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In-store gig, the way music is supposed to be
Went to Stereo Studio – a record store right in the heart of Copenhagen, after work. Mike Tramp was doing an in-store gig and a meet-and-greet signing session. I figured it could be cool to just go and check out.
Beautiful sunny, early spring-day, a little chilly but lots of people out strolling down Stroget, Copenhagens main pedestrian street. You couldn’t miss where the in-store gig was. You could hear it from miles away. Some people stopped and looked through the window, curious to see who was playing in there.
Walked in and there was a small crowd that had heard about the signing. The band sounded surprisingly good. I say “surprisingly” because I wouldn’t expect miracles from a small low-profile gig like that with a mini-PA and the band standing in a corner, still it sounded great. :)
[Keep your eyes on the KID in the corner, the aspiring new future guitarist who stole the whole show!]
What a wonderful feeling it was to be there. THAT is what music is all about! Just being in an actual record store, surrounded by CD’s, vinyls, merch, books…. like a music-temple. I remember what it was like going to record stores all the time. Flipping through albums, trying to discover something new, reading sleeves, or just checking out new versions of records I already had…
Music feels more…real. There was a band, there was a crowd, and there was a real record store. I forgot how cool it is to be in a record store, cause we live in the modern age of downloading now. You never meet other music fans like that, you mind your own business and download your music from your couch, you just lose that whole feeling of interaction.
The in-store thing was all about being part of loving music. :)
I miss all those record stores that used to be on every corner back in the good old days. This was almost a trip down Memory Lane and I really enjoyed it. Some things can’t be replaced by the convenience of downloading music from iTunes…
MIKE TRAMP – video interview from The Rock
Today is the official release of Mike Tramp‘s new album “Stand Your Ground“.
I met Mike for a chat right before sound check the day of his release party Thursday night. Actually, this interview was made during sound check, so consider that whole “live” feeling with the noise in the background, a bounus. ;-P
But for now, enjoy this interview with Mike where he talks about his current life in Denmark, about how you can’t make good rock’n’roll if you’re too comfortable, his memories of Ronnie James Dio and more. Don’t miss the two bonus questions in “video 2” :-)
Also, make sure to visit www.fotograf-hh.se for photos from the release party gig.
MIKE TRAMP – release party @ The Rock, Copenhagen
Met up with Mike Tramp (ex-White Lion vocalist) yesterday.
Last time I talked to him was exactly 10 years ago, and I could not believe that he actually remembered me.
I don’t even remember people I met last week, and he manages to remember a person he met once – ten years ago. Amazing.
So stick around for that. :)
[Mike Tramp – live, release party @ The Rock Copenhagen last night March 24, 2011]
The show was very intimate because 99% of the crowd appeared to be close friends of the band. After all, we were in Mike’s hometown, Copenhagen.
He was joking, communicating in a very personal way with the crowd, genuinely enjoying every moment.
I have to be honest and admit that I’ve never been a White Lion-fan or Mike Tramp fan per se, it was a bit too polished for my personal taste, but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the new album (official release date on Monday)
The evening began with the new CD “Stand Your Ground” blasting through the PA. Most of the songs were heavier than I expected and Mike’s voice has improved a lot compared to the “good old days”. It has a lot more depth and power now.
Cool riffs (maybe the work of multi-musician, songwriter, producer etc, Soren Andersen that has been with Mike for a while now) and a very solid overall sound.
When the band entered the stage it felt like you already knew the songs, eventhough they were brand new. A very effective way of presenting a new album.
I liked the warm atmosphere Mike created, he made it feel like we had all entered his living-room for a special private gig. Yet it had the quality of an arena-show. All very nicely done, great energy and balanced choice of songs.
We got everything from “Don’t Let Them Put It On You” from the new CD (great song) to old classics such as a very stripped down and heartfelt “When The Children Cry” or the cover “Radar Love“.
He also performed the Ronnie James Dio-tribute “Hymn to Ronnie” that he dedicated to Ronnie and also another hero that we lost recently, Gary Moore.
“It’s okay if you cry”, he said, and when I looked to my left during the song, a guy took that literally, probably hoping that nobody would see him as he subtly dried the tears from his eyes there in the dark…
Mike Tramp has been around for over three decades and he knows his business. He’s never been more confident with that he does.
Like he also stated in the interview, everything he’s done in his past has finally led him to a good place that he feels he deserves.
He most certainly does.
Pics and video-interview soon!
Hell yeah! :))
Poland and Greece. Two more countries I can cross off my list of places I’m yet to visit. :)
Judas Priest announced another date on their summer-tour, this one in Thessaloniki, Greece. It didn’t take many seconds before I knew where I was going to be on July 6. That’s just one week before their gig in Manchester – and then the week after that I’m going back to the UK again for the High Voltage festival. This summer will be crazy.
[Glenn gave me his pass so I wouldn’t have to get crushed against the barricades]
Then I saw that Whitesnake will be playing on the same bill. Could it get any better? I was happy all day at the thought of seeing two of my favorite bands in a brand new country (so many places to go to, so little time…).
[David Coverdale wishing me a happy birthday in Copenhagen]
But apparently, that wasn’t the end of it. Next announcement was on Twitter – Firewind on that very same bill. Fucking hell?!! Seriosuly?!!
Talk about money well spent! I get a mini-vacation in Greece and three bands I really like. I will be seeing all three bands in Belgium as well, but this is a little more exotic simply because it’s a new environment.
I love life, I love music, I love living this life to its fullest, the way I enjoy the most. What would life be without music!!!
MEGADETH in Aarhus, Denmark 21.03.11
Took the day off to go to Aarhus, Denmark and see Megadeth. I keep saying Megadeth eventhough Slayer were headlining. But the only reason I went was for Megadeth. I stayed for 1 song with Slayer, that was quite enough for me.
Took the 3,5 hour trainride from Copenhagen and arrived to a nice, sunny Aarhus. Followed my printed directions and walked to the venue. It was one of the most unusual venues I’ve seen.
It was more of a congress-center, everything was glass…! So, during sound check I thought the windows were going to crack, down to the last one!
I spent all day listening to and watching the sound check, but it quickly got old and they were more than an hour late opening the doors – and then another hour late with the concert. I wondered if I had accidentally ended up at a Guns n’Roses gig.
But when the band walked out on stage, accompanied by the extatic roar from the enthusiastic crowd, it was well worth the waiting!
I’ve seen Megadeth live countless times over the years and as much as I love Megadeth, they used to be the most boring band you could imagine on stage. I always went to see them anyway, because I loved hearing the songs with all that amp-power behind them, that you can’t get from your stereo system at home, no matter how much you try to blow up your speakers (and your neighbors’ ears).
But Megadeth 2011 kicks major fucking ass!
I was blown away when they opened for Judas Priest on their last European tour, and yesterday’s show was still as good as I remember it from the last time. I don’t know what happened, but there is so much drive, so much “F U!” in this band, they deliver the goods!
There’s something primal about Megadeth and their music, I was thinking how super-masculine it is in a way, and there’s a reason why 99% of the crowd is male. But it feels so frikkin’ great when that heavy, aggressive music, the pumping bass and angry, distorted guitars hits your eardrums – it’s like a spring-cleaning for the soul. Whatever might be stored in there, whether you’re aware of it or not, it just goes away. Amazing.
Here’s Mustaine & co yelling “take no shit!”, I don’t know, it just feels fantastic when you’re right up front with the craziest fans, watching Megadeth doing their thing.
And another thing – they don’t age!!
WTF, when Dave Ellefson walked over to our side of the stage with a bright spotlight right in his face, I was thinking to myself that I met this guy back in 1991 and he looked EXACTLY like that! No wrinkles, no nothing.
When most “regular” men tend to lose their hair in their 40’s or somewhere around that time, rockers just seem to grow MORE of it!
Basically, they all looked great. I love Dave Mustaine, he’s just such a unique character. I laughed to myself when half-way through the show he goes:
– I forgot to say good evening…! I’m having to much fun that I forgot to say hi, forgive me!
Only minutes prior to that statement, I was thinking to myself how nobody can look as grumpy as Mustaine. And then he says that he’s having “so much fun”? :) I shouldn’t be surprised. :-D
I like his sarcasm. When I saw Megadeth in Las Vegas back in 1999 (Marty Friedman was still with the band) a girl was flashing her boobs and Mustaine just stood there, not particularly impressed. Then he went: “You know… if you water them, they might grow!” Ouch!! :P
Musically, Megadeth is better than ever. The way the two guitars work together in “Countdown to Extinction” for instance or the contrast between “A Tout Le Monde” and “Peace sells….but who’s buying?”, you get everything from the most raw, caveman brutal metal, to classy guitarwork and an amazingly tight rythm section.
The band interacts perfectly with the crowd, and they are better than they’ve ever been – it’s impossible NOT to raise your fist and yell.
And when it’s all over, and you walk away…. you feel like you’ve just been born again.
From the “good old days” – Marty Friedman and me:
We had a fellow friend – Anders Johansson from Yngwie’s band, now with Hammerfall. They lost touch and I helped him get back in touch with Anders. Once again, this was WAY before internet even existed. :)
And Dave “Junior” Ellefson and me backstage Stockholm early 90’s:
IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR 