Rockers Hotwire are back after a 16-year break!

For those who don't know them, we'r really happy to introduce you today to the German rockers Hotwire! After a 16-year break, the guys are back with a new single SLAM! and have other projects in the making. Drummer Tom was kind enough to answer a couple of questions for us. Check out what we talked about in our brand new interview!
Picture by Chrisvainphotography

Hello Hotwire. Thanks for your time! Would you mind introducing your band to our readers?

Hey of course, thanks for having us! We are HOTWIRE, Singer Michael Werner and me (Drummer Tom Glas) founded the band in 1993 in Ingolstadt, 80 km north of Munich, the hometown of Bonfire. Our music could be called Hardrock or Melodic Rock with rockers and ballads, maybe sometimes there is a glimps of Hair Metal in it. As we knew the Bonfire guys, we asked their Singer Claus Lessmann if he’d like to produce a demo-CD with us. He did and together with his bandmate Hans Ziller they produced our first CD in 1995. We played as many shows as possible and recorded more CDs (The upcoming “Best of” is our 6th release). In 2001 HOTWIRE parted ways with Michael, we recorded one more CD with our new singer Andy and split up 200
6.

You’re back after a 16-year break. What were you up to during this “free time” and how does it feel to be back?

As you can imagine, it’s a great feeling! After the end of HOTWIRE I started a Rock/Metal cover band and Michael fronted a Bon Jovi Tribute band. We played one reunion show 2017 and had plans to go on with that line-up, but it never happened. Michael and I always stayed in touch and decided at the end of 2019 to start again – and then Covid struck. So our plans were delayed again, but last year we found Hans, Gumo and Schotti and were back on track. Rehearsals went well, we’ve played a few gigs now and it’s great! Of course, at the first gig we were pretty nervous and – to be honest – it was not the best concert HOTWIRE has ever played… but right now it’s really rockin’, especially as, for the first time in our history, we have two guitars on stage which brings much more power. So we are really having fun, reactions have been great, so we are happy!

You’re back with a new single, “SLAM!”. What is the story behind this song and where did you find your inspiration for the lyrics?

Oh, that would be a question for Michael, he’s writing all the lyrics. But it’s definitely not a fun song, rather a little bit dark and not too optimistic. Michael is writing often about relationships and the trouble that come with it… could be autobiographic…. 😊

You'll release on April 28th “The story so far 1993- 2023”. What can we expect with this album?

The CD came to us really as a surprise. We had planned to do some shows and then see what happens. But before we had our first gig, Yellow Muffin Records approached us and asked if we would like to do a best of album. We liked the idea, because it is a great way to start again after 16 years and as especially the first two CDs are very hard to get. But we agreed to rerecord two songs from the last CD we did with Michael as we were not too happy with the sound. And we wanted a new song just to show that the band is back and happening now. SLAM! is a few years old, though. Michael demoed it back then but it was never released. We did some re-arranging (Hooray to Hans!) And then we had to pick 12 other songs and we included even one song from our CD “Devil In Disguise” when Andy was singing. So I think it’s a great way to get an impression what HOTWIRE is about and the songs are also remastered which sounds great. And we expect to sell so many CDs, that we can afford to buy Kilian Mbappe for our favorite football club, which is really difficult as I’m a fan of Bayern München and Michael is a avid supporter of local rivals 1860 München. We otherwise we get along well.

You've shared the stage with Bonfire, Shakra, Pretty Maids or Crystal Ball. What's the best show you've ever played so far and why?

Oh, tough one… all of the shows with the bands mentioned above were really cool. I think the reunion show we played in our hometown Ingolstadt back in fall 2022 was special, many friends out there. I remember the show we did on the Shakra/Domain Tour in Pratteln/Switzerland because the Z7 is probably the nicest and best organized venue I’ve ever played. Musically, I think we once played with Bonfire in Munich and it was really a blast. We played well, audience was fantastic, sound was great and of course the package with Bonfire was cool. Bonus: I remember one gig in Austria in the winter. Great concert and a long party afterwards. I don’t drink alcohol, but the rest of the band was drunk as f***. Now take a guess: Which member of the band stumbled on the icy road and fell?

Speaking of live shows. What’s on your merch table and, as a band and music fans, what’s your favorite merch item?

Right now, there are only Hotwire-Shirts, but we will discuss further objects. As a fan: Hm, I’m not to deep into merch, I own some Band T-Shirts but that’s it.

To end this interview, please share with us your upcoming projects!

We really look forward to the release day of the new CD! Then we hope to play a lot live, because that’s what it’s all about. One Project is to tour worldwide in a package with The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Metallica. Unfortunately, no band has contacted us until now ☹ Pick up the phone Mick, Jon & James!