Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks – Vains Of Jenna – Club Brixton South Bay – Redondo Beach, CA

The year 2010 marks the return of Finnish Glam Punk legend Michael Monroe to the stage in America, a place he is so comfortable, yet has spent a small amount of time on since going on hiatus in the 1990's. If you're not familiar with Michael Monroe, go to your local record store and pick up any release by HANOI ROCKS, the band he fronted from 1979-1985. Hanoi Rocks were equals parts New York Dolls and Iggy Pop mixed with the ferocity and Punk rock attitude of The Damned and Sex Pistols. The band would come to an end when drummer Razzle was tragically killed in a car accident during the bands first American tour in 1984.

Michael Monroe went solo and would later work on several projects in the late 80's and 90's, and even reforming Hanoi Rocks (In Europe only) from 2004-2009 but never truly finding the same critical acclaim like he did when originally fronting Hanoi Rocks in the 80's.

In January of this year, Michael Held a press conference (which I snuck into) in Hollywood hosted by Bam Margera of " MTV Jackass" fame to announce the formation and lineup of his new band/project, "Michael Monroe". The lineup consists of punk rock all stars; Sammi Yaffa (ex Hanoi Rocks/Joan Jett) on Bass, Ginger (ex Wildhearts) on Guitar, Steve Conte (New York Dolls) on lead Guitar and Michael on Vocals. The band then announced a short US tour that would start in California in March, followed by performances at SXSW in Texas and later the UK and Europe.

I had never been to a concert at Club Brixton before and had no idea what to expect of the crowd or vibe, but after walking up to the place (It's located at the base of the Redondo Beach Pier) I felt like Hollywood had come to the beach, what a sight! The crowd was quite diverse, lots of older punk rockers who had been around for Hanoi Rocks in the early 80's, and a new generation of fans getting ready to see Michael perform for the first time in LA since 1989! I knew were all in for a good time, diverse crowds always make for an interesting show to say the least.

The opening band were Los Angeles based Vains of Jenna, a newer band who are signed to Bam Margera's record label. I imagine if you're into Guns N Roses it's possible you may enjoy VOJ. They certainly have the look but they aren't all that rowdy on stage like Axl and the gang, and don't write catchy songs like the Crue, but they may be on to something. The band played well, but their vocalist "Lizzy Devine" seemed rather stale and not into giving it his all on stage. I'd be informed a few days later that he was no longer a part of the band and had resigned directly after that show. The most memorable part of their set was the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover of "Refugee", the crowd responded by singing a long to every word, its too bad their own songs didn't get the same kind of response as the cover, but none the less there were people quite into em.

Within minutes the stage hands were signaling to the house sound mixer that the stage was set for MICHAEL MONROE and his band to rock the Brixton down to the ground! (and into the sea) As soon as the first band member walked on stage the crowd both young and old rushed to the front and secured prime spots just in time as the first guitar riff exploded through the huge Marshall stack amps. It had been only a few lines into the opening song "Nothings Alright" when the ground began to shake due to the crowd slam dancing and pogo'ing the hell out of the dance floor, it looked like a scene out of some awesome 80's punk rock video you saw on VHS back in the day, talk about old school! From the look on Michaels face you could sense he was thrilled to be performing on stage again in the Los Angeles area, It's like he was still in his 20's again, he even managed to do the splits at the end of the first song, what the hell ? AWESOME !

The next number would be a classic hit that put Hanoi on the map, the bass rumbling "Motorvatin", If I thought that crowds response to the previous song was rowdy, I was in for one hell of a surprise! I'd often turn around to check if my friends were still nearby or if they'd been swept away by the dancey crowd, more often than not I'd catch glimpse of some person singing their heart out and pogo'ing along to the song like they were jumping on their bed. The band played a few select Hanoi songs before playing a new song they had just written a few weeks back, and if its any indication by the crowds reaction, the new Monroe album is gonna hit you like a ton of bricks falling from a sleazy glittered freeway overpass, seriously the best stuff I've heard in a very long time! After the crowd calmed down a bit, Michael announced that the next song they'd play would be a song written by a dear old friend of his who passed away. That song was none other than " I wanna be loved " by Johnny Thunders !!
The crowd loved it and sang along to it like it was Johnny Thunders himself performing onstage, quite the memorable moment.

Michael dedicated the next cover song to his friend and beloved Los Angeles historical landmark "Lemmy" of the band Motorhead, the song was cleverly titled "Motorheaded for a fall" I take it from the stage banter between the other members the song had to do with Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll in excess!!! Suffice to say, the crowd loved the song, Michael mentioned that because of our reaction that song would make it onto the new record, cool! The band played a few more songs back to back with heart and soul before slowing things down and getting deep.

Earlier in this review I had mentioned Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle being killed in a car accident, well that accident happened just down the street from where that evenings concert took place. It was quite an emotional time as Michael informed the crowd of this, but things turned happy when he said "Were dedicating this show to Razzle, he would have loved us all to have a good time tonight to the sounds of Rock N Roll, so this ones for him!" They followed by playing classic hits like "Tragedy", "Malibu beach Nightmare" and "Dead Jail or Rock N Roll" before exiting the stage.

By this time it was already midnight and kinda late for a Sunday, but the crowd didn't feel like going home quite yet and it became apparent as the chants for "MICHAEL, MICHAEL, MICHAEL!!" filled the Brixton at a deafening volume. Michael appeared on stage asking the crowd if they wanted more, and more is what we all got. He dedicated the next song to his dear friend Stiv Bators of The Dead Boys, the song was "Aint nothing To Do", it was enough to drive the crowd into hysteria, people pushed more and more to the front to sing along with Michael as he put the mic down to the front row (I was one of them). He closed off the night by covering The Damned's 1977 cover classic "I Feel Alright" which was the perfect way to end the set, and judging by everyone's reaction that night, everything did go alright, hell even better!

I spoke to a few different people that night in the crowd and at the bar and everyone seemed to be feeling the same way and saying the same things; super grateful and stoked as all hell to get to see Hanoi Rocks songs performed live by Michael and Sammi together, It was like a reunion but instead of just dwelling on the past, we now had something to look forward to like a new album and another tour later this year.

Michael is the real deal, he's not fakin it' by any means what so ever and he gives everyone in his age range a run for their money seeing as his performance is better than rockers half his age as well. This concert was the best $15 id ever spent and best time I'd ever had at the beach that didn't involve boogey boarding or re enacting "Point Break"

The Set list is as follows :

1. Nothin's Alright - Solo
2. Motorvatin' - Hanoi
3. Hammersmith Palais - Hanoi
4. You're' Next - Solo
5. Not Fakin' It - Solo
6. Dysfunctional - Solo
7. Another Night In The Sun - Solo
8. I Wanna be Loved - Johnny Thunders
9. BLVD of Broken Dreams - Hanoi
10. Motorheaded For A Fall - Solo
11. Back To Mystery City - Hanoi
12. Tragedy - Hanoi
13. Malibu Beach Nightmare - Hanoi
14. Dead, Jail or Rock N Roll - Solo
Encore
15. Aint Nothin To Do - Dead Boys
16. Taxi Driver - Hanoi
17. I Feel Alright - Iggy pop/Damned

If you're interested in upcoming Michael Monroe news check out his myspace page at www.myspace.com/michaelmonroeofficial
Till next time, ROCK ON !!

 

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel scene reporter

 

 
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