Josh Freese discussed his musical influences and shared thoughts about Alex Van Halen on Office Hours Live with Tim Heidecker.
“There’re like five or six drummers that really like I loved as a kid and really shape me and still to this day. And not that I play like any of them but just as inspirations. The first two, and they were drastically different, but the first two were Buddy Rich and Alex Van Halen,” Freese said.
“I think Alex is really underrated in the way that he happened to be in a band with his brother [Eddie Van Halen] who was an alien and you know took so much of the f*cking spotlight,” he continued.
“And then there were guys I started by the time I was I don’t know 11 or 12 and reading modern drummer magazine and trying to get into like some prog rock or Jazz sh*t or whatever. Just studio drummers and guys that were a little outside of the rock and roll realm,” he added.
The drumming community has long recognized Van Halen’s drummer’s often-overlooked contributions, as reflected in Freese’s appreciation.
Research from Simon Sweetman highlighted Alex Van Halen’s exceptional drumming dynamics and groove. His impact was particularly evident in iconic songs like ‘Hot For Teacher’ and the early David Lee Roth albums.
DrumChat experts noted Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary guitar techniques often dominated attention. However, Alex’s powerful drumming style and technical proficiency created the foundation for the band’s innovative sound.
Freese’s musical journey parallels his diverse drumming influences. He began at a young age and developed into one of the industry’s most versatile musicians. His career includes performances with prominent bands like A Perfect Circle and the Vandals.
Rhino documented Alex Van Halen’s extensive contribution beyond drumming. He maintained the rhythmic backbone of Van Halen’s music throughout their career. This achievement stands notable despite his brother’s revolutionary guitar work often taking center stage.
