Pure Rawk – Accept No Substitutes

Following a number of well-received shows in the US and Scandinavia, Friday saw the first UK date for Michael Monroe’s new band at London’s Islington Academy.

Last year, Michael and former Hanoi bassist Sammi Yaffa started talking about playing together again after Michael guested at a New York Dolls show in Helsinki, and that talk soon evolved into a new project.

The lineup has already undergone a number of changes, with the band now including Wildhearts frontman Ginger on guitar and backing vox duties, alongside New York Dolls guitarist Steve Conte, and drummer Karl Rosqvist.

Thanks to a 10pm curfew it was an early start at the Academy, with the headliners on stage at 8.30pm. What we saw tonight was not a Michael Monroe solo show, but a bunch of great musicians who have really gelled as a band – they look and sound like they’ve been playing together for far longer than they actually have. Opening number Nothin’s Alright started the set at a pace that barely let up all night.

For me one of the highlights came early on in the shape of ‘Hammersmith Palais’, but highlight is a subjective word in a set that had something for everyone, mixing up Hanoi Rocks, Demolition 23 and Michael’s solo material with a handful of new songs co-written by the band. The first of these new tracks, ‘You’re Next’ was played four songs in, giving a promising taste of things to come. Later in the set ‘Boulevard Of Broken Dreams’ was followed by a cracking cover of The Damned’s ‘Love Song’.

Monroe may have been in the business for a long time, but is slowing no signs of slowing down, constantly working the crowd and climbing up to the balcony twice (much to the horror of the security staff but to the delight of his fans up there). All in all this was a powerhouse of a performance and great night out.

If you missed them this time around, you’ll get your chance in the summer as the band has just been confirmed for Download on June 12th, as part of their increasingly busy summer festival schedule

Full setlist:
Nothin’s Alright
Mortorvatin’
Hammersmith Palais
You’re Next
Not Fakin’ It
Dysfunctional
Another Night In The Sun
I Wanna Be Loved
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Love Song
Machine Gun Etiquette
Motorheaded For A Fall
Back To Mystery City
Tragedy
Malibu Beach
Dead, Jail or Rock ‘N’ Roll

Encore:
Endangered Species (With Charlie Harper)
Ain’t Nothing To Do
Taxi Driver
Feel Alright

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