Ever since the day I could play a few chords on the guitar, I have written songs by myself, even during the time with White Lion and Freak of Nature. I wrote many songs outside these bands which ended up on cassette tapes that were put away in boxes that filled up over the many years. When the time came to start looking at doing my first solo album I started listening to the many, many hours of songs I had written. Even though not many of the songs were used, it was very clear to me that I had my own style of writing and it showed up in every song. I trace this all back to my young years in the youth club in Copenhagen. It was always about sing along songs, no matter what we did. Nobody wanted to hear riffs or solos. They all wanted to hear melodies and songs that they could sing along to and from this my song writing skills were born. I remember the first song I ever really mastered was Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heavens Door". Every song I have since written has had at least one of the four chords used in that song!
I recorded Capricorn in '96 and it was released in '1997. I am very proud of that album because it speaks of who I am in every way. I didn't think very hard of what I wanted to do, I just did what was natural for me to do! Be myself. More albums would follow the same pattern as the first. "Recovering The Wasted Years" 2001, "More To Life Than This" 2003, "Rock N Roll Alive" 2003 and "Songs I Left Behind" 2004. Now we're all waiting on the next one which will see daylight in 2007.
I have had a great life so far and seen the world through the eyes of Rock 'n' roll. I have met people of every nationality and sharing a mutual admiration of Rock 'n' roll, we have found peace and respect for one another. Yes it has been a great journey. I have played the biggest stages in the world and I have played the smallest. I have been a star and I have shared special and private times with even bigger stars. Yes I have almost done it all. But what does it all mean in the end? I think it means knowledge, experience and a way to judge what it is that you want to do, choosing what is right for you. I always tell others, "don't learn from my success, learn from my mistakes".
But what is right for Mike Tramp? I know you think one thing and I think another. There comes a time in a man's life when he's lived a full life and now finds that comfortable chair which he likes to sit in. I have found that chair and that chair is me - a kid from Copenhagen, Denmark who went out into the world not just to follow his dreams, but to follow an urge to move on when he wasn't happy where he was. That I have certainly done. Instead of sitting at home miserable and complaining about the times changing, I've packed my bags and headed down the endless highway. But every highway has an end and I have found my chair and it's comfortable in the right way. I know who I am and what I want. I also know who I am not and what I don't want. I am Mike Tramp, I play Rock 'n' roll. I might never have a hit single again or sell many records. Never the less, my albums will shine of the life I have lived and experienced and it's my story to tell, so listen up good!
I am a torchbearer of Rock 'n' roll and I stand by my heroes and those who
created this great form of music. Many of us still believe that this pure art
form and craftsmanship should not be replaced by what is to come. To play Rock
'n' roll and to be Rock 'n' roll, you must pay your dues. Don't jump the line,
don't take the easy way, the Pioneers didn't and you shouldn't either. Elvis,
Morrison, Hendrix, Bonham, Moon, Lennon, Lynott, Scott, Mercury, Harrison, and
many other great ones died paving the road of Rock 'n' roll. So I say to you,
tread carefully and choose wisely!
Long live Rock 'n' roll!
Mike Tramp
Melbourne-Australia 2006