During an interview with Forbes, Eddie Van Halen’s son and Mammoth WVH founder Wolfgang Van Halen talked about his new album and shared his thoughts on Maynard James Keenan as his inspiration and his enjoyment at one of the Tool performances.
Wolfgang Van Halen has been working on his new debut album called ‘Mammoth WVH’ which he released on June 11. With the release, the one-man band has embarked on a solo career apart from playing bass alongside his father Eddie Van Halen and his uncle Alex. Although the highly anticipated album proves his individuality, he still took parts from his father as he played his original guitar Frankenstein on the solos of ‘Mammoth’ and ‘Feel’ in the album.
In the interview when he was asked about inspirational musical figures over the years for Wolf as he is now a frontman himself, he answered that he wants to find his own place since he thinks one cannot find out who he is until he does so. But when it comes to singing, Wolfgang added, he is a big fan of several different singers.
As he was a singer his whole life, Van Halen claimed he does not try to imitate someone. Moreover, he added he is a big fan of Maynard James Keenan and Tool as he enjoys watching his performances and likes his musical style. After being asked about his favorite show, he mentioned the Tool show he went at the end of 2019 which was a special one for him.
Here’s how Wolfgang stated about whether there was any frontman who influences his music:
“I’m hoping to just kind of find my own space throughout cause you can’t really figure out who you are until you do it. But it’s funny, when it comes to just singing in general I’m a big fan of many different singers. But I’ve been singing my whole life. So I don’t really try to emulate. I guess I’m just hoping I’ll figure out how to do it once I start doing it.“
Then the interviewer asked:
“It’s not as much as emulating or just being inspired by or someone you really enjoyed watching.”
Wolf replied as:
“Yeah, I guess I’m a big fan of Maynard from Tool, I like his style a lot. He’s just fun to watch live.”
Van Halen also shared his favorite Tool show:
“The Tool show I went to at the end of 2019 was a really special one. I really enjoyed that one.”
With embarking on a new solo career and releasing a debut album, Wolfgang Van Halen seems to be figuring out who he is through the right path.
