Michael Monroe Does Surprise L.A. Gig

Prepping for Viper Room gig on Friday followed by high profile coming out party in Austin at SXSW, the erstwhile Hanoi Rocks frontman played an intimate party last night at the Finnish Consul General.

Text & Photos by Jose Martinez

So just before most people in the music biz head to Austin, TX for SXSW a few lucky L.A. invites headed to the Finnish Consul General's palatial estate in ritzy Bel Air to see an intimate performance from former Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe.

Feasting on fancy treats and a bar loaded with free wine and Finnish vodka, Monroe and his "guys" played the living room which in a stroke of genius had all the furniture removed. The last time I remember seeing Monroe was in 1989, back when a slim & trim Axl Rose co-starred in the "Dead, Jail or Rock n' Roll" music video. And much to Monroe's credit, he has remained as fit and as vibrant and as energetic as ever. Wow, give me some of what he's got.

Ready to go into the studio soon, he has a sold out night at the Viper Room this Friday before playing showcases at SXSW next week. Tonight his set consisted of mostly older material, including Hanoi Rock's "Malibu Beach," the aforementioned "Dead, Jail or Rock n' Roll," and one new song. Climbing the furniture, Monroe's sophomore antics are refreshing as it's obvious he's living in the moment offering the most sincere performance possible.