Photos by Ville Juurikkal
Jim Kaz gets the dirt from the legendary front man.
No matter the era, there will always those proclaiming the death of rock ‘n’ roll. It tends to happen around the end of the year as “serious” music critics compile their “Best-of” lists, gleefully pointing out the lack of rock bands topping the charts. What our tragically hip, latte-swilling friends will never understand is the fact that all great rock ‘n’ roll originates at street level, and whether it sells or not, there will always be a demand for raunchy guitars and a driving beat.
Singer Michael Monroe is the embodiment of street rock ‘n’ roll. His former band, punk/glam icons Hanoi Rocks spawned an entire underground movement during the 1980s, with artists such as Guns ‘N Roses and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl later singing its praises. In 2011, Monroe made a solo comeback with the sensational Sensory Overdrive, putting straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll back on the map and scoring Classic Rock Magazine‘s coveted award for Best New Album.
With a killer band featuring former Hanoi Rocks and New York Dolls bassist Sam Yaffa, guitars by Ginger Wildheart from The Wildhearts and Hey! Hello! (later replaced by Dregen of Backyard Babies/Hellacopters fame), plus Steve Conte from the New York Dolls on lead guitars and Karl ‘Rockfist’ Rosqvist from Danzig on drums, Monroe was all but unstoppable. Now, he’s back with a brand-new offering, Horns and Halos, featuring the lead-off single “Ballad of the Lower East Side,” a colorfully seedy tale of gypsies, tramps and thieves, with an autobiographical slant. I recently caught up with Mr. Monroe for a quick chat on all things rock ‘n’ roll.
Your new album Horns and Halos has a slightly grittier feel than Sensory Overdrive, how do you think the two compare?
When listening to Horns And Halos, I think it becomes pretty apparent how well this band has welded into a tight unit over the past couple of years since Dregen joined. I think we stepped up to the “next level” with this one. Both are great albums in their own way.
The songs have a cinematic quality, with equal shades of melancholy and hope. Is this a reflection of your current state of mind, or does it go deeper?
Well, that’s a fine analysis you have right there. I wouldn’t go much deeper than that.
Your single “Ballad of the Lower East Side” paints a vivid picture of a very specific time and place. Can you share some stories around your experiences?
I think the song says it all in a cool way.
What are your immediate plans? Are you joining any larger tours, or headlining your own?
The plan is to tour on Horns And Halos as much as possible. I would love to join a larger tour with some cool big names, to get some decent exposure for this band. We’ve never really had that opportunity.
Your last solo album Sensory Overdrive was a major success. Would you consider it to be a comeback of any kind?
I think it set up the sound for this band very well and was a great new start for my solo career.
Hanoi Rocks was an innovative musical force, both sonically and visually. Countless bands copied the look, but missed the point, only to be swept away when grunge came in. Do you think Hanoi gets a fair shake historically, even though it was nothing like the pop metal bands that tried to copy it?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some people get it and some just don’t.
Is straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll back?
It never left, as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t know what’s “in” and what’s not. I’ve never followed fashion and I’m still not very aware of fads that come and go. I think as soon as something gets a name like “grunge,” it’s over in my book. To me, it’s all just rock ‘n’ roll. Everyone should have their own unique style and not jump on a “bandwagon” to make it in the business.
What are you listening to these days?
What I always listen to—good music, mostly timeless and authentic rock ‘n’ roll with the right kind of attitude.
Any advice for aspiring rock stars out there?
Stay real and true to yourself. Do your own thing, on your own terms, and never compromise your integrity. And finally, maintain your sense of humor about it all and you’ll be all right.
