Wolfgang Van Halen appears to be taking aim at David Lee Roth in Mammoth’s latest music video for their new song, ‘I Really Wanna,’ shared on the band’s YouTube channel.
The video for “I Really Wanna” features what seems to be a pointed reference to previous comments made by the former Van Halen frontman about Wolfgang.
“This f*ckin’ kid is on the other side,” the lyrics state. They appear to directly respond to Roth’s earlier criticism.
The reference stems from Roth’s previous public comments about Wolfgang Van Halen during their touring days.
“This fuckin’ kid. He’s complaining the entire tour like I’m not paying enough attention to him on stage,” Roth had said. “He’s complaining to everybody around me — the business manager, the security guy, the clothing lady — ‘Dave’s not paying enough attention to me.'”
In the music video, Wolfgang portrays a character in the background wearing sunglasses and a flashy red shirt. He appears bored while using a megaphone to deliver the pointed lyric.
The video represents the latest chapter in the ongoing tension between the two musicians following their time together in Van Halen.
This public exchange highlights Wolfgang’s journey to establish his own musical identity. He navigates the complex legacy of his famous family name.
K-ZAP reported that Wolfgang initially formed Mammoth as a solo project shortly before Van Halen disbanded after his father Eddie’s death in 2020. The band’s name pays homage to his father and uncle’s original 1970s band Mammoth, which served as a precursor to Van Halen. It was chosen with Eddie’s full blessing.
Blabbermouth noted that Wolfgang recorded every instrument on his debut album himself. This emphasized his intention to forge his own musical identity while honoring his family legacy. This approach demonstrates his commitment to proving himself as a complete musician rather than simply riding on his father’s reputation.
The tension with Roth adds a complex layer to Wolfgang’s task of stepping out from the shadow of his famous lineage. He works to establish Mammoth on its own terms. American Songwriter revealed that Wolfgang’s musical journey represents both growth and healing as he processes his father’s legacy while creating his own artistic path.
The ongoing feud with Roth underscores the challenges Wolfgang faces in transitioning from being Eddie Van Halen’s son to becoming a respected artist in his own right. This makes this latest musical response both personal and professionally significant.
