Blowing A Lion To Smithereens

Today's post is from our friend HIM.
 

Let me explain. Well, first I will let you listen to Mike Tramp’s “Coming Home:"

As many of you know, the second White Lion album, 1987’s Pride, is sacrosanct to me. There is nary a dud on that album (even the self-help sweetness of “Don’t Give Up”). After that things get a bit spottier. But you always knew it was White Lion, except when it wasn’t. Tramp’s late-1990/early-2000’s Bratta-less reboot was a thing to scowl at, a thing that even Tramp now dismisses as a rather dumb idea.

 

His solo work has never really grabbed me. Sure, some of his acoustic versions of the White Lion classics are interesting. But that is a huge step down for me. I want something that moves me. And much of it seems to be middling and mid-tempo. That isn’t a slam on Tramp. If he wants to put the lion in the rear-view, on his own terms now, that is his prerogative.

 

Which is why this song surprised me. This is mellow Tramp that harkens back to White Lion while engaging some very clear Smithereens-ish sounds. Which is fine by me. I always liked DiNizio’s band, even when they had to slum for gigs at corporate parties (sidebar: the original members are reuniting this month for a series of shows).

 

I know that most of us who like White Lion would like to see the duo of Tramp and Bratta back for another attack (no offense to LoMenzo or D’Angelo). I also know that Bratta teased that idea . . . a decade ago (even after threatening to sue Tramp for his revamped aforementioned version of the band). But I think it is safe to say it likely won’t happen. Which is a shame.

 

“Coming Home” isn’t the homecoming we might want. But I, for one, will take it. You?

Comments

[Kixchix]

Yeah, I'll take it.

I saw mike a couple of years ago acoustic (his son was his roadie & merch guy. Cute). He seems to have found his pace and vibe that may suit his conscience in today's music world. HIM is on target. Nothing remarkable (yet). Mike seems to want to be a vagabond Bruce Springsteen with out having the acclaim or songwriting reputation. If that gets him out of bed in the morning...more power to him!

I'll still go to his shows. He's good. But I'll also still yearn (odds are slim I know, negative peeps) for him & Bratta to one day bring that magic back to us. I'll 'Wait'.

[stu]

agreed. i have seen/met tramp a few times on his acoustic tours recently, and it is very enjoyable to hear the white lion songs again. do i wish the band would reunite, sure. but if both sides are happy doing what they're doing (or not doing), then there is nothing we can do but take what tramp gives us, which are some pretty good songs overall.

[Shawn]

Kixchix summed it up perfectly "wants to be a vagabond Bruce Springsteen" .. Does anyone have any idea what Mr Bratta does these days? I still think he was one of the best players to come out of the era. Mike's solo stuff reminds me of the Mark Whalberg movie where he gets to be in Steel Dragon and then retreats to Seattle to find himself....

[Gary]

Just no interest w/o Vito. Shawn you're right,at least in my opinion, that he is one of the best guitarists to come out of the era. Guy just dripped melodic hooks on top of the normal "look at me" guitar histrionics of the era, which I too was guilty of as a player back then. (As in, Why play 8 notes with feeling, when you can play 537 of them in the same space, coupled with enough whammy bar dive bombs to make people over in Hiroshima run for cover) Lol

[Tony]

Shawn - Vito works in the family pizza restaurant.
He only plays acoustic guitar after injuring his wrist.

[Bkallday]

Mike Tramp singing his sappy tunes for the old chics? No thanks! I remember when he rocked though.

[Kenny Ozz]

He plays solo acoustic here in Cincinnati every year and I always go. While his solo stuff isnt great, it is still very good, including this song here. He has many solo albums, but th eone that really sticks out is 'Capricorn'. AMAZING record. Mike always meets his fans afte rhis shows and takes pics and signs autographs until everyone leaves. Hes a very talented and equally gracious man. I hope he does whatever makes him happy. I will buy anything he releases,

[Gary]

On a side note, is it just me, or could that intro be on any Tom Petty record ever made?

[laundryman]

A solid effort. Nothing groundbreaking but still an enjoyable listen.

[steverox]

Gary is right on. For me, Vito was the most melodic player of the era. His solo's are masterpieces, just listen to a bunch of them in a row on youtube and be amazed again. Of all the 80's bands we wish would reunite, this is the number one on my list. But I'm aware Vito has zero interest in coming out of hibernation. We're left with a Broken Heart.

[Shawn]

Thanks Tony - At least he still plays - I heard something about a wrist injury but was not sure if it was permanent or not.... Gary your right speed was way cool in the 80's in many ways.... Those Varney shredders were nuts.. Racer X etc..

[Bob]

Enjoyed this tune, better than the other solo stuff.

Like the reference to the Smithereens also - noted that they are touring again this year.

[Him]

Would have loved to have seen the Smithereens gigs, Bob. One of those bands that had a lot of great songs, and some pretty impressive chart success, but never moved the needle that extra bit to get sustained national attention. Another case of the elusive "why?"

Never met the guy. But I am glad to hear that people who have say his in-person persona squares with what I suspected. Bratta is that rare case. A really heir to the throne. Then personal circumstances (his father's illness, his injury) and temperament seems to have intervened. And a degree of tension, which you can sense now and again in Tramp's interviews and in Bratta's from back in '07. Which is life sometimes, I guess.

[Metalboy!]

I'm with Funny Gary and Bob... No Bratta, no interest. Also, hilarious, as usual Funny Gary, regarding 8 notes with feeling or 537 in the same space. I, for one, am all for hearing a solo with an intro of 8 notes with feeling to be followed by 537, haha!!

As Funny Gary and Steverox note, Bratta was an extraordinary guitarist, so much so, IMHO, he overshadowed Tramp in White Lion. I say this because, as I have previously mentioned before here, I witnessed it with my own two eyes in 1989, point blank, at The Cat Club in NYC.

And as Tony reminds us, Bratta supposedly suffers from a wrist injury, now unable to experience and share his otherworldly talents.

p.s. Bob and HIM, I actually saw The Smithereens open for The Ramones back in 1985 at Hammerjack's in Baltimore!