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Michael Monroe - Interview
Hanoi Rocks |
| FRONTING ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS ROCK BANDS OF THE 80’S, MICHAEL MONROE COMES ROARING BACK WITH HANOI ROCKS TO LAY HIS HEART ON THE LINE AND MAKE UP FOR SOME PAST MISTAKES. |
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January 2007
HEY MICHAEL – HOW ARE YOU AND WHATS IN THE WORKS FOR YOU AT THE
MOMENT?
I'm doing pretty good. Apart from working on the new Hanoi Rocks material, I've also been collaborating with my friends "Beats And Styles" on stuff. In fact we just shot a video last October in Fuerteventura(Canary Islands) for a new song we co-wrote, called "Ocean Wave". You can see it on <www.beatsandstyles.com or the <www.hanoirocks.info website has a link to it as well.
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SO YOU HAVE A NEW ALBUM OUT FROM LAST YEAR, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING PLENTY OF PRAISE, HOW IS IT GOING DOWN?
Yes, Hanoi Rocks: "Another Hostile Takeover". I've actually been positively surprised at how great the reviews have been. It's nice to see how much people seem to dig this one.
12 SHOTS WAS TAKEN WELL, THIS ONE SEEMS EVEN BETTER TO ME?
Thanx. Well, I'd like to think that we've evolved. This one's a bit different with a couple of unusual experiments in style, i.e. "The Devil In You" and "Reggae Rocker" that were co-written with the Beats And Styles guys: DJ Alimo & DJ Control. But then again Hanoi has always been openminded about exploring new territories to amuse ourselves and the listeners. I'm actually pretty proud of the "Devil In You"."12 Shots On The Rocks" is a bit more straight ahead, hardrockin and even a bit heavyish in places. Both albums are strong and full of variety while maintaining the Punky Rock'n'Roll edge. |
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12 shots
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YOUR LAST 2 SOLO ALBUMS WERE KICK ARSE TOO, EVEN ALL THE COVERS. HOW DO YOU FIND IT GOING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER?
You mean "Life Gets You Dirty" and the latest "Whatcha Want". Thankyou. I guess they reflect that time of my life and career, a certain stage in my evolution as a song writer, a singer and a musician. On "Whatcha Want" there are quite a few covers because I was saving many of my original songs for Hanoi. But those covers were songs I'd always wanted to do and pass on to the newer generation and based on a lot of positive feedback, apparently I've done them justice. |
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DO YOU PLAY MONROE SONGS WHEN PLAYING WITH HANOI?
No. At least none of the solo songs I've written.
We used to do "Not Fakin' it" on some of the early shows, but that's a cover, originally by Nazareth. We've talked about it - Andy wanted to do "Dead Jail Or Rock'n'Roll"- but then he would also demand one of his own solo songs to be played in the set, and we already have too many songs to choose from. I also would like to kind of keep Hanoi Rocks separate from "Michael Monroe-solo" so that I'll still always have that, since you never can tell what the hell's gonna happen next.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK WITH THE HANOI BANNER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?
It's great to be the singer in a Rock'n'Roll band again - and a great band too, that i can be proud of! I never really wanted to be a solo artist, but back in 1984-85 when Hanoi broke up, following the death of our drummer Razzle, I had no choice but to go solo. However, during my solo years I really came on to my own as a songwriter and evolved a huge amount creatively as I had the pleasure of working with so many different talented and wonderful artists all around the world. So I became quite used to being solo too but I prefer being in a real Band with a great chemistry like Hanoi Rocks now has. |
Ready for the ball |
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YOU GUYS ARE ONE OF ONLY A FEW CULT BANDS (MISFITS ETC.) WHERE THE NAME TURNED BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL ALBUM SALES?
Yeah, the record sales have never really reflected Hanoi's fame, except in Finland, where we've had a #1 plus many other top chart positions and Japan, where for example "Another Hostile Takeover" went up to #2 on the foreign charts and many records have sold well over gold, both solo and with Hanoi Rocks. I guess you could say that Hanoi Rocks is still one of the best kept secrets in Rock'n'Roll.
I KNOW YOUR NAMES HAVE BEEN KICKING AROUND A BIT MORE SINCE THE CRUE BOOK (THE DIRT), DID YOU READ IT AND WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?
No I didn't read it, just browsed through a couple of spots where my name was mentioned, but I forgot what it said. I guess there was nothing that really made me react one way or the other.
THE DIRT IS BEING MADE INTO A MAJOR MOVIE RIGHT NOW, HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM IT? IM SURE YOU OR AT LEAST RAZZLE WILL BE PORTRAYED?
No.
iS VINCE NEIL EVER REDEEMABLE IN YOUR BOOK?
I do not know what you mean. Who am I to say who's redeemable and who's not? I |
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Michael doing what he does best
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| have nothing ugly to say about him - I never even met him. I mean c'mon, it's not likethe guy went out to intentionally murder somebody! He just made a very big mistakefor which I'm sure he has suffered emotionally at least as much as the rest of us affected by the tragedy. I think all of us would really like to just put it all behind us already it was over 20 years ago! |
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I MEAN HOW WAS IT LOSING ONE YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS, RIGHT WHEN YOU GUYS WERE ABOUT TO BREAK BIG?
What do you think? It sucked, big time of course. It pretty much destroyed our lives back then and consequently led to Hanoi's early demise in 1985.
THE ONLY REASON I ASKED IS BECAUSE I’VE SEEN MEMBERS OF HANOI ROCKS SLAM VINCE IN THE PAST.
Well, nevermind - BUT while on the subject:
A few years ago in a kinda "dirt-digging" interview/questionnaire I made some unflattering comments about Nikki Sixx, which was really childish and stupid of me. I just took it a bit personally when they called their album at the time "Music to crash your car to". I thought it was inappropriate since it came across as if they were making fun of the accident, which I'm sure was not their intention. I've gotten over it long ago and I would actually like to take the opportunity here to apologize to Mr.Sixx for my ignorant statement back then. I know he's really a nice guy, if you know him. On his last visit to Finland he made a funny comment that made me laugh.
He said, quote: "Yeah, I'm willing to bury the hatchet - into Andy McCoy's head!" Now THAT shows great sense of humour. |
The late Razzle |
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Another mistake I'd like to own up to on that same interview was
Foolishly insulting Mr.Gene Simmons. I was totally out of order saying what I did about him and apologize for being such a jackass jerk. I had only been fooled by his "sleazy chauvinist"-image and I'm personally against the "Rock & Porn"- movement he was spearheading at the time. I think it's just defamatory to Rockers - one doesn't have to be a "sleazeball" to be a Rock'n'Roller and I don't like to be conceived as one. You see, I'm happily married with one woman and I never cheat. Even in my years alone, I was never into "groupies".
But neither is probably Gene Simmons. I hear has been married some 15-20 years and that's something to respect. I saw the final episode of his reality TV-show called "Rock School" and he really came across as a cool guy. I loved
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Gene not into groupies?....ahh, are we talking about the same Gene? |
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the way he whipped those kids into shape when they got carried away with themselves in L.A.It a lmost reminded me a bit of some moments when Bob Ezrin was producing Hanoi back in 1984. Couple of times when we were being real brats, he'd come in and lay down the law. I also thought it was very cool what he gave to those kids – a chance for a new life and at least an amazing unforgettable experience. It was very heartwarming and cute. And that makes me feel like even more of a schmuck for my former defamatory statement. Besides, in an interview I read, he was even cool enough to take most of what I said as a compliment! Not that I'd expect him to give a shit about who I even am. So right here and now: My sincere apologies to Mr.Simmons, it was uncalled for. Let's face it - Talking shit about people makes you feel like shit. That's why nowadays I try to stick to the rule "If you've nothing good to say about someone, don't say anything." Instead, I'll concentrate on looking for the positive qualities in people, because we all do have them! |
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ANYWAY, LET'S GET BACK TO THE MUSIC.
Yes please.
HAVE YOU HEARD THE COVER L.A. GUNS DID OF UNTIL I GET YOU?
No, I have not, but I'm sure they did it justice.
Any kind of recognition is always flattering. And while on the subject, Traci from L.A. Guns was bandmates with Nikki Sixx at the time of my afore mentioned statement. He then got mad too and started lashing out at me. That only shows good band-spirit, y'know "stickin' up for yer bro". So here I also want to apologize to Traci for offending his bandmate. Y'see, the few times that I've met Traci I remember liking him quite a lot and thinking that he was a cool guy. However - unlike he claimed at the time, as far as I know he had nothing much to do with me getting signed to Polygram Records back in 1987. I was signed by the New York A&R man Jim Lewis (not "Phil") with the help of my lawyer Michael Guido and my first solo LP "Nights Are so long", with all due respect. |
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Tracii (left) and Nikki both get an apology.
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THAT WAS ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITES BY YOU, I THOUGHT THEY DID A GREAT JOB?
Cool, I'd like to hear it! When I was recording that one with Hanoi Rocks in the studio I was emotionally torn up and heartbroken by a doomed intimate relationship I was in at the time, and wanted to really pour my feelings into the song. So I sat there in the vocal booth thinking about it until I was in tears, before I sang it.
TALKING OF COVERS, I REMEMBER YOU HELPED OUT ON THE COVER OF AINT IT FUN FROM THE SPAGHETTI INCIDENT, I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BEST SONG ON THAT ALBUM, GREAT JOB?
Thank you. Well, I was playing "The Dead Boys" to Axl in his car and when he heard "Ain't It Fun" he decided to do it as a duet with me & him.
It was in memory of the late great Stiv Bators (Dead Boys, The Lords Of The New Church) who was my best friend & mentor. We sang it live, face to face with Axl surrounded by burning candles. It turned out pretty magical. Stiv's spirit was definitely there.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY LIFE?
Quite happy with my wife and 2 cats.
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Axl and Michael
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WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY LIFE?
Quite happy with my wife and 2 cats.
DO YOU FIND IT HARD TO JUGGLE IT ALL?
Not really, as I have no kids. I take my wife with me everywhere, while my mother-in-law takes care of the cats.
SO WHATS NEXT ON THE HORIZON FOR MR MONROE?
The new Hanoi Rocks album - should be out later this year.
AND FINALLY, ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD
Thank you and thanxx to all the readers, see you down the road. Rock Like fuck!
Love & Respect from Michael Monroe.
THANKS TO MICHAEL FOR TALKING WITH SAVIOURS OF ROCK. HE'S A GREAT GUY AND WE WISH HIM ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE. GO CHECK HIM OUT AT
:http://www.michaelmonroe.com/
or http://www.hanoirocks.com/
J.L. |
Michael and Stiv |
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