Michael Monroe @ The King of Clubs, Columbus, Ohio 4-4-25

Its been 14 long years but glam rocker icon Michael Monroe has finally made his way back to the United States. Even though Monroe has remained a very busy artist, he rarely tours the United States. So when it was announced he would do 10 dates plus the Monsters of Rock Cruise, it was a very big deal. Monroe’s band consists of Rich Jones and Steve Conte on guitar, Karl Rockfist on drums and Todd Kerns on bass. Kerns was filing in for Sammi Yaffa on bass.

Monroe entered the venue and perched on a large sidewall leading to the stage area. There he got the crowd riled up before making his way to the actual stage. Monroe joined his bandmates as they went into the classic “Dead, Jail or Rock and Roll.” This was the first time Monroe jumped on top of the pit (there was bars that across the areas of the pit) as he balanced himself there while he got up close and personal with the crowd. This was the first time he played the harmonica. A handful of great solo tunes ensued which included “Last Train to Tokyo” and “Old Kings Road.” Besides the harmonica, Monroe plays a mean saxophone and did so on both “Trick of the Wrist” and “Malibu Beach Nightmare.” Conte and Monroe sat on the end of the stage and got the crowd to sing the beginning lyrics of “Ballad of the Lower East Side.” There were little talking in between songs. There was little time too. Monroe was constantly moving about the stage all night interacting with each band member and the crowd. Monroe played a barrage of songs from his old band Hanoi Rocks. He also added “Hammersmith Palais’ from his otter project Demolition 23. To close out the set, Monroe did a fun version of the Creedence Clearwater classic “Up Around the Bend.” The band closed out there hour and half set with 3 encores which included medley of The Stooges cover 1970 (I feel Alright) mixed into the Golden Earring’s classic “Radar Love.”

This was my first time seeing Monroe perform live since October of 2011. To me, he hasn’t lost anything. He is still as vibrant and full of energy. That same energy his band also gave the crowd Friday night in Columbus. It’s a shame that Monroe doesn’t come to the U.S. often but when he does, you can guarantee that Monroe and his band will give their all!

Setlist:

Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll

I Live to Fast to Die Young

Murder the Summer of Love

Last Train to Tokyo

Young Drunks & Old Alcoholics

Man With No Eyes

Old Kings Road

Trick of the Wrist

’78

Ballad of the Lower East Side

Don’t You Ever Leave Me (Hanoi Rocks song)