Melodic Rock Fanzine [it]
Interview with Flash
Question: I would like to begin with a brief history of the group… and your influences:Answer: WIG WAM was founded late 2000 after finding back to our personal musical roots as a jam-band. Covering songs that inspired us to pick up instruments in the first place gave birth to Wig Wam. Bands like Kiss, AC/DC, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Beatles, Queen and Journey to mention some, are obviously our musical heritage. We released our first album 667… Neighbour of the beast in 2004 after heavy touring the previous years. After joining the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 things really got moving with the big hit “In my dreams”. We toured Norway extensively, Europe, and went to Japan for the first time. After a break in 2008, we all found our way back to the studio to record our third album “NON STOP ROCK’N ROLL” and here we are excited to present this album through our record companies which has made this a world wide release simultaneously.
Q: Others are saying that the new album, “Non-stop Rock N’ roll” is your most complete to date… do you agree?
A: Absolutely! We’re wiser and better at what we do. We’d had a break which did us some good in the sense that we got more motivation and inspiration to write and record new songs. We just wanted to make the best record and have fun with it again. This time the conditions for making this album were better than ever.
Q: What makes this a different effort than before? Did you record differently?
A: This was the first time we had a record company and time to record at the same time. Which means we’d record our first album on on our own expenses and, finally got to release it after some time. The second album we did in just three weeks. Now we had better equipment and more time which meant we could do things over and over until we all felt it was where we wanted it to be. The recording process was the same as before except now we did in a proper studio, not Teeny’s living room.
Q: Are you more comfortable with the creative side? Say, approaching the songwriting differently?
A: The three of us who are writing are constantly trying to write more together, and this time we did. When we meet there’s always a creatively explosion coming out. But still there are songs brought on the table more or less complete. Still, we all have bits and pieces in the drawer which might fit in where we all agree that something is missing or should be altered. Personally I would like to spend more time writing together, yet I find it relaxing writing by myself too. In other words, there’s no formula in this band.
Q: Your music and look remember of 80’s glam-hair metal: do you feel particularly linked to that decade?
A: Yes we do, we all started our careers back in the early eighties and the heavy metal style had it’s hey days when we started playing in different bands. You can say we are very familiar with the style and really enjoy all the funny Spinal Tap sides to it.
Q: Many metal bands come from Norway, Sweden or Finland: do you think there’s a bond between Scandinavia and metal music?
A: I never really thought of that, but I noticed many reporters have picked up the fact. I don’t have any answers to why that is, but maybe the weather conditions are particularly good for rock music or maybe it’s in our genes.
Q: It seems that you have a very hard fanbase: do you think that touring a lot through Norway and Europe has something to do with this?
A: If you don’t tour, the reason for your existence as a band is gone. When the record sales are gone, the only thing left is touring. And we have toured a lot. Mostly in Norway, but also some abroad. Luckily there’s nothing that can beat a live show. It’s where we connect with our fans and hopefully meet new ones. Wig Wam will always put on a big show. During those 90 minutes you’ll always have in mind that you will give the audience a good run for their money.
Q: How did you came to the idea, in your first record, to cover Mel C’s single I Turn To You?
A: I really don’t remember it too well. We recorded some tracks in the early days which were mostly cover songs. I think it was Teeny’s idea to make the song a bit like Billy Idol style. I had not even heard the original before and was very reluctant to the idea. But it turned out to be very successful. The song is still with us in our live set.
Q: Looking forward to the new year, do you have plans on touring in 2010? If so, when and where?
A: Right now we’re at the early stage in booking a tour. There are just a few confirmed dates, still a Japan tour is confirmed in late April early May. We are doing some gigs in Norway of course, but would very much like to do some gigs throughout Europe this time. This is after all the first time a Wig Wam album is released in several European countries and the US as well. So playing some new territories would be exciting indeed.
Q: Back to the new album, overall, the sound is fresh, almost like a rejuvenated band, am I detecting this correctly?
A: Like I said, we spend more time on this one, and we had a lot of material to choose from. When it comes to producing, it’s obvious that Teeny has come a long way and can easily be compared to any producer in the business in my opinion. And after constantly touring since 2001-2002, we’d really needed a break. And when we finally got back together, everybody was really up for doing an album with lots of energy and a fresh spirit. So in many ways this album confirms that the band is rejuvenated and ready to rock non stop.
Q: I’m sure we will all share in your excitement about the new release… any comments on your signing with Frontiers’… especially the US release of “Non Stop Rock n’ Roll”?
A: Frontiers has been in touch with the band for some time now, and finally we’d signed a deal through our Scandinavian record company and so far it looks very good. I know the label has many acts, but I’m confident that these guys have the ability and the desire to make this album do very well. When it comes to the US release we are very excited about it. Still we know what a huge marked it is, but to be in a position where we could do some gigs over there would be a thrill for us.
Q: In closing, I usually leave the last words to my Guests… so please, go ahead and all the best in 2010 and beyond!!
A: Thanks a lot. I really want to make your readers aware of this album. If you’re into a classic rock’n roll album with a “in your face” attitude, and a bunch of well written songs with big hooks and loud guitars, I’m sure this one will put a big smile on your face. There’s no fancy effects or overdubs on this one. Just great tunes played by a band on fire. Hope you’ll enjoy it, and to see you out there soon.
Interview by Bruce Atkinson, Melodic Rock Fanzine, issue 36 (January/February 2010)
issuu.com/frontiers_records/docs/mrf36
