"...the band rocked the nation once and for all"

Wig Wam - the 2005 Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) winners- will be remembered as the glam-rock band who redefined the Eurovision Song Contest with the motto "Rock is the New Schlager"!

Setting Norway alight with their spectacular performance in the Norwegian final, Wig Wam are the band on everyone's lips. Their Eurovision rock song 'In My Dreams' has made its mark in the hearts and souls of youngsters, rock 'n' rollers and the Norwegian people. The four band members - Teeny (guitar), Glam (vocals), Sporty (drums) and Flash (bass) - all pursued individual musical careers with bands such as Dream Police, Artch, Sha-Boom, Ole Evenrude, Alien and they also undertook solo projects during the 80s and the 90s.

Wig Wam were formed in February 2001, and from then on Norway's hardest working live band have slowly worked their way to the top of the charts, touring every corner of the land. In 2004 the band secured third place in MGP with the song 'Crazy Things'. This year they were hungry for revenge and they gladly accepted an invitation to participate in MGP 2005.

Blasting out the high-adrenaline rock anthem 'In My Dreams' and wearing their signature Wig Wam outfits, the band rocked the nation once and for all. 'In My Dreams', written by guitarist Teeny, went straight to the top of the Norwegian charts, and the European version of Wig Wam's album is now to be released with 'In My Dreams' included as the opening track. The album is titled 'Hard to be a Rock'n Roller…in Kiev', and marks a new era for the glam-rockers. Wig Wam have already started their Rock Schlager Tour which will take the band all the way to the Ukraine.

Why do you prefer to use pseudonyms and don't appear with your real names? Is it a continuation of marketing strategy?
We are Teeny, Flash, Sporty and Glam, and we thank our parents for coming up with such great names for their sons. Maybe we were meant to be rock'n roll stars from birth....

Is Eurovision contest something important for you, or it is just one of chances to promote the band?
The way we look at it the Eurovision Slager festival is one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, right? How can you turn that down? It's also the only festival I know of that has a price, a competition part. They didn't have that in the Monsters of Rock festival! The only sad thing about the festival is the short live-set we're allowed to do. 3 minutes and only one extra number! We're used to do 90 minutes x 2 every night. ......... But to answer your question...YES! We're here to promote our band and our music and to make a statement.

The Singer

Come into Norway's Wig Wam, but watch out for the Wig Wam Chixxx, who we're led to believe lavish all sorts of services upon the aged rockers, Teeny, Sporty, Glam, and Flash make up Wig Wam. By the looks of them, they could have been roadies in a former life, who having spent years yearning for a chance to be a star, slapped on the greasepaint, and got that big break gig.
To me they're more like Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch (one of their lp's went by the name of - "If music be the food of love, prepare for indigestion") than Kiss.

The Past

Norway have been labelled the nil pointers of the contest. But they are also fairly successful having won it twice. Bobbysocks gave us all a sniff of mature Norwegian rotten whalemeat (the type they bury in the ground for weeks and then eat), and Secret garden gave us ethereal wailing. Unlike their Swedish neighbours, Norway refuse to stick to the norm.
Can I also point out that if have a superstitious nature and believe in the power of numbers, then Norway may just pull it off in 2005. Why? Well, the reason is although they may have excelled themselves by getting no points on four separate occasions, they have won the thing twice. When? 1985 and 1995. So will 2005 provide the next triumphal stage in the rollercoaster ride that is Norwegian Europop.

The Song
It's Europe's "The Final Countdown" writ cheesily. Norway have decided to break down another barrier (which I would have preferred to stay intact) and have entered a "rock anthem". As rock anthems go (& I don't wish to be an expertise on this) it seems fine, hence the status of second favourites for the whole thing. They'll wear garish ill fitting costumes, pretend to play their instruments, and cruise into the final. Can shouting and a silver cod piece win it? I think not.
(Ruffus, Estonia's 2003 entry, singing "Eighties Coming Back" seems somehow portentious now in the face of this.)

Gestures - 4 There's two ways to look at this...either there's 4 arm gesticulations by the lead singer during the song, or the whole song is four big cocks jostling for attention on a stage...you decide.
"Wanna" Count - 1 (if there was ever a Eurovision song that deserved more wanna's then this was it. Shame)

Overall

Who says aging rockers can't have a young fanbase? Just look at this perfectly rounded lady on the left, sitting next to the her friend the chrome skull on the dark arts tablecloth. Also marvel at her artwork of Teeny, lovingly recreated with a evil facial scowl.
As for Wig Wam's chances, they're second favourites, they may win it, but I reckon southern Europe will revolt against it. Will the novelty factor win through? Novelty normally doesn't triumph at Eurosong.

In a Nutshell

"Crazey Crazey Tights"

"The Shrink Says"

Showing definitive signs of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), Wig Wam use the cladding of brightly coloured clothing, and the protective sheath of heavy make-up to engender a distance between them and their multitude of deranged followers.
As is customary with groups of their ilk, they use the production of loud notes as catharsis, namely a psychodynamic principle that, in its most basic sense, is simply an emotional release.

"You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams
Scared of waking up and you'll be gone
Face the truth and I'll be all alone"

The lyrics here are truly fascinating, for whilst I am sure that on a conscious level they haven't a clue why they are singing these words, subconsciously the lyrics cement my analysis of Wig Wam hiding within their crotchless silver lycra bodysuits.

Teeny, Sporty, Glam, and Flash (& another)
 Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick (...& Titch)

In My Dreams

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me (Over me)

I don't know if this is what it seems
Is it real or just a fantasy?
And to please is all you every do
Making all my fairytales come true

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me (Over me)
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams

Scared of waking up and you'll be gone
Face the truth and I'll be all alone
Baby, let's get into the groove
Show me all your turning moves

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me (Over me)
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me (Over me)
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams

In my dreams

If this ain't real, don't wake me up
I don't ever wanna stop

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy, in my dreams

Come on, come on, come on
Love is all over me
You are the only one
Living in my fantasy

In my dreams
Prediction Semi Final 20th
Final Don't Make It