Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Singer Michael Werner & me started HOTWIRE in 1993. The name comes from one of Michael’s favourite songs: “Hotwired” by FM (The songs is always played before our Live-Intro starts). After a break of 16 years we are back, with: Hans Haid (git), Daniel Gumo Reiss (git) and Alexander Schott (bass)

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Michael & Tom met in a Rockclub in Ingolstadt, shared the same taste of music and decided to start a band. Right now the five of us do not live in the same area, but not too far away and our rehearsal room is quite in the middle 🙂

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

We have all our own influences, but we all agree on Melodic Rock. Werner is a huge Bon Jovi Fan, Tom likes Van Halen and AC/DC, Gumo & Alexander have a Thrash background (really!) but are also into Scorpions etc. Hans is more into bluesy hard rock and shows it with various T-Shirts of bands we hardly know. 

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

We all are making music since our youth, I started out with classical piano lessons. So we all played in various bands very early. And of course with 17 we all wanted to conquer the world. Hint: Didn’t work out.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

AC/DC: ”Powerage” – Van Halen “I” are my all time favourites and I am a Beatles Maniac.
I can listen to Slayer as well as to Kate Bush or Beethoven. As I have seen the “Elvis” movie recently, right now I listen to the king a lot,.

Do you sing in the shower?

No.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Play live as much as we can.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

As the new CD “The Story So Far – 1993 – 2023” is out since May: No

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Madison Square Garden – because of the history. And Detroit because – Quote Bob Seger – “Rolling Stone said, Detroit audiences are the greatest rock and roll audiences in the world. I thought to myself, shit, I’ve known that for 10 years.”! And I hopefully could see the Red Wings play.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

see above

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

“Greatest Hits Of The Carpenters” is great.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Of course AC/DC and Van Halen with a young Diamond Dave. At sunset the Eagles would play and Paul McCartney would close the show. And Kanye West. (Dishwasher at catering)

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

You’ll never forget your first album: KISS: Alive II”, bought it from a friend. Fun fact: I had never heard anything from the band, but I liked the cover and especially the photo inside from the band on stage. Had to have it.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Yeah, to the ones who know us for some time: Thank you! For those who discover us right now: Thank you and hello. For those who don’t like us (ok, that won’t be fans, right?): Free the world of our crap, buy our CDs and destroy them. Repeat.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Our newest video: https://youtu.be/hIHCm2BrMrc

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/hotwiregang

Instagram:  hotwiregang

Website:     www.hotwiregang.de

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thanks for having us! And keep on rocking and supporting hard rock & metal! This interview was fueled by Coke Zero and Snyders of Hanover Honey Mustard & Onion.

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum