I’m pretty sure the year was 1984 and something strange was in the air in the California punk scene, especially in the Bay Area. Before this year, Hardcore Punx in SoCal and NorCal had no love at all for Hair Metal because we considered them straight poser scum. Then the Finnish Group HANOI ROCKS came on the international scene and branded themselves “Glam Rock.” For some reason that I can not put my finger on, a great number of Punx from around the world started to get into them in a big way. Case in point was the HUGE international show that Goldenvoice put on featuring the DK’s, Reagans Youth, B.G.K, Raw Power and RIISTETYT. It got a little weird when we saw what RIISTETYT looked like, because from the bad xerox photos from MRR we expected black leather jackets and studded d-beat warriors, instead we got some glammed-out rockers who didn’t want to play their old songs. Raw Power also looked pretty glam. I also saw Discharge begin to go the Glam route, along with many of the NorCal Peace Punx. Personally, I got into HANOI ROCKS but I never went glam. The thing about this Finnish band was that they played good Rock & Roll, and they all had swagger. They also had mad style, and there was something more punk about them than, say, Poison. Anyway, I know for a fact that this band had an influence on many of the bands that were coming up under them…Why do you think so many punks got turned out by HANOI ROCKS? While you are thinking of your answer, check out All Those Wasted Years (Live At The Marquee)…HANOI ROCKS kicking out the jams!
UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 01: Photo of HANOI ROCKS; (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)
Kala Mira
March 5, 2016 at 4:07 am
I remember listening to them when I was a youngin, ha
Dave Thomas Jr.
March 5, 2016 at 3:42 am
Just saw Michael Monroe solo w/ Sam Yaffa last month. Awesome show!
Petri Brander
March 5, 2016 at 12:42 am
Being Finnish I’ve always had a weak spot for the Hanoi Rocks though I never liked their music that much. I saw many shows in the early 80’s in Finland, I have to admit that live they were highly entertaining. Plus when they were opening for the UK Subs in -81 the Subs trashed all Hanoi Rocks’ equipment, I was laughing my arse off watching the Hanoi guys almost in tears as they witnessed the havoc on their gear!
Christian Lembach
March 4, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Saw Andy playing guitar for Iggy Pop when I was a small fry. LOVED Hanoi Rocks when I was a kid.
Matt Rich
March 4, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Because Fenriz has their name tattooed on his arm.
Tru Pray
March 4, 2016 at 5:13 pm
This is the only band that mattered
Loonar Toonces
March 4, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Melvis Quintana lol
Melvis Quintana
March 4, 2016 at 4:34 pm
I still love that sassy rock! Someone stole my colored vinyl collection I had of Hanoi. They were a limited edition, all nimbered. Gone forever 🙁
Loonar Toonces
March 4, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Bastards!
Melvis Quintana
March 4, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Nimbered…..lol
Garry Latham
March 4, 2016 at 11:15 am
Kati Rautanen
Paul Hastings
March 4, 2016 at 10:22 am
People on here saying they were rubbish and comparing them to the crue haven’t got a clue!! Brilliant band and should of been bigger than any of the ‘hair’ bands that followed them (and I loved loads of them) Michael Monroe still going strong now!
Alex Steel
March 4, 2016 at 8:40 am
They were shit, but such is revisionism, people will now talk about their ‘hidden gems’ etc. Motley crue were dog shit, too.
Emmanuel Ascher
March 4, 2016 at 6:50 am
Holy shit Rich, I did a post about Michael with quite the same content but before this one, its called : “and the winner is…Matti !” at itsarocklife.wordpress.com Enjoy & keep rockin’
Doctor Sardonicus
March 4, 2016 at 5:10 am
…Because more than any other band on the scene, they were the inheritors of the New York Dolls’ mantle. They had the swagger, attitude and an authentic (instead of opportunistic) appreciation for early rock’n’roll. They seemed more REAL than the Sunset crowd, and if punx could still have mad love for the Dolls, they could channel that love towards Hanoi and not feel shame. Then Vince had to go and kill Razzle.
Aram Schwartz
March 4, 2016 at 4:50 am
wow i like them too maybe they are gonna rock out
Donn Knieval
March 4, 2016 at 4:18 am
because Terry Chimes from the Clash drummed for them? and they were an amazing rock n’ roll band
Jeffry Beard
March 4, 2016 at 3:53 am
They were a great poor man’s New York Dolls. Motley Crue was in the same vein, before they started cranking out sappy power ballads and overproduced stadium rock.
Matthew Moorin
March 5, 2016 at 12:11 am
but thats still sick tho
Ze Ze
March 4, 2016 at 3:50 am
because they were awsome?!
Matthew Graham
March 4, 2016 at 3:17 am
Punk died by 1983
Edvin Lönn
March 4, 2016 at 7:09 am
It’s great that people like you think that, would be a shame if punk still had that kind of negativity 🙂
Matthew Graham
March 4, 2016 at 7:32 am
It’s in the mind, maaann
Carlo Albento
March 4, 2016 at 3:00 am
It’s 2016 and I still love Hanoi Rocks! I ain’t even a punk!
Gary Edgar
March 4, 2016 at 2:46 am
Never saw Hanoi , but I caught The Cherry Bombz which had a few ex members ! Both great bands .
Marcia Deville
March 4, 2016 at 2:29 am
Underrated for sure! Which is too bad for them but quite alright for us since they proved to be awesome without having tons of people messing-up with their style! This feeling of being “genuine” is a true Gem with HR! <3
Paul Grace
March 4, 2016 at 2:06 am
Massively under rated, in my humble opinion.
Matt Valentine
March 4, 2016 at 1:45 am
Rich Jones