FS: Hi Mike, how is life?
MT: There’s good days and there’s bad, that’s how I realised I wasn’t any different from anyone else.

FS: Where are you right now and what are you doing these days?
MT: I am in Melbourne Australia where I now live. I am rehearsing for some more Australian shows, and also finishing all the products for the very soon to be opened TrampShop. And of course I am working on European shows and also the possibility of some USA dates.

FS: What's in your CD player right now?
MT: Tom Petty the last DJ. It is so cool and most of the songs talk about where rock and roll has gone. Petty delivers the words so well. But it’s a sad story.

FS: What do you think of the state of rock music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it?
MT: Rock music what’s that? Listen to Petty tell the story, it’s how I think and feel. But regardless of it all. I keep on playing and writing the music I now do, even if there isn’t space for me on the Radio or on MTV, and we’re not talking about shows referring to big hair etc, etc. Of course the Internet is helping someone like me right now. But it’s also causing great damage.

FS: What was the last band you saw live?
MT: Kiss (if that’s what you can still call them) in Melbourne. Take the money and run show.

FS: Let’s talk about your solo career. I really love it since it gives sort of an insight into your personal life, your mind, heart and soul and besides that it is musically sophisticated. Were your albums intended to be much different from what you have done with White Lion?
MT: Yeah let’s talk about it, or would rather talk about Bon Jovi or Europe? It has always been my intention for my music to sound like I do. Mike Tramp is Mike Tramp nothing more, nothing less. White Lion and Freak of Nature was a combination of 4 and 5 individuals creating a sound together.

FS: Are there some that you are saving for your next solo record? Have you written any new songs for the new CD yet?
MT: I have many songs in my library. But by the time I feel it’s time to look at a new album I will write again. I have taken a break, due to many changes in my life, and also because I want to have space and time to grow.

FS: You did a duet with Stine Larsen: "Goodbye song", which is a great song. Would you ever do something similar with another rock artist? Any bands/artists you would like to work with and/or tour with in the future?
MT: I would love to do something with Joey Tempest or Jon Bon Jovi; I am of course only joking and only said that because you like them. I am not looking to do duets, but if the right song jumps out and my favourite singers are available, then why not. So I don’t think it will happen.

FS: Why did you choose to call the live album "ROCK’N’ROLL ALIVE"?
MT: Because Kiss Alive 1 through 5 or is it 6, and also Made in Japan was already taken. See here I go again, being my usual smart ass. “Rock’n’Roll Alive” is what the album is, plain and simple and straight to the point, no mystery to it. This ain’t no fashion, it’s a way of life.

FS: Why did you skip the Danish part on the More To Life Than This song? There were a lot of emotions when you sang it. The way you played it was beautiful and touching. This night in Pumpehuset was powerful. It was all about your life, your career... your fans would love to hear you singing in your native language.
MT: Man you know it all don’t you. I guess it’s my mistake for thinking the rest of the world wouldn’t want to hear that. I am glad you liked it, and it felt good to put that song in there. That’s why people have to come to the shows. Shit happens when you least expect it.

FS: People say RNR keeps you young, what do you think about it?
MT: Do you want another smart ass comment from me, one that will spark a war on the internet between those who have no life but arguing with each other about who’s still the best looking person and who is not etc, etc. I think as long as you still do what you want and play the music you want. You stay alive and kicking, and the spark in your eyes will let people know that the date of birth in your passport is not to be confused with how you feel up there on stage and what you can or can’t do.

FS: What do aspiring rockers miss if they don’t play in bars?
MT: Let’s get real here. You play in bars, because you can’t play theatres or arenas. And I wouldn’t say you’re missing out on anything if you sit in a big warm arena dressing room, with hot showers that never run out of hot water. Compared to be sitting in a freezing van in Belgium waiting to fight your way through the crowd to get up there on stage and play on a broken sound system with two red lights shining on you all night. So to say the least. You do what you have to, and when the big stage calls my name, I’ll rock it to the ground and shower till my skin is like a raisin. But till then. I’ll wait in the freezing van with the rest of the band.

FS: Is it difficult choosing what songs you will play when you tour? Why don’t you play more than one song from Freak Of Nature albums?
MT: No it’s not difficult. I only want to play Mike Tramp solo songs. But at this moment I still leave a few White Lion classics as part of the set. Freak of Nature songs are harder to convert to the Mike Tramp sound, so that’s why they aren’t in the set. But don’t be surprised if the next tour will only feature Tramp songs.

FS: What can fans expect live next time around? Any set list will change?
MT: You say that like my set never change. What can they expect? Monitor feedback, me complaining about the lights, a few Danish words spoken between the band (Europe tour only). Mike Tramp signing a thousand White Lion photos after the show. And you get to hang out with my great band after the show. Not to forget 2 hours of kick ass rock’n’roll songs.

FS: After all these years of touring, do you still get that adrenaline rush before you go out on stage?
MT: No but Kasper Foss does after he drinks 5 Red bulls prior to hitting the stage. Well I have nights when I do and I have nights when I don’t. But as we play the first chords of the opening song. Then it’s rock’n’roll time, and life as you know it has no meaning, and only the time you are up there on stage matters.

FS: How difficult is it to get into being back on the road after being away from touring for so long? Is it exciting or a little lonely?
MT: It’s not difficult at all; I just wish there weren’t those big breaks in between.

FS: How do you look back at your White Lion days in general? Did you learn anything (musically) from that period - something you later on used in your own solo career?
MT: OH the White Lion question. That was then this is now, and No Vito won’t be coming back, so face it folks. Of course I learned a lot from White Lion, just like I did when I drank a bottle of red wine when I was thirteen. Life is about learning. But sometime I wished I had learned it before I did it.

FS: If you could go back and change one aspect of your career, what would it be?
MT: Not following a musical career, but aiming at becoming a soccer player instead, and staying in Denmark to grow old with my brothers and friends.

FS: If I were stranded on a desert island, and I had never heard of Mike Tramp, what song would you have me listen to that would give me the best idea of who you are?
MT: “More to life than this”

FS: Have you ever thought of writing your biography?
MT: It’s been in the works for the last 4 years. But it’s the story of my life, not how I did my hair in White Lion.

FS: What does the future hold for you?
MT: I should be the one asking this, cause I really don’t know. All I know is that there will be no retreat and no surrender.

FS: Are there any questions that you feel nobody ever dared to ask you, but you wish they had?
MT: Yes there is. But I will wait for Time magazine or Rolling Stone, I need a bigger audience when I spill the beans.

FS: Anything else you want to touch on?
MT: How about anything else I would like to touch!

FS: Thanks for your time and good luck with everything. See you on the road!
MT: Yeah make sure you bring a nice bottle of red wine, and some great French Brie or Camembert and some crackers.