REVIEW: MIKE TRAMP’S WHITE LION – CORNER HOTEL – MELBOURNE – 31.01.2025
Review: Craig Eriksson, Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Tonight at the iconic Corner Hotel in Richmond in the rock capital of Melbourne, Mike Tramp performed the songs of White Lion for the first time in 20 years in his first Australian shows since 2008.
White Lion was a glam metal band who formed back in 1983 by Danish vocalist/guitarist Mike Tramp and Italian-American guitarist Vito Bratta. They released their debut album Fight To Survive (1985) and then had two huge hits WAIT and WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY from their second album, the double platinum selling Pride (1987) which gained huge success and popularity. I was a huge Metal fan back in the 80s when I was in my mid to late teens. I bought Kerrang mags and listened to all these wonderful hard rock and glam metal bands from around the world at the time. I can remember listening to White Lion and here I am 40 years later seeing Mike Tramp perform White Lion songs. Surreal!
Rusty Brown from Electric Mary opened the show tonight playing a solo acoustic set of Electric Mary songs and a few of his own. I’ve seen Electric Mary countless times over the years and they’re an amazing live band from Melbourne. Hearing Rusty perform a raw acoustic version of songs like Gasoline & Guns, Already Gone, Let Me Out were wonderful. He talked about the loss of one of his best friends Shaun and then sang a beautiful song dedicated to Shaun.
In between Rusty and Mike Tramp, I was chatting to fans around us. My mate Stewart and his mate Adam introduced me to their friend Maree. Maree has seen White Lion/Mike Tramp seven times before tonight. A die-hard fan who said she saw them play in Melbourne twice before at the Corner Hotel, Hi Fi Bar (now Max Watts), The Espy and other smaller venues that she couldn’t recall.
Mike Tramp’s Band Members –
Mike Tramp – Lead Vocals/Guitar
Jerry Best – Bass / backing vocals
Brentt James Arcement – Drums
Marcus Nand – Lead Guitar / backing vocals
Mike Tramp is the iconic lead singer and voice of White Lion and his incredible band opened with ALL THE FALLEN MEN from Fight To Survive (1985). A heavy song that was a great opener with lead guitarist Marcus Nand absolutely rippin it up. Many critics say Mike Tramp’s show “ It ain’t White Lion without Vito”, but let me say right here, right now, Nand is a gun guitarist and kicked ass tonight. Brentt James Arcement on drums thumped the skins so damn hard it went right through me.
They played several songs from White Lion’s debut 1985 album including the melodic power ballad BROKEN HEART highlighting Tramp’s vocals remain strong and the anti-war protest song EL SALVADOR.
OUT WITH THE BOYS from Mane Attraction (1991) has that typical 80s glam/hard rock sound with anthem-like lyrics: “Yeah we were out with the boys, we were out to make some noise.” They also sang three other songs from the 1991 album – LOVE DON’T COME EASY a power ballad highlighting how wonderful Tramp and his backing vocalists are and had the crowd singing along.
Tramp talked about TIL’ DEATH DO US APART and how this song has become a popular song by fans for their weddings. Tramp candidly talked about his broken relationships and joked about losing his vinyl collection on his third relationship breakup. The crowd booed and then laughed! He said he has been through some tough relationship breakups and had written many love ballads that now have a different meaning to him.
Tramp’s ex-wife Fleur Thiemeyer is a well-known, famous costume designer from Australia and has designed costumes for White Lion and many other famous bands like Motley Crue, KISS, Van Halen, Lita Ford, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John and many more.
Tramp lived in Australia for almost 10-years with Fleur. He moved to Australia at the end of 1999 and moved back to Denmark in 2008. Tramp talked about his love for Melbourne and said he can see himself retiring in Australia. Tramp laughed and also mentioned that back in the White Lion days, they were more concerned about their costumes and how they looked rather than focussing on their sound check before shows (laughed).
Rusty Brown came out on stage and joined them for LIGHTS AND THUNDER, a hard rocking song. Rusty and Tramp talked about their long-standing friendship and mutual respect for each other and their music. They then did a ‘shoey’ together drinking beer out of a baby boot (odd) and a fans shoe.
The crowd were treated with six songs from the Pride (1987) album. HUNGRY, LONELY NIGHTS and TELL ME received great reception. One of fans favourite songs of the evening was the powerful WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY (1987). Tramp said that back in 1987 he had a dream and wondered how his music would be perceived in years to come by his children. Tramp said life was pretty good back in the 80s but we have f*cked up our beautiful world and how did we let it get to this? He wrote this song and the first time they sang it was when they supported AC/DC and they weren’t sure how the crowd would perceive the song. Thankfully, the crowd pulled out their cigarette lighters and waved the flames along to the song. The song lyrics remain just as powerful today as they did back then and deliver a strong message:
“When the children cry let them know we tried, cause when the children sing, then the new world begins. What have we become, just look what we have done. All that we destroyed you must build again. No more Presidents and all the wars will end. One united world under God.”
WAIT (1987) as another favourite and was one of White Lion’s biggest hits. I looked around the bandroom and everyone was singing along to this song with passion and gusto.
In between songs, Tramp told tales and stories and gave out friendly banter to his band mates and the crowd that had everyone in stitches of laughter. Tramp talked about the days of seeing White Lion on MTV and being a ‘pretty boy’. He mentioned he saw billboards promoting Winger and Tyketto touring Australia later this year and asked the crowd who had tickets to see them. Tramp also talked about his love for Australia and he kept talking in Aussie slang. Tramp is still in great shape and aging well. Tonight he wore matching purple tartan vest and pants.
They sang three songs from the Big Game (1987) album. LIVING ON THE EDGE and another beautiful powerful ballad CRY FOR FREEDOM with lyrics:
“So stand up and cry for freedom, and keep the dream alive”.
The catchy and popular LITTLE FIGHTER was an absolute ripper and another noticeable fave of the crowd. It felt like we had all been transported back to the 80s and everyone was beaming with joy, singing and rockin out. A beautiful and fun vibe.
The encore and fitting song for the end of this triumphant show was LADY OF THE VALLEY. Tramp and his incredible band highlighted that White Lion’s music is timeless and tonight we celebrated the wonderful music of an iconic and wonderful glam metal band White Lion and the legacy they have left on the world!
SET LIST:
All The Fallen Men – (Fight To Survive – 1985)
Out With The Boys – (Mane Attraction – 1991)
Living On The Edge – (Big Game – 1987)
Broken Heart – (Fight To Survive – 1985)
Hungry (Pride – 1987)
Lonely Nights (Pride – 1987)
El Salvador – (Fight To Survive – 1985)
Cry For Freedom – (Big Game – 1987)
Love Don’t Come Easy – (Mane Attraction – 1991)
Til Death Do Us Apart – (Mane Attraction – 1991)
Lights and Thunder (with Rusty Brown) – (Mane Attraction- 1991)
Tell Me – (Pride – 1987)
Little Fighter – (Big Game – 1987)
When The Children Cry (Pride – 1987)
Wait – (Pride – 1987)
Encore:
Lady of the Valley (Pride – 1987)