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Following the
release of their superb new album 'Non Stop Rock n' Roll' we catch
up with Mall favorites Wig Wam and chat with flamboyant frontman Glam to
discuss the new album, future touring plans and a whole lot more ...
MM
- First let me congratulate you on the wonderful album ‘Non Stop Rock
n Roll’!
Glam - Thanx a lot. We’re still very
satisfied with it, and that’s a good sign. And nowadays we enjoy the
new songs live, which give them new life.
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MM
- This new album is pure party rock n’ roll of the highest order, how
important was it to you to make an album that reflects the band and
their personalities?
Glam - I
think all our albums have reflected the different phases of the band
really. 'Non Stop Rock n' Roll' reflects where we’re at now and that’s
important in the sense of not trying to copy what we’ve done before.
Still we’ve managed to stick to our trademark sound and structure.
MM
- The band have been together since 2001 but came to attention of the
wider worldwide musical community in 2005 with Eurovision, showing the
world that Rock n’ Roll really does have a place in that contest.
What makes this contest so important in the rest of Europe when
here in the UK we don’t really get it?
Glam
- Eurovision Song Contest is
really not my cup of coffee, believe it or not hee hee. But you know
it’s a major event and a long tradition too in most European
countries.
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I
guess most countries look at the show as a great way of promoting their
country and for once get together with the rest of Europe. Wig Wam
actually paved the way for rock n' roll in the competition, so I guess
there can be some good quality hard rock to come
out from Eurovision in the future as well.
MM
- With the album exceeding the bands previous album, did the band set
out to make the best Wig Wam album to date from the start?
Glam -
This time we were
simply focusing on not limiting ourselves by any rules, schedules,
ego’s or expectations. Our only goal was to function as a well-oiled
band making the best record possible that would satisfy our own personal
expectations. Our record company kept calling us wanting at least listen
to “some” songs to take
part of the progression, but we told them to wait ‘till the whole
album was finished. We didn’t want any second opinions this time
around. That is in my opinion what made this album the most enjoyable to
make and I think that shows.
MM
- What did the band do differently on this album than on your previous
albums to make this a greater package and more complete album?
Glam
-
Like I said, only focusing on
having a good time in the studio without any pressure or limitations.
MM
- The album came out in January this year, what’s been the overall
response from fans and media surrounding the album?
Glam -
This
time we have been well received, believe it or not, even in the Norwegian
media. Earlier especially Norwegian reviewers have been so blinded by
our image and the fact that we participated in the Eurovision Song
contest that hardly anything had to do with our music in the reviews.
They literally wrote us off even before listening to our music. Luckily
the effect was the total opposite regarding the regular people and
luckily our fan base is rapidly increasing.
MM
- The band have always been a hardcore touring band, do you think this
had led to the bands growing success?
Glam -
In
Norway that’s definitely the case and also in Japan. In Europe on the other
hand I think we ought to tour more. The thing is that we’ve got too
spoiled in Japan and our home country ha ha.
Hitting the road in Europe means less money, smaller stages and
less inconvenience you know. But now we have finally decided to hit that
road and get our act together on the continent as well. Sure we’ve
toured Germany, Greece and Sweden, but now it’s about time we get on
that bus. Our Norwegian fans can go to a Wig Wam gig every second day
you know ha ha. We don’t
want them to get tired of us and we sure as hell have some European
fans out there that seldom get the chance to experience Wig Wam live.
MM
- One thing that has always struck me from your shows that I’ve
attended is how you always seem to take the time to come out and hang
with the fans afterwards. How
important it is for you to bond with your fans?
Glam -
It’s
actually crucial to us. Our
fans deserve our respect and gratitude.
As long as it means a big deal to somebody that has traveled for
hours, paid their tickets, bought our album and supports us, it’s a
treat to step down from our throne (the stage) to show them that off
stage we’re only human and to thank them personally.
Some fans eventually become our friends even.
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MM
- The band will be headlining the Z Rocks Festival here in the UK later
this year and there’s rumours abound that this show is going to be the
biggest show Wig Wam show the UK has ever seen.
Having seen how impressive your shows can be first hand, what can
you tell us about this particular performance?
Glam - It’s
about time we raise our stakes in good old UK you know ;-) So this time
we will try to present a show that is as close to the Norwegian and
Japanese shows as possible, which means pyrotechnics, a tire graveyard
and so on. We will also bring our additional keyboard player. We’ll
play material from all three studio albums and just wait ‘till you
hear Teeny’s new guitar solo, it will bring every guitar lover to
tears.
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MM
- How did the band and Frontiers Records come together, and what did
they bring the table that you felt the other labels couldn’t?
Glam -
Frontiers dedication
to our kind of music was definitely a major part of why we made a deal
with them, and their distribution network being worldwide was also a very
positive issue. That being said, Frontiers have been on our back for at
least 5 years to make a deal and finally the time was right. We’ve
had enough of the majors bureaucracy AND the mess of having loads of
small indie labels trying to cooperate.
MM
- Finally is there anything else you’d like to say to your legions of
fans not only in the UK (of which there are many!) but worldwide too?
Glam
- Yeah for sure. I tell you boys
and girls … you’ve been sooooo patience. Now it’s time for us to
show you what Wig Wam’s all about as a live act. So get ready for the
party folks!!!
MM
- Thanks for taking the time out to chat with us today and we look
forward to catching up with you again later in the year.
Glam
- My pleasure!! And you’re invited to the show ;-)
- Glam
MM
- We'd like to thank Glam for taking the time out of his busy schedule to
chat with us today and would like to wish him and the rest of the band
every success with the new album. If you haven't caught Wig Wam live
yet then to be sure check them out, they really are that feel good party
band you've been waiting all your lives for. UK fans are really in
for a treat with the bands forthcoming appearance at this years Z Rock
Festival.
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