Clash of the album covers

Here you go.


Faster Pussycat-s/t

vs.


Hanoi Rocks-Oriental Beat


***Which cover do you prefer?

Number 24

My top 25 hard rock/metal guitarist countdown continues with number 24. It is...



Andy McCoy

Definitely a player who used lots of different tones and wasn't afraid to mix things up. He used elements of hard rock, pop, punk and other in helping to define Hanoi Rocks' incredible sound. The more off the wall the better was oftentimes the case both guitarist and band.

So far it's..
25-Ace Frehley
24-Andy McCoy
23-Coming next week!

Hanoi Rocks-The Nottingham Tapes

Cherry Red
2008

This DVD is of a show that was recorded at the Palais in Nottingham, England on April 23, 1984. As this show documents I think these guys were at the peak of what would ultimately be an all too short first run. This was real glam largely influenced by 1970's acts like the New York Dolls, Alice Cooper and others. Hanoi were a blend of hard rock, pop, punk and other all tossed together plus they were far ahead of most of the other 80's acts who most people consider "glam". This DVD has two of the songs labeled incorrectly on the packaging for some reason, but it's a great show otherwise. Obviously the confidence and flair was over the top by this point and they burst on with "Back to mystery city". It's a rather tiny stage, but the band just attacks their near 60 minute set although they have to watch out not to bump into each other. They bring out all the hooks, shouts, bangs and quirkiness that made their albums so great plus the boys change things up a little as well. This was real rock and roll as it should be played which means it's highly charged, loud and extremely fun. They easily roll out rockers like "Motorvatin" and "Malibu Beach" plus off kilter slow songs like "Don't you ever leave me" and tracks like "Taxi driver" which was even a little odd by their standards. It's just a shame that the band's prime was cut short as I think these guys were about ready to explode. They could just take songs and twist them, warp them and through all kinds of oddness into the pot and it was come sounding a very natural progression if you were open to it. Very few bands could do that so easily and still make it so enjoyable. If you love Hanoi Rocks then you probably already have this on your to buy list. If you don't like them then you are certainly missing out and probably have not read this far in my review anyhow. If you have never heard them then this DVD is as good a place as any to start as it covers songs from several albums and gives you a good a view of just how great they were.

Interview with Sami Yaffa

Sami Yaffa is currently a member of both the New York Dolls and Mad Juana. He has also played with Hanoi Rocks, Jetboy, Joan Jett, Murphy's Law and others. He has mainly played bass, but has played guitar in some projects as well. I recently got to check in with him and ask him about his past, present and future.

MM-What are you currently up to?
SY- Trying to clear my head....Preparing for the release of my band Mad Juana's new album "Bruja On The Corner" in June.

MM-What have been some of the biggest highs and the biggest lows of your music career?
SY-It's all a rollercoaster ride with pure exhalation and manic depression, but it's all good...highs are many, but the lowest was Razzle's passing.

MM-What were your thoughts when you first joined the New York Dolls?
SY-Foggy, confusion, what the fuck, holy shit etc...

MM-What is your favorite Hanoi Rocks album and why?
SY-Day late Dollar Short, they sound like the Scorpions!.....actually "Back to Mystery City". That record is out there...

MM-The albums you did with Hanoi Rocks in the early to mid 1980’s still seem to be influencing young bands even today. Why do you think that is and does it surprise you that those albums are so influential?
SY-No, they were shining ,brilliant albums and we were young and gorgeous,who can resist..I don't really know the reason for that. It was just pure fuckin' fun, people can feel it, it was honest, no bullshit, this is who we are, if you don't like it you can shove it where the sun don't shine attitude that was contagious..

MM-What do you remember most about your time in Jetboy?
SY-Nothing at all, I lived in fuckin' Hollywood,didn't I.....a swimming pool, somebody had a pet hamster.....lot of silicon.......ugh...fog....

MM-Do you approach writing and playing any differently now than you did say 25 years ago?
SY-Yes, I can write and play now.

MM-You have been in a lot of projects over the years, some for short periods and some for longer stints. Was there ever a time where you thought about giving up on music and just going and doing something else as a career?
SY- Yes, when I played w Joan Jett, just kidding...after Razzle's passing I was pretty burnt out , we had been on the road for solid 5 years, I was pretty much sick of it all....took a break, raised my son etc...



MM-You have played in bands, recorded a lot of albums and toured all over. What have you not done in your music career that you would still love to do? SY-Fuck a chicken, strangle a lawyer, set a manager on fire, give the roadies a raise, play on the moon...

MM-Is the music business easier or difficult for you now than it was in the 1980’s?
SY-It's the same quicksand...keeps eating perfectly good musicians...it just keeps changing, you as a musician have to now do more that just play. Every motherfucker is downloading music for free so us musicians starve, almost makes me not wanna come up with any new music anymore, makes me puke.

MM-What would be your advice for a young band just starting out?
SY-Kill you manager,you'll get notoriety and worldwide fame, hopefully you'll do time for manslaughter, with good behaviour you'll be out in 5 years. You will be the biggest sensation when you return on the stage.

MM-What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2008?
Finish painting my fence...have world tour with Mad Juana and New York Dolls, learn to drive a car....

MM-Do you have any regrets in your music career?
Njet

MM-If you could only listen to three albums over the next month then what would they be?
Llilliana Butler"Queen of Gypsy Soul, Lee Scratch Perry "Return of the SuperApe" and Iggy &The Stooges"FunHouse"

MM-Is there anything else that you want to say about any of the bands you are in or your music?
SY-Yes, I would like to thank Shiva,the Kali-Bitch and the most high for New York Dolls and Mad Juana,Karmen Guy,Sylvain Sylvain,David Johansen,Danny Ray,Steve Conti,Nico Camargo,Marni Rice,Brian Delaney,Steve Rodriquez,Paul Garisto,Dustin Luna and my dog Elvi

http://www.myspace.com/samiyaffa

***Thanks to Sami for doing the interview.