Mike Tramp

Mike Tramp
Background information
Birth name Michael Trempenau
Born (1961-01-14) January 14, 1961
Origin Copenhagen, Denmark
Genres Glam metal, hard rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1978–present
Labels Atlantic, Frontiers
Associated acts Mabel, White Lion, Freak of Nature

Michael Trempenau (born January 14, 1961), better known as Mike Tramp, is a Danish singer and songwriter who is best known for his work with the hard rock bands, White Lion[1] and Freak of Nature. Since 1998, he has released several solo albums. In 2012, Tramp went on a solo acoustic tour releasing acoustic albums in both 2013 and 2014. He returned with a full band line up in 2015 and in 2017, released the album "Maybe Tomorrow" which charted at #1 in Denmark.

Biography

1976–1982: Early years

Michael Trempenau was born in Denmark and grew up in Vesterbro with his mother, Doris, who died April 2010 at the age of 80, and two brothers, Dennis and Kim. Trempenau started his musical career singing in Vesterbro Ungdomsgård, a youth group club in Copenhagen, and appears on their first album: Vi lever på Vesterbro (1974). In 1976, Trempenau, now known professionally as Tramp, joined the pop band Mabel as the lead singer.[2] Mabel released five studio albums and were very popular in Denmark and Spain, with Mike receiving "teen idol" status. In 1978, Mabel won the Danish Song Contest with the song "Boom Boom" and represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978 that same year. Later, Mabel moved to Spain and became Studs, releasing a debut self-titled album in 1981 and then moved to New York City and became Danish Lions in 1982. After recording demos, the band returned home to Denmark, however, Tramp decided to remain in America.

1983–1992: White Lion

Tramp met Vito Bratta and formed White Lion in 1983; the band became very successful in the mid-1980s to early '90s. White Lion released their debut album, Fight to Survive, in 1985. The band achieved success with their number 8 hit "Wait" and number 3 hit "When the Children Cry" from their second album, the triple-platinum selling Pride.[3] The band enjoyed continued success with their third album, Big Game, which achieved gold status, and their fourth album, Mane Attraction, which they supported with a tour. White Lion disbanded in 1992; their first compilation album, The Best of White Lion, was released not long after.

1992–1998: Freak of Nature

After White Lion, Tramp went on to form the Hard rock band Freak of Nature. The follow-up was significantly darker and harder than White Lion. The band released three albums between 1993 and 1998: Freak of Nature, Gathering of Freaks, and Outcasts. The band shared stages with Helloween and Dio in Europe in 1993. Freak of Nature eventually disbanded in 1996.

1998–2004: Solo career

Following Freak of Nature, Tramp began a solo career, releasing his debut album as a solo artist in 1998 titled Capricorn. The album featured former Freak of Nature bandmates, guitarist Kenny Korade and bass player Jerry Best.[4] Former White Lion bass guitarist James LoMenzo performed backing vocals on the album.[5] The song "Better Off" was released as Tramp's debut solo single[6] and features his first solo music video. The album also features the singles "Already Gone",[7] "If I Live Tomorrow",[8] and "Take a Little Time".[9]

It would be five years before Tramp returned to the studio to record his follow-up album, Recovering the Wasted Years, during which time he would move to Australia, with the aim of raising his son away from the rigors of big city life and to plan his next career move.[10] Recovering the Wasted Years was released in 2002 and featured the singles "Living a Lie"[11] and "Endless Highway" both featuring live music videos.

In 2003, Tramp followed-up with his third album, More to Life Than This, which he once again produced himself but relied on producer/engineer Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica) to engineer and mix the sessions in his very own Sweet Silence Studios.[12] The album's title track, "More to Life Than This",[13] and "Don't Want to Say Good Night"[14] were both released as singles. A music video made in Australia was released for the song "Lay Down My Life for You". Also in 2003, Tramp released the double-disc live album Rock 'N' Roll Alive, which features Tramp performing live versions of songs from White Lion, Freak of Nature, and his solo albums.

In 2004 Tramp released the solo album Songs I Left Behind.

2004–2008: The new White Lion

Tramp also reformed White Lion with a new line-up under the name "Tramp's White Lion" (aka White Lion II) due to legal issues with former members. The band played and re-recorded White Lion songs touring and releasing a box set titled "The Bootleg Series" in 2004 and a double-live CD entitled Rocking the USA in 2005.

In 2006 Tramp's White Lion toured Europe in November and December with British band Crimes of Passion. In 2007 a White Lion compilation The Definitive Rock Collection was released and the band was set for a summer tour with Poison and Ratt only to be dropped by the tour promoter after ex-White Lion guitarist Vito Bratta threatened to take legal action over the band name.[15] Eventually Tramp was able to use the original band name again.

White Lion recorded a new studio album called Return of the Pride, which was released on March 14, 2008. The band was now once again simply known as White Lion.[16]

2009–2011: The Rock 'N' Roll Circuz

In October 2009, Tramp released a new solo studio album titled Mike Tramp & The Rock 'N' Roll Circuz, which was also now the name of his solo band. The album peaked at number 16 on the Danish top 40 Hitlisten albums chart[17] on November 13, 2010. The album features the singles "All of My Life" and "Come On", for which a music video was also made.

In April 2011, Tramp released the solo album Stand Your Ground featuring the singles "Distance"[18] and "Hyme to Ronnie", a tribute song to former Heaven & Hell and Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who died on May 16, 2010 after a six-month-long battle with stomach cancer.[19]

2012–2014: Acoustic

In 2012, Tramp began recording another solo album. The result, Cobblestone Street, was released on April 8, 2013 on Target Records following a successful acoustic tour of Europe in autumn 2012. During the tour, Tramp traveled across Europe playing 40 shows, while driving and doing everything by himself.[20] The album reached number 21 on the Danish Hitlisten albums chart[17] and features the first single "New Day" which was released on February 18, 2013.[21] The track "Revolution" was released as the second single for the album.[22] In March 2013, Tramp supported Beth Hart for several concerts in France. To support Cobblestone Street, Mike toured Europe, including France, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and the UK. The tour ended at Le Forum in Vaureal.[23]

Tramp embarked on a US tour and his first ever acoustic tour of the country in summer 2013.

While promoting his solo album Tramp announced in several interviews that there would no longer be a White Lion of any kind, including the new White Lion or any possible reunions.[24][25]

To wrap up 2013 Tramp released the Christmas single "The Way It Was Before" which is a more serious track compared to most other festive songs. The single was also inspired by events from 9/11 was released in Europe via Target Records on November 11.[26]

Mike Tramp in Idaho Falls, ID (2013 - B2X Photo)

Mike Tramp has announced his return to the US for the spring of 2014. The tour started on March 19 in Hollywood, California at the legendary Whisky A Go Go and continued into May. The tour also included an extended stay on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2014 in front of a big crowd.[27]

In June 2014, Tramp released the single "Trust in Yourself" featuring a music video directed by his son Dylan.[28] The song is the first single from his upcoming new solo album "Museum".

The album Museum was released on August 18, 2014[29] and follows the musical steps of his last album "Cobblestone Street".[30] The album charted on the Danish Hitlisten albums chart at number 3.[17] The song "Freedom" was released as the second single from the album.

Tramp gave four release concerts at the Zeppelin Bar, Café and Venue in Copenhagen. The four concerts took place on 14–17 August. All the concerts were completely sold out. Tramp delivered outstanding performances with special themes and different set list every night to a dedicated crowd.[31]

On August 22, 2014, Mike Tramp started his extensive European tour playing shows in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK.[32] The last concert of the European tour was at the Bremen Theater in Copenhagen which was a trio show.[33]

2015-2017: Band of Brothers

In February 2015, Tramp signed a worldwide album deal with Target Records, with the announcement his next album would be released in August. Tramp also confirmed that there would be no more White Lion.[34] Also in February 2015, Tramp played two concerts in Russia for the first time ever.[35]

In March 2015, Tramp confirmed he was at work on the follow-up to 2014's Museum. He also stated that the material would be classic rock, more akin to his 1997 debut Capricorn, without the acoustic elements that featured in his recent output. He revealed a return to a full band line up working with long-time producer, engineer and guitarist Soren Andersen, their Rock'n'Roll Circus drummer Morten Hellborn, keyboardist Morten Buchholz and bassist Jesper Haugaard. The album was said to be released in August.[36]

After the highly successful US tour earlier in 2014, Tramp embarked on another intimate acoustic solo tour across the US in the spring of 2015 and for the first time visited Canada as well. Tramp played on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and the Monsters of Rock Hangover Cruise.[37]

Tramp announced that his studio album Nomad would be released internationally on August 28, 2015. Tramp stated: "Each previous album gave me the freedom to follow the songs wherever they wanted to go, and with 'Nomad' my vision was clear as a bell, once again I just had to be who I am."

In July 2015, Tramp released the single "High Like a Mountain"[38] and in August Tramp released the radio single and music video "Give It All You Got". The video was filmed and edited in Copenhagen,[39] with both tracks taken from his album Nomad.

Nomad was released on August 28, 2015 via Target Records. The album reached number 21 on the Danish Hitlisten albums chart at number 21.[17] Following the album, Tramp embarked with the young Danish band Lucer on a European tour in the late summer, visiting Denmark, Germany, Sweden, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Switzerland.[40] The tour ended at the night on fire festival in Karlsruhe.

In 2016, Tramp announced several solo and band shows in Denmark where the Danish band Lucer played for him as a support band and as Tramp's background band. In March 2016, Tramp played a benefit show for people with cancer in Lingen, Germany.[41]

In May 2016, following up on Nomad's success and the award for Classic Rock Album of the Year at the High Voltage Rock Awards, Tramp released the single "Stay", which like previous singles was played heavily on Danish national radio. "Stay" was released with a video that shows Tramp in total isolation, living the life of a forest worker in the Scandinavian woods.[42]

On May 13, Tramp played on Nordic Noise Festival in Denmark. Esbjerg Rock Festival, Sweden Rock Festival and Väsby Rock Festival will follow in 2016. In the summer of 2016, Tramp toured in the USA delivering an acoustic tour to promote his album "Nomad". He also took part at the Monster of Rock Cruise in October.[43]

In October 2016, Mike Tramp announced his 10th solo album, titled Maybe Tomorrow, a follow up to his most successful and highest-selling solo album Nomad from 2015.

The album Maybe Tomorrow was released worldwide on February 24, 2017 through Target Records.[44]

In January 2017, Tramp launched a music video for the single "Coming Home", a track from his album Maybe Tomorrow. The video was filmed and edited by Kennie Østed.[45] In February 2017, the song "Would I Lie to You" was released as the second single[46] followed by the third single "Spring" released in May 2017.[47]

Mike and his band of brothers, including Soren Andersen, Claus Langeskov and Kenny Andy, began a tour in March 2017 after three sold-out concerts in Roskilde and Copenhagen for the release of Maybe Tomorrow, also playing to French, Italian and Irish audiences. The tour is also set to visit Germany, Belgium, the UK, and France.

Mike Tramp, has topped the Danish album sales charts (certified by IFPI). The new album, Maybe Tomorrow enters at #1 on the vinyl chart and #2 on the physical album chart.[48]

In September 2017 Mike Tramp released a music video for a new single titled “Work It All Out” from his upcoming new box set This & That (But A Whole Lot More), which will be released via Mighty Music / Target Group on December 1, 2017.[49]

In February 2018 Tramp provided lead vocals to a friend's project based in Indonesia for the single "One More Chance" which also features a music video.[50]

Personal life

Tramp is married to Indonesian actress Ayu Azhari, with whom he has two children: Isabelle and Lennon. Tramp also has a third child, son Dylan, from a previous relationship with Fleur Thiemeyer. Dylan resides in Australia with his mother. He also has a farm in Denmark with his brother where they raise cattle.

Discography

with Mabel

  • Another Fine Mess! (Scandinavia) (1977)
  • Message From My Heart (Scandinavia) (released as Boom Boom in Germany) (1978)
  • Mabel 4-Ever (Germany) (released as Mabel 4 Ever in Denmark) (1978)
  • We Are The 80's (Spain) (also released as Nací Para Hacerte Feliz in Spain) (1979)
  • Mabel's Største Successer (Denmark) (compilation album) (1979)
  • Extraños (Spain) (1981)
  • Det Sidste Boom (Denmark) (compilation album) (2009)

with Studs

  • Studs (Spain) (1981)

with White Lion

with Freak of Nature

Studio albums

Year Album Peak positions
DEN
[51]
1997 Capricorn[52]  –
2002 Recovering the Wasted Years  –
2003 More to Life Than This  –
2004 Songs I Left Behind  –
2009 The Rock 'N' Roll Circuz 16
2011 Stand Your Ground  –
2013 Cobblestone Street 21
2014 Museum 3
2015 Nomad 21
2017 Maybe Tomorrow 1
[53]

Live albums

Year Album Peak positions
DEN
[54]
2003 Rock 'N' Roll Alive (Live double album)  –

Box sets

Year Album Peak positions
DEN
[55]
2017 This & That (But A Whole Lot More)  –

Singles

Year Title Album
1997 "Better Off" Capricorn
"Already Gone"
1998 "If I Live Tomorrow"
"Take a Little Time" (Leftovers)
2002 "Living a Lie" Recovering the Wasted Years
"Endless Highway"
2003 "More to Life Than This" More to Life Than This
"Don't Want to Say Good Night"
2009 "All of My Life" The Rock 'n' Roll Circuz
"Come On"
2011 "Distance" Stand Your Ground
"Hymn To Ronnie"
2013 "New Day" Cobblestone Street
"Revolution"
"The Way It Was Before"[56] non-album single, Christmas single
2014 "Trust In Yourself" Museum
"Freedom"
2015 "High Like A Mountain" Nomad
"Give It All You Got"
2016 "Stay"
2017 "Coming Home" Maybe Tomorrow
"Would I Lie to You"
"Spring"
"Work It All Out" This & That (But A Whole Lot More)
2018 "One More Chance"

Music videos

Year Title
1997 "Better Off"
2002 "Living a Lie" (Live video)
"Endless Highway" (Live video)
2003 "Lay Down My Life for You"
2009 "Come On"
2011 "The Distance" (Promo video)
2013 "Cobblestone Street" (Acoustic)
2014 "Trust in Yourself"
2015 "High Like a Mountain" (Promo video)
"Give It All You Got"
2016 "Stay"
2017 "Coming Home"
2017 "Work It All Out"
2018 "One More Chance"

References

  1. ↑ Bronson, Fred. "Danes in the U.S.A." Billboard 111.37 (11 Sep 1999): D-13.
  2. ↑ "Mabel". Rockdoc. Archived from the original on 2003-04-09. Retrieved 2012. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ↑ "Allmusic (White Lion charts & awards)". All music.
  4. ↑ "Mike Tramp". musicmight.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  5. ↑ "Mike Tramp Capricorn credits". Heavyharmonies.
  6. ↑ "Mike Tramp - Better Off". rockdoc. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  7. ↑ "Mike Tramp - Already Gone". rockdoc. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  8. ↑ "Mike Tramp - If I Live Tomorrow". rockdoc. Archived from the original on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  9. ↑ "Mike Tramp - Leftovers". Musicstack. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  10. ↑ "Mike Tramp - Recovering the Wasted Years". ulfTone music. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  11. ↑ "Mike Tramp - Living a Lie". rockdoc. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  12. ↑ "Ulftone - Mike Tramp". Ulftone music. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  13. ↑ "More to Life Than This single". Musicstack. Archived from the original on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  14. ↑ "Mike Tramp new single". Blabbermouth. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  15. ↑ "White Lion Officially Off Poison Ratt Tour". KNAC. 2007-06-03. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  16. ↑ "White Lion - Return of the Pride". Heavy Metal addiction. 2008. Archived from the original on 2014-09-17. Retrieved 2012. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Mike Tramp chart search". Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  18. ↑ "White Lion's Mike Tramp Posts 'Stand Your Ground' Audio Teaser". sleazeroxx.com. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  19. ↑ "Legendary Heavy Metal Vocalist RONNIE JAMES DIO Dies". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  20. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-white-lion-singer-mike-tramp-s-cobblestone-street-to-receive-u-s-release-in-may/
  21. ↑ "Mike Tramp "Cobblestone Street" details". 2013-04-06. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  22. ↑ "Mike Tramp "Revolution"". Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  23. ↑ http://www.uberrock.co.uk/news-updates/93-march-news-updates/7502-mike-tramp-to-support-release-of-new-solo-album-with-over-40-european-live-dates.html
  24. ↑ "Mike Tramp : "It was a mistake to try to do a new version of White Lion"". 2013-05-01. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  25. ↑ "Mike Tramp: the hard rocker who wasn't really one". 2013-09-03. Archived from the original on 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  26. ↑ "Music premiere: Mike Tramp's 'atypical' Christmas single". 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  27. ↑ http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/02368.shtml
  28. ↑ "Mike Tramp launches new single". Sleazeroxx. 2014-06-16. Archived from the original on 2014-09-20. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  29. ↑ "Mike Tramp to release new album "MUSEUM" in August". Melodicrock. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  30. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  31. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  32. ↑ "Mike Tramp Summer 2014 tour".
  33. ↑ http://muuie.com/kobenhavn-mike-tramp-trio-copenhagen-denmark/37711%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  34. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ex-white-lion-singer-mike-tramp-signs-with-target-records/
  35. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MikeTrampOfficial
  36. ↑ http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-03-04/mike-tramp-at-work-in-studio
  37. ↑ http://www.melodic.net/?page=news&id=24865
  38. ↑ "MIKE TRAMP: Reveals new song - High As A Mountain". Metal Temple. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  39. ↑ "Mike Tramp premiers "Give It All You Got" video". Bravewords. 2015-08-21. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  40. ↑ http://targetgroup.dk/mike-tramp-album-information/
  41. ↑ http://www.noz.de/lokales/lingen/artikel/680386/blues-und-rock-beim-fonds-fur-krebskranke-lingen#gallery&0&0&680386
  42. ↑ "MIKE TRAMP Isolates Himself In New "Stay" Music Video". Bravewords. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  43. ↑ http://www.songkick.com/artists/9105-mike-tramp/calendar
  44. ↑ "Mike Tramp announces new album, Europe tour for 2017". Knac. Retrieved 2016-12-24.
  45. ↑ "Former WHITE LION Singer MIKE TRAMP Premiers "Coming Home" Music Video". Bravewords. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  46. ↑ "New single". Magi music magazine. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  47. ↑ "Mike Tramp single "Spring"". Muzioc. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  48. ↑ http://bravewords.com/news/former-white-lion-singer-mike-tramp-tops-danish-album-charts-with-maybe-tomorrow-album
  49. ↑ "Mike Tramp releases video for "Work It All Out" from upcoming box set". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  50. ↑ "Mike Tramp provides lead vocals on friend's song titled "One More Chance"". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  51. ↑ "Denmark charts".
  52. ↑ Ferro, Charles. "Global Music Pulse: Denmark". Billboard 109.49 (6 December 1997): 69.
  53. ↑ "Hitlisten.NU - Album Top-40 Uge 9, 2017". Hitlisten. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  54. ↑ "Denmark charts".
  55. ↑ "Denmark charts".
  56. ↑ "Mike Tramp's new Christmas single was written shortly after 9/11". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
Preceded by
Ulla Pia
with Stop - mens legen er go'		 Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest
1978		 Succeeded by
Tommy Seebach
with Disco Tango
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