WOLFGANG VAN HALEN: “I Want to Discover My True Self”

“Man, navigating this path is incredibly challenging, given the shadow I live under and the expectations,” Wolfgang Van Halen shared during a Q&A in New Jersey on May 11th regarding his decision to remove the ‘WVH’ from his band Mammoth‘s name. “I want to reference my heritage, but not replicate it or simply play ‘Panama’ for everyone every night. I need to forge my own identity.”

The Q&A took place at WDHA‘s event “Mammoth For Ya Mama,” where Eddie Van Halen‘s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, candidly discussed his music career with his band, Mammoth, and its undeniable connections to his father’s iconic legacy in Van Halen.

“It was intended to be a direct nod,” Wolfgang says of his band Mammoth. Drawing inspiration from his father and uncle – Alex Van Halen’s – original band alongside David Lee Roth, he acknowledges the clear association between the names. He even sought his father’s approval: “I think we were on that last [Van Halen] tour when I asked, ‘Hey, Pop, is it alright if I name my band Mammoth?’ And he replied, ‘Absolutely!'”

Wolfgang had the first demo for Mammoth ready in 2013, but didn’t gather the courage to request his father’s blessing for the band name until 2016. “I’m not sure why I was so apprehensive to ask him; he was the most supportive person in my life, besides my mom.”

Now, Mammoth is preparing to release their third record, which promises to be distinct from the previous works Wolfgang Van Halen created. He expressed the challenges he faced this time, saying, “I realized during this recent recording that I felt uncomfortable, which I found exciting because I was exploring territory I usually wouldn’t. I relished the challenge of asking myself, ‘Is this something I would typically do, or is it a new, more mature direction?'”

Mammoth recently released their first single, “The End,” from the upcoming project, which has yet to be formally announced. They have also revealed plans for another tour supporting their new album. Check out their tour dates below.

11/1 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
11/4 Dallas, TX House of Blues
11/5 Houston, TX House of Blues
11/7 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues
11/8 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
11/9 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
11/11 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore Silver Spring
11/12 More info coming soon
11/14 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont Theater
11/15 Pittsburgh, PA Roxian Theatre
11/18 Cleveland, OH The Agora
11/19 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit
11/20 Columbus, OH KEMBA Live!
11/22 Onamia, MN Grand Casino Mille Lacs Event Center
11/23 Green Bay, WI EPIC Event Center
11/25 Chesterfield, MO The Factory at The District
11/26 Chicago, IL House of Blues
11/28 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
11/29 More info coming soon
12/2 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
12/3 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
12/6 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre