March 2007
We have been blessed with the Box Set, "Songs I Left Behind" and the White Lion and Freak of Nature DVD's, but was interested to know if in the near future you have any intention to release a Mike Tramp DVD featuring your solo material?
MT: Yes it's almost finished, and so is my next solo album. It's just that at the moment I am doing White Lion.
My wife and I are huge fans of More to Life Than This. With one of the most moving songs we have ever heard being the Good, the Sad and the Ugly. We were wondeirng if you were willing to share with us the inspiration behind this song?
MT: It's only song I have ever written where each verse and chorus, doesn't have anything to do with the previous one, except it's from the same person's heart. A song about eternal love, sadness and betrayal.
I am just curious if you aware of the duo called 'Prussian Blue' who sing songs of hate, extreme nationalism and white power. On their 2005 album 'Fragment Of The Future' they recorded version of White Lion's 'Road to Valhalla'. What is your thought on this?
MT: Yes I did hear that, thought it was quite funny. I am the kind of person who really doesn't get upset about what people chose to sing, write and speak about. I am too strong in my own beliefs and nothing's going to change that.
On the recent Rocking The World tour you visited a few countries that rock bands often don't visit frequently. Eg. Turkey, Greece and Indonesia. Do you plan on visiting any other "different" countries on any upcoming tours. Eg. There have been requests from Syria, Peru, Singapore, Scotland and Ireland.
MT: We play any place where we get an offer that will afford us going there.
As we are aware, you are currently working on the new White Lion album with the new band. Bands like Europe, Stryper, Winger have brought out new albums in recent years that have had a very modern sound. Are you willing to give us an insight into what kind of sound you are shooting for with the new White Lion album? A modern progression from Main Attraction, or more in the Pride vein??
MT: If I am to continue with White Lion. Then I want the band to sound like White Lion, I have no wish to depart from that or try to go modern. And none of the bands you mentioned has succeeded with that.
What is the meaning behind the rebel flag in the album cover of Rocking The USA? Here in Georgia, it stands for either History or Hatred. I definetely do not see anything wrong with freedom of expression for History's sake, I'm all for it, having displayed the Georgia flag which contains a rebel flag myself and on my vehicle. But you being originally from Denmark, what is your meaning behind the album's symbol?
MT: Fair question. No doubt you can track the flag back to some pretty serious and ugly times. At the same time, the flag in modern day has also become the visual of rebellion within the system and when rock bands or bikers, etc use the flag that's their little way of saying 'We're not going with your rules.' Yes I am from Denmark, not the south, but like I said it's used everywhere around the world, and to White Lion today it means we're not following the rules, the Lion is breaking free from the cage. Hope that is good enough for you.
Who has done all your tattoo work? Have you been incredibly selective with who you let loose on your skin, or have you had a variety of people?
MT: I had the shoulder to elbow done by Kari Barba in Anaheim,CA. and the elbow to wrist by Filip Leu in Lausanne,Switzerland (that guy is the shit).
My back is by Henning at Royal Tattoo Helsingore,Denmark. My legs are by Craig at Vic Market Tattoo, Melbourne, Australia.
What are your thoughts knowing that these days there are a whole generation of us older White Lion's fans children who are not yet even teenagers who say that White Lion is their favourite band?
MT: It's great, but at the same time it's how I feel about the bands I grew up with. None have surpassed them.
How do you approach your songwriting? Do you develop lyrics first, music, or a combination of the two? Are you more concerned with your lyrics conveying a picture or story or are you more concerned with rhythm and flow?
MT: Every time I pick up my guitar to run through some songs, I end up writing a song. I never do anything planned, it either comes to me within 10 to 20 minutes or it doesn't. I'll start by singing something along with the guitar establishing the melody, then as I settle on what I want. I start playing around with what kind of story fits the song. In all of the songs I have written only a single one had the lyrics done first, and I really don't like writing that way.
On the "My Story" section of your website, you say that..."To play Rock 'n'roll and to be Rock 'n' roll, you must pay your dues. Don't jump the line, don't take the easy way, the Pioneers didn't and you shouldn't either." What did you mean by this? How does a person "jump the line" as a musician? Does this refer to 'American Idol' style fame, or to something else?
MT: You got it mate. Not only referring the AI, but all those who get famous before they have ever played a show. I will bet you than none of them will have any legacy, the same goes with a lot bands today. They will make a mark on the radio for a short period but the band won't last to leave something behind that anyone will remember for long. It's all going too fast these days.
Now that I'm older and have kids, all of the White Lion songs seem to affect me in a different way, and I interpret a lot of them to be filled with spirtual references of some sort. And to this end, I was wondering where, if anywhere, you stood on religion?
MT: That's a big issue with me. Not because I am religious, but because of how religion is used today as an excuse for just about anything, but most of all by killing because a book told me so or what have you. I will never preach religion on anyone, and if anyone does it to me, I am vicious. Go pray where I don't have to see it, talk to your God where I don't have to listen. It's your right and freedom to do what you want and to follow who you want to follow. Just don't ask me to do the same. God bless you.
Who would you consider to have been the most influential lead vocalist(s) on your career/the ones you admire the most? From both a vocal ability point of view and the ability to "own the stage".
MT: No question! The late and great Freddie Mercury from Queen.
November 2006
Interview from Triple R, Melbourne Australia from the show Musically Incorrect (www.musicallyincorrect.com) Interviewed by Simon Lukic. 24th July 2006:
Part One |
Part Two
October 2006
Why did Freak Of Nature split up? Do you know what Johnny Haro and Dennis Chick are up to these days? What are the chances of you working with either of these guys again?
Well I kind of made the decision to end the band that I loved so much, once I saw that the energy was gone and a pep talk was needed daily. Like I've said before, I would rather go out on a high note, so that's why I called it off while we still friends and a good band. Dennis now runs a custom motorcycle shop in LA. Johnny still plays with various bands.
I am an aspiring singer/songwriter and play in a band. You are one of my major influences. Do you have any advice to pass on to up and coming people like myself?
If you want to make it in the music business, don't set a time limit, be prepared to give everything up for your dreams and I mean everything!
With the new Tramps White Lion album, will Troy, Jamie, Claus or Henning be involved in any of the songwriting?
Since the band has only really been together playing classic White Lion songs, we still need lots of time to become a band playing new songs. But at this moment I have written the majority of songs with Claus as he and I know each other real well and have a clear vision of where this new band is heading sound wise.
Given you have toured and lived in many different countries, I'm interested to know what languages you can speak?
Rock'n'Roll! I speak and understand German, same with Spanish as I lived there for three years. Indonesian is becoming more and more familiar by each trip. And of course the Aussie lingo.
It seemed White Lion stood for the little man in this great big world. Some songs you sang were about the environment and Green Peace related. Was that your own personal view or the band as a whole?
My view was not the bands view. Not to say anything bad, but Vito couldn't give a shit about how anyone in the world felt.
We all know you write very personal lyrics which contain pieces of your life. For something totally differen't, have you ever considered making a concept album?
White Lion songs were not personal in anyway. Freak Of Nature started getting closer. Tramp solo is almost my life. Concept album, could be new White Lion as the music lends it self to that. Tramp solo is not a concept artist.
Many artists these days post on their website samples of songs from their upcoming albums many months prior to release. Given you have an awesome new website, would you ever consider doing the same for your new solo album or White Lion album?
Yes for sure, that is a must these days!
I know it has been put on hold, but can you please reveal a little bit about your next solo album as I have read that you have some songs recorded. How does it compare to your last 3 solo releases?
Well to be honest it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. I started recording the album last October, and could basically have finished it a month later. Then I took it back to Australia and started messing around with it, I suddenly got stuck as there was something that wasn't right. The thing that wasn't right is what has bothered me always. I always wanted Mike Tramp solo, or can I just say Mike Tramp, to be nothing like White Lion and Freak and that also meant the live show. But as you all know my set got
filled up with the old songs and that band got harder and harder, till I had to say that's it, no more. Now that White Lion is recording a new album and touring, I am finally done with the heavy guitar in my solo music and also in the live show and my solo album is clear as whistle. I have dumped half the songs, written 5 new songs and looking forward to finishing it and getting it out. It won't interfere with White Lion and the future cause it's not an album that should be reviewed in the same magazine as White Lion.
When you go on tour in Indonesia or anywhere for that matter do you ever fear terrorist action? Speaking of Indonesia, many of us not familiar with this Country wonder what it is like when you tour there? Are Indonesians big fans of rock music?
No I don't! I have never feared for my life anywhere I have toured, and least of all Indonesia. I feel more safe there than going through the streets of Copenhagen at night where brain dead people drunk of their ass are a bigger threat than being a white person in the middle of 100,000 Indonesians. Yes Indonesia loves Rock'n'Roll like the rest of the world.
