On the "Rebirth" of Hanoi Rocks, by Jon Reed
posted to the Hanoi Rocks mailing list on Friday, March 29, 2002

JR notes: This post was a response to what one list member later called the "crapstorm" that resulted from Michael and Andy's decision to call their new band Hanoi Rocks. Specifically, it addresses the issues raised by Michael Monroe's letter announcing the Hanoi Rocks "rebirth" on his web site. Michael's letter also contained references to former band members Sami and Nasty as "good soldiers" - comments which were widely reprinted on other sites and caused quite a commotion. I cannot link directly to the letter on Michael's site, but you can find it by going to www.MichaelMonroe.com (click on the "news" link and scroll down to March 28, 2002, "Rebirth of Hanoi Rocks").

To the best of my understanding, Michael (and Andy) continue to stand by Michael's initial comments in his letter. According to a third party who speaks with both of them, Mike and Andy honestly wonder what the fuss regarding the "good soldiers" comments is all about, as they consider the phrase a respectful one. And let's be clear: even if Michael had referred to Nasty and Sami as "lifelong brothers," there would have been controversy over the decision to reclaim the Hanoi Rocks name. (The reason being that in the aftermath of the band's breakup in the mid-80s, Michael and others vowed that Hanoi would never, and could never, return as such. Large sums of money were reportedly refused on more than one occasion). But times change, and ultimately most "older" fans will embrace the "rebirth" of Hanoi Rocks - if Michael, Andy, and new bandmates Costello, Timpa and Lacu continue to look at the new venture as the ultimate creative challenge rather than as a nostalgia cash-in.

The views expressed below were my first thoughts on the subject. At the time, I was attempting to reconcile my own excitement about the band's rebirth with my own questions about the approach Michael had taken. By trying to forge a middle ground, I'm not sure I did justice to either side of the issue. But whatever its flaws, this post does provide a balance of viewpoints, and as such, it sets the stage for the issues that Hanoi fans have been debating since.

One of the things I cherished most about Hanoi Rocks was the undeniable chemistry of their Razzle-era lineup. Of course, as a fan, I could never know what went on behind the scenes, but to me, the only band that had the kind of group chemistry I saw in Hanoi Rocks was the Beatles. At the same time, just like in the Beatles, it was still clear who the ultimate ringleaders/creative forces were. Yes, the Beatles had all kinds of behind-the- scenes tensions just like Hanoi did, but I'm not sure you can fake that kind of group power. It is a force beyond the sum of its parts.

I can't imagine anything you could do now to recreate that original Hanoi Rocks chemistry, as it was so deeply connected to the beauty, danger, and comradery of youth. I don't think it could be done even if you were to bring together all four of the living members. To me, that era of Hanoi Rocks is a moment in time, a legend for all time, and a VERY big, overlooked footnote in rock history that influenced many things that were to follow. I don't think Michael and Andy could ever capture that exact experience again so many years later, and it would be foolish for them to try.

Having said that, I always felt that the biggest tragedy of the end of Hanoi Rocks is that we were all deprived of a musical/songwriting evolution that was still ongoing, and to my ears at least, far from its potential peak. But with Michael and Andy going separate ways, the power of that collaboration was lost and the solo efforts of the individuals, while great in different ways, could not compete with the Muddy Twin duo.

So I am deliriously happy to think about Mike and Andy burying the hatchet and collaborating musically again. First and foremost, knowing all the hard times they've been through, all the deaths, animosity and disappointment...just thinking of them working together as real musical equals and finding joy in that together, it just seems right. I just hope this chapter of the Hanoi story lacks the tragic element that we are always bracing ourselves against.

If great music comes out of it, then that will be an even greater thrill. And from the sound of the brief clip of "People Like Me" that I've heard online, it sounds like it could be amazing. Amazing enough to deserve a broad audience. And let's face it, men of their age are not in a good situation in the "youth rules" music biz. If the two of them feel like the Hanoi Rocks name is going to give them a big marketing boost, and I see the decision to call themselves Hanoi Rocks again as a marketing decision as much as anything, then I can support it.

But not without some sadness. They have a right to the name and as a fan, I don't really have the right to protect my nostalia at the expense of their right to make their own way in the world, but that's the impulse I'm fighting a bit right now.

It reminds me of Michael Jordan's decision to come out of retirement. His fans all wanted to remember him frozen in time, hitting that championship-winning shot. But instead, he comes back as an older man. This time, he had to draw on his innate creativity and intelligence, since his athletic skills are not what they were. And yet it was his right to come back and do it his way. He could have continued to play pick up ball in the gym, but he felt he still had the skills and longed for the big stage.

By conjuring up the Hanoi Rocks name, Mike and Andy are also grabbing for the spotlight on that main stage once again. They've toiled for years on great but obscure solo projects. Now they're pushing for a larger audience again, but they won't have the beauty of youth to propel them this time around. They won't feel the force of the glam/"hair band" trend they helped to start pushing them forward.

They'll have to do it the hard way, writing good music and playing their hearts out. And for lots of very talented musicians, that's a recipe for obscurity. It's pretty obvious that even with the Hanoi name they have some huge obstacles, not the least of which is the fact that the glam era couldn't be more gone. The kind of misery rock that dominates the airwaves right now is completely different than the kind of fiery, melodic rock these guys are such masters of. And the corporate rock world that created so many difficulties for Hanoi Rocks once they reached that point of stardom is even more entrenched and corrupt now. Mike and Andy have their work cut out for them. Good music is just the beginning. Getting that music out in front of the people is the hard part.

If the name Hanoi Rocks helps them to reach their audience and pay some debts, more power to 'em. And if they can sock away a few bills for those days when their joints are too creaky and they can't hit the club circuit anymore, then I'm all for it! I don't want to see Mike Monroe have to pass the hat at an open mike when he's 75.

I will ultimately judge Hanoi not by the name they choose to perform with, but based on the quality of their collaboration and the passion they put into it. All of the old hair bands are doing reunion tours where the new material is really an irrelevant afterthought. If this edition of Hanoi Rocks turns out to be a nostalgia act, then not many of us will want to be part of it. And if it was all about nostalgia, reuniting the old members would be the key. But that would be a sad project I would want no part of. Anyone who has seen these so-called hair band "reunion" tours can assure you they are not pretty. Bringing all the original members together is not nearly enough to pull it off. Having a genuine creative drive is the key.

But from what I've seen so far, and from what I'm hoping, it's all about the new material. And it seems that Andy and Mike, seeing the strength of the new material, feel that it meets the Hanoi Rocks standard and deserves the undeniable buzz that the Hanoi Rocks label will give it. As the creative forces in the band, it's certainly well within their right to do that. And if I get the chance to see them play, and the new stuff is as good as it sounds, and they throw in some old tunes to boot, it will be a very happy day in my life - one I never, ever expected to see. I could use something like that in my life right about now. I can't really understand how someone who loved Hanoi could have "no interest" in this current situation, as one irate fan recently claimed. Whether it's Hanoi or not, it's going to be worth a listen, that's for damn sure.

Having said that, I do think the "good soldiers" reference to Nasty and Sam on Michael's web site was unfortunate. If that really is how Michael feels, he has a right to say it. However, there are more diplomatic ways of getting the point across. Many of us are more confused than upset, because Mike's latest statements seem to conflict with past comments he's made, such as times he's referred to Nasty, Sami, and himself as the "true Hanoi Rocks." Many times in the past, Michael referred to the band as a "family." He introduces Sami as a "blood brother" on the Live at the Whiskey solo VCD. But now he's portraying the old unit as a hierarchy with Mike and Andy giving orders to the "good soldiers." I'm not sure what's changed in his views, but the way this whole thing is playing out is a little sad, especially because it's so avoidable. It's possible to acknowledge the central roles of Michael and Andy to the band, as well as their right to the name, without diminishing the original contributors. Hopefully Michael and Andy will seize future opportunities to put this particular issue to rest and clear up any misunderstandings or unintended hard feelings.

The bottom line: from my vantage point as an informed fan, nothing more, is that despite all the bad blood and all the tension, there was something special between those five that involved all five of them. I know a "good soldiers" band when I see one. Those Kiss lineups with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and anonymous sidekicks come to mind. That was not Hanoi, but that is what Hanoi might have become had the plug not been pulled, and we can all thank the guys involved for having the good sense not to go in that direction at that time.

But it's many years later, and Michael and Andy have earned my trust through some very tough and determined solo years. It's their legacy, and from Michael's letter, it does seem that he appreciates the high stakes of taking on a name as unimpeachable as Hanoi Rocks. If they are stamping this project with the Hanoi Rocks seal, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I hope they do make some money, but more importantly, I hope they make some great music, reconnect with their loyal fans, and find some redemption after all the hardship and "all those wasted years."

JR

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