“That’s the problem with drinking, I thought, as I poured myself a drink. If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.” —Charles Bukowski, Women
Sovereign Liquors 6202 N Broadway, Chicago, IL Tuesday 4/2/2025
I went to visit Max to go over more details on the book layout and print some labels. He twisted my arm to go to “the old man’s bar’ for some afternoon day drinking which I haven’t done since New Orleans in mid December. I was pleasantly surprised and amazed at the jukebox with CD’s created by patrons. It’s across my my old doctors office and the Aldi in Edgewater which is en route to my bike ride to Wilmette and near Flacos Tacos so I imagine I will be returning, sporadically.
Chicago’s Sovereign Liquors is about as quintessential a neighborhood dive bar as a bar can be, its longevity affording it the rare distinction of providing both on-site drinks and to-go six packs. An anchor of the Edgewater community since the 1940s, crowds have shifted over the years and throughout the day, intermingling local regulars and young college students from nearby Loyola University.
El Palmar Sunday March 30, 2025 with Ellen the Felon after the Adam Ant podcast
photo courtesy of Larry Goone
Same post as 1 year prior. Thanks Google
Finally it is here. 10 new songs that bring back the authentic sounds and style of Hollywood’s heyday with a set of all-original material that rocks hard with incredibly hooky songs and memorable riffs!
Michael Monroe this weekend in St Charles
Brunch with Melita prior to me leaving for the Michael Monroe concert. Katrina is eating as well.
Melita wanted a shot of my LA GUNS coat and I told her the story of how I ended up with two of the same coats from 2 different countries. My life is strange that way.
Melita cat sitting Katrina
Katrina all over Melita
Max and Melita at Output 2024
Globally renowned rock icon and founding member of Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe, announces his long await return to the USA in April 2025! With his shows selling out in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in record time, Michael has added a further 7 US dates across the country. Icon, song-writer, multi-instrumentalist, media personality, flamboyant force of nature and one of rock’s most celebrated and uber kinetic frontmen, Michael has been a name and a (much-photographed) face on the scene since 1979, when he played a central role in the formation of Hanoi Rocks – the legendary Finnish glam punk heroes who were on the precipice of taking the world by glitter storm. In the leather-bound history of heartfelt rock ‘n’ roll, not only will Michael Monroe have at least one chapter all to himself, but his name will be colorfully threaded throughout. This April, Michael along with his incredible band will return to the US for the first time in 9 years, playing tracks from all eras of his career including Hanoi Rocks and Demolition 23 as well as his prolific solo work. This is a rock ’n’ roll show not to be missed!
photos by Alex Zander, Robinette Jacqueline, Rich Love and Christine Verchota
Michael Monroe Setlist Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll
I Live Too Fast to Die Young
Murder the Summer of Love
Last Train to Tokyo
Young Drunks & Old Alcoholics
Man With No Eyes
Old King’s Road
Trick of the Wrist
’78
Ballad of the Lower East Side
Don’t You Ever Leave Me (Hanoi Rocks song)
One Man Gang
Horns and Halos
I Can’t Get It (Hanoi Rocks song)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Hanoi Rocks song)
Boiler (Me Boiler ‘n’ Me) (Hanoi Rocks song) FIRST TIME PERFORMED LIVE EVER!
Motorvatin’ (Hanoi Rocks song)
Hammersmith Palais (Demolition 23. song)
Malibu Beach Nightmare (Hanoi Rocks song)
Up Around the Bend (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
Encore:
Nothin’s Alright (Demolition 23. song)
Taxi Driver (Hanoi Rocks song)
I Feel Alright (1970) / Radar Love (Iggy Pop/Golden Earring Cover)
Nothin’s Alright (Demolition 23. song) (Acoustic)
Last night was for sure the best show I’ll see this year. At 62 years old and full of more energy I’ve ever seen for over 90 minutes. He went into the audience 3 times and never stood still. Only Iggy Pop has exuded so much raw power. It was refreshing that in these times we live in where trolls in social media proclaim their hatred for our country MM declared his love for America and Americans as a people. There was a lot of love on that stage last night. To be home at 1010 was a bonus. Special to John and Rich of I Love Rich for being kick ass rock n roll brothers to share the ride and seats with.
The 2025 live band consists of Rich Jones (formerly of the Ginger Wildheart band) and Steve Conte (best known as the guitarist who filled the void left by Johnny Thunders in the NEW YORK DOLLS, as well as playing guitar with many other name acts such as Suzi Quatro, Eric Burden and many more) and drummer Karl Rockfist (who has played with notable acts such as DANZIG) and Todd Kerns, bassist for Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators temporarily replaces Sami Yaffa in Michael Monroe’s solo band for the US Tour.
