In the 80s, Hanoi Rocks were the most successful Finnish band internationally and are still popular in the United States, Japan, and the UK. They were also one of the first rock bands to tour in Asia, and were the first western rock band to play in Delhi. According to Finnish radio and TV personality Jone Nikula (who was also Hanoi Rocks' tour manager in the 2000s), Hanoi Rocks' albums have sold between 780,000 and 1,000,000 copies around the world, but mostly in Scandinavia and Japan. Although their album sales are strong, they are more widely known for their energetic live performances.
Hanoi Rocks was formed in Helsinki in 1979 and the first line-up included vocalist and saxophone player Michael Monroe (Matti Fagerholm), guitar player Nasty Suicide (Jan Stenfors), guitar player Stefan Piesnack, bass player Nedo and drummer Peki Sirola. The following year Piesnack, Sirola and Nedo were replaced by guitar player Andy McCoy (Antti Hulkko), bass player Sam Yaffa (Sami Takamäki) and drummer Gyp Casino (Jesper Sporre). In 1981 they moved to Stockholm and in 1982 to London to take advantage of the livelier music scene in these cities. Later that year Casino was fired and replaced by Razzle (Nicholas Dingley).
Although the band never gained significant commercial success, they have a considerable cult following and critical acclaim for their 'sleazy' yet melodic style of music. They have been cited as an influence by major bands such as Guns N' Roses and Manic Street Preachers. The re-release of Hanoi Rocks' albums on CD was in large part due to efforts by Guns N' Roses via their own record label UZI Suicide. In Finland, however, Hanoi Rocks is known as the Finnish rock band who at their time had come closest to real international fame, only much later giving way to such groups as HIM.
In 1983 the band signed to CBS Records and appeared to be on the cusp of gaining commercial acceptance. They recorded their fifth album in January 1984 with producer Bob Ezrin in his home town Toronto. The album had just been released when disaster struck in December of that same year: Razzle was killed in a car accident (the driver was Vince Neil, singer with the band Mötley Crüe). Although replaced by Terry Chimes, drummer on The Clash's first album, and René Berg from the Idle Flowers, the band never recovered; first Yaffa and then Monroe left, and in 1985 the band folded. The members spent the next 15 years in various short-lived projects, and although they worked with numerous artists including Iggy Pop, Stiv Bators, Steve Stevens, Little Steven, Samantha Fox, Sebastian Bach, Sylvain Sylvain, Nicky Hopkins, Joan Jett and Guns N' Roses they never achieved anything resembling their earlier success
In 2002 Monroe and McCoy reformed the band, with two members of the Electric Boys, and a drummer who had previously featured in Monroe's solo project. They have released two new albums and toured heavily since then.
2005 and beyond: Nasty Suicide works as a pharmacist. Sami Yaffa now plays in a band called Mad Juana with his wife, Karmen Guy, and is based in New York City. Yaffa is also touring and recording with the reformed New York Dolls. Suicide and Yaffa have appeared onstage with the reformed Hanoi although not at the same time. The single "Fashion", released in May, went straight to #1 in the Finnish singles chart. On the 8th of August, a the single 'This One's For Rock'n'Roll' was released to be downloaded from selected sites. This was featured on the album 'Street Poetry', which was released early September 2007.
In October 2008, the band announced that they will be splitting up for good in spring, 2009. The band will play their farewell tour in Japan and end their career with a gig in Tavastia, Helsinki where they originally started playing. According to Mike Monroe and Andy McCoy, the band has reached its full potential now and has gone as far as it will ever go.
Michael Monroe - lead vocals (1979-1985, 2002-2009)
Andy McCoy - guitar, backing vocals (1980-1985, 2002-2009)
Conny Bloom - guitar (2004-2009)
Andy "A.C." Christell - bass (2004-2009)
Lacu - drums (2002-2008)
FASHION
Hanoi Rocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At first glance leaves a lasting impression
Paris catwalks, big small talk
The casting couch promise that'll put you worse off
Every evening London's receiving
A beat machine man-made and so deceiving
We got the groove now, we'll show the world how
I'm into fashion just because of you
It ain't the flash man, it's down to attitude
I'm into fashion all because of you
I got new fashion just designed for you
Silk emerald islands
Diamante high lands
A vouge sale scheme, just an empty day dream
Child labour out of favour
Fashion can have such a nasty flavour
I'm into fashion just because of you
It ain't the flash man, it's down to attitude
I'm into fashion all because of you
I got new fashion just for you
Hand me downs
I wear my rags well
I mix, match and I make it gel
Just hand it down
I'm breaking new ground
You'll always find me in a thrift store wheelin' around
I'm into fashion just because of you
It ain't the flash man, it's down to attitude
I'm into fashion all because of you
I got new fashion just for you
I'm into fashion just because of you
It ain't the flash man, it's down to attitude
I'm into fashion all because of you
I got new fashion just for you
The song "Fashion" by the Finnish glam rock band Hanoi Rocks is all about the world of fashion and its various aspects. The lyrics convey a sense of irony as well as a commentary on the shallow nature of the industry. The song's main theme is that fashion is not just about what you wear, but it is also a reflection of your attitude towards life.
At the start of the song, the band talks about how fashion is a passion for some people and how it can leave a lasting impression. They mention Paris catwalks, big small talk, and the casting couch promising that it can put you in a worse off position. Through these lyrics, the band highlights the darker and more exploitative side of the fashion industry.
The lyrics in the next verse talk about London's night scene and how it is dominated by a beat machine made to deceive people. The band then transitions to talk about child labor in the fashion industry and the negative, nasty flavor associated with it. They emphasize that fashion is not always glamorous and mention hand-me-downs, thrift stores, and mixing and matching to show that fashion is more about attitude than just having new and glamorous clothes.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1981, which was a time when the fashion industry was booming. The lyrics gave voice to the concerns of many people who were opposed to the industry's darker side. The band also made a music video for the song, which was rare for a band of their caliber at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
When fashion is your passion
When fashion is what you are passionate about
At first glance leaves a lasting impression
When you first see something, it makes a long-lasting impression on you
Paris catwalks, big small talk
Talking about fashion in Paris and the gossip that comes with it
The casting couch promise that'll put you worse off
The promise of fame in the fashion industry through inappropriate means that will only hurt you in the end
Every evening London's receiving
London is always receiving new fashion trends and ideas
A beat machine man-made and so deceiving
A fake, manufactured fashion trend that is not authentic
We got the groove now, we'll show the world how
We have a new fashion trend that we will showcase to the world
To wake this planet up with a new sound now
To bring attention to our new fashion trend and make it popular
I'm into fashion just because of you
I like fashion because of your influence
It ain't the flash man, it's down to attitude
It's not about showing off, it's about having the right attitude towards fashion
I'm into fashion all because of you
I like fashion because of your influence
I got new fashion just designed for you
I have a new fashion trend that was made specifically for you
Silk emerald islands
A luxurious and exotic type of clothing
Diamante high lands
Clothing adorned with diamonds in high places
A vouge sale scheme, just an empty day dream
A scheme to sell fashionable clothing that is only a fantasy and not realistic
Child labour out of favour
Using child labor to produce clothing is no longer acceptable
Fashion can have such a nasty flavour
Fashion can have negative aspects, such as exploitation and greed
Hand me downs
Used clothing that is given to someone else
I wear my rags well
I wear my used clothing with pride
I mix, match and I make it gel
I combine different types of clothing to create a cohesive and stylish outfit
Just hand it down
Just give me your used clothing
I'm breaking new ground
I'm creating a new fashion trend
You'll always find me in a thrift store wheelin' around
I enjoy shopping for used clothing at thrift stores
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
19andlife
My favorite Hanoi Rocks song. It says a lot when a band can release quality material like this late in their career. Hanoi Rocks rock!!!!!!
Rafael Gentil
Hanoi Rocks might not be the favorite band of all people that came here but it's youthness and punk attitude do revigorate us all and I fell so young and full of energy that I'm not afraid of saying that this band fuckin' rocks and will be remembered for ever.
Indie Soul
👍✨
Marko Vänttinen
This is why Hanoi Rocks is rock. Pls Andy and Mike, make it together and continue making tracks, for us fans who like this.
mul béo
i love not only the song but the way they performed it. Really unique.
Yeah
just discovered these guys, i can't get their songs out of my head! truly awesome band
jedimanoj
Superb song and great riff. Nice to see Connie Bloom of the Electric Boys on this track. Michael Monroe is a legend.
Lotja Uuno
As an old Hanoi fan they are their best now. They are in the peak, so I am disapointed that they break now. The band is in great shape now. Why don't they continue?
Sareth987
I will always love Hanoi Rocks! My life has been "Tragedy" and sometimes I'm "Cutting corners". Sometimes all my friends seem to be "Million Miles Away". But when I'm "A day late, a dollar short" and "Lost in the city" I always take one left and follow "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" to the "Café Avenue"!
Hope Lines
I just discovered 'em and I feel like a kid at Christmas!