Justin Hawkins of The Darkness shared a revealing encounter with Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe on his YouTube show ‘Justin Hawkins Rides Again.’ The interaction took place during and after a Guns N’ Roses show featuring both artists.
“When I rocked up at the show where we played with Michael Monroe at the Guns and Roses stuff, he saw me in my cats suit getting ready to go on stage and he was really nice to me and he was saying, ‘Oh, we should do some stuff together. We should hang out. Here’s my album. I love your band,'” Hawkins recalled. “And I was like, ‘Oh f—king hell, that would be really cool. You’re a legend. Let’s do it.'”
“And then later, I went to follow up on that idea with him but I was wearing my civilian clothes and he didn’t recognize me,” he continued. “And he was f—cking rude. And then I said something to him, ‘Oh, we should keep in touch.’ And he went, ‘Oh, we should keep in touch,’ and he actually mocked my voice.”
The encounter concluded with Hawkins noting, “And I was like, ‘Oh, well, the mask has slipped and that’s who he really is.”
The incident highlights two prominent figures in rock music. Each artist has made distinctive contributions to the genre through their theatrical performance styles.
The Darkness’ Recent Activities
Planet Rock reports that Justin Hawkins has expanded his presence beyond The Darkness. He recently starred in a music video for the band’s single ‘I Hate Myself,’ transforming into a chain-smoking diva.
The frontman’s performances showcase his signature style through Gibson Les Paul Customs and Marshall amps. These equipment choices contribute significantly to The Darkness’ distinctive sound.
Michael Monroe’s Legacy
Louder Sound reveals Monroe’s current celebration of Hanoi Rocks’ album ‘Two Steps from the Move’ 40th anniversary. The artist plans to embark on US and UK tours in 2025.
The Finnish rock icon has built his career on energetic live performances. His unique incorporation of saxophone into rock music draws inspiration from Chuck Berry and Black Sabbath.
Artistic Parallels
Both artists commit to theatrical rock performance. Their contributions have significantly shaped the modern glam rock scene.
The artists share similar approaches to showmanship and dedication to rock music’s theatrical traditions. However, this recent interaction reveals a stark contrast between public personas and private encounters in the rock world.
