The Toy Box

Retro Spins: Michael Monroe - Not Fakin' ItLes Paul's 75th birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York.

My journey through Hanoi Rocks, and now lead singer, Michael Monroe, ends today with his second solo effort, 1989's Not Fakin' It. It's been a solid trip so far, and I might even be a little bummed that it's coming to a close. It's rare that I find "new" music that actually makes me a fan, and this has definitely happened with all of this combined music so far.

After the breakup of Hanoi in 1985, Monroe ventured out solo. His first effort, Nights Are So Long, was release in 1987 by Yahoo!, and with it came attention from larger labels. This resulted in him shifting to Mercury for his second release, um...this one. Not Fakin' It would become his biggest solo success. This was aided by the music video for Dead, Jail Or Rock 'N' Roll, which would see steady rotation on MTV. It's possible, but not confirmed that this popularity was based on the appearance of Axle Rose in the video.

At the time of this album's release, Guns N' Roses's label, Uzi Suicide, would be actively re-releasing the albums of Hanoi Rocks on CD. This perhaps would bet what led to Axel's inclusion in the video.

Playing through it, for some reason, parts of it felt familiar. Specifically, She's No Angel, and All Night With The Lights On. I would bet money I'd heard these before, but I can't for the life of me figure out where or when. Whatever the case was, I was digging these two tracks.

Additionally, I was also down with Dead, Jail Or Rock 'N' Roll, Shakedown, Man With No Eyes, Smoke Screen

Upon its release, Michael would spend 1989 and 1990 touring. During this time, he'd be joined on stage by Slash for multiple shows in Los Angeles and garner the attention of Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. They invite him to play saxophone on Big Ten Inch, which they performed at Les Paul's 75th birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York.

He'd close out 1989 and kick of 1990 by performing along with Bryan Adams, Don Henley, Huey Lewis and Loudness in two New Year's shows at the 70,000-seat Tokyo Dome in Japan, on 31 December 1989, and 1 January 1990. Guns 'N Roses would invite him to play both harmonica and sax on the track, Bad Obsession for their Use Your Illusion album, and then invite him back for their 1993 The Spaghetti Incident? where he sang on Ain't It Fun.

Despite all of this, his solo career didn't prove as successful as hoped. Monroe would take a bit of a hiatus, but then continue his solo career in 1996, releasing several studio albums through his latest, Outerstellar, which was released in February 2026. In between all of that, he also briefly reformed Hanoi Rocks with Andy McCoy, and released new studio albums under the band's name. He remains very active, continuing to tour and showing no signs of calling it a day any time soon.

But, with that, I wrap up my listening sessions of both Hanoi Rocks, and the solo career of Michael Monroe. As I've said in a few posts already, it's been a good time, and I'm definitely a fan. If I have one disappointment, it's that I completely missed out on this in real time during the 80's.

Tomorrow, I jump into another all new 80's hair band, but from there, I think I'm going to take a break from the metal scene, and drift back into some new wave. I've got lots to listen to still, and it's onward each day just crossing albums off. You'd think I'd slow down, catch up, and then go from there, but nah, just as of today, I've picked up seven more albums.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Comics Corner: Web Of Spider-Man 41

Title: Web Of Spider-Man
Issue Number: 41
Release Date: August 1988

Highlights

First appearance of the Cult of Love members, Teacher and Sister Jane
Also the first appearance of Lorraine Mandell, and Howard
Mary Jane runs into an old high school friend, Lorraine, and brings her to the apartment
Meanwhile, back at the Students of Love's compound, Spider-Man is in battle against large numbers alerted by Betty Leeds when she screamed for help
Spider-Man grabs Betty and tries to take her away from the place, but she yanks his mask off, causing him to cover himself with his arms

All throughout this, Brother Bruce, the unknown man we met last issue who recruited Betty, is running rampant with a homemade flame thrower, lighting the building on fire as he tries to stop Spider-Man

Spider-Man flees, escaping through the vent system of the building

Ben Urich goes to see the real estate agent, Rita Hathaway, and after asking about the Leed's resident which she's selling, asks if she's ever heard of the Student's of Love

Rita ends the conversation fast, and closes up for the night

As Spider-Man crawls through the ventilation, he comes across an office where Brother Guy is informing Brother Teacher of the recent events with Spider-Man and Bruce

During this conversation, Rita calls, identifying herself as Sister Jane, and explaining about the nosy reporter asking questions

Guy informs Teacher that he can takes some men and scare the reporter off, but is told that this is a place of love, and to do no such thing

After a long evening, Mary Jane invites Lorraine to stay the night
Flash goes to see Kate Cushing the next morning at the Bugle to talk about Betty missing

She takes him to Ben Urich, who hands him a camera, and congratulates him on becoming a photographer

Lorraine tells Mary Jane that she can help her get some lingerie cataloge photo shoot jobs that pay $5,000
Meanwhile, back at the Students of Love compound, Peter is disguised as a member, spying on Betty

He admits she hasn't looked this happy ever

Ben and Flash go to visit Reverend Tolliver, who gives them details on the cult, including that he's worked with several past members to deprogram them
Back at the compound, Teacher is performing a "miracle" as Reverend Tolliver narrates the scam to the two

He explains it as a slight of hand magic trick, used to fake removing cancer from sick people

Peter appears to have fallen for the scam in a cliffhanger ending which leaves him staring at the scene dumbfounded

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Retro Spins: Michael Monroe - Nights Are So Long

When we last left Michael Monroe, you know, yesterday, he was fronting the band Hanoi Rocks. Much like that 80's discography the solo efforts of Monroe were not on my want list. Nor did I know of him until digging into the band itself. While I initially wasn't going to pick his two CD's up from the decade, I came across a listing on ebay that had both of them together, and reasonably priced. Story of my life when it comes to buying music.

If you recall from yesterday, shortly after the death of their drummer, Razzle, Hanoi Rocks called it quits. Nasty Suicide would ditch the stage name, picking up his life as Jan-Markus Stenfors, finished school, and become a pharmacist for a drug company. Sam, who was the first to actually leave, continued to work in the music business, joining up with several bands. Andy McCoy would also work with several bands but also spent time painting. Then there was Michael Monroe, who of course went on to a solo career.

Then there was Michael Monroe. He'd venture out on to a solo career, if you hadn't figured that out already by this post. First, however, he would join his friend Stiv Bators, to work on the Sun City charity project. They would not only contribute backing vocals but appear in the music video. His first solo effort would be 1987's Nights Are So Long, an album which consisted mainly of covers, and released by Yahoo!

It's a decent listen, but one thing I immediately noticed was the change in vocal style. Whereas Hanoi Rocks featured a higher pitch and sometimes screechy Monroe, his solo effort brought the range down to a deeper, and raspier one. Both are good, but it still caught me off guard. I guess I was expecting more of the same from him, but it's great that he's not a one trick pony and could mix it up.

Despite the overall listening session being a good one, I only ended up pulling two tracks for the old shuffle list. Those were Shake Some Action, and Nights Are So Long.

Nights Are So Long, the album, would be a moderate success, and attract the attention of Mercury Records, who would release his second studio album, Not Fakin' It. That's where I'll pick up tomorrow, and wrap up my latest journey through Hanoi Rocks, and their lead singer, Michael Monroe.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Comics Corner: Web Of Spider-Man 40

Title: Web Of Spider-Man
Issue Number: 40
Release Date: July 1988

Highlights

First appearance of the Cult of Love, Brother Guy, Brother Bruce, Brother Lenny, and Rita Hathaway
Also the first appearance of Tracy Cushing
Flash Thompson has landed a job working with kids on the police athletic club

He stops by the Daily Bugle to share the news with Betty Leeds, but finds her talking with another man

Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 289, Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 109, 110, and Spider-Man Versus Wolverine
Two weeks later, Spider-Man is swinging by Betty Leed's home, and thinking she's there, changes into his civilian clothes, and knocks on the door

He's greeted by Rita Hathaway, who informs him the home is being sold as is, fully furnished

As Spider-Man swings back towards the Bugle, he see's Flash below, and he's roughing up the man he saw two weeks earlier with Betty

He explains to Spider-Man that the stranger is the last person to have seen Betty

Spider-Man makes nice with the guy, but takes one of his pamphlets, and sticks a spider tracer to him

Peter takes the pamphlet on the student's of love to Kate Cushing and tells her about Betty missing

Kate tells him about her sister, Tracy, who joined the group at a very low point in her life, and when given the ultimatum by their parents to leave the group or leave home, she chose the latter

Kate says she's never seen her sister again

Peter shows her the business card of the real estate agent, Rita Hathaway

Kate pulls in Ben Urich to find information, and then calls the police to report a missing person

Flash sees the guy again, and tails him

Flash enters a dilapidated building but the door closes behind him, and the trap is sprung

Cult members surround him, a knives are pulled

Flash is chased up all the stairs, but finds himself at a dead end

Spider-Man crashes in, and the fight is on

Spider-Man let's them flee, and when Flash protests, he tells him he is going to track the head guy, but doesn't tell him about his spider tracer, opting to keep that a secret

Spider-Man latches to the top of the fleeing van, and lets the driver take them to their compound

Hanging to the high ground, he spots Betty planting things in the garden

He waits until nightfall, and enters the dorm where multiple people are sleeping, and wakes her up

Though he says he's there to help her on behalf of Peter and Flash, she screams, alerting cult members, who come crashing in

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Comics Corner: The Spectacular Spider-Man 142

Title: The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 142
Release Date: September 1988

Highlights

First appearance of Lansing, Michigan, and Baxter High School, as well as Tara Square in Atlanta, Georgia
Tombstone has hurt Mary Jane, breaking her wrist, and that doesn't sit will with Peter Parker at all
Tombstone calls Peter at the emergency room, and tells him to meet him in Atlanta, where he knows Peter needs to be for his next book signing

Before leaving Spider-Man attempts to contact the Punisher, but can't reach him

This is because the Punisher is being held by the Arranger, and tortured by Persuader, who is trying to break his mind

He does, and the Punisher is now under his control

While attempting to walk, Robbie is taunted by a hallucination of Tombstone, which only serves to make him both mentally and physically stronger

As he claws his way across the hand beams, taking step after step, he finally collapses, telling his son to call J. Jonah Jameson and inform him that he has a front page story for the Bugle

In Lansing, Michigan, the clone of Gwen Stacy walks from the Baxter High School building, where she now works

She's attacked by the High Evolutionary's men

As she runs away, she remembers Peter Parker, and is determined to find him to help her

Back in Atlanta, Spider-Man is at the rendezvous location, and Tombstone surprise attacks him
Meanwhile, Robbie meets with Jameson, and begins telling his story, and history with Tombstone
Spider-Man lets Tombstone get his licks in, but then brushes them off, and explaining that Tombstone, despite his appearance is just a man, and he, Spider-Man has the proportionate strength of a spider, before walloping the villain

Before lights out, he asks Tombstone why he never killed Robbie, to which he responds, "He's my friend"

Deep down, in his own twisted way, Tombstone really thinks Robbie Robertson is his only friend

Robbie finishes telling his story, and says that he's prepared to resign, since his legal situation is about to get rough as an accessory to Tombstone's murders

Jameson refuses his resignation, and tells him to be in the office on Monday by 9:00 AM, or he's docking his pay

The Arrangers watches on television the reports of Tombstone being arrested

Though he finds it disappointing, he's at least happy to have the Punisher under his control, and ready for his first assignment

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Retro Spins: Hanoi Rocks - Two Steps From The Move

Wanting better production, and a larger budget for recording, Hanoi Rocks made the move to CBS Records in 1983. The band would invite Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople to help write tracks, who in turn brought with him Jack Bruce (formerly of Cream), who brought with him bandmate Pete Brown. Despite all the talent contributing, by April of 1984, the label felt it was still missing a single. For this, the guys turned to a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Up Around The Bend.

After wrapping up recording, Hanoi headed to Japan, where they discovered their massive popularity. Not only were all shows sold out, but the band couldn't even walk around the city without being followed by crowds of fans. A tour across England and Scotland followed, with British magazines not only raving about their shows, but stating that their next album would most certainly be their breakthrough.

With a last-minute title change from Silver Missiles And Nightingales, Two Steps From The Move was released, and did indeed become their most popular release to date. This led to another massive tour, this time of Sweden, and then to the USA. Unfortunately, this is where things would come to a head for Hanoi Rocks.

But first, let's play through the album.

It's a solid entry, and I can definitely see the breakthrough material here. Ironically, the single the label wasn't hearing at first, but got with Up Around The Bend, is probably the weakest track on the whole thing.

Better tracks, or as I like to call them, standouts, were I Can't Get It, Underwater World, Million Miles Away, Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Cutting Corners, and Don't You Ever Leave Me. The latter is actually a remake from their debut album, and this slowed down version is far superior to the edgier first take.

It's unfortunate that Two Steps From The Move serves as their last album. I definitely would have liked to hear more.

While performing at USA Sam's in Syracuse, New York, lead singer, Michael Monroe would unknowingly fracture his ankle. Though he continued on with the tour, the pain got more and more, and upon getting checked out was informed of the injury. This would effectively take him out of the equation of events which were unknowingly unfolding.

Mötley Crüe was throwing a massive party at the home of Vince Neil in Redondo Beach, California. In attendance were Hanoi's lead guitarist, Andy McCoy, guitarist Nasty Suicide, bassist Sam Yaffa, and drummer Razzle. With everyone drinking heavily, guests soon found the place dry. Not content to call it a night, Vince Neil would make the decision to hop into his Pantera for a beer run. With him was Razzle. Though they made it to their location, when heading home, an inebriated Neil crashed his car into another. Razzle was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Both occupants of the other car, Lisa Hogan, and Daniel Smithers would be severely injured, suffering permanent brain damage.

When they didn't return, McCoy and Crüe drummer, Tommy Lee went looking for them. They drove past the scene just as Neil was being put in cuffs, and at that time learned of Razzle's passing. All but a handful of shows would be cancelled in the wake, with the remaining becoming dedications to Razzle. After the shows, Yaffa would be the first to leave the band, citing problems with McCoy.

Initially, they intended to go on, bringing in René Berg to replace him, while also incorporating Terry Chimes on drums, who filled in for the memorial shows. Shortly thereafter, Monroe also wanted to quit the band, though he would be convinced by CBS to stay on, and instead head out for a short tour in Poland. In doing so, he made one request - No live album. while they agreed, CBS did the opposite and released Rock & Roll Divorce in 1985. It would be panned by the band, their management, fans, and critics.

Berg would start making claims that Hanoi Rocks was his band, leading to his prompt dismissal, and replacement by Timo Kaltio. However, the lineup of Monroe, McCoy, Nasty Suicide, Kaltio, and Chimes would never perform together. Michael would end up leaving in June 1985. McCoy wasn't upset by this decision, instead saying that the spirit of the band evaporated with the death of Razzle, and Yaffa's departure.

Michael would go solo, releasing his first album, Nights Are So Long in 1987. To date, he's released thirteen. Andy, on the other hand, created several new bands, none of which took off. When not performing, he spent his time creating art as a painter. Nasty Suicide returned to his life as Jan-Markus Stenfors in Finland, where he finished high school, educated himself as a pharmacist, and works for a reputable drug company. Sam also continued his work in the music industry, performing with such notable acts as Joan Jett, New York Dolls, and Johnny Thunders.

McCoy and Monroe would reunite in 2001 and discuss reforming Hanoi Rocks. While this would happen, they would be the only two members to return for this "rebirth" (as they called it). Stenfors was content with his life as a pharmacist, and Yaffa was working in a new band, Mad Juana. Though they did offer original drummer, Gyp Casino a spot in the lineup, he declined, stating he was no longer interested in the music business.

Initially, this new iteration consisted of McCoy, Monroe, Costello Hautamäki, Timpa Laine, and Kari "Lacu" Lahtinen, and together they'd release 2002's Twelve Shots On The Rocks. Hautamäki would leave in 2003 to focus primarily on the band, Popeda. Timpa would also end up leaving in 2004 because of family issues. Both were replaced by Conny Bloom, and Andy Christell, respectively. This lineup would record the final two Hanoi albums, Another Hostile Takeover (2005), and Street Poetry (2007).

Lacu would announce he was leaving in 2008 to also join Popeda. While he would be replaced by George Atlagic, by this point, both Monroe and McCoy felt the rekindled Hanoi Rocks had run its course. They performed a farewell tour with six shows in Japan in 2009, and eight in Finland before disbanding on amicable terms. Nasty Suicide would join them for three shows in Finland.

As noted above, Monroe continued focus on his solo career. However, the story of Hanoi Rocks doesn't end there. Michael Monroe, Andy McCoy, Nasty Suicide, Sami Yaffa and Gyp Casino reunited in celebration of Monroe's 60th birthday, at the Helsinki Ice Hall in 2022 for a one-off show. With Monroe still very active, it's possible that won't be the last we ever hear from them.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Comics Corner: The Spectacular Spider-Man 141

Title: The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 141
Release Date: August 1988

Highlights

Fist appearance and death of Harold Ullman
First appearance of the henchman, Willis
After coming face to face with the Punisher in the previous issue, both he and Spider-Man are headed to the vigilante's boat for a meeting
Punisher tells Spider-Man he wants the tape Robbie Robertson made for Peter Parker, and also information on where Tombstone is

He's closer than he thinks, he's followed the Punisher's van with a bunch of armed henchmen, who he order's to attack at dawn

Punisher tells Spider-Man that Tombstone killed a friend of his, Harold Ullman, and he intends to get justice for him, well, Punisher's definition of justice
Tombstone overhears the conversation between the two, and learns about the tape from Robbie Robertson to Peter Parker
Ben Urich goes to the hospital to see Robbie, and is greeted by his son, Randy, who tells him that Robbie will be able to walk again with physical therapy
Ben tells Robbie he knows about the tape, and speculates it's about Tombstone, he then tells Robbie he knows where to find him if he wants to talk
Two of Tombstone's men try to sneak up on Frank Castle, and one gets an eyeful of hot grease from the bacon he just cooked

The other gets the butt of a gun to the head

The one burned by grease exchanges information that there's two more on the deck above in exchange for medical aid

They get greeted by a hail of gunfire that shreds through them

The burned man then tells that they were supposed to get him to follow them to the Cloisters

After playing Mary Jane the tape from Robbie, he asks her what he should do; Give the tape to Ben Urich, hand it over to the Punisher, or burn it, like Robbie requested

Mary Jane tells him she won't make that decision for him, leaving Peter to deduce that it's Robbie's tape, and he alone has to decide what to do

When he leaves, Mary Jane thinks to herself how fearful she is for him living the life of Spider-Man

As Peter leaves, Tombstone enters the building, and find's Parker's name on the mailbox, along with the apartment number

Meanwhile, the Punisher infiltrates the Cloisters

While he takes out two guards immediately, he's jumped by four more

It doesn't go well for them

Back at the apartment, Tombstone grabs Mary Jane from behind by her hair, demanding to know where Peter is
Punisher sneaks up on Tombstone's car, and as he opens the door is greeted by the Arranger, and Roland Rayburn, AKA Persuader