Brian Heaton at The Breakdown Room recently caught up with WINGER frontman Kip Winger to discuss the band's new album, Karma. An excerpt for the story is available below:

While revisiting the band's musical past remains a part of Winger's current plans, overcoming the "hair band" stereotype has been more of a challenge. Kip has heard all the digs about his music, but the frontman remains exceedingly proud of Winger's history.

He once called his group the "hair band Dream Theater," expressing his belief that Winger's music is not just for nights of Aqua Net and spandex, but also the ears of devoted musicians and song writers.

Featuring a catalog that includes progressive and epic numbers such as 'Supernova', 'Rainbow in the Rose' and 'Blind Revolution Mad', there are a number of songs from Winger's repertoire that support the singer's claim. Yet, the image of Metallica's Lars Ulrich throwing a dart at a poster of Kip in the video for 'Nothing Else Matters' still dogs the band today.

The stigma may be unfair, but Kip has no regrets. Critics be damned, the singer is certain once you see his band play, all doubts about Winger's musical credibility will be erased.

"I've seen many club bands attempt to play 'Seventeen' but I've never seen anyone play it correctly," Winger said, referring to one of the band's signature hits. "Winger has always been a band you love or hate. I'm used to it and it's funny at this point. For any disbeliever, I invite you to come see us [play live]."

Go to this location for the complete story.

Winger's forthcoming European tour in support to the new album’s release is as follows:

November

20 - Roma, Italy - Crossroads
21 - Pinarella di Cervia (RA), Italy - Rock Planet
22 - Pavia, Italy - Thunder Road
24 - Paris, France - Maroquinerie
25 - Verviers, Belgium - Spirit of '66
26 - Weert, Holland - Bosuil
27 - Moscow, Russia - Plan B
28 - Ufa, Russia - Rock Club
30 - Ioannina, Greece - Venue TBA

December

1 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin (TBC)
3 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Venue TBA
4 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
6 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
7 - Prague, Czech Republic - Exit/tbc
8 - Wien, Austria - Venue TBC
9 - Budapest, Hungary - A38
11 - Worblaufen, Switzerland - Tibis
12 - Madrid, Spain - Ritmo y Compas

March

22 - Bristol, England - O2 Academy 2
23 - Portsmouth, England - Wedgewood Rooms
24 - Manchester, England - Academy 3
26 - Dudley, England - JB’s
27 - Belfast, Ireland - Spring & Airbrake
28 - Glasgow, Scotland - Cathouse
30 - Newcastle, England - O2 Academy2
31 - Leeds, England - Rio’s

April

2 - Sheffield, England - Corporation
4 - London, England - Islington O2 Academy