Did the Van Halen tour help fire up some new musical ideas?
No, I am always writing, you know. But we’re a true band now. It wasn’t just a reunion one-off thing. I’ve already gone to Dave’s house four or five times over the last month. I’ve got so much music. It’s just trying to figure out what Dave’s into because we haven’t written together in a long time. But it’s great. It feels like we’ve always felt in the beginning. But I’m sober, so it’s different. He’s sober, so it’s different. It’s a wonderful feeling. Does getting married again and being so happy these days help or hurt musically? Because some people write better tortured but you seem to be in a great place these days. Tortured, no. I started drinking when I was 12 years old because I was nervous. And my dad gave me a shot of vodka and it was a wonder drug. It really worked for a lot of years. But I certainly didn’t drink to make music or to write. It had nothing to do with it. I just get nervous. I’m nervous now. But I stopped drinking over a year ago, and I’m done with it. For 42 ye
