I have a confession to make: I missed the Eurovision Song Contest last May. We were too busy google-whacking ….. don’t ask! During a break from this dodgy activity, I got to flicking through the channels and caught a glimpse of the Norwegian contestants sitting in the green room. I liked these guys immediately. I liked their look, I liked their huge grins and the whole atmosphere just reeked of glam slammin’ rock’n’roll excess. Fast forward to the beginning of June and a Norwegian road trip to see TNT. I’m standing on my own in a rock club in Kristiansand, having come to terms with the fact that I’d probably be re-mortgaging my flat to pay for the beer, when one song comes over the PA that sends the up-to-now quiet crowd into a frenzy. I bravely open up a conversation with one of the local Vikings who tells me it is Wig Wam. I still didn’t make the connection, but thought this was a hell of a good song - catchy hard rock sing-along with strong hook lines, great melody, harmony vocals and heavy guitar …. the essence of early Def Leppard, Kiss and Poison.

During a 5 hour journey the following day, my hosts are only too happy to explain who Wig Wam are. Finally I could put two and two together. I knew I was right to like these guys. As soon as I could, I sourced the album “It’s Hard to be a Rock ‘n’ Roller…. In Kiev” and was instantly struck by its flawless production and excellent songs – good mix of hard and melodic rock songs and two ballads demonstrating an incredible vocal range. Guitar interludes “The Drop” and “Erection” tip the hat to Eddie Van Halen whilst skilfully avoiding any notion of a cheap copy. Whilst casually surfing the net before leaving for Norway for the Dio/ Heep/ Asia show I happen to notice that Wig Wam are doing a series of small shows in the Valhall – Oslo’s equivalent to Earl’s Court arena. Bruce gives me the nod to go ahead and see if I can get an interview, and before I know it I’m standing in Karl Johans Gate (Oslo’s main shopping precinct) at mid-day on a cold Saturday waiting to see Wig Wam perform an outdoor free Christmas show in aid of the Salvation Army on a stage in an area no bigger than your average camping gazebo! During the wait we are entertained by an ever increasing crowd which delivers a rendition of every song on the album.
Now, I can recall seeing television footage of the Beatles, T Rex and the Bay City Rollers being mobbed by multitudes of baying females in the sixties and seventies, and I have to admit I am intrigued as to what I might expect. Being a little vertically challenged myself, I start to get concerned that my mission will fail dismally. I make my way around to the side of the stage to the sound desk and manage to communicate with the tour manager who immediately invites me behind the safety rope from where I take up my vantage point in the back of a transit van. Now that I can see (!) I observe that the aforementioned large crowd had now taken over the entire street. It was difficult to say what the average age was as the range was so diverse …. everyone from grandma to great grandchildren.
Suddenly there is a flurry of activity and a bit of screaming, and I turn to see that Teeny (lead guitar) has come out into the crowd with a Salvation Army collection box. He towers above the crowd, all smiles and military officer’s hat, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Chip Z’Nuff. Any concerns I had about mob scenes are totally unfounded. He spends a few minutes mingling, and everyone is only too happy to make monetary contributions into the box.

Shortly afterwards proceedings get under way and the band takes to the stage. In 2 degree temperature, they’ve understandably left their trademark lycra in their hotel rooms, opting for warmer leathers, sheepskin and fingerless gloves! Big opener “Hard to be a Rock ‘n’ Roller” is followed by “Bless the Night”, “I Turn to You” and “Mine all Mine”. The crowd goes wild, singing at the tops of their voices. Musically the band is as tight as a duck’s ass and the rapport they have with the crowd is genuinely affectionate. Glam takes a short break to warm up with a hot coffee whilst Teeny takes centre stage for “Erection”. As my vantage point is on his side of the stage I have a golden opportunity to find out whether this axe-wielding giant’s playing matches his image. I am not disappointed. His tapping has a fluidity all of its own. His mastery of the swept arpeggio is breathtaking and it quickly becomes clear that there is a lot more to this guy’s playing than what we hear on the album. Be in no doubt that Trond “Teeny” Holter is the real deal. They continue with “Car-Lyle” (a song about a woman who is built like a car – doffing the cap to Marc Bolan, perhaps?), “Crazy Things” then “I Was Made for Loving You” which they had recently recorded with Bruce Kulick and features on “Knights of Thunder”, Norway’s Kiss tribute album. I admit I was completely carried away by the explosive energy, the adrenalin rush and the sheer fun of the experience. The encore is, of course, “In My Dreams” then the boys go backstage to the bus to thaw out, but not for long, because soon afterwards they are back out on the street again for autographs, photos and a meet and greet for their adoring fans.
I try to think of another band that would deliver this kind of service to its fans, especially in freezing temperatures, and the short answer is that I can’t.

A short time later I am in a comfortable dining room in an Oslo hotel and sitting across from me with the biggest grin in creation is the most charming, witty and intelligent front man that I have ever met. There are no holds barred with Glam ….. he tells it to you straight, and as you’ll see he loves to talk … my kind of guy.
So, Glam, let’s introduce Wig Wam to the UK audience with an obvious question … tell me how you guys got together and where did the name come from?
Teeny phoned me and Flash and Sporty to say that we’d been offered a jam session gig in (rock city) Haldens sleaziest rock joint, but we had no band name and only 7 days to the gig! We got together and each of us brought something with us from the past. Sporty brought lycra cycling shorts, so we christened him Sporty for a start. I had brought some make-up so I guess that’s how I got my name, Flash brought one of those old fashioned racing helmets and goggles and I can’t remember what Teeny brought, but he gets his name because he is the biggest kid…. have you heard how he giggles? Anyway, when I was about 5 my biggest treat was sitting up late with my Dad watching old Cowboy and Indian movies, and when we were all having a laugh trying on make-up I said to the guys “we are just like Red Indians, we’ve gotta call ourselves Wig Wam” so that’s how the name came about.

And how did you get the invite to the Eurovision Song Contest?
Well, since we’d formed in 2000, we had had no interest whatsoever from record companies so Teeny invested his own money to record the album “667 The Neighbour of the Beast”. Our manager, without letting us know, sent “Crazy Things” to NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) who invited us to take part in Melodi Grand Prix 2004 (Norwegian final). We didn’t believe it. We thought if we did it for fun, we’d maybe get some gigs out of it! People laughed at us initially, but their attitude soon changed when they saw that we kicked ass. We finished in third place. Our fans complained that we didn’t win, but generally Norway just wasn’t ready for us. However, the upshot was that we got a distribution deal for our album. Suddenly the journalists were going crazy, wanting to know everything about us. I decided that we should do a story about Wig Wam the 70’s rock legends from the Polish quarter of the Bronx. We held international press conferences in our hometown; we had red carpets, stretch limos, bodyguards and nurses to escort us to the stage. People got so curious, and every one of our shows was packed. People were asking “Who are these guys?” “Why have we not heard of them before?” “Are they really from the USA?” With my background in producing musical theatre, it was easy for me to put this kind of Hollywood extravaganza together. The other guys freaked at the start “we’re gonna do what?” but then they just went along with it, with the made up stories and stuff. Everybody believed it …. we must look very well preserved to be seventy years old! When we got asked back to MGP for 2005, I admit we had to think about whether we’d do it again, but then we decided that even though technically we don’t belong there, we’d be foolish not to, as it’s the highest rated music show in Norway, We said we wanted to do it our way, though. We picked our own song, our own wardrobe etc. NRK said yes to absolutely everything we asked. Then at the show, the press were all hanging around us… in fact (laughing) all the other acts started hanging around us in order to get themselves noticed. We got up to lots of antics. You know, we are grown up guys, and we all know what we’re doing, right? But who wants to see a nice guy being interviewed? I’m a spontaneous guy, so if I see an opportunity to get us noticed, I’ll go for it. (Glam gave a physical demonstration of outrageous flirting with the BBC reporter at the Eurovision final that resulted in such notoriety that the footage appeared in the BBC’s “best of 2005” show on New Year’s Eve). Our priority in Kiev was to promote ourselves, as well as obviously take part in Eurovision. We did a number of live shows in various clubs away from the Eurovision scene – one of these shows even featured the Icelandic and Finnish entrants as support! After our performance the single “In My Dreams” sold out in Norway – we only had 1,000 copies made, and we missed being No. 1 on the charts because there weren’t enough to sell! That situation changed the following week, however, and we remained at number one for 19 weeks. (The album was at Number 1 for 20 weeks). Haha, and now the Norwegian record industry that had no interest in us has become huge fans and wish they’d signed us!

Tell us something about the bands you’ve played in before now.
We’ve all played in a number of bands throughout the 80s and the 90’s. Teeny used to be the axeman of Dream Police and also worked with Ole Evenrude for many years, writing lots of his songs too. Flash had a Heavy Metal band called Artch, that also made a name for themselves outside Norway. Sporty was the drummer in Sha-Boom, a big pop rock act from Sweden, and he has toured with Sweet. I’ve been involved with various hard rock bands throughout the time, plus I had my solo project in the late 90’s, and have done lots of musicals. Teeny and Sporty worked with Evenrude’s band, Flash and Teeny had a band in the late nineties, my band supported Artch at one time, and me and Flash even had a rock and roll show together, which featured Jorn Lande (Masterplan) in one of our line ups! So, yes, we’ve all known each other for many years, but we wanted to put together a brand new band in its own right, instead of saying “here is the guitarist from Dream Police, here is the drummer from Sha-Boom” and stuff. We wanted to start from scratch, and now we are Wig Wam and having the time of our lives.

Your fan base is huge - what’s your secret to attracting fans of all ages?
Well, when we all got together of course we had fans from our previous projects, but once we’d made our appearance at MGP, we began to increase our fan base, including lots of kids and a more mature audience, from late 40s onwards. Because of the alcohol politics in Norway, the kids can’t come to see a regular show, and it was the kids who were telling us that they wanted to see us, so to make sure they get their share of the rock and roll experience we do two 90 minute shows per night. Yes, it’s hard work, but our fans are the most important thing to us. Since 9th March this year we have played 150 shows for 265,000 people and we have even broken the Stage Dolls record for attendance at one show.

I notice that your entire show is delivered in English ….?
Yes, well if you do a theatrical performance you don’t sing in English and do the dialogue in another language, do you? So our shows are all in English, and this makes it easier for going to different countries. Also, many foreigners come to Norway, too – so as English is the universal language, that’s what we use.

Coming from the UK, the next most obvious question is … have you ever been compared to the Darkness, and what do you think of them?
Well, the record labels in Norway weren’t interested in us at all …. we think that they had some inside knowledge that “the next big thing” was on its way. Sure enough, The Darkness got everyone’s attention in 2002, and by the time “667” came out everyone was saying that we were just copying them. I liked “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, but the rest of their first record disappointed me. Haven’t heard the second album yet … maybe it’ll be better. But at least Mr Hawkins has re-introduced the audience to spandex again, so I’m happy about that! (laughs) But if you do want to get to comparisons, each of us in Wig Wam has a unique image and character, and we have our individual fans as much as we have fans of the whole band. We are not a band that simply consists of a front man and three supporting musicians. (Laughing like a drain) Look out, guys, we’re going to give you a one way ticket to hell, NOT back!

Glam goes on to reveal some plans for 2006 which I am sworn to secrecy about, then departs to spend some long-awaited time with his wife and family. Meanwhile, Teeny has been indulging in waffles, and invites me over for a chat. There are some young fans in the lobby, and he has ordered pizza for them all to share with him. I spent a very pleasant 45 minutes getting to know this quiet, modest and infinitely likeable guitar genius, learning more about his previous career in the process. It is not strange to note that his musical inspirations are Van Halen, Thin Lizzy and Def Leppard, his favourite album is “Van Halen” and there are no prizes for guessing the person he’d most like to meet……! Cites his “likes” as milk chocolate and beer, writing songs and playing guitar all day every day. He also knows his comedy, and has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard. I had had some information that throughout the eighties the young Holter contributed the lion’s share of the writing for Ole Evenrude’s band, but was denied the recognition that he truly deserved. Being under-represented in a feature in Guitar magazine proved to be the final straw, and he decided to quit in 1989, forming Dream Police soon after. You only have to listen to the Zeppelin-esque opening track of the self-titled debut to know that he’d cast the chains aside and was making a statement all his own.

Later that evening I discover that cowboy boots are not the most sensible choice of footwear for Norway in December as I power slide my way down the snowy streets towards the Valhall for their evening performance. They are scheduled to appear on the “small stage” at this Las Vegas style show which features various acts including Kurt Nielsen (remember him?... the “hobbit” winner of World Idol a couple of years ago.) The band is not completely enamoured with the stage arrangements, nevertheless they behave completely professionally and put on an excellent show. For me it’s an opportunity to see them in their leather’ n’ lycra-clad glory. Whereas during the afternoon I had thought that Glam wasn’t as tall as I’d thought, I can confirm that with those famous platform boots on, the top of my head reaches his waist!

Kicking off with In My Dreams brings the seated crowd over to the stage in a mad rush. This is followed by Bless the Night where Glam does things with his tongue that would make Gene Simmons jealous. They follow this with I was made for loving you and Crazy Things and then proceedings end all too soon with Hard to be a rock ‘n’ roller. The brief is strict; no encore is scheduled, the band swiftly leaves the stage and the crowd (which is now very drunk …. in keeping with Norwegian tradition) drifts nonchalantly back to the main hall for the disco.
Back in the dressing room there is plenty of raucous laughter and throwing silly shapes for the camera. However, the band would have preferred me to have seen a full show before I write about them. I tell them that I will be returning in a fortnight to hook up with TNT, and the guys are quick to invite me to what will be the last night of their Rock Schlager Tour, in Glam’s home town of Fredrikstad.
As it turns out, both TNT and Wig Wam are playing on the same night, but thanks to the efficient Norwegian train system, I am able to catch the early Wig Wam show and still get back to Oslo in time for TNT. With tentative plans made, we say our goodbyes and I mince carefully back to catch the underground, kicking myself for my irresponsible choice of footwear!

WIGWAM “Hotel City”, Fredrikstad 21.12.05 6.30 PM – “Kids Show”
When I go to gigs I am often plagued by “tall man syndrome” - meaning that despite gargantuan efforts to arrive early and optimise my observation post, some twit who’s at least six feet five stands in front of me just as the show is about to start. Just as I was congratulating myself that I wasn’t at risk of this happening, I was horrified to find out about five minutes later that it was me who was blocking the view of some poor kid! I make the usual British-style apologies to her mum (why do us Brits say sorry for everything?), then managed to wedge myself in tightly beside the merchandise desk where my nuisance factor reduced to a zero and I could breathe a sigh of relief.
The build up to this show is electric, almost intoxicating. It’s the last night of the tour, and it’s only four days to Christmas Day, so everyone’s in a great mood. It’s in a hotel ballroom, so the dance floor is packed early, but it’s not long before the balconies are filled to capacity. There are hundreds of young teenage girls wearing more make up than clothes, and several dedicated “wigwamaniacs” turn up in fancy dress – all platforms and feather boas.
A bevy of classic rock numbers plays in the background, and soon after 6.30 pm Sporty takes up his position on the drums, closely followed by Flash and Teeny. The screaming begins in earnest, there are explosions and flashes and Glam hits the stage in a blaze of colour and equipped with signature party popper tube which he sets off, covering the crowd in glitzy ticker tape. They rock energetically through the first four numbers and then proceedings become a bit more solemn as Glam pronounces “now, it’s time to die…….” and they go into “Out of Time” where he delivers a stunning vocal performance that is every bit as polished live as it is on the album.
We are treated to one of Wig Wam’s signature rock medlies – this time it’s Highway to Hell, complete with solo played in its entirety at the back of Teeny’s head, at least up to the point where Glam starts tickling him under the arms! This segues into Back in Black where Teeny and Flash play each other’s instruments back to back whilst spinning around. This is followed by the ballad Tell Me Where to Go and features the now legendary Glam red rose routine – however, tonight there is more than one red rose – a dozen, in fact, and this means a dozen lucky ladies ……. but it looks like revenge for Glam’s last-night jinks are on the cards as Sporty steals his thunder by distributing about fifty red roses of his own …. but it is his birthday, after all, and the crowd acknowledges this by raising the roof with “Happy Birthday”.

I have to admit that Teeny now occupies a permanent place in my little circle of “favourite guitar players” so the next part of the show is about to give me goosebumps, as the lights go down and he emerges for the solo. He begins with an excerpt from a song. I am perturbed …. I don’t know it. I consult with the webmaster who reliably informs me it is “Hot Legs” the aforementioned opening number from the Dream Police debut. This segues into “Erection” which moves effortlessly into “The Drop” complete with fireworks attached to the headstock. Not quite Eric Sardinas “circle of flames” but every bit as exciting! “Car-Lyle” enables Flash to hit the spotlight for his own spectacular intro, complete with chequered flag and formula one sound effects – I’m loving it ….. until the next track which is … what? the Back Street Boys? Ah, but it’s “Wig Wam’s back … alright?” “Crazy Things”, their popular 2004 hit, is delivered in a ballad style, and I get to thinking that they could easily do a re-release of this and go straight to Number One.
The show ends with a Norwegian Christmas song (“It’s Hard to be a Nissemann”) and the encore is the inevitable “In My Dreams”, which sends the crowd into orbit. As ever, when the curtain is down, the band comes back onto the stage in full costume and proceeds to sign autographs and pose for photographs. They take as long as it needs to work their way through the vast crowd, and no-one is disappointed, no matter what pressure the stage hands are under to re-equip for the next show which is two hours later. I make my way backstage where it looks like Santa’s sleigh has missed a turning and tipped its contents – for there is not only Christmas to see to, but also Sporty’s birthday, and the guys do very well from the offerings – Sporty does particularly well, and Teeny ends up with enough chocolate to see him through to, well, at least the middle of January!
Lots of scantily clad adoring teenage girls, more autographs, more pictures, more hugs, more kisses, and then it’s time for me to catch the train to Oslo, even though I really, honestly don’t want to leave. On the train to Oslo I have time to reflect on my Wig Wam experience. I’ve been evangelising about Wig Wam to my rock buddies for six months. I was lucky enough be given the opportunity to get to know them on their own turf, with the added bonus of seeing them in concert in three different settings. I have had a great time with the friendliest, most down-to-earth group of talented musicians who remain, as people, completely unaltered by their success.
The Darkness may have put enjoyment, lycra and excess back into rock, but Wig Wam, for my money, offers all this and more, including a particular depth of experience and a pedigree of song-writing and musicianship that the British music scene is sorely missing. Look, Def Leppard are issuing a seventies covers album later this year, and it’s beginning to look like glam albums are being released on an almost weekly basis.
Wig Wam occupies a space at the front of this resurgence. When they come to Britain, and it won’t be long now, just dust off your stack heels, dig out the lace up leathers, apply copious war paint and hair spray, join the party and have a bloody good time …….. now where did I put those bell bottoms?

Interview, review and photo by Dawn Irwin - Fireworks Magazine