Michael Monroe- Live – SWG3 – wilful and sullivan publicity

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

I quote the 1978 movie Heaven Can Wait – The Man simply loved his hats!

Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm aka Michael Monroe is a singer / songwriter / musician from Helsinki, Finland who is best known as frontman for Hanoi Rocks. Hanoi Rocks brought us their infectious brand of glam rock / glam metal from 1979 through to 1985 when they split after the untimely passing of their drummer Nicholas ‘ Razzle ‘ Dingley, after the split Michael concentrated on his solo work which spanned from 1985 till 2001. 2002 sees the reformation of Hanoi Rocks which would see them rock out once again till 2009. 2010 sees Michael launch his solo outfit career that has given us 12 solo records to date, roll on the 20th Feb as this sees Michael release solo record no 13 in the form of Outerstellar which has given us 2 singles to date. Michael is on the road right now and tonight he & the boys crash land right in the heart of Glasgow @ SWG3 to bring us a madcap night of sleazy rock n roll, please join me as I take in this showman as he bounces onto the stage to open with –

Dead, Jail Or Rock n Roll – A slick gritty guitar riff gets proceeding underway as Michael hits us with a harmonica intro that lets this thundering beast come to life. The rhythm section is hitting us hard with snare drum punches that fill the air as the boys rip through this classic number and let us feel the groove. The boys have certainly done their job tonight in bringing smiles to faces as they dug deep and worked us well with their energetic fusion punk based setlist that was on the money,the opening number was full of pzazz, humour, lighthearted banter. Michael steps up and tells the boys ‘fuck it and let’s do this shit which brought a huge raor from this buzzing, crowd who were really up for it, we kicked our way into –

Motorvatin – A pounding bass kick wanders into the track as Sami comes for us with a full on bass groove that let’s this cool rocking beast open up and bring us a fantastic groove. The vocals are bellowing through the venue as we just watch this energetic outfit do thier thing as they take us on a journey of their hits that are just incredible. The setlist is just a full on trip down memory lane as the boys rip up the stage and hand us slick cool riffs that are just telling their own story, we are hitting the middle section of this attitude filled full on punk explosion as we roll into –

Old Kings Road – The track erupts into life with a thundering bass kicks as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as a delicious bassline drops a sweet, dark groove that lets this track flow with ease. Michael lets his vocals do the talking as this punchy punk driven number really pops as the place gets into the groove with ease as the boys rip through the set with precision and ease as we feel the energy oozing from the stage. A slick no nonsense solo pours from the stage as the place just sings along and feels every note coming from the boys tonight, we rattle through the set and roll into –

Rockin Horse(New Track) – A fast, furious rhythm groove kicks in the doors and boom off come the wheels in this colossal beast as Michael leans in and lets his epic vocals lead the charge of this shredding power drenched number. The boys are firing on all cylinders as we get a dark, brooding bassline that instantly lets the groove wander freely through this fist pumping, foot stomping bruiser as the twin guitar riffs compliment each other as the licks weave their way through the mid section as the thundering, punchy rhythm section comes at us armed with a pounding bass kick that lets the snare punches grab our attention as this killer opening track lets us know that we are in for a real treat as this 12 song barn storming monster leaves it’s mark upon us –

Last Train To Tokyo – The punchy full on snare drum groove let’s this punk -esque beast rip open SWG3 as the boys come at us with a real swagger as this awesome track tells it’s own story. The riffs and tempo are just letting us stamp our feet and feel the gritty groove come at us for sure, this is a real crowd pleaser as they boys have smiles on their faces as they really give us a full on rock show that is full of cool grooves, gritty riffs and thundering punchy rhythms that are just awesome, the boys grab a drink and let us catch our breathe as we hit –

I Can’t Get It – This is a real rauchous number that kicks in the doors and brings us a deep, pulsing bassline that instantly wraps itself around this thundering monster. The rhythm section is bringing the heat as Karl drops in with a solid snare / cymbal kick that lets this track breath as Michael leans in and lets his rasping, gritty vocals flow effortlessly through the venue. the twin guitar riffs are oozing from the stage as Steve & Rich bounce off each other and really let this track sing. The boys are bringing us a chaotic, yet mesmerising set as Michael the coiled spring jumps around the stage and really gives us what a frontman should be, energetic, charismatic, outwardly mental and it just lets this foot stomping track leave it’s mark on the fine folk of Glasgow tonight as we move onto –

Shinola – The track begins with a real barnstorming intro that brings a thundering rhythm section that hits us with a snare / bass combo that really lets the track breath. The soaring guitar riffs are bringing the track together as Michael leans in and unleashes his powering, melodic vocals that lets the track tell it’s own story as the cool, deep low end kicks in the doors and brings us a real meaty funk groove as the boys shift through the gears and hit us with all they have with this epic bruiser. The track has depth, swagger and attitude as we have come to expect from Michael and the boys as the groove builds with slick, clean licks that really add some beef to this foot stomping monster as we feel the energy oozing from every member of this colossal band, the lyrics are just dripping with a cool raspy tone as the track wraps itself around us and won’t let us loose until we hit the repeat button to let us feel the tone wander through the arrangement as it builds and builds and really grabs our attentionas we drop into –

Hammersmith Palais – A pounding rhythm section brings this rock track to life as Michael sizzles with strong powering vocals that are bringing this melodic piece to life. The boys are hitting the groove as we rock along to this punchy punk enfused beast that is just building and building for sure as we catch Steve ripping it up with cool guitar licks that let this fantastic track do it’s thing, we are buzzing for this guy as he brings a certain swagger to the proceeding tonight. As I said you will not in my opinion find a better frontman that brings energy, swagger, fun to a show that was well worth attending tonight lrt me tell you. The place hasn’t recovered from Michael jumping from the stage to the barrier and all stops inbetween as we tear through this power packed set and stroll into –

Disconnected (New Track)- A cool, dark, delicious , funky bassline kicks off proceedings as the punchy bass kicks let the rhythm section control the direction of this roaring piece as Michael lets his rasping vocals lead the way. The gritty guitar riffs are adding depth to this fist pumping track as we ready ourselves to be taken on the ride with Michael & the boys as we feel the energy pulsing through the mid section of this killer track that is just building and building as the boys shift through the gears and really hit us with all they have, the whole arrangement is a gritty, groove laden piece that showcases the boys in their element as we feel the tone wrap itself around the boys as this furious rocker track kicks in the doors and tells us that the boys are back and are coming for us with this bruiser –

Don’t You Ever Leave Me – A clean cool guitar riff enters the frey as Michael brings his cool vocals to the party. A pounding bass kick is running freely through the track as the boys drive their juggernaut through the heart of Glasgow tonight as we feel the energy rise with this thought provoking piece that has the crowd transfixed on Michael as he jumps on the barrier and balances enough to sing and chat to the crowd as we are just smiling from ear to ear to see this fantastic showman do his thing, we roll into –

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – The rhythm section drops in with a cool punchy snare drum beat that lets the guitar riffs wash over us as this classic number comes to life. The vocals are a fitting way to bring this track to life as we bop along and really get into the groove. The boys are smiling and just enjoying themselves as we go mental for this ragtag bunch of scallywags as they show us the way home, the bassline is handing us a nice funky, dark tone that is fitting into the track well as we roll into –

Ballad Of The Lower Eastside – Michael sits on the front of the stage with Steve as they sing for the Glasgow crowd and wait till this rocking beast explodes into life. Michael is wearing one of his many hats as he parades around the stage and waves to his adoring fans as we feel the funk / punk groove rip through the venue tonight. The band are really enjoying themselves as they strut around the stage and give us a real gritty rocking show tonight, we slip into classic –

Malibu Beach Nightmare – Michael pulls on his saxophone once again and says to us ‘Say Hello To My Little Friend’ as this thundering monster erupts into life as the snare drum punches fill the room as this cymbal crashing beast comes to life. The dark, brooding bassline is really delivering epic tomes as this awesome track tells it’s own story. Michael steps forward and blows on his trusty saxophone and the place goes mental as this fast, rocking number really gets the juices flowing. We are clapping furiously as Michael again changes his headgear as this rasping killer track gets a run out that is really taking us to the final few tracks of the evening as we rock into –

Up Around The Bend – Sailor Michael gets the track off the ground as his soaring vocals lead the way as the crowd joins him in singing the chorus as the boys bring the guitar licks to life as we rock out to this absolute classic. The rhythm section is bringing the groove with snare drum punches, cymbal snaps and a pounding bass beat that is wrapped in a deep, sultry bassline that just drops the mic end off. Michael gets the crowd to join in with him singing as he brings out the harmonica and blows off the cobwebs that brings the curtain down on an unforgettable night in Glasgow, Michael ends the night by introducing the band at lightening speed as he bounces off the stage and tells us till the next time.