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Events and Reports - Hanoi Rocks - Live at Molotow, Hamburg, Germany - February 25th 2005
Since RevelationZ Magazine unintentionally missed Hanoi Rocks performing in Copenhagen, Denmark there was no other way than to make a road trip to Hamburg. Hanoi Rocks were scheduled to play a club located in Hamburg's red light district, St. Pauli, right on the famous Reeperbahn.
Compared to the Copenhagen gig Adam Bomb was added as support act, so photographer Borg and I anxiously drove down to witness these living legends in action.
We arrived at the club around 8.30 and went directly to the merchandise table where Adam Bomb was pointing at his Get Animal CD's and telling us that his setlist consisted of songs from those albums. WHAT!!! Adam Bomb already played? Damn - what a bummer. The local opening act cancelled so Adam Bomb was first to go on - but c'mon you don't play Rock 'N' Roll that early.
Trying to shake off the disappointment with a Becks Gold I could feel the tension and excitement about finally seeing Hanoi Rocks. During a quick stop at the men's room I met Michael Monroe at the backstage door screaming for some girl. Wow - Monore surely was the real McCoy dressed in a flashy suit and looking like a true rock star with Rock star charisma.
The venue was a sleazy little basement club with only 3 meters to the ceiling and the stage was at the same level as the floor. The stage was an extension of the bar or the other way around. Only people at the stage side of the venue were able to get a good glimpse of Hanoi Rocks.
The band entered the stage looking eager to Rock - Monroe was the last one arriving when the band kicked into the intro to Obscured from Hanoi's latest studio release. Monroe came on stage holding the same girl's hand that he later screamed for. In true Rock fashion he "parked" her at the side of the stage so she could adore Monroe on stage.
Obscured is a kick ass opener and the band, and especially Monroe was on fire. Monroe was not acting like a middle aged man, rather he sang and performed Obscured like he had a stick of dynamite up his a**. Amazing - and he never missed a beat.
First "old" song was introduced by Monore with the line "Mr. McCoy is gonna take to high school" and immediately Monroe simulated sniffing drugs and thereby illustrated what high meant in High School while Andy kicked into the characteristic riff.
During A Day late, a dollar short Monroe ran to the bar and got up on the bar desk, giving the audience one hell of a show. He ran back to the stage just in time to pick up his saxophone and blasted out a great solo. In general the songs from the brilliant "Twelve Shots on the Rocks" were very well received and they were all amazing live. Delirious was also played and also the most rocking song of the evening People Like Me. Monroe in particular got the audience spellbound with his energetic performance and the lyrics to People Like Me are trustworthy coming from Monroe, who is a true rock star right down to every bone in his body.
The band consisted of Conny Bloom on guitar and only after the show I learned from Conny himself that the bass player was Conny's old Electric Boys sidekick, namely A.C. (Andy Cristell). Hanoi Rocks has dropped keyboards live, so Lacu was only remaining member from the "Twelve shots on the Rocks" line up. Watching Lacu was like watching a kid in a candy store. He looked thrilled to be in this great band, he played awesome and Lacu put on a good show even though he was hidden behind the 4 others on the small stage.
The legendary Andy McCoy was the obvious conductor of the band. The guys kicked into a jam, which sounded pretty cool - but Andy soon after cut through and introduced Cafe Avenue - a song dating back to the early years of the band. The band also jammed before Don't you ever leave me with McCoy taking the microphone and singing a few lines before Monroe took over and belted out the heartfelt lyrics to Don't You Ever Leave me with class.
It was so obvious that the band has a great personal chemistry and really enjoys each other's company. The chemistry rubbed off on stage and was transferred to the audience, which also was in a great mood. Surprisingly the band played Bad News, a blues song featured on the US release of "Twelve Shots on the Rocks". Again they started the song with Andy and Conny jamming a blues pattern and Michael making up some lyrics like "My lady took like no other girl at the Reeperbahn." where after Monore smiled to his lady at the side of the stage. During Bad News I got eye contact with Monroe and I gave him a big smile which he returned. Monroe interacted with the crowd even though his stage presence sometimes was over-energetic. Monroe had a manic look in his eyes and it seemed his eyeballs were gonna roll out anytime.
Tragedy was genius live and among the highlights. Both the band and the crowd was warmed up and we gave it all we could on the "wuuh wuhh" choir after the refrain line "Life is a tragedy." where Monroe and McCoy expressed their gratitude to the crowd for being on.
Oriental Beat and Up around the Bend ended the regular set with a singalong and fortunately the band came back for encores. Lacu was the first to enter the stage followed by AC plus Conny and again they started to jam. AC kicked into the bass riff to Motorvatin' and I thought they were only jamming but luckily they played this super song.
It was so hot because of the packed venue and with no air condition at all I was surprised to see how Hanoi Rocks kept their energy level at 11. Personally I was almost totally drained for energy because of the heat. Second encore Taxi Driver really comes alive in concert and it has an energy that has to be experienced before the real potential of the song comes alive.
I feel alright with a Radar Love jam ended the show. Unfortunately I don't like the song but Hanoi gave it a 110 percent and to be honest the heat was just about to knock me out and several others too I think. Right after Hanoi left the stage people hurried outside to either get some fresh air or get a drink. Monroe came back only 30 seconds or so after they left the stage to thank the audience and by that time the place was almost empty.
This concert was amazing and Hanoi Rocks, with Andy McCoy and Monroe in particular, really lived up to their reputation as rock stars with charisma and a stellar performance. I don't think I've seen any "new" band with as much energy as these elder rockers. Hanoi Rocks really set the record straight and Monroe proved to be an amazing showman and had ballsy vocals that sounded heavenly live. Andy McCoy was really cool and not spaced out like I could have feared. After the show I talked to several people and no matter whether they were huge fans or not, all agreed and admired Hanoi Rocks for their energy and Monroe's showmanship.
After this amazing concert I cannot wait till Hanoi Rocks' new album "Another Hostile Takeover" is released.
The reason why Adam Bomb went on stage that early was because the venue had a club evening so by 11 o'clock they played crappy music and started to let other people in. We went to an afterparty at a nearby bar - but unfortunately we didn't get to meet Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy.
We had booked a hotel for the night and since the concert ended that early we had a long night ahead of us tempted by all Reeperbahn's offers. It was a hell of a night and RevelationZ photographer Borg is now worthy of wearing a t-shirt saying "I got fucked at Reeperbahn" What a night!!
| You can click all images for a bigger version
All pictures taken by Martin Borg | Written by Michael
Friday, March 18, 2005 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by lucas grgander (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 19, 2005 | que caca
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| Comment by Rocker (Anonymous) - Monday, March 28, 2005 | Whatta great review, whatta great liveband!
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| Comment by Glimmer Jim (Anonymous) - Monday, March 28, 2005 | Rockenrollah fuckers! Hanoi fuckin rocks you
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| Comment by Patrick (Anonymous) - Friday, June 10, 2005 | who can sent me a recording of this gig?
(radarlove@chello.nl)
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| Comment by Maija (Anonymous) - Wednesday, August 10, 2005 | Hanoi Rocks, U R.O.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
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| Comment by HANOI FAN/FRIEND (Anonymous) - Friday, September 2, 2005 | A BRILLIANT REVIEW, WHICH THE BAND DEFINITELY DESERVES!
BY THE WAY, THE LADY IN QUESTION
("SOME GIRL") HAPPENS TO BE MICHAEL'S WIFE. AND SHE WAS PROBABLY PLACED AT THE ONLY SPOT IN THE WHOLE CLUB WHERE MICHAEL COULD BE SURE SHE WAS SAFE FROM HARM OR HASSLE - NOT NECESSARILY SO THAT "SHE COULD ADORE MONROE ON STAGE".
THIS BAND IS TRULY IN THE BEST SHAPE OF THEIR CAREER AND HOPEFULLY THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL CATCH ON TO THEM SOON!
ROCK ON !
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| Comment by Dude (Anonymous) - Saturday, September 3, 2005 | HANOI FUCKIN ROCKS,BEST LIVE BAND EVER!!!!
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| Comment by Jamie (Anonymous) - Thursday, September 8, 2005 | I miss Hanoi in Canada, is there going to be a show here?
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| Comment by Just me :D (Anonymous) - Wednesday, January 4, 2006 | Hanoi rocks are the best!!!
They rocks!!! <3<3<3
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| Comment by häkä (Anonymous) - Sunday, February 5, 2006 | Hanoi rocks is best band in the world !!!!
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| Comment by HR (Anonymous) - Monday, February 6, 2006 | HR
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| Comment by guéna (Anonymous) - Tuesday, February 7, 2006 | Montréal want you!
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| Comment by choccy (Anonymous) - Wednesday, February 8, 2006 | Saw Hanoi last Feb in London and they were bloody fantastic, right at the top of my rock n roll list.
The new album is tops and I hope they will tour in the U.K soon!, Cheers Hanoi for your great music, Take Care
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| Comment by Shari (Anonymous) - Friday, February 10, 2006 | I am thrilled to have Hanoi Back. I have been a fan since early 1981 and absolutely love everything they have done as well as all the offspring bands such as suicide twins, cherry bombz, and Andy and Michaels solo recordings. I'm Stoked. I can't get enough of Hanoi Rocks!!!! If Anyone caught this on tape, or video, I'll buy it from ya!!! please send any information to brittnay19@yahoo.com or look me up at http://www.myspace.com/loudlove4strutter
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| Comment by angusto (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 16, 2006 | i LoVEE hanoi rocks!
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| Comment by NICOLE (Anonymous) - Sunday, February 19, 2006 | DAI CAZZO VENITE IN ITALIA!!! CI SONO MOLTE PERSONE CHE VI ATTENDONO CON LA BAVA ALLA BOCCA!!!! DAI FORZA INSEGNATE IL ROCK ANCHE AGLI STOLTI ITALIANI!!
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| Comment by NICOLE (Anonymous) - Sunday, February 19, 2006 | CAME ON GOO IN ITALY PLEAS!!!! THERE ARE ALL FANS FOR YOU!!!WE LOVE HANOI ROCKS... GO GOG GOG GO GO GO GO GO GOG GO GOG GOG GO GO GO GO GO GO IN ITALY!!! YOU'RE FANTASTIK
PS:sorry for my englisch but i'm italian girl!!
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| Comment by Stefan (Anonymous) - Monday, February 20, 2006 | Why not let Conny sing a song live, would be great...
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