It was a very weird thing. We started that stuff with the Under Jolly Roger album, and everything started with the song "Under Jolly Roger." At that time we were looking for a title for the whole record, and I said that was a great title for the record so let's do it. So we did, and then we had to do the cover like that, because it fits the song. So we did it, and so we said let's do the stage clothing like that. So we did it, and then we said let's do the set like that , and when we looked back we said, "Oh, wow, we look like pirates!" So it just came; we didn't plan it. And then at the times we were rehearsing for the Port Royal album, I really became interested in reading books about that. That is why the titles "Port Royal" and "Calico Jack." are like that. We thought it was kind of the whole thing that RUNNING WILD stands for, or which stands for RUNNING WILD. It just came.
Rolf Kasparek / Running Wild interview, 1996
RUNNING WILD released their fourth album on this day in 1988. Many memorable songs, this was the album they really established the 'pirate' theme.
The "Welcome to Port Royal" tour took place across Germany in January of 1989 and then sporadically through the rest of the year, into Spain, Greece and England. ANGEL DUST were the support band for all dates.
Rolf has in the past considered this album the end of RUNNING WILD's 'first period'.
Putting the albums in a rough frame, I would say there have been three periods in the development, the first starting with Gates To Purgatory and ending with Port Royal, the second from Death Or Glory to Pile Of Skulls and the third from Black Hand Inn to where we are now. Whereas each period was based on the respective previous one.
Rolf Kasparek / Running Wild interview, 2000