work...
Gary Kramer - Gary Kramer Guitars
First time I heard Paul, he blew me off my chair, unbelievable guitar player...
Dennis Benardi - Kramer Guitars - CEO
your the only one who's ever touched me when I heard you play...next to Eddie Vanhalen
The first time I heard Paul playing behind me, I thought it was Eddie, amazing...
Fender/Jackson Guitars
unbelievable clinician...you blow us away every time and were glad to have you as our endorsee...
Scott Minyard - Slow Roosevelt
I've heard alot of guitar players with tone and Paul nails it every time, what a guitar player...
P.S. "Dont touch a fuckin knob"
GHS Strings - Ben Cole
Were glad to have you part of the GHS Family...
Pantera- KAT
First time I saw Paul play Vanhalen, I thought....
"are you fucking kidding! He blew it up!
Dimebag Darrell - "the one and only" PANTERA
Never knew his name for long time, I called him "Little Eddie" one of my favorite local guitar players to watch...
Dallas Guitar Show
We bring back XES WHISKEY every year, for a reason, the crowds love them, were glad to know them...
DR Strings - Tony
you kick my ass every time, I put you right up there with the best of them!
