Interviewed by Brian Rademacher
Date: December 2008

Brian Rademacher: Hello Michael and welcome to Rockeyez.com

Michael Monroe: Thank you.

Brian Rademacher: At the end of the year will be a truly sad day with the end of one of the legendary bands in the world HANOI ROCKS. HANOI were innovators and truly a unique band. Was this decision planned on well ahead of time?

Michael Monroe: It’s been coming for a while but the final decision was actually made a few weeks ago.

Brian Rademacher: What were the talks like in making that decision?

Michael Monroe: It was quite calm and cool. It was mainly between me and Andy at first. The rest of the guys were very understanding about it too.

Brian Rademacher: At the end of this month you have a new 2-CD set titled “This One's for Rock'n'roll - the best of HANOI ROCKS 1980-2008” was it difficult deciding what was going to be on that release?

Michael Monroe: The Japanese label originally requested the track listing. We just changed it a bit and added a couple of outtakes from the last album sessions.

Brian Rademacher: HANOI ROCKS will be doing their last show in 2009 at Tavastia Club in Helsinki, Finland where it all started. I would guess you will be turning people away at the door. Anything special planned for that night yet?

Michael Monroe: We’re actually doing a few nights in a row and we'll add more if all goes well, depending on the demand. We're planning to do something special for each night.

Brian Rademacher: Can you tell us when you recorded with GUNS 'N’ ROSES what it was like in the studio with those boys?

Michael Monroe: I always loved working with them. Slash, Duff and Matt have such a great chemistry between them that it was an absolute pleasure and privilege. They were always very professional and never messed around. Also, singing "Ain't it fun" together with Axl in memory of Stiv Bators was also very cool and magical. Nice guys and great fun.

Brian Rademacher: When you first saw the NEW YORK DOLLS what was your impression?

Michael Monroe: The first time I saw them was in the summer 2006 with Sami Yaffa on bass at the Ruisrock Festival in Finland. It was cool to hear all those old classics and the new stuff sounded good too. I felt happy for Sami; he seemed to really enjoy playing with those guys. Although I never got to see the original DOLLS live, I was fortunate enough to become very close friends with Johnny Thunders through working together on several occasions.

Brian Rademacher: Do you feel you accomplished your goal in HANOI ROCKS?

Michael Monroe: Let’s just say I’ve taken it as far as it can go.

Brian Rademacher: What was the wildest thing a fan did to meet you?

Michael Monroe: I can't really recall anything that "wild"...sorry.

Brian Rademacher: What will you miss the most not being with HANOI ROCKS?

Michael Monroe: Everything we missed...I’m not necessarily gonna miss being in Hanoi Rocks anymore. It just feels like it's the right time to move on.

Brian Rademacher: Moving on to your solo career, your last solo CD was “Whatcha Want” in 2003. Is there plans for a new solo CD and if so can you give us any information on that? If not what are your plans for 2009?

Michael Monroe: I’ll be working on some new material for a while yet - I wanna take my time to make the perfect record. It's too early to say yet who I’ll be doing it with. I wouldn't mind having someone great to produce it.

Brian Rademacher: I was just watching a video on youtube of HANOI ROCKS opening for Wednesday 13 after all these years your energy level is quite amazing. Do you work out or how do you keep in such good shape?

Michael Monroe: Thank you. Well, normally I keep in shape by exercising at least five days a week. However, since I tore a ligament in my left ankle a couple of months ago I haven't been able to do that and I was actually feeling a little "out of shape" for the UK tour. I'm glad to hear it didn't show!

Brian Rademacher: With being married, how do you not stray with all those women after you?

Michael Monroe: I absolutely love and honor my wife and the thought of being unfaithful or dishonest to her in any way could never even enter my mind.

Brian Rademacher: There must be one show in your music career that stands out over all the other shows you’ve done, can you tell us what was your favorite and why?

Michael Monroe: There have been a lot of great shows; it's hard to pick just one. I love the summer festivals, being outdoors in the fresh air. I'd say, the bigger the stage and the crowd, the better.

Brian Rademacher: Are there any artist’s right now you would like to work with and why?

Michael Monroe: Yeah sure, but I’d rather not say anything prematurely.

Brian Rademacher: I know you mentioned in our last interview about you being a cartoonist? Have you worked on doing any artwork, ala Paul Stanley?

Michael Monroe: Ha-ha, I said that half jokingly when we talked about another way of making a living. No, I haven't.

Brian Rademacher: In ending what can you say to fans that don’t understand why HANOI ROCKS are breaking up?

Michael Monroe: I think that HANOI fans are smart enough to understand why this is happening.

Brian Rademacher: Michael, our site is honored that you agreed to our interview for the second time around and the world was so lucky to have HANOI ROCKS music for so long, congratulations and continued success in whatever you do.

Would you like to say anything in ending and to the fans?

Michael Monroe: Thanks for your kind words. I'd like to thank all the fans for their love and support throughout the years and I hope to see you in the future as well.