Hanoi Rocks to break up (again) in the spring

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Finnish rock institution Hanoi Rocks, a glam-punk band that enjoyed a measure of international success in their heyday in the 1980s, have decided to call it a day. The band's leaders, vocalist Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy, intend to pursue their own musical interests independently.
      Hanoi Rocks will play their farewell gigs at Helsinki's Tavastia Club in March-April of next year.
      It will mean the closing of a circle, for Tavastia was also the venue for the band's first gigs in the early 1980s.
     
Before the Helsinki dates, the band are to complete their agreed concert schedule in Britain and Finland before the New Year and will also undertake a tour of Japan in early 2009.
      On November 26th, they will release a double compilation album entitled This One's For Rock'n'Roll - The Best of Hanoi Rocks 1980-2008, featuring highlights from their first career from 1980-85 and the comeback years from 2001 to the present.
      In their current format, Hanoi Rocks are a five-piece band, with Monroe and McCoy backed by guitarist Conny Bloom, bassisist Andy Christell, and George "Jolle" Atlagic on drums.
     
Hanoi Rocks broke up for the first time in 1985 after the death in a car crash of their then drummer Razzle. The accident in California occurred at a crucial moment, just after the release of the group's fifth album.
      Michael Monroe, 46, and Andy McCoy, 46, are both Finnish "rock royalty" in their different ways: Monroe is the epitome of the androgynous front-man, while McCoy has taken the colourful "wasted rock'n'roll gipsy" look to new levels and arguably makes Keith Richards look like a stockbroker. Alongside the caricature excess, McCoy is actually a rather gifted guitarist and songwriter.
     


Links:
  Hanoi Rocks official site
  Hanoi Rocks (Wikipedia)

Helsingin Sanomat