To celebrate the new Michael Monroe album ‘One Man Gang’ that is released this week we’ve got it reviewed and now we wanted to brighten up your day with something old, something New and something borrowed – Enjoy
It’s been a while since we heard anything from the Sherriff McCoy. In fact, its 10 years since Hanoi Rocks performed their last hurrah and put the band to bed with a final show at the Tavastia in Helsinki. So what has Michael Monroe’s former partner in crime been up to? Well, if you believe the comments on YouTube, it appears he has been a lighthouse keeper for 10 years! While I would love that to be true, apart from the short-lived Grease Helmet and a few guest appearances, it seems he has done little musically to speak of and has spent more time on his artwork, clothes design and even a stint on Finland’s Celebrity Big Brother.
But the guitar legend is back with a 12 song slab of ‘21st Century Rocks’, his first solo album since ‘Building On Tradition’ that came out way back in 1995. And what a welcome surprise it is.
Lead single ‘Seven Seas’ came out of nowhere a month back and actually upstaged Monroe’s first offering from the highly anticipated ‘One Man Band’. Andy always had an ear for melody and ‘Seven Seas’ confirms he still has a trick or two up his sleeve. A definite classic Hanoi feel comes across, as it builds to a fantastic uplifting chorus that fills the ears and soul with a feeling of euphoria no drug can give. Can Andy McCoy possibly be the king of all comebacks? We will have to see if the rest of the album holds up to the same quality.
That familiar guitar tone blasts from the speakers as the title track sets the scene for the album. The even more familiar vocal drawl follows. Andy McCoy’s vocals are certainly an acquired taste, but let’s not forget Hanoi Rocks’ back catalogue would not be the same without those quirky ‘out of tune’ backing vocals of his. And that guitar solo… no one plays guitar quite like Andy McCoy! Killer stuff indeed.
The ghost of his bastard past is never far away. ‘Undertow’ comes on like ‘A Day Late, A Dollar Short’, there’s even a sax solo to boot. I wonder if it originated from those sessions. Whether it did or not, it’s a cool tune for sure. Then ‘Batteram’ takes things way back in time. That melody comes on like Hanoi’s ‘Desperado’ to these ears. And the way he sings “round” and “ground” in the chorus with an unmistakeable accent is cool as fuck.
Andy’s songwriting and guitar playing has always been more experimental, taking in eastern and reggae influences, and he certainly creates a few more mental beats to make a diverse album. While Monroe has stuck to his rock ‘n’ roll roots for his whole solo career, (and we wouldn’t want it any other way, right?) McCoy explores the obscure and recaptures the quirky influences that peppered Hanoi’s earlier albums.
‘Maria Maria’ is pure class. Mariachi vibes all over as trumpets and strummed acoustics take us into spaghetti western territory. The Urban Voodoo Machine comes to mind as Andy transports us to the Mexican border to smoke a doobie or two, down tequila and jam out in the scorching sun with a chiquita or two. That is what I imagine Andy has been doing in the wilderness years! While I don’t think Andy is even allowed anywhere near any US boarders anytime soon due to his past antics, the idea is spot on.
‘Soul Satisfaction’ is another track that is out there, even in Andy McCoy terms. A tripped-out pre chorus leads into a 70’s New York groove as the main man slurs his words like Keith Richards on his second bottle of Jack.
‘Bible and a Gun’ could sit nicely anywhere in his discography. A bluesy, Stonesy little number with honky tonk piano and a cool barroom boogie groove. Elsewhere, Andy makes his guitar gently weep on the opening riff of ‘The Hunger’. The laid back, jangly backing, harmonised guitars and the ‘Village Girl’ style breakdown to fade makes this a rapturous and satisfying ride.
As we reach the final stretch it comes to mind that Andy McCoy actually comes on like vintage Alice Cooper, which is something that I never realised. Take away the smoky sax on ‘Gimme Time’ and listen intently to closer ‘This is Rock ‘n’ Roll’ with its gang backing vocals and Detroit garage rock delivery and maybe you’ll catch my drift.
Obviously, ‘21st Century Rocks’ will be measured up against ‘One Man Gang’ as they literally come out within weeks of each other. Michael Monroe has an established career as a solo artist and has one of the best live bands in the business, and Andy is…well he’s just Andy McCoy, the guitar-slinging outlaw! Let’s not take anything away from either camp. Both are living legends that together produced some of the greatest albums in my record collection and influenced a whole generation of bands.
While they made magic together, they continue to do the same on their own terms. ‘21st Century Rocks’ is a testament to that, a surprise hit on many levels. Who’s for a UK tour then?
Buy 21st Century Rocks Here (Finland)
Buy 21st Century Rocks Here (Amazon)
Author: Ben Hughes
Brand new Michael Monroe video from the new album ‘One Man Gang’ filmed whilst in Japan recently.
“Last Train To Tokyo” is the second single from Michael Monroe’s new album “One Man Gang” available to pre-order NOW on CD, Coloured Vinyl and Digital formats: Here and as special D2C bundles: Here
The album was recorded and mixed by Petri Majuri at E-Studio in Sipoo, Finland over three weeks in March 2018, the 12-song record was mixed that following Autumn with Monroe and band-mates Rich Jones and Steve Conte on production duties.
2019 TOUR DATES:
Oct 22 John Dee Live Club & Pub Oslo, Norway
Oct 23 Pustervik Gothenburg, Sweden
Oct 24 Fryshuset Klubben Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 25 High Voltage Rock Club Copenhagen, Denmark
Oct 26 HeadCRASH Hamburg, Germany
Oct 27 FRANNZ Club Berlin, Germany
Oct 29 La Maroquinerie Paris, France
Oct 30 02 Academy Islington London, United Kingdom
Nov 01 Brudenell Social Club Leeds, United Kingdom
Nov 02 The Craufurd Arms Wolverton, United Kingdom
Nov 03 Engine Rooms Southhampton, United Kingdom
Nov 04 The Mill, Digbeth Birmingham, United Kingdom
Nov 05 The Garage Glasgow, United Kingdom
Nov 06 Manchester Club Academy Manchester, United Kingdom
Nov 07 The Fleece Bristol, United Kingdom
Nov 08 The Sugarmill Stoke-on-trent, United Kingdom
Nov 09 Hard Rock Hell Chapter XIII Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom
Follow Michael Monroe: Facebook : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Spotify
A genuine rock star since birth, Michael Monroe innately knows exactly how to sing, swagger and walk the most glamorous and colourful of walks. One Man Gang, the former Hanoi Rocks man’s brand new offering on Silver Lining Music, is all about the fun of Friday nights, seven days a week, letting your hair down (or up!) for a dirty, dangerous, damn good time, and embracing a total escape into the rock ‘n’ roll dream. He’s unveiled the album’s second single ‘Last Train To Tokyo’ – a track equipped with the sort of sticky-yet-crispy riffs that were designed to take over radios from Japan to Jamaica.
The ‘Last Train To Tokyo’ video was recorded in Japan and features footage from the band’s dynamic performances at the Summer Sonic 2019 festival in Osaka and Tokyo. Directed and edited by Toni Kristian Tikkanen, the video fully captures the vigour and rock ‘n’ roll essence of Michael Monroe, Rich Jones, Steve Conte, Sami Yaffa and Karl Rockfist.
“It’s a groovy, rockin’ track paying homage to Tokyo and Japan, one of the most rockin’ countries in the world” affirms Monroe. “In the ‘80s Hanoi Rocks had, and I have always had a very special relationship with Japan and it will always be one my favourite countries. Plus, they still live for rock ‘n’ roll as it should be celebrated, they still have physical product, they still make it crazy, exhausting and really exciting every time you go there, which I am really grateful for.”
‘Last Train To Tokyo’ follows the release of previous single ‘One Man Gang’ – the bombastic ballroom blitz that serves as the title track for the upcoming album. Recorded at E-Studios in Sipoo, Finland in about three weeks in March 2018, One Man Gang was produced by Monroe and his band-mates Rich Jones and Steve Conte. The album was engineered by Petri Majuri who also mixed the album in the fall of 2018.
This really is a huge one for the HRH family – the very best in sleaze rock all under one roof for a weekend of bands and booze over the 29th and 30th of August 2020
Tickets: Here
HRH Sleaze Cycle IV has gone into overdrive – we are bringing you one of the most exciting lineups ever, with bands from around the globe descending on The O2 Academy in Sheffield! Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis return to HRH Sleaze with the classic lineup of L.A. Guns – every time this iconic L.A. band hit the HRH stage we are treated to a masterclass in sleazy hard rock and Sleaze IV will be no different. Take a listen to their latest live album “Electric Gypsy Live” and you’ll soon hear why this legendary band are back to the very top of their game. https://youtu.be/hdpRskEqsgo
A firm favourite of the HRH family, former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroeimpressed everyone present at HRH AOR V with an incendiary performance that will be long remembered. The latest single by Finland’s finest – “One Man Gang” – is testament to his seemingly un-faltering talent.
The HRH Family surely need no introduction to The Quireboys – suffice to say that their latest album, the critically acclaimed Amazing Disgrace, is making waves in the music world. Spike, Guy and the gang are as busy – if not busier than they have ever been, with the quality of their recorded and live work still as vibrant and strong as it was back in 1990 when they took the world by storm with “A Bit of What You Fancy”.
Another welcome return to the HRH fold is the legendary Jizzy Pearl – one of the most recognisable voices in rock, he brings his Love/Hate to the O2 Academy Sheffield to treat us to classics from timeless albums such as Blackout in the Red Room and Wasted in America.
True veterans of the sleaze rock scene, Californians Jetboy were formed in 1983, and are in their second active spell having re-formed in 2006. Their latest album – 2019’s Born to Fly – is a staple on Hard Rock Hell Radio and is the band’s first full album of brand new music since 1990.
Hollywood leather boyz Pretty Boy Floyd have been playing with their electric toyz since 1987 with just a 5-year break in the ‘90’s – and a minor spat in the 2000s. Although they have only released 3 studio albums (the latest being 2017’s “Public Enemies”) the band are still very much active on the sleaze circuit playing iconic venues such as The Whisky and Rainbow Bar in Hollywood – the capital of sleaze.
Set to deliver a huge kick in the balls for HRH Sleaze IV next year will be Americans Kickin’ Valentina. With ex-Jetboy singer D.K. Revelle now on board the band are going from strength to strength as one of the leading lights of the new wave of sleaze rock.
The quality of bands at HRH Sleaze IV is beyond compare – in addition to L.A. Guns, Michael Monroe, Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate, The Quireboys, Jetboy, Pretty Boy Floyd and Kickin’ Valentina we are stoked to announce a further 15 incredible bands:
Sweden’s Confess are making their HRH debut and we can’t wait – also hailing from Sweden are Pretty Wild as they continue their goal of taking over the world with their “in your face” live set, having just released their latest album “Interstate 13” this year.
Now based in L.A., Bullets and Octane have toured with the very best from Avenged Sevenfold to Stone Sour, releasing 6 albums in almost 20 years.
One of the most active bands on the UK sleaze rock circuit are Midnite City. Formed by Tigertailz frontman Rob Wylde, the band are filling rock clubs around the country on a regular basis, and have just announced a tour of Japan.
Also joining us for HRH Sleaze IV are 3-piece The Spangles, featuring members of The Main Grains and The Idol Dead – they list cider as the band’s main interest, so that could get messy. Self-proclaimed bastards of rock’n’roll, RanKelson are back after a 32-year break – and ready to carry on where they left off. Circus Junkie Rebels make the short hop from Stoke, and Bare Knuckle Messiahs – led by former Tigertailz frontman Kim Hooker – make the trek from Wales.
Playing on their home turf at HRH Sleaze IV are Sheffield based Silverjet, while Londoners Paradise Alley have been active in one form or another since 1992. Finland are represented by veterans Plastic Tears, formed in 1992 and making a rare UK appearance while Nottingham’s Todd Michaels and the Screamin’ Heartstake a short ride up the M1 to join us in Sheffield.
Last but not least, we welcome Southampton’s The Smokin Prophets, The Suicide Notes who describe themselves as the “illegitimate sons of punk and sleaze”, and hard rockers Liberty Slaves from nearby Huddersfield.
Today sees the release of the new Michael Monroe single “One Man Gang” from the brand new album out Oct 18th.
The track also features the punk rock legend, Captain Sensible ( The Damned ) as a special guest playing the lead guitar on this one. If you’re into authentic, high-energy Rock’n’Roll you’re gonna dig this one!
Written by Rich Jones. The track features Michael Monroe – lead vocal, Rich Jones & Steve Conte – guitars & vocals, Sami Yaffa -bass, Karl Rockfist – drums, The Captain – guitar solo. ‘One Man Gang’ was also produced by the band.
Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm (Born 17 June 1962), you might know him as the legend that is Michael Monroe. Not content with being the leader of the 80s best band Hanoi Rocks he then went on to form Demolition 23 (ok so Jerusalem Slim was before but that was something of an experiment) after Demolition 23 broke down he went on to record some superb solo albums as well as reform Hanoi for a few years with Andy before forging ahead with his solo career.
Beginning with ‘Nights Are So Long’ Monroe spent time living in NYC before returning to his native Finland where he still lives today. You can debate til the cows come home as to which album is the best but for me ‘Nights Are So Long’ was the first and best. ‘Not Fakin’ It’ followed and whilst it was commercially more accessible I never really liked the sound of the record as it tended to lean towards to Rock fraternity stateside and was the least Rock and Roll album of his back catalogue even if it did have some great tunes on it.
During the two thousands, his solo work contained some excellent self-penned songs as well as some awesome covers that gave the listener a glimpse into his record collection and what shaped him musically, before arriving at the last decade where his output and stable(ish) line up consisting of longtime collaborator and accomplice Sami Yaffa, Karl Rockfist and Steve Conte and Rich Jones are helping churn out some of the best live performances of his career as well as his most consistent albums since Hanoi. ‘One Man Gang’ is eagerly anticipated and I’m sure will be a massive hit with fans old and new.
Svart Records were responsible for doing an amazing job on ‘Nights Are So Long’ and ‘Peace Of Mind’ and work is well underway on the next reissues. So with these the tour and new album its all ramping up to an exciting second half of 2019 and no sign of Monroe slowing down any day soon.
Ask anyone who’s seen him live as he still performs like a teenager. Constantly touring around the world playing songs from all corners of his career he still has the chops that’s not even up for debate – the energy and above all the songs are there as is his energy Monroe is a lifer to the cause of Rock and Roll and the multi-instrumentalist still has the passion.
Having just announced an extensive UK tour for later this year to coincide with the release of this album as well as working on re-releases of his solo albums with new packaging and bonus tracks Michael Monroe is a formidable force of nature. when the album comes out buy it and when the tour comes around watch it.
Over twenty albums and countless singles and guest appearances, Monroe deserves all the plaudits he gets and the adulation of his many fans. Keep Rockin’ like Fuck and Happy Birthday from RPM Online.
Well, British Summertime is in full swing. Cold Wet Miserable one minute, sunny the next. but hey, Worry not let RPM introduce you to a few new videos that will blow away any blues first up are these nutballs hailing from Switzerland with their Garage noise better known as The Jackets with ‘Loser Lullaby’
Next up we turn the plane around and head East to Canada to be precise and your in-flight entertainment is courtesy of this new video from Autogramm who tell us all about ‘The Cool Kids’. “Cool Kids Radio” was originally written by C.C. in Berlin with Rich Jones (Michael Monroe, Loyalties, YoYo’s, Ginger Wildheart etc.) Hey just check this bad boy out and then if you happen to be in the area why not catch them live here –
July 19 @ Yoko, Hamburg DE
July 20 @ VEB, Lübeck DE
July 23 @ Kap Tormentoso, Stuttgart DE
July 24 @ Geschichtswerkstatt Altes Volksbad, Mannheim DE
July 26 @ Charlatan Café, Gent BE
July 27 @ The Pipeline, Brighton UK
July 28 @ The Lexington, London UK
Aug 1 @ Zwille, Leipzig DE
Aug 2 @ Wild At Heart, Berlin DE
Aug 3 @ Chemiefabrik, Dresden DE
Aug 4 @ Kult 41, Bonn DE
Website Bandcamp Facebook Instagram Twitter Spotify
Finally, one taken from the recently reviewed album ‘The Down South Spaghetty Accident (reviewed Here) RMBLR is their name and ‘Next Time’ is the track so until next time take it away RMBLR and remember kids play fair and Stay Sick!
Seeing as four is the new three we thought we’d throw this Rock and Roll hand grenade into the mix and add some Rainy Days & Mondays extra time. Hot off the press Wet Dreams drop brand new video for ‘Boogie’ check it out here
Let’s not muck about here folks these are the dates already announced –
The tour gets underway in Oslo on 22 October and features UK dates as well as a headline performance at the Hard Rock Hell festival in Great Yarmouth on 9 November. Full dates are…
Oct 22: Oslo, NO John Dee
Oct 23: Gothenburg, SE Pustervik
Oct 24: Stockholm, SE Fryhuset Klubben
Oct 25: Copenhagen, DK High Voltage
Oct 26: Hamburg, DE Headcrash
Oct 27: Berlin, DE Frannz
Oct 29: Paris, FR La Maroquinerie
Oct 30: London, UK O2 Academy Islington
Nov 01: Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club
Nov 02: Milton Keynes, UK Crawford Arms
Nov 03: Southampton, UK Engine Room
Nov 04: Birmingham, UK The Mill
Nov 05: Glasgow, UK Garage
Nov 06: Manchester UK, Club Academy
Nov 07: Bristol, UK Fleece
Nov 08: Stoke, UK Sugarmill
Nov 09: Great Yarmouth, UK, Hard Rock Hell Festival
More shows are likely to be added. Tickets are available here.
Rock The Coast Festival, which is set to take place in Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain on 14th and 15th June, 2019 at the spectacular site of Mare Nostrum have revealed the stage times for this year’s event.
The line-up is a healthy mix of metal, classic rock and prog featuring the likes of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Magnum, The Darkness, UFO, Opeth, Carcass, Mayhem, Aborted, Wardruna, Tribulation, Wintersun, Von Hertzen Brothers, Jinjer as well as RPM favourites Michael Monroe.
The final price for 2-days tickets is 130€ (+ expenses) and the single day ticket price is 80€ (+ expenses, each one, same price for Friday and Saturday).
A very special opening party takes place the night before the festival on Thursday 13th June which will feature an exclusive show from Norwegian music group Wardruna who will perform inside the stunning Sohail Castle. Capacity is limited for this separately ticketed event.
Tickets are on sale now – https://www.rockthecoastfestival.es/19/en/tickets/
Fuengirola’s municipal area is one of the smallest in the Málaga province and it is virtually reduced to a coastal strip that the city and the district of Santa Fe de los Boliches take up. It extends along seven kilometres of coastline with plenty of excellent beaches. Fuengirola is also only a 20 minute drive from Malaga airport.
Way back in the mists of time there were records that got released that a small collection of people went absolutely nuts over much to the bemusement of the rest of the population and still to this day some bands – records are the things of legend and that first Fallen Angels album can certainly be placed into that bracket somewhere near the top if you please. Sharing the same management and having the stars align meant Knox could have what some (me included) to have the dream team rhythm section helping knock these tunes into shape that would eventually make up The ‘Fallen Angels’ album. It originally surfaced early 84 after being recorded late 83. Fallout records released it The band consisted of Knox, Sami Yaffa, Razzle, Nasty Suicide Knox cousin Richard Wernham (The Motors), Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy also guested on the recordings.
The sleeve notes are the same as those used on the CD reissue in 2006 but this RSD exclusive has an extra two tracks to that CD so don’t dismiss this out of hand because those of us who know – know right? Right!
Judging by the sleeve notes it was a bit of a riot recording this and those Hanoi boys had a ball as Sami testifies but lets not gloss over their efforts here because those kids could play and whilst they did like to indulge they were also extremely talented players and Knox knew this and with the rock and roll songs he’d written they would lend themselves perfectly to each other. From the single ‘Inner Planet Love’ to the ‘Chinese Rocks’ of ‘Rain Rain Rain’ its blistering stuff.
What’s not to love about the snotty ‘Runaround’ and the magnificent ‘Amphetamine Blue’ probably the definitive version right here edging it due to Razzles sense of rhythm and his floor tom rolls having said that how he managed it with Yaffa and Nasty trying to put him off god only knows. The album proper finished with the melancholic ‘Vipers In The Dark’ with its acoustic strum which just about wrapped up an absolute 24 carrot album from the middle of the ’80s make no mistake about that and seeing as its celebrating its 35th year this year why not bring it back for more people to enjoy.
This version pulls in the singles and B sides over the two discs and to complete the set and make this the definitive copy it also has the 12″ version of ‘Inner Planet Love’ and the 7″ version of ‘Amphetamine Blue’ oh and it does come pressed on a couple of lovely coloured records. Make this one you head straight for on RSD on forever kick yourself its a belter! The biggest shame is the line up never got to play these songs live now that would have been something.
Author: Dom Daley
Website: Here
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