Metropoulos Forum

Mark Tremonti's solo band played the local rock club last night, so I stopped in. Wolfgang is playing bass for him. Afterwards they spent about an hour and a half doing meet and greet. Really personable guys, surprisingly down to Earth. I spoke to Wolfie for a few, but didn't pry for info about his Dad or anything. We talked a little shop, just briefly about the rack and pedal board Dave made for him.
I was impressed with how genuine and grounded he is. Kind of soft spoken and even a little shy. It was a real pleasure for me, I hope I didn't annoy him trying to talk about gear. Lol

George

very cool. he seems like a great kid. and talented!

Very cool to hear how grounded he is based on WHO he is.

Thanks for sharing

Nice! How was the band?

I hope that Wolf goes up to Pops and says something like, "Hey Dad, I've been thinking. There is NO way that I can out do what you have done, and I dont want to be the Frank/Dweezil type thing of the Father being VALID and the son NOT ! So, I've decided to LEAVE Van Halen. Hey, its Mike's gig anyways, ISNT IT !"

I think its awesome Wolf is doin music even though VH isn't touring now-he is stayin with it cause he has a genuine love for it, not because his dad is THE KING of it. So that says alot plus the article he was interviewed in shows him as very deeply genuine-kid deserves alot of respect after what I read that he had to say

9/26 - West Chester, PA

"No, I have no idea what that white knob was for on dads amp".

So glad Wolf can kick with His Bros.

Hey Wolf, if yer listenin', tell DF & VG to put a 'white knob' on the back of Dad's amp, just to fuck with folks 40 years from now!

I'm def'ly excited about this USA Rock Royalty hitting the streets. Man/Boy's got Sensibilities. And that's good for MY Son!

Tone Slinger wrote:I hope that Wolf goes up to Pops and says something like, "Hey Dad, I've been thinking. There is NO way that I can out do what you have done, and I dont want to be the Frank/Dweezil type thing of the Father being VALID and the son NOT ! So, I've decided to LEAVE Van Halen. Hey, its Mike's gig anyways, ISNT IT !"

yep!! ...The kid is set for life already...I don't think it's working having him in the band -- it's still missing something..IMHO, go out and make your own way with your peers and do it your way, not your dad's way...total free artistic license because you do not have to worry about money ever again..

Sparky4444 wrote:

Tone Slinger wrote:I hope that Wolf goes up to Pops and says something like, "Hey Dad, I've been thinking. There is NO way that I can out do what you have done, and I dont want to be the Frank/Dweezil type thing of the Father being VALID and the son NOT ! So, I've decided to LEAVE Van Halen. Hey, its Mike's gig anyways, ISNT IT !"

yep!! ...The kid is set for life already...I don't think it's working having him in the band -- it's still missing something..IMHO, go out and make your own way with your peers and do it your way, not your dad's way...total free artistic license because you do not have to worry about money ever again..

"Don't think its working"??? If Wolf wasn't in the band, Ed wouldn't be playing.

I don't mean to bag on Mike but go back and read some of the old interviews in the late '70s and early '80s. Ed makes comments in passing about Mike not really contributing much in terms of writing or input to the songs. Sure there is his voice but that's about it. Ed wasn't being a jerk about it just saying "Mike goes with what ever we want" or words to that affect.

If we want to hear Eddie play in a band, Wolfie will be part of it.

rgorke wrote: "Don't think its working"??? If Wolf wasn't in the band, Ed wouldn't be playing.

I don't mean to bag on Mike but go back and read some of the old interviews in the late '70s and early '80s. Ed makes comments in passing about Mike not really contributing much in terms of writing or input to the songs. Sure there is his voice but that's about it. Ed wasn't being a jerk about it just saying "Mike goes with what ever we want" or words to that affect.

If we want to hear Eddie play in a band, Wolfie will be part of it.

Yeah, we all know that...but that doesn't mean it translates to the band and the public acceptance of the band...and if you think that all Mike did was contribute high harmonies like it really didn't matter, then you don't get it...It wasn't Eddie's guitar playing that made them a commercial success, it was the songs and the voices...the harmonies played a HUGE part in the listening experience to the average fan, more so than the guitar playing -- I'm talking about selling millions of records as opposed to a few hundred thousand being a cult band...

you take away those harmonies you take away the sizzle and it's the sizzle that sells, not the steak..

Everybody is different and does there own thing. Hetfield does metal, Vai does exotic shred, Malmsteen does neo classic styles, Brad Paisley picks and shreds like a badass, SRV was what he was....
They are all identities-personalities-unique to them. Thats the human element.
DNA or not I wouldn't want all the above players rolled into one ever.
I like the Eagles but I also like Henley and James Gang on their own.....
If anything I think the rexord was great-but I don't think it sounds "right" for Ed playing modern style metal that Wolf likes.
Was it different and unique? Yes. Its its own thing. And we get to hear and enjoy that snapshot of time.
Maybe Tremonti covers an area where Wolf can really apply his talents in the band that may be more fitting. He will always jam with dad of course. But Wolf I think will find jamming with others just as fulfilling even if its not family.
Mike likes noodlin with Sam and Joe and finds enjoyment there.
I thought the days of pre planned and arrainged marriages was over? And if she wasn't makin you happy anymore you could break up with her and get some new vaj that satisfies??

Guy's, regardless of the fact that Wolfgang is Eddie's son, and he loves him very much, etc. The FACT of the matter is that Ed is remembered for what he did while MIKE was the bass player. Mike is an EXCELLENT bass player. He can do very subtle 'runs' and accents that are simply BAD ASSED. I've got the bootlegs and am always impressed with the foundation that is layed out for Ed (Al & Mike). The last solo in 'I'm The One'
is a great example of how Mike 'snaps the carpet' (like when you want the dust off it) enabling Ed to 'VIBE'.

I've seen Wolfie twice and havent been impressed, Bass-wise, but have to say that the 2012 show had him (Wolfie) doing great background vocals/harmony's (as well as Ed too).

Mike is simply the better musician, but Wolfie is probably got more dough ? .