Michael Monroe Interview

By Cyndi Ford

First of all I would like to say it is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to interview you. Thank you.

- My pleasure.

You are an icon to those of us that were rockers of the 80's, what or who is the one thing that influenced you the most to chose the genre of music you did? And why the saxophone?

When I was about 8 years old I saw Black Sabbath "Live in Paris" on TV with Ozzy Osbourne going nuts on stage. That's when I decided that I wanted to be a rock singer. Later when I heard and saw Alice Cooper's "Love It To Death"- album I was totally convinced that I would be a singer in a band like that. Little Richard, the original King of Rock'n'Roll inspired me to pick up the sax with his records.

Hanoi Rocks were and are considered "Glam", how much were you influenced by Bowie and Mick Ronson?

I've always admired Mick Ronson, especially his work with Ian Hunter. Bowie is cool and I've always liked him but I was bigger on Alice Cooper, Slade, Mott The Hoople and The Faces from that era.

 

You were born in Helsinki, and continue to be a huge success over in Europe, how did you break into the US market?

I don't know if I've ever really "broken into the US market"...seems to me that I've remained more as a "cult" figure in the US so far...

At one point you were the host for Headbangers Ball on MTv, did you find this an opportunity to showcase unknown artist, and if so, who were they?

I didn't get as far as to playing videos of my own choice. I think it was mostly their regular videos that I was to introduce.

You have had the opportunity to play with some real heavy hitters, everyone from GNR, Stiv Bators, the late great JT, to Ron Wood, which experience stands out in your mind, and why?

Living and working with Stiv Bators and Johnny Thunders was an exceptional privilege and an honour. I was just jamming with Ronnie Wood live on stage with GunsN'Roses at their Milton Keynes show in 1993. That was very cool, but working with him in the studio would've been even cooler. Working with GunsN'Roses was great fun and very special too - especially singing "Ain't It Fun" as a duet with Axl Rose in honour of Stiv Bators' memory!

I am a big fan of Johnny Thunders, you played on the album 'Que Sera Sera', will you tell us this story?

It was a very cool experience. Working and hanging with Johnny was always cool, but especially without all the extra people and "liggers" around him. I remember asking Johnny to clear the studio of all the extra people, so that we could work in peace. After he did that, it was a pleasure to work again. Johnny often reminded me of the key things in Rock'n'Roll, like integrity, spontaneity, etc.

Speaking of band members, you have played in several bands with SamiYaffa, describe your relationship, and how you met.

Sami is my dearest and closet friend from my youth - "my brother from another mother". We've always had a great connection and still do. I feel very lucky to have him in my band today.


You had to opportunity to grace the stage again with Nasty Suicide, what prompted this reunion, and do you think Hanoi Rocks will ever get together again?

Nasty was sitting in for Dregen for 5 festival gigs we did last summer, which was a blast. However, Hanoi Rocks will not get together again.

Speaking of such memories, you wrote an autobiography, of sorts titled "All Those Wasted Years", do you think you will write another, seeing how they story has not yet ended?
 

That book was about Hanoi Rocks, mainly the original Hanoi in the 80's. I have just released my own autobiography in Finland, which I'm working on getting translated and released in English as well, as soon as possible.

You recently added Dregen as the replacement of Ginger Wildheart, this took place only a couple of weeks before a tour, why the sudden change, and were there any complications?

No complications, this was a mutual decision between Ginger, me and the band, and Dregen fit the spot perfectly.

Pic By Mainy

You are out promoting the Award-Winning album 'Sensory Overdrive', that was produced by the great Jack Douglas, what was this experience like, and how did it differ from your other projects?

Working with Jack was cool. This was truly a "band" project and all the songs are originals, no covers. I guess that's the biggest difference.

The tune "Superpowered Superfly", is my favorite song from this album, what inspired you to write it? "78" is next in line, love the lyrics, what happened in this year to influence such writing?

'Superpowered Superfly' was written by Ginger and it's about the Wikipedia scandal. '78 is about the spirit from those days (with all the great punk bands and stuff), that still remains with us today.

You covered a limited number of cities on your recent tour in the US, do you think you will do another covering more of the east coast? As you skipped my town, Atlanta, lol.

We will do another US tour and I certainly hope we'll make it to Atlanta then!
 

Let's face it, we are not getting any younger, but you still look amazing, how do you do it, and where do you get your energy from? Kudos to your tailor...

Thank you. I guess Rock'n'Roll is the fountain of youth. Also, excercising, living healthy and for example, not drinking alcohol helps.

Finally a question to help up an coming artist, what do you think it takes to make in the industry today, and what are the best routes to take to become an icon like yourself?

Stay true to yourself, follow your heart and maintain your integrity, no matter what. And being able to sing, play and perform always helps! (ha,ha!)

And now some questions from some readers....

Tamara Guo :

"How the addition of Dregen has changed the sound of the band (if at all) since the departure of Ginger and how the dueling guitars of Steve Conte & Dregen are meshing live on tour so far"?

Dregen is working out brilliantly in the band live! Him and Steve are connecting perfectly!

Two questions from Grey Robinson,

Firstly, is "All Those Wasted Years" ever going to get an official DVD release? (I've virtually worn out my VHS)

Are the original Jerusalem Slim sessions ever likely to see the light of day? (I remember reading that you weren't happy with the way it turned out, but that the original demos were awesome).

Sorry, but I do not know about the possible "All Those Wasted Years" DVD release. The original Jerusalem Slim demos were great compared to the album, but I doubt that they'll ever see the light of day.



All the very best, *Michael Monroe*
 

Cyndi