Michael Monroe

Finnish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Monroe needs no further introduction.
As a founding member of the legendary Hanoi Rocks as well as Demolition 23 (and someone whose eyeliner always looked more perfect than mine), he’s currently very busy (and very successful) with his latest formation.
Simply called The Michael Monroe Band, they are a glistering big star in the rock n’ roll firmament. Oh and well, at the moment they happen to tour with Motörhead. And they are expected to release a much anticipated debut album early next year. Phew, excuse me while I take a breath…

As if it wasn’t excitement enough, the assertive Mr. Monroe has recently released a live album, Another Night In The Sun (minus the title track). It was recorded in his native Helsinki earlier this year and covers a wide range of his impressive career. Two of the featured songs are new and a taste of things to come. The majority, however, is comprised of tracks from his days with Hanoi Rocks as well as Demolition 23 (a band he founded with fellow Hanoi Sami Yaffa). There are some fine cover versions on the album too, like The Damned’s ‘Machine Gun Etiquette’, the Johnny Thunders number ‘I Wanna Be Loved’ and last but not least the punky, spunky ‘Ain’t Nothing To Do’ – originally a song by The Dead Boys. Since the late Stiv Bators was a close friend of Michael, it should come as zero surprise that a Dead Boy song has been included here.

The fast and furious ‘Dead Jail Or Rock N Roll’ is not only the lead single from the 1989 Monroe studio album ‘Not Fakin’ It’ but is also a firm favourite of mine. Yes, this IS rock n’ roll!

‘Hammersmith Palais’ echoes a little Ramones and New York Dolls nostalgia and is another scorcher that will get your adrenaline into overdrive. By the way, that also goes for ‘You’re Next’ – one of the two new songs on the album.
The other new song ‘Motorheaded For A Fall’ rocks like the rest but doesn’t have an instantly recognisable tune. Then again, so what.

With is malicious thumping beat and cynical, acid-tongued lyrics, ‘Dysfunctional’ sounds as fierce as does the Demolition 23 version. On the Hanoi Rocks front, it’s ‘Motorvatin’ and ‘Back To Mystery City’ that spit raw attitude.
Last, ‘Not Fakin’ It’ is a solid, punky number to leave you wanting… to hear more.

That’s it for the music, but no kickass music without a kickass band! Leave it to Monroe to pick the best, and the best on this album (and in his new band) are comrade-in-crime Sami Yaffa on the exquisite bass, gut-riffers Ginger Wildheart and New York Dolls’ Steve Conte on guitar and Karl Rockfist (Danzig) on devilish drums. Oh, and snarling vox performed by Michael Monroe.
For those unable to see the band perform live, get the album. Now!