In a recent interview with Classic Rock, Wolfgang Van Halen of Mammoth WVH shared his musical influences, diverging from the expected choices of his father’s bandmates Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. Instead, he singled out Maynard James Keenan from Tool and Ian Kenny from Karnivool as two vocalists who’ve left a lasting impression on him.
When asked about his guitar heroes, Wolfgang naturally named his father, Eddie Van Halen, acknowledging their unique bond through music. However, he also expressed admiration for other guitarists like Paul Gilbert and Aaron Marshall from Intervals, whose playing styles have influenced him deeply.
Discussing his favorite songwriters, Wolfgang highlighted the impact of Dave Grohl and Trent Reznor on his own songwriting process. He credited their musical prowess and lyrical depth as significant inspirations for his work with Mammoth WVH.
Despite his own family ties to the Van Halen legacy, Wolfgang remains diplomatic about the ongoing debate between Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. During a segment for Amoeba Music’s ‘What’s In My Bag?’, where he picked out the new Van Halen box set, Wolfgang offered a balanced perspective, emphasizing the strengths of both eras of the band. He appreciated Sammy Hagar’s melodic contributions and recognized the value in exploring different styles of songwriting across the band’s discography.
