In a brand new interview with Elwood of the 95 WIIL Rock radio station, Wolfgang Van Halen — son of legendary VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen — as soon as once more spoke about his determination to drop the “WVH” initials from his MAMMOTH WVH band title previous to the discharge of the group’s latest single, “The Finish”. MAMMOTH, as Wolfgang‘s band is now recognized, is a nod to household historical past — Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen‘s band was referred to as MAMMOTH when singer David Lee Roth first joined it in 1974. Wolfgang mentioned (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Yeah, from the start it was extra of simply type of a copyright factor. I simply wished it to be a direct [nod to the pre-VAN HALEN band MAMMOTH] — that is what I requested my dad. I used to be, like, ‘Hey, is that cool if I name the factor MAMMOTH?’ And he was, like, ‘Dude, superior. Yeah.’ However our authorized illustration was, like, ‘Hey, possibly do not do this. A minimum of not but. Have or not it’s this. And if it takes off sufficient for you guys to be the one energetic individual utilizing that title, then…’ It is variety like how GHOST began. They had been GHOST B.C. for a bit bit. And now all people is aware of it is, like, they’re GHOST. So I suppose we have reached the purpose the place folks go, like, we’re MAMMOTH. In order that’s type of cool.”
Wolfgang continued: “I believe listening to us comes with a variety of preconceptions. I believe you both go, like, ‘Oh, that is the Van Halen child’s factor,’ or, ‘That is the dude that is enjoying every little thing.’ However I actually relish the second the place any individual has no concept who we’re after which hears it and goes, ‘That is fairly cool. MAMMOTH. What’s that?’ I believe we’ll be capable of obtain that a bit bit extra with out the fricking ‘WVH’ there on the finish.”
Wolfgang firsit mentioned the MAMMOTH WVH title change throughout a Might 11 question-and-answer session at WDHA‘s “Mammoth For Ya’ Mama!” occasion at Debonair Music Corridor in Teaneck, New Jersey. He mentioned on the time: “[MAMMOTH is] what we wished [to call the band] the entire time. It was purported to be a direct reference to my Dad’s, the primary band the place he was the singer, ‘trigger I am enjoying guitar and I am singing.”
Addressing the truth that he requested his father for permission to make use of the MAMMOTH band title for his solo challenge, Wolfgang, who grew to become VAN HALEN‘s bassist in 2006 on the age of 15, continued: “I used to be nervous. I’ve early demos for the music ‘Mammoth’. It was referred to as ‘Mammoth I’, ‘trigger it was the primary concept I ever wrote that was, like, ‘It is gonna be for my band MAMMOTH.’ I believe it was in, like, 2013 that I wrote the concept. And I did not ask Dad till, like, 2016. I believe we had been on that final [VAN HALEN] tour. And I used to be like, ‘Hey, Pop, is that cool if I name my band MAMMOTH?’ And he was, like, ‘Fuck, yeah.’ And I do not know why I used to be so nervous to ask him, as a result of, God, he was essentially the most supportive individual aside from my mother in my life.”
Circling again to why his band is now referred to as simply MAMMOTH, Wolfgang mentioned: “Man, is it a fucking tight rope to stroll, with the shadow I am below and the expectations. And it is, like, I wanna be capable of have the chance to reference my lineage, however not copy it and simply put a flag in it and sit there and play ‘Panama’ for everyone each night time. I wanna be capable of be my very own individual.”
MAMMOTH will launch its third album, “The Finish”, on October 24 through BMG. The ten-track effort clocks in at 39 minutes and showcases the evolution of Wolfgang and his songwriting since he launched his solo profession in 2020. Recorded on the legendary 5150 studio, the album was produced by pal and collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette.
“The Finish” is obtainable for pre-order in a number of configurations, together with limited-edition vinyl colours, signed insert model and retailer exclusives.
MAMMOTH launched the primary single from “The Finish”, the LP’s title monitor, in Might. To coincide with the album announcement earlier this month, MAMMOTH launched the monitor “The Spell” for followers to take a look at. Now obtainable through all digital service suppliers, the efficiency music video exhibiting Wolfgang enjoying all of the devices and directed by visible collaborator Gordy De St. Jeor.
MAMMOTH has grow to be recognized for being highway warriors, continuously taking to the highway to play their music for the plenty every time they will. 2025 will continues that development because the band shall be heading out with longtime mates in CREED on the “Return Of The Summer time Of ’99 Tour” this summer time. MAMMOTH hit the highway July 9 in Lexington, Kentucky by August 30 the place the tour wraps in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
To rejoice “The Finish” being in shops this October, MAMMOTH will head out on a fall headline run. “The Finish” tour kicks off on October 31 and runs for 5 weeks earlier than it wraps up on December 7. Longtime pal Myles Kennedy would be the particular visitor on the run.
MAMMOTH‘s touring lineup options Wolfgang on guitar and lead vocals, Frank Sidoris (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS) on guitar, Jon Jourdan on guitar and vocals, Garrett Whitlock (TREMONTI) on drums, and Ronnie Ficarro on bass.
Picture by Travis Shinn
