Van Wirsing - Van Halen Tribute

Jump back, what’s that sound?

It’s Central PA’s newest tribute band… Van Wirsing!

Van Wirsing pays tribute to one of the most iconic hard rock bands of all time – Van Halen. Focusing on the “Diamond” Dave era of the band’s catalog, Van Wirsing brings together the amazing talents of five veteran Central PA musicians, each with decades of experience on the stage. Think of it as a local supergroup of sorts.

The name Van Wirsing is derived from the band’s virtuosic guitarist, Eric Wirsing (Solar Federation, Julie Schreiber Band), a lifelong fan and devout disciple of Eddie Van Halen. His love of the late guitarist’s mind-blowing ability as a technician and true innovator on the instrument continues to resonate with Eric to this day, long after he studied at Boston’s prestigious Berklee School of Music. A master shredder in his own right, Eric’s other superpower is his uncanny knack for mimicking any guitar part you put in front of him. Always fastidious about tone, Eric’s ability to dial in EVH’s signature guitar sounds is a skill that most guitarists simply do not possess.

The rhythm section of Mike Washkevich (Very Fine Gentlemen, Nowhere Quick) on bass and Ffej Herb (Solar Federation, herbie) on drums lays down the relentless, high-energy groove for which Van Halen is known. In addition to his four-string duties, Mike also gets to display his vocal ability in performing the high harmonies of Michael Anthony that are a hallmark of the VH signature sound.

And if you’re a Central PA native and love classic rock radio, then Van Wirsing’s vocalist certainly needs no introduction. Glenn Hamilton – you may know him as the morning show host on 97.3 WRVV “The River” – is a true icon of FM radio. However, he’s also no stranger to the stage, having been a lifelong musician and singer. It’s always been a dream of his to perform the music of VH on stage, so Glenn brings a level of excitement to the stage as he sings the songs written by one of his favorite bands of all time.

Rounding out Van Wirsing is the incomparable Mike Bitts (Solar Federation, Innocence Mission) on keys and backing vocals. While Mike is most renowned for his bass playing, his undeniable talent on keys makes it possible for Van Wirsing to perform such enduring tracks as “And the Cradle will Rock” and “Jump.” He also has perfect pitch, which comes in handy when covering all those intricate harmonies.

Despite its collective talent, the band’s origins are quite inconspicuous. Van Wirsing came together in the summer of 2025 to perform a 40-minute set of classic VH tunes at a legendary Central PA backyard bash. The band’s set resonated with everyone in attendance, and after video footage of the performance emerged on social media, there was hype. A LOT of hype!

Bret Michaels (yes, THAT Bret Michaels) caught wind of the band and invited Van Wirsing to perform on stage with him at Spyglass Ridge Winery in Pennsylvania. The performance brought down the house, and overnight Van Wirsing went from backyard band to a legitimate tribute to the music of VH.

Van Wirsing headlined the annual Rock the Food Bank benefit last December at XL Live in Harrisburg, PA, and the band’s first full show in February 2026 at West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland was sold out.

Sit down, Waldo… there’s a new tribute band in town!

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Host or Publisher The Allen Theatre