Out today (June 11th) is Wolfgang Van Halen‘s debut album, the self-titled set billed to his band Mammoth WVH. The 14-track collection features the son of the late-Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli, handling all the writing, performing, and production duties.
Mammoth WVH will serve as the opening act for Guns’ N Roses on their summer tour, which kicks off on July 31st in Hershey, Pennsylvania at Hersheypark Stadium and winds down over two nights — October 2nd and 3rd — at Hollywood, Florida’s Hard Rock Live Arena.
Wolfgang spoke about the new album, telling People.com, “It’s as personal as can be. Songwriting is a really therapeutic thing for me, so I was working out a lot of stuff with these songs. Most of my lyrics are written at something or someone. It’s almost like an amalgamation of . . . You know how you always win arguments in the shower? It’s like that. It’s like anybody who’s ever done me wrong or used me, or lied to me, amalgamate into this one being that I write lyrics at.”
He went on to explain that he understands that his reputation comes with its own baggage: “A lot of people have, understandably, preconceived notions about what this must be. Like, ‘Oh, he’s the son, it must sound exactly like it.’ But I’ve done everything I can to be my own person. And I think it really shows on the album.”
SIDE NOTES
- The tracklisting to the Mammoth WVH album is: “Mr. Ed,” “Horribly Right,” “Epiphany,” “Don’t Back Down,” “Resolve,” “You’ll Be The One,” “Mammoth,” “Circles,” “The Big Picture,” “Think It Over,” “You’re To Blame,” “Feel,” “Stone,” and “Distance.”
- In addition to Wolfgang Van Halen, Mammoth WVH‘s touring lineup features Wolfgang on guitar and vocals, guitarist Frank Sidoris, drummer Garrett Whitlock, and bassist Ronnie Ficarro on bass.
FAST FACTS
- Wolfgang Halen first performed live with Van Halen on the band’s 2007-2008 world tour, which also marked the return of original singer David Lee Roth. He made his recording debut on the band’s 2012 album A Different Kind Of Truth.
- Wolfgang has also toured as a member of Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti‘s self-named solo band and played bass on Tremonti‘s second album, 2015’s Cauterize.
CHECK IT OUT: Mammoth WVH’s lyric video for “Feel”: