Poundcake
Encyclopedia
"Poundcake" is a Van Halen
song and the opening track on their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
. "Poundcake" was the first song to be released as a single from the album making #1 on U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and #74 in the UK Singles Chart
.
The song has acquired a reputation as a test of harmonic guitar technique, because the riff and melody employ countertapping and semibarres, while the main melody is played with harmonic pull offs. The 'full' guitar sound is achieved with use of streaming harmonics, which may or may not have been amplified by an effects pedal. The major third interval on a normally tuned string contributes to the overblown guitar sound (major thirds are widely acknowledged to sound full and overbearing on a distorted tube amp, which is why most major thirds Van Halen play are A barres with the B string slightly detuned). It is generally a song which uses many facets of the Van Halen technique, and it is a popular cover song on YouTube
(occasionally being medlyed with other songs with the same characteristics, such as "Mean Street" and "Ain't Talkin bout Love").
using the sound of a power drill both in the introduction and during the guitar solo. Using a power drill in conjunction with electric guitar was not a new concept as Paul Gilbert
and Billy Sheehan
had used them while playing with Mr. Big
. Gilbert had previously used the electric drill during live solos while touring with the band Racer X in the mid 1980s. Here he would use the drill as a method of tremolo picking, as later employed by Mr. Big. He would also use the electromagnetic interference
generated by the drill's electric motor
. The pitch of the sound changed with speed of the drill and the volume of the sound changed with the proximity of the drill to the guitar's pickups, letting him actually play notes in a method similar to that used with a theremin
. This is the same technique used by Van Halen in Poundcake.
for "Poundcake," directed by Andy Morahan, shows Eddie using the technique with a Makita
cordless power drill painted in his trademark red, black and white stripes. The video itself cuts between scenes of the band playing and a woman who wishes to audition as a stripper. After hesitantly but extensively spying on other girls inside the changing room through a hole in the glass door, she leaves after being assaulted by one of the others using a large drill. The moral of the song is that she decides she will be a more real woman by being wholesome & down to earth (like a homely poundcake), rather than a wild stripper.
The video is also preceded with a young girl reciting a poem of "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", and ends with an outtake of her as well.
as his entrance music, when he debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling
in 1996.
The song was also used by strongman/pro wrestler Bill Kazmaier
as his entrance music, when he wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling
.
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
song and the opening track on their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is the ninth studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1991 through Warner Bros. Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and maintained the position for three weeks...
. "Poundcake" was the first song to be released as a single from the album making #1 on U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and #74 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Song characteristics
It is a double entendre for dessert and sex, with a party attitude and a rounding backbeat. A cowbell can be heard during some parts of the song's bridge and solo (it is unclear if this is played by Sammy Hagar or Alex Van Halen).The song has acquired a reputation as a test of harmonic guitar technique, because the riff and melody employ countertapping and semibarres, while the main melody is played with harmonic pull offs. The 'full' guitar sound is achieved with use of streaming harmonics, which may or may not have been amplified by an effects pedal. The major third interval on a normally tuned string contributes to the overblown guitar sound (major thirds are widely acknowledged to sound full and overbearing on a distorted tube amp, which is why most major thirds Van Halen play are A barres with the B string slightly detuned). It is generally a song which uses many facets of the Van Halen technique, and it is a popular cover song on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
(occasionally being medlyed with other songs with the same characteristics, such as "Mean Street" and "Ain't Talkin bout Love").
Power drill
The song features Eddie Van HalenEddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
using the sound of a power drill both in the introduction and during the guitar solo. Using a power drill in conjunction with electric guitar was not a new concept as Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
and Billy Sheehan
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
had used them while playing with Mr. Big
Mr. Big (band)
Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
. Gilbert had previously used the electric drill during live solos while touring with the band Racer X in the mid 1980s. Here he would use the drill as a method of tremolo picking, as later employed by Mr. Big. He would also use the electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference is disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the circuit...
generated by the drill's electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
. The pitch of the sound changed with speed of the drill and the volume of the sound changed with the proximity of the drill to the guitar's pickups, letting him actually play notes in a method similar to that used with a theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
. This is the same technique used by Van Halen in Poundcake.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Poundcake," directed by Andy Morahan, shows Eddie using the technique with a Makita
Makita
Makita Corporation is a Japanese power tool company founded in 1915, and based in Anjō, Japan. Makita is a manufacturer of professional and consumer power tools, and operates factories in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Romania, UK and USA. Annual turnover is equivalent to US$1.8 billion.-...
cordless power drill painted in his trademark red, black and white stripes. The video itself cuts between scenes of the band playing and a woman who wishes to audition as a stripper. After hesitantly but extensively spying on other girls inside the changing room through a hole in the glass door, she leaves after being assaulted by one of the others using a large drill. The moral of the song is that she decides she will be a more real woman by being wholesome & down to earth (like a homely poundcake), rather than a wild stripper.
The video is also preceded with a young girl reciting a poem of "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", and ends with an outtake of her as well.
In pop culture
The song was used by pro wrestler Rob Van DamRob Van Dam
Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
as his entrance music, when he debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
in 1996.
The song was also used by strongman/pro wrestler Bill Kazmaier
Bill Kazmaier
Bill Kazmaier is a former powerlifter, strongman and professional wrestler from the United States. He is widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest competitors in strength competitions...
as his entrance music, when he wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
.