After a successful run on Metallica’s World Magnetic Tour and a great response to their first US Headlining gig, I asked Michael if he would answer a few questions from members of The Metallica Fan Club.  Michael was more than happy to do so and I want to personally thank him for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do so.

Volbeat are currently on their 2010 European Tour, as well as preparing to enter the studio in April for their highly anticipated album “Beyond Hell/Above Heaven” due to hit the shelves in September!

Thank you to all The Metallica Fan Club members who submitted questions for Michael. Up next in the series will be Volbeat guitarist, Thomas Bredahl.

20 QUESTIONS WITH MICHAEL POULSEN

1. Will Volbeat’s first album be released in the US anytime soon? – Andrew D.

Michael: It is

2. Do you have any plans to do a headlining U.S. tour in the near future? – Jim L.

Michael: Yeah we are working on it this year, and its really something
we are looking forward to, after all the great response for the shows
we did with Metallica. But also because people in the US are really
asking for VOLBEAT at the moment. Well some part of US are , ha ha ha.

3. Do you feel like your music is turning fans of hard rock onto
classic rock and roll music, or maybe even turning Elvis fans into
headbangers? Are your fans from all tastes of rock music, or are they
mostly hard rockers and metal heads that didn’t even know this kind of
fun, swinging rock existed? – Andrew D.

Michael: We welcome every type of people. What I know is that we have
a really random fan base, or just listeners who comes from different
kind of Music cultures, and thats really cool to see that you can
gather different kind of people for the same music. It somehow shows
that sometimes people are not that different to each other as they
think, even though it can be cool to be different . But in the end,
it’s a good thing to be able to share something.

4. What differences do you notice between European crowds and North
American crowds, and can you attribute that to Volbeat being a more
unknown band out here? – Andrew D.

Michael: Well the reactions are prety much the same, we are just not
as big in the US as we are in Europe. So its great to see the reaction
from the US now that we are a new name for lots of people . It reminds
us about the beginning in Europe before it exploded.

5. What’s your all-time favorite riff? Favorite Metallica riff?
Favorite riff that you’ve written? – Linda C.

Michael: My all time favorite riff will be the riff that starts
CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE with BLACK SABBATH.  Favorite METALLICA riffs
must be the opening riff in SHORTEST STRAW.  My own favorite, hmmmm I
really dont know. It depends on the sound that paticular day I’m
playing it.

6. What’s been the best moment while being on tour with Metallica? – Ruth H.

Michael: The moment you know that dreams actually do come true.

7. What band/song made you want to pick up the Guitar? – Paul C.

Michael: Hmmmm I think it was Children of the Grave with BLACK
SABBATH. When i heard that, something happened in my mind and body,
and I had to play that riff myself, and make a deal with Satan ha ha
ha.

8. Did you ever expect Volbeat’s success? – Diego M.

Michael: No not really, I had a feeling that it could go somewhere,
but I was never chasing the success, because if you do that, you will
loose, and loose the right reason for playing music. The success is a
bonus and it feels good. But in the end, you have to have the feeling
of success just by doing what you love , no matter how big it is, thats
success.

9. What bands/albums have you been listening to lately? – Becky H.

Michael: Let me tell you this, I have NOT been listening to any
sleaze or glam or bands in that style, EVER.

10. What bands do you think have had the biggest influence on your
sound? – Becky H.

Michael: Sound, BLACK SABBATH and METALLICA. Style, Elvis Presley.

11. If Volbeat could record a cover song featuring a duet with James
Hetfield, what would it be? – Dan N.

Michael: That’s a tuff one. Maybe a SOCIAL DISTORTION song, since
Hetfield also is a big SOCIAL D fan.

12. Are you satisfied with the success of Volbeat in Europe or are you
hoping that the band can crack the world market? – Dan N.

Michael: Im really really satisfied with the success in Europe. Of course
there are still territories that could be stronger, but im still very
very satisfied. So we are looking forward to use lots of energy in the
US, and see how far we can go there.

13. Knowing that the band is all big fans of the Ramones, could you
see Volbeat recording a classic Ramones track? What is your favorite
Ramones album? – Dan N.

Michael: I could easily see us doing that. They have done so many
good records. Its not easy for me to pick one.

14. How do you see the band growing musically over the course of the
next album? – Dan N.

Michael: well thats something I would be able to answer when we are
done in the studio, and not before. But of course we have our typical
VOLBEAT songs. And then we also try something new.

15. How do you like performing for the US fans? – Hungry H.

Michael: It has been great. We have been touring in the US 2 times. 1
time with NIGHTWISH and second time wih METALLICA. And we loved it,
and we are so much looking forward to come back, and say hello to the
people who are supporting us, and of course the new listeners who
havent seen us yet.

16. What lessons have you taken away from each album that have helped
you grow as a musician and songwriter? – Andrew D.

Michael: thats a good question. Hmmmm I realy dont know right now,
sorry. I always think i keep it real realistic in the studio.

17. What would be your dream gig, and what other bands would be on the
bill, living or dead? – Andrew D.

Michael: well now that we already have toured with METALLICA and played
some shows with MEGADETH, I will say BLACK SABBATH, SOCIAL DISTORTION,
MANIC STREET PREACHERS, MOTORHEAD, DIO, DEATH, KING DIAMOND, PANTERA,
RAMONES, QUEEN.

18. If you could choose any Metallica Member to come out and guest
with you for 1 song (as they’ve done before) who would it be and for
what song of yours? – Holger K.

Michael: Hetfield. well he could pick one thats suits him. I know he
really like HALLELUJAH GOAT.

19. What inspires you when you’re writing your lyrics? – Michael N.

Michael: well It could be any thing, movies, music, just life in general.

20. If you could ask Elvis Presley one question, what would it be? – Michael N.

Michael: Where have you been all that time ha ha ha. I will not think
about that untill I meet him some day, after life.

Kind regards,

Michael/Volbeat