.: FuryRocks :: interview :: Wig_Wam_Plenty_of_fun_but_seriously

Published: 05 February 2010

Wig Wam - Plenty of fun, but seriously

Wig Wam from Norway allowed many time after Wig Wamania, before the fans of the eighties ‘stadium party rock’ were back in their element. Many thought the theme ‘arena stadium rock’ was into ashes, but Wig Wam proved with the album Non Stop Rock 'n' Roll, they have lost nothing of their unique, alcohol-soaked pestles and ditto ballads. Singer Glam feels the same way about.

We heard a long time nothing from you…

Glam: "We just needed to rest for a while after all that touring . We were pretty much constantly on tour since 2001 . In 2005 alone we have done 287 shows in 2007 and we did more than 40 shows in a recreation park in Norway, which incidentally was a pleasant experience, because we could just go home every night. Furthermore we all had our own projects too. I organized a Queen tribute show, which ran very successfully in Norway and our guitarist did much produing work. So it became difficult to tune our agendas, but eventually it worked."

With the new album you switched from Napalm Records to Frontiers Records.

“Our contract runs through an official label in Norway, Frontiers has a license deal to release the album World wide, except Japan. With Napalm we were very happy, especially the opportunity they have given us not to be labeled as eternal 'Eurovision Song Contest band'. We also look forward to the cooperation with Frontiers, because as a band we fit much better between."

While the new album contains class party metal (arena hard rock), you notice that the new material sounds more mature.

"I do agree. We started without a concept with the new material. We have focused a lot on writing good songs and to let them speak for themselves. To that extent I want to describe Non Stop Rock 'n 'Roll as the essence of Wig Wam. Especially this CD is more first class teamwork as our former work. Our bass player has also co-written the songs for the first time, which brought us one step higher."

So you had no prior goal?

"Yes, our goal was to create an album that we could play live. Therefore we had the attention to use as few samples as possible. Everything had to sound original and direct so we could play it 1:1on stage."

What actually applies to your old songs, or are there songs you can not play live?

"There are. Slave To Your Love is such a song we can not play live, because it simply does not work. It is far too polished."

But basically Non Stop Rock 'n 'Roll offers, as before a big party gang, with no serious background, right?

"Not necessarily. Although it all sounds very cheerful, the lyrics are also about serious topics. Do Ya Want To Taste It refers to things you want or want to reach in life. Wall Come Down actually became a really dark song.”

Dark in the sense of Candlemass?

"No Of course not, but to our concepts it is, hahaha ..

On your Myspace site, we see a trailer for Do Ya Want To Taste It.

"The official video is not finished yet. Video clips are for a visual band like us very important and they helped us further in the past. Unfortunately, the budgets from record companies are to small for such video clips. We were lucky to find a director who was totally proud of our music and he did a great offer. If that had not happened we could not manage to finance it."

What also cost a lot of money are your expensive stage outfits.

"Yes, but is simultaneously also integral to Wig Wam. We are only satisfied with the best. What I am currently wearing I bought in San Francisco."

Speaking about America, do you know Steel Panther?

“Yes, why?’

Well, I think there are many similarities between you. The striking outfits, the profound stylistic direction, everything a little 'Larger Than Life.”

"I'm only partly agree. Steel Panther is very much deliberately exaggerated and I see more similarities there with Spinal Tap."

Could you imagine to do a tour together?

"Oh yes, why not. I do not say I don’t like Steel Panther. I love also the The Darkness and they exaggerate also with everything around it. We only have a more serious approach to making music."