In 1979, Finnish singer Matti Fagerholm and guitarist Antti Hulkko sowed seeds for what became Hanoi Rocks. In February 1981, after adopting the respective stage names Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy, the band released their debut album, Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks (7/10). It hit the shops while the five-piece were on a three-month, 102-date tour. Playing that many gigs, they got good. In fact, considering there were so few templates for high-energy sleazy rock’n’roll bands – the members of Mötley Crüe had only just met each other, and Guns N’ Roses didn’t yet exist – they got very good indeed.
Audiences saw this when Hanoi Rocks first came to London at the end of 1981. Their performances impressed reviewers from Sounds and Kerrang!, who, noting their post-punk energy and glam trappings, drew comparisons to Aerosmith, The Clash, the Stones and the then-defunct New York Dolls.
