Originally formed in 1979 in Helsinki by iconic singer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Monroe, Finnish rock superstars HANOI ROCKS have announced “The Complete Collection 1981-1984”, a deluxe compilation of their influential first five studio albums, set for release November 13 via BMG.
Featuring the bands much fabled albums “Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks” (1981),“Oriental Beat” (2022 “The Re(al)mix”),“Self Destruction Blues” (1982),“Back To Mystery City” (1983) and “Two Steps From the Move” (1984),the six-LP and six-CD set includes a bonus album comprised of rare and unreleased tracks, titled “Motorvatin’!!!”. The bonus album includes songs from rare BBC live sessions as well as never-before-heard demos.
Monroe said: “The new HANOI ROCKS box set includes all the albums by the original band, including the ‘Oriental Beat’ 40th-anniversary release ‘The Re(al)mix’, which came out in 2022. There’s also a special extra bonus LP of rarities with even some previously unreleased tracks. The artwork has been put together nicely and it has a vast amount of great, rare and some never before seen photos.
“If someone is not familiar with HANOI ROCKS, this is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the band’s unique material. I recommend this box set to everybody!!”
The physical version of “The Complete Collection 1981-1984” includes a 36-page photobook featuring many previously unseen and rare shots, as well as studio album art cards from HANOI ROCKS‘ legendary initial run as a band.
This set allows a timely reappraisal of HANOI ROCKS‘ hugely potent work. The first Finnish band to chart in the U.K. and get their music heard around the world, their fusion of punk rock energy and attitude with classic glam rock ‘n’ roll quickly proved hard for the world to disregard. Frontman Michael Monroe was, and still very much is, an electric livewire of red-hot energy, his shock of bleached blonde hair, all killer looks and killer hooks, made for an unforgettable live experience. This, combined with two sharp-shootin’ guitar gunslingers Nasty Suicide and Andy McCoy flanking left and right, whilst bassist Sami Yaffa and drummer Gyp Casino (later replaced by Razzle) held down the hefty rhythms, HANOI ROCKS had everything it takes to be one of the biggest rock bands in the world.
It will always be one of the biggest tragedies in the history of rock that by 1984, when the band were considered to be on the verge of international breakthrough with the release of their first major label album “Two Steps From The Move”, HANOI ROCKS had to disastrously cut their first U.S. tour short when their drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley died in a tragic car accident. The band, reeling from the sudden loss, split in 1985.
Thankfully, the story didn’t end there and HANOI ROCKS‘ legacy lived on as a major influence on the glam metal era of GUNS N’ ROSES, FASTER PUSSYCAT, SKID ROW and POISON, etc., and the band reformed again in the early 2000s until 2009, reuniting their original lineup one more time in 2022 to celebrate Monroe‘s 60th birthday at the Helsinki Ice Hall.
“The Complete Collection 1981-1984” displays in full the enduring impact of HANOI ROCKS‘ songwriting craft, ballistic energy and colorful glamourous flair for fans of old and future generations to discover.