MICHAEL MONROE

w/ Hardcore Superstar
February 17, 2016
The Middle East Downstairs
Cambridge, Massachusetts

This was a concert I have been wanting to see, waiting to see for over 25 years.A two hour drive into Boston into rush hour traffic was not going to stop me from seeing this iconic front man. Just over 25 years ago, Michael Monroe released his second solo album, “Not Fakin It”, I missed seeing him on that tour and I have not had the chance again till now.

He was hitting the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, an amazing array of three separate restaurants and three performance venues. Fortunately we got there early enough to grab something to eat and a drink before the doors opened. The Middle East is a small diner/bar serving middle eastern food with some burgers and pizzas thrown on the menu for those of us who are not brave enough to try their ethnic cuisine. With an added benefit, while we were there eating, one of the bands also sitting down to eat.

The evening started with a local band called Duck and Cover, a 4-piece outfit with a punk feel to their music and to my disbelief a nod was made to the 80s crowd there with a cover of Kix’s “Cold Blood”. The crowd started growing after their set and the co-headliners came on stage.

Hardcore Superstar is a band out of Sweden, their sound and look is reminiscent of the 80s Glam/Sleaze Metal bands, definitely a good fit to tour with Michael. The crowd was very enthusiastic for them as evidenced by the presence of at least one fan dressed like he was teleported straight from The Hollywood Strip circa 1986.

This band is very popular in Europe, even being nominated for a couple of Swedish Grammys.

The stage presence of Joakim “Jocke” Berg their lead singer is undeniable, as he bounced all over the stage. Guitarist Vic Zino, was very impressive and very much glued to his side of the stage, definitely an underrated guitar player. Martin Sandvik is the bassist, and throughout the whole set had a smile on his face that just did not quit. Drummer Magnus “Adde” Andreasson, held it all together, a constant blur of motion.

These guys are great and I hope that they will be touring the U.S. again soon. A fun band with a great sound and attitude.

The whole reason for the trip came to the stage next.

The crowd grew antsy as the band took the stage and started plugging in, Sami Yaffa on bass, Steve Conte and Rich Jones on guitars with drummer Karl Rockfist. A talented and diverse bunch of musicians, Sami also being a former Hanoi Rocks and New York Dolls member, Karl has played with Danzig, Rich with The Black Halos and The Ginger Wildheart Band, Steve has played with Suzi Quatro and also The New York Dolls.

The crowd erupted as Michael came bouncing unto the stage starting the night off to “This is Ain’t No Love Song” off of the the new album “Blackout States”. The night continued as he powered through fifteen more songs from his long career. Michael played songs such as “Oriental Beats”, “Tragedy”’ and “Up Around The Bend” from the Hanoi Rocks days, material from Demolition 23, and of course his solo albums.

Despite being sick, he picked up a cold somewhere between L.A. and Boston, he was all over the stage kicking and singing with the occasional splits thrown in. I don’t know how he can do that without hurting himself.

This was well worth the wait I had to see him live. The band sounded great and did not miss a beat all the while looking and acting like they were having just as much of a great time as the crowd was. Unfortunately it had to come to an end, at least for Boston. There is a couple of shows left here in the States before they return to Europe.

Here is the setlist from the festivities.

This Ain’t No Love Song
Old King’s Road
Trick of the Wrist
’78
Ballad of the Lower East Side
Man With No Eyes
Oriental Beat
Horns and Halos
R.L.F.
Nothin’s Alright
Hammersmith Palais
Got Blood?
Goin’ Down with the Ship
Tragedy
Up Around the Bend
Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll

For more on the bands check out these links….
Duck and Cover Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/duckandcover1

Hardcore Superstar’s website,
http://www.hardcoresuperstar.com/

Hardcore Superstar’s Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHardcoreSuperstar

Michael Monroe’s Website,
http://www.michaelmonroe.com

Michael Monroe’s Facebook,
https://www.facebook.com/michaelmonroeofficial

Photos & Review by Frank Piercy
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