Out Of The Cellar:
Jordan interviews White Lion singer Mike Tramp
Hello and welcome to The Cellar, I'm Jordan a British media student hoping for a career in journalism and by writing for the site I'm hoping that will help me gain experience and exposure, I'm also a big fan of 80s Glam Metal music and that's probably an even more important reason why I'm here writing this today. Anyway enough about me, this is the place to come for interviews with bands that just didn't get the exposure they deserved back in the day. I'll be asking members of such bands about their memories back then as well as any new projects they're working on. Just as the column title suggests it's right here where I'll be letting some of the forgotten bands Out Of The Cellar, hopefully you'll remember some of the bands and maybe even be introduced to something you missed first time round!
- Jordan
Pulling someone in for an interview this month was rather difficult with everyone settling into the new year, however I was fortunate enough to speak to Mr. Mike Tramp, lead vocalist of White Lion. Just like Brighton Rock from last month White Lion were one of those '80s bands lumped in with the Glam Metal crowd despite being quite different in the way of looks and sound from Poison or Pretty Boy Floyd. Since forming in 1983 White Lion have released 4 studio albums and though now being the only original member Mike is planning a new one for 2007. As well as White Lion Mike has also worked with his own band Freak Of Nature and released several solo records. I spoke to him about past, present and future and yep, I asked about ex-White Lion guitar wizard and elusive man of mystery; Vito Bratta. Enjoy!
Jordan: So you've recently been out on tour, how was that?
MikeTramp: It was really awesome, and I say that, 'cause when we toured the USA in 2005, I was still skeptical if this was what I wanted to do and honestly I didn't commit my soul to it. This time, we are White Lion, the band that will move on from here, the band that will release a new album in 2007 and with that let everyone know that we're back.
Jordan: Would you mind explaining why you had to cancel the U.K. leg of the tour? Will you be coming back?
Mike: Would I mind? No, I wouldn't mind. I simply lost my voice, and I mean really lost it, like never before. Still three weeks later, I am far from fully recovered. Yes, of course we're not going to cheat our great UK fans out of experiencing this great band and its live set. So we are working on how to do it. The band lives on three different continents, so it's a bit
more complicated, but it will happen.
Jordan: Okay, "The Big One" early on... Do you still keep in contact with Vito? How's he doing? Does he mind you still going out on tour playing songs he wrote? Oh, and please tell us the pizza shop rumours are false?
Mike: NO! But he told me 4 years ago, when I spoke to him last. That he was my friend, but that he's just not a person that stays in touch. I guess that's one way of putting it. I don't know if he minds or not, but I couldn't give a rats ass how he feels. He has had his chances and I have offered myself to him numerous times. I don't know what Vito does, he would barely tell anyone his birthday.
Jordan: What's your best ever touring experience? And what's your worst?
Mike: I would say touring Europe in 1988 with White Lion was fantastic cause this was the first time we saw what the band would become. We had sold out shows and all the future was ahead of us. I will also say the summer of '93 with Freak Of Nature, 'cause it was great. My solo tour in 2004 was the worst.
Jordan: Can we expect to see any new material from you anytime soon? Solo or White Lion?
Mike: First there will come a new White Lion album and that will be what 2007 is all about. My solo albums from now on will be more like something I do on the side. I have a new album ready. But first it's White Lion.
Jordan: Okay, how about releasing something from back in the day, a concert DVD etc. Anything like that look likely?
Mike: What day would that be???? I have released 3 White Lion DVDS and 1 Freak Of Nature.
Jordan: Back in the '80s and early '90s what genre did you see White Lion as? A lot of people would say Hair Metal but Hair Metal bands don't often write 8 minute songs or have Blues solo pieces on their records?
Mike: That's right, how about let the music do the talking. I know that if you scrolled through a magazine in 1988 a lot of bands looked the same, well sort of. But you should look closer. Don't compare White Lion with Poison because both singers have blonde hair. I don't need to say anymore, White Lion is a band that can play and the new album will carry on from where we left off. You won't be leaving our concerts laughing your ass off.
Jordan: Do you still enjoy it all as much as you did back then? Recording, touring etc.
Mike: Touring is without a doubt tough, it's just impossible not to become sick
cause you are in contact with so many people. I still get the same thrill
every time I sit down, pick up my guitar and write a song, it never ceases.
Jordan: Is the song Out With The Boys from Mane Attraction based on personal
experience? It obviously has some sort of story running through it.
Mike: Not really, but at the same time it sort of talks about the brotherhood I have with my friends back home in Copenhagen, no matter if I haven't lived there since 1979. I was never able to establish that kind of friendship in the old White Lion and it really bothered me.
Jordan: Okay thanks for a great interview Mike and finally, last question. What goals, musically or otherwise would
you still like to achieve?
Mike: I don't have any goals musically, I fulfilled them long ago. But I do wish that I can record and tour for many, many years to come.
For more information on Mike tramp check his website at MikeTramp.com and Mike Tramp on Myspace.
Out Of The Cellar is brought to you every month by ShopRetroActive.com
Where you can get T-shirts and gifts from your favorite bands, tv shows and movies of the 70's, 80's and 90's!
