Ep. 270: Mike Tramp discusses White Lion’s “Wait”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 11 August 2025

⏱️ 68 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this week's episode, Mike Tramp of White Lion reflects on the writing and recording of the band’s 1987 hit “Wait,” a song that helped catapult them into the mainstream after years of grinding it out in clubs. He shares the story behind the track’s evolution, from early edits to its polished final version, and offers insight into his unique, ego-free songwriting partnership with guitarist Vito Bratta. Tramp also discusses working with producer Michael Wagener, the emotional power he hoped to convey through the lyrics, and how time has deepened his understanding of the band’s music. From radio dynamics to recognition from rock royalty, this conversation paints a vivid picture of a band on the rise and a song that continues to strike a chord. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kid.
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0:22.0	Shop Abercrombie Denham in the app, online, and in store.
0:29.9	Wait, wait, I never had a chance of life.
0:36.6	Hey everybody. Today's guest is Mike Tramp, lead vocalist for the Brooklyn, New York rock band, White Lion.
0:44.4	Together, we pull back the covers and take a deep dive into the writing, recording, and
0:48.6	inspiration behind the hit single, Wait, taken from their 1987 major label debut album, Pride.
0:56.2	Mike said it best in the episode that when you find the right bandmate, it's like love.
1:01.1	You know instantly.
1:02.6	And finding guitarist Vito Brata and knowing he was the right guy was instantaneous.
1:07.8	They completed each other's musical thoughts, as evidenced when Mike mentioned that the two have never had a songwriting disagreement.
1:14.6	White Lion was super hungry, putting in countless hours in the clubs, playing all the songs from the Pride album years before it was released.
1:23.6	So when producer Michael Wagner recorded the band, Wade had been worked out to the nth degree.
1:29.7	The parts and arrangement were all there.
1:31.8	Wagner just had to get the performance on tape.
1:34.4	The intro is odd for a massive radio song.
1:37.2	It just starts with a vocal, but the song was a hit in the clubs, so they recorded it how they'd been playing it.
1:43.2	So for all this and an acknowledgement
	...

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