GIG REVIEWS
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GIG REVIEWS |
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Hanoi Rocks
@ Leeds Rios 1.03.08 www.vanguard-online.co.uk
Titter you may, but Hanoi Rocks were one of the most influential bands of the eighties. History books may remember them as the band whose promising career was cut short by a tragic car accident that claimed drummer Razzle. But every so-called `hair metal’ band of the era who sold a million did so by pilfering Hanoi’s attitude, style or sound. Manic Street Preachers, Dave Grohl and, most notably, Guns N’ Roses have been vocal in their appreciation.
The reunited Finnish rockers’ legacy has resulted in a jam-packed Rio’s, their first Leeds appearance in a staggering 24 years. Only front-man Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy remain from the classic line-up, but the addition of former Electric Boys Conny Bloom and Andy Christell introduces a tighter, funky edge to Hanoi’s sound. Although McCoy still looks every inch the classic rock n’ roll gypsy, the years of, shall we say, ‘hard living’ are more than apparent. In contrast, Monroe, with his volumous blonde hair and loud outfits, looks as if he has been beamed in from 1984. Suspending himself in a spider like state from the rafters, Monroe displays a tireless, youthful enthusiasm throughout. He can camp it up with the best pantomime dames, regularly changing costumes with each one looking more gaudy than the last. There is something terrifically naff about watching a 46-year old man singing a song called `Teenage Revolution’ whilst wearing a captain‘s hat!
Eager to prove their worth in today’s rock world, most of the set is made up of Hanoi’s post reunion material. The majority is fine and the reaction very positive but, towards the middle of their set, the lack of classics becomes worrying. This is rectified when McCoy launches into the piledriving riff of `High School’ which prompts this writer to throw away the notepad, head down the front and relive his misspent teens! `Back To Mystery City’ and the appropriately drum-driven `Oriental Beat’ continues the excitement, whilst a nostalgic tear is almost shed during the emotional `Don’t You Ever Leave Me’. Leaving the night with a riotous `Up Around The Bend’, the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic they made their own (and, incidentally, their only UK hit), the reception was almost deafening, as if Hanoi Rocks had restored the faith and love in rock n’ roll of everyone present.
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