Passion Rock [fr]
Hi Guys, Thanks for music. I like it very much. Thanx a lot Yves! You Rock!!
-Can you tell us in a few words about Wig Wam's history? Hell yeah! It all got startet when Teeny called up myself and Sporty to make us join this jam-session band for some gigs in a very sleazy club. The three of us got together with this bass player who was into greengras and blues and stuff I didn't relate to at all. After a while he quit, and I suggested bringing Flash in. Then all of a sudden we rocked! People started coming to these jam-sessions and we got them into our fav music scene with loads of good old Van Halen and Led Zeppelin tunes. We also played a ot of that 80's glam-hardrock style. One day the hottest club in the district wanted us to play at a 80's Party. We thought, well yes! Could be fun. But we needed a name, a poster and something to wear, rather than our worn out jeans...
- Why did you choose this name: Wig Wam? Well, we met a week before the 80's gig, and everyone brought something crazy to wear. Me, I've always been fascinated by DRESSING UP. So I brought some make up as well for the promo shoot. While putting on the make-up I couldn't help feelng like an Indian, putting on his war-paint before going to fight for.. rock'n'roll. Then Wigwam popped up. And that led me to Sweets classic tune “Wig Wam Bam”. But Bam? Too Sweet to eat.so.Wig Wam! And here we are!!!
- What are the subjects of the lyrics? Life in general! You know… girls, love, war, hate, rock 'n' roll, champagne, limousines, hotels, music etc.
- Can you tell us in a few words the reactions you received after the Eurovision competition, where you played last year? Our Eurovision adventure really got started in 2004, when we participated in the Norwegian final making #3 AND headlines all over Norway. "HardRock in the Eurovision?" "Revolution!!!" To us it was a major promotion stunt that secured a long tour of Norway, plus made some headlines in Europe as well. I think we shook up the foundations of something traditional that people relate to as everything BUT rock 'n' roll! The Norwegian people was really disapointed that we didn't win that year, and everyone including the press kept saying we should've participated for Norway. We were doing great anyway, and in the middle of preparations for our next album we was contacted by the Norwegian Broadcasting who wanted us to participate in the Norwegian final 2005. We thought, hey, well let's do another promotion stunt, as long as we're in FULL control and can pick whatever song. We even made sure we got exclusive rights to release the song as single two days after the Norwegian final, regardless of the result. BOOOOM! Platina! After our success in Eurovision 2005 making #9, I think most people became aware of our band, as a REAL band. Not a Eurovision stunt. I mean, we started up in 2001, and had already made a history for ourselves. But some rockers around obviously didn't swallow us being in the Eurovision, which I think is pretty misunderstood. It's better to have rock'n'roll in Eurovision than Euro Pop don't you think? We put hardrock on the Eurovision map, and this year Lordi followed with great sucess! We're proud to have paved the way for HardRock in Eurovision.
- What do you think about Lordi's victory this year in the same competition? I think Lordi was GREAT! They did exactly what we did! They didn't change who they were. They did what they always had done, but they did it in this old fashioned music show. And THAT makes headlines! I still say we look and smell better than Lordi though, he he. But they're really nice guys!
- What are the points you have improved on the new album? The songs are far better, the dynamic between the songs are far better, the production is far better, the cover art is far better. It's simply a much stronger album. Even though I still love “Hard To Be A Rock'n Roller”. But this time we were more focused and knew more about what Wig Wam is than on the first album. I mean, the first album was recorded before we had a single fan. “In My Dreams” and “The Drop” was written later, and you can really hear the difference between those songs and the rest of the material on “Hard…”.
- Can you tell us a few words about the musical market in your country? In Norway especially radio loves west coast pop music and those boybands AND rap. But these days the number of glamrockers are growing every day. We have fans from 3 years to 80.
- Your country is more known for true metal or extreme metal: is it easy to play this kind of music in your country? Outside of Norway Norwegian music is best known by Black metal and extreme bands. I mean, who the hell burns down churches and kill eachother within the bands etc? In Norway that music isn't really at all the most popular music. Black metal or true (?) metal isn't really big in Norway at all. Compared to the Idol artists and polished pop music. I don't know what you categorise as TRUE metal though. Do you mean, every metal band that has blood on their sleeve from killing someone? I don't think it's easier to play metal in Norway than in any other country. It's pretty hard to play that fast no matter where you live isn't it, ha ha. Still I don't think is as easy to get the gigs playing extreme metal in Norway. 200-300 people will show up in their studs and leather. We have thousands of people showing up for our concerts, 90% girls… I God, we're lucky guys aren't we? Ha ha ha.
- Why did you choose to work with Napalm Records, which is more known for extreme metal than melodic hard rock? We had offers from different labels, but Napalm seemed like a hard working label with an attitude. I know they are known for the extreme metal, but we thought it was about time they got to work with someone who appreciates the good sides of life rather than the evil, ha ha. We even made a song on “Wig Wamania”, “Breaking All The Rules”, dedicated to Napalms artists that we will perform on one of Napalms parties.
- How can you describe your music? We play melodic hardrock with an attitude. And since the singer, yes that's me, wears lipstick we're often called glamrock. And Yes! I'm Glam, and we rock, so it's pretty natural, isn't it?
- Can you tell us few words about your first DVD? ”Rock'n'Roll Revolution 2005” is a double disc. Disc 1 is a huge show we did here in Norway with a symphonic orchestra. We actually never planed for it to be filmed. We got this gig, and the promoter wanted the gig to be very exclusive. Meaning, we weren't allowed to do a gig in the same area that month. Then we got some good offers and I suggested making that very gig unique and very exclusive even though we had other gigs in the same area. A conductor had given me a call months before suggesting a collaboration, symphony and hardrock. So I called him back and said let's go for it. We were 100 musicians on stage that night, and it was a real blast. Then, when we saw the contures of the show we thought, let's film this. This led to plans for a DVD. Then we thought, hey, let's bring a camera crew on the road and make a documentary of this crazy year. And so we did. You'll find this documentary and more on disc 2. Plus our music videos. There's even a documentary from the Norwegian broadcasting from our days in Kiev during the Eurovision there too.
- How much time did it take you to complete the new album? We had 12 days off the road during Christmas after 170 shows in 2005. January 2nd we got together in a rehearsal room playing ideas for songs to one another. Some which we had recorded demos for, some just played on the acoustic guitar, some just jamming on. The next day we picked the songs for what was to become Wig Wamania. I think we spent 4 weeks in the studio working our asses off. But we also did some gigs during that time, allowing us to get the live vibe.
- You like to wear flashy clothes: don't you think you loose some fans who will see them first and not take the time to listen to your music? Yes, of course. Some will think, "these guys look too good" *S* "I don't think such good looking guys can make good music or even handle their instruments." Well, I got news for those people: WE CAN! Ha ha. But to be serious, that question goes for every band. When I see bands dripping blood all over the place I don't even take my time to listen to their album. With THAT look, I'm sure they can't play! Too many studs and too much blood! I'm sure they need to compansate for their bad music. When I see a band like Journey, I think: Hey those guys can't make exciting music. They look too boring! When I see Lordi I think: Hey, monsters can't play! Never could! Seriously, you know, every music fan who let's the bands look prevent them from listening to the music is not really a music fan in the first place. We look like we do because this is who we are. We want to make good music AND be a visual band. Then it's up to each and everyone what kind of visual band they prefer. If they don't like our looks, then buy the record and look at pictures of Mayhem while listening to it, ha ha.
- Would you like to make some collaboration with other musicians? Yes, of course. Both as musicians, song writers and as a live act. Right now I'm talking to Peo Tyhren from Noice and Easy Action about writing some material together with Kee Marcello from Europe. I will also write some stuff with some old bandmates of mine. We will go on tour with JBO, and next year we are talking about going on longer tour with Gotthard. We have had Bruce Kulick from Kiss recording a new version of “I Was Made For Loving You” with us for the Norwegian Kiss Tribute, and we had Eric Singer (Kiss, Alice Cooper) playing with us some years ago. I'd love to do a glam meets monster song with Lordi. We'll call it the beauties and the beasts, ha ha.
- Will you go on tour to promote the new album? We've been constantly on tour since Wig Wamanias release in Norway 13th of March this year to promote our album. We've been to Iceland, we did a one off in Hannover, we'll go to Kyiv to do a major Russian TV show with Lordi, we'll do this years FireFest in the UK, we'll go a German tour with JBO, we'll go to Spain, Japan etc. We're a live band, and we live on the road when we're not occupied in the studio.
- Thanks for the time you will take for these questions. My pleasure, Yves! And hopefully you'll get a chance to experience a Wig Wam show very soon. Get Ready To Be Wig Wam’ed!!!
-Can you tell us in a few words about Wig Wam's history? Hell yeah! It all got startet when Teeny called up myself and Sporty to make us join this jam-session band for some gigs in a very sleazy club. The three of us got together with this bass player who was into greengras and blues and stuff I didn't relate to at all. After a while he quit, and I suggested bringing Flash in. Then all of a sudden we rocked! People started coming to these jam-sessions and we got them into our fav music scene with loads of good old Van Halen and Led Zeppelin tunes. We also played a ot of that 80's glam-hardrock style. One day the hottest club in the district wanted us to play at a 80's Party. We thought, well yes! Could be fun. But we needed a name, a poster and something to wear, rather than our worn out jeans...
- Why did you choose this name: Wig Wam? Well, we met a week before the 80's gig, and everyone brought something crazy to wear. Me, I've always been fascinated by DRESSING UP. So I brought some make up as well for the promo shoot. While putting on the make-up I couldn't help feelng like an Indian, putting on his war-paint before going to fight for.. rock'n'roll. Then Wigwam popped up. And that led me to Sweets classic tune “Wig Wam Bam”. But Bam? Too Sweet to eat.so.Wig Wam! And here we are!!!
- What are the subjects of the lyrics? Life in general! You know… girls, love, war, hate, rock 'n' roll, champagne, limousines, hotels, music etc.
- Can you tell us in a few words the reactions you received after the Eurovision competition, where you played last year? Our Eurovision adventure really got started in 2004, when we participated in the Norwegian final making #3 AND headlines all over Norway. "HardRock in the Eurovision?" "Revolution!!!" To us it was a major promotion stunt that secured a long tour of Norway, plus made some headlines in Europe as well. I think we shook up the foundations of something traditional that people relate to as everything BUT rock 'n' roll! The Norwegian people was really disapointed that we didn't win that year, and everyone including the press kept saying we should've participated for Norway. We were doing great anyway, and in the middle of preparations for our next album we was contacted by the Norwegian Broadcasting who wanted us to participate in the Norwegian final 2005. We thought, hey, well let's do another promotion stunt, as long as we're in FULL control and can pick whatever song. We even made sure we got exclusive rights to release the song as single two days after the Norwegian final, regardless of the result. BOOOOM! Platina! After our success in Eurovision 2005 making #9, I think most people became aware of our band, as a REAL band. Not a Eurovision stunt. I mean, we started up in 2001, and had already made a history for ourselves. But some rockers around obviously didn't swallow us being in the Eurovision, which I think is pretty misunderstood. It's better to have rock'n'roll in Eurovision than Euro Pop don't you think? We put hardrock on the Eurovision map, and this year Lordi followed with great sucess! We're proud to have paved the way for HardRock in Eurovision.
- What do you think about Lordi's victory this year in the same competition? I think Lordi was GREAT! They did exactly what we did! They didn't change who they were. They did what they always had done, but they did it in this old fashioned music show. And THAT makes headlines! I still say we look and smell better than Lordi though, he he. But they're really nice guys!
- What are the points you have improved on the new album? The songs are far better, the dynamic between the songs are far better, the production is far better, the cover art is far better. It's simply a much stronger album. Even though I still love “Hard To Be A Rock'n Roller”. But this time we were more focused and knew more about what Wig Wam is than on the first album. I mean, the first album was recorded before we had a single fan. “In My Dreams” and “The Drop” was written later, and you can really hear the difference between those songs and the rest of the material on “Hard…”.
- Can you tell us a few words about the musical market in your country? In Norway especially radio loves west coast pop music and those boybands AND rap. But these days the number of glamrockers are growing every day. We have fans from 3 years to 80.
- Your country is more known for true metal or extreme metal: is it easy to play this kind of music in your country? Outside of Norway Norwegian music is best known by Black metal and extreme bands. I mean, who the hell burns down churches and kill eachother within the bands etc? In Norway that music isn't really at all the most popular music. Black metal or true (?) metal isn't really big in Norway at all. Compared to the Idol artists and polished pop music. I don't know what you categorise as TRUE metal though. Do you mean, every metal band that has blood on their sleeve from killing someone? I don't think it's easier to play metal in Norway than in any other country. It's pretty hard to play that fast no matter where you live isn't it, ha ha. Still I don't think is as easy to get the gigs playing extreme metal in Norway. 200-300 people will show up in their studs and leather. We have thousands of people showing up for our concerts, 90% girls… I God, we're lucky guys aren't we? Ha ha ha.
- Why did you choose to work with Napalm Records, which is more known for extreme metal than melodic hard rock? We had offers from different labels, but Napalm seemed like a hard working label with an attitude. I know they are known for the extreme metal, but we thought it was about time they got to work with someone who appreciates the good sides of life rather than the evil, ha ha. We even made a song on “Wig Wamania”, “Breaking All The Rules”, dedicated to Napalms artists that we will perform on one of Napalms parties.
- How can you describe your music? We play melodic hardrock with an attitude. And since the singer, yes that's me, wears lipstick we're often called glamrock. And Yes! I'm Glam, and we rock, so it's pretty natural, isn't it?
- Can you tell us few words about your first DVD? ”Rock'n'Roll Revolution 2005” is a double disc. Disc 1 is a huge show we did here in Norway with a symphonic orchestra. We actually never planed for it to be filmed. We got this gig, and the promoter wanted the gig to be very exclusive. Meaning, we weren't allowed to do a gig in the same area that month. Then we got some good offers and I suggested making that very gig unique and very exclusive even though we had other gigs in the same area. A conductor had given me a call months before suggesting a collaboration, symphony and hardrock. So I called him back and said let's go for it. We were 100 musicians on stage that night, and it was a real blast. Then, when we saw the contures of the show we thought, let's film this. This led to plans for a DVD. Then we thought, hey, let's bring a camera crew on the road and make a documentary of this crazy year. And so we did. You'll find this documentary and more on disc 2. Plus our music videos. There's even a documentary from the Norwegian broadcasting from our days in Kiev during the Eurovision there too.
- How much time did it take you to complete the new album? We had 12 days off the road during Christmas after 170 shows in 2005. January 2nd we got together in a rehearsal room playing ideas for songs to one another. Some which we had recorded demos for, some just played on the acoustic guitar, some just jamming on. The next day we picked the songs for what was to become Wig Wamania. I think we spent 4 weeks in the studio working our asses off. But we also did some gigs during that time, allowing us to get the live vibe.
- You like to wear flashy clothes: don't you think you loose some fans who will see them first and not take the time to listen to your music? Yes, of course. Some will think, "these guys look too good" *S* "I don't think such good looking guys can make good music or even handle their instruments." Well, I got news for those people: WE CAN! Ha ha. But to be serious, that question goes for every band. When I see bands dripping blood all over the place I don't even take my time to listen to their album. With THAT look, I'm sure they can't play! Too many studs and too much blood! I'm sure they need to compansate for their bad music. When I see a band like Journey, I think: Hey those guys can't make exciting music. They look too boring! When I see Lordi I think: Hey, monsters can't play! Never could! Seriously, you know, every music fan who let's the bands look prevent them from listening to the music is not really a music fan in the first place. We look like we do because this is who we are. We want to make good music AND be a visual band. Then it's up to each and everyone what kind of visual band they prefer. If they don't like our looks, then buy the record and look at pictures of Mayhem while listening to it, ha ha.
- Would you like to make some collaboration with other musicians? Yes, of course. Both as musicians, song writers and as a live act. Right now I'm talking to Peo Tyhren from Noice and Easy Action about writing some material together with Kee Marcello from Europe. I will also write some stuff with some old bandmates of mine. We will go on tour with JBO, and next year we are talking about going on longer tour with Gotthard. We have had Bruce Kulick from Kiss recording a new version of “I Was Made For Loving You” with us for the Norwegian Kiss Tribute, and we had Eric Singer (Kiss, Alice Cooper) playing with us some years ago. I'd love to do a glam meets monster song with Lordi. We'll call it the beauties and the beasts, ha ha.
- Will you go on tour to promote the new album? We've been constantly on tour since Wig Wamanias release in Norway 13th of March this year to promote our album. We've been to Iceland, we did a one off in Hannover, we'll go to Kyiv to do a major Russian TV show with Lordi, we'll do this years FireFest in the UK, we'll go a German tour with JBO, we'll go to Spain, Japan etc. We're a live band, and we live on the road when we're not occupied in the studio.
- Thanks for the time you will take for these questions. My pleasure, Yves! And hopefully you'll get a chance to experience a Wig Wam show very soon. Get Ready To Be Wig Wam’ed!!!
