MICHAEL MONROE Discusses 'Sensory Overdrive' Solo Album In New Interview

Mick Stingley of Rocksalt.mx recently conducted an interview with legendary HANOI ROCKS singer Michael Monroe. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow below.

Rocksalt.mx: Can you talk a little about what your relationship with Johnny Thunders was like and what he meant to you?

Monroe: He had a big impact on me when I was younger and I was lucky enough to have him become one of my dearest friends in later years. He reminded me of the important things in life and what rock 'n' roll was really about — integrity and staying true to yourself.

Rocksalt.mx: Why did you feel it was important to tour and release a live CD before recording a brand new album?

Monroe: i thought the fans should have something to tide them over until our first studio album would be released plus i wanted to document our last year's live set because it's gonna change a lot this year with the songs from the new album.

Rocksalt.mx: What was the songwriting process for this album?

Monroe: We did a few days of writing on several occasions when the band was together in the same place at the same time for gigs, rehearsals or whatever. for example in L.A. and New York City last spring, in finland last summer etc. We also did some writing with Sami and Ginger in person and via the Internet since the summer and in the fall of 2009.

Rocksalt.mx: Everyone knows and loves Lemmy: you were listed in the credits of the "Lemmy" documentary but did not appear. Can you tell us a Lemmy story?

Monroe: If you mean "Lemmy" the movie, I was actually in it saying that my favorite MOTÖRHEAD song line was "be a good soldier and die where you fell" from the song "Born To Raise Hell". I'm only there for a few seconds, though, so maybe you missed it.

Rocksalt.mx: Jack Douglas famously produced JOHN LENNON and AEROSMITH. Do you think this sums up your style of rock and roll and did that make him a good fit for your record?

Monroe: I don't think producing JOHN LENNON and AEROSMITH totally "sums up my style," although I have been influenced by both, among others. Jack just seemed like the best choice at the time.

Rocksalt.mx: In the past 15 years, a ton of bands have emerged from your country playing all sorts of styles, but notably some variant of rock. What about Finland contributes to this?

Monroe: I really don't know. The long, cold and dark winter may add something to the "gloom-and-doom" thing of goth and heavy metal, but that's all I can think of.

Read the entire interview at Rocksalt.mx.

Michael Monroe will release his new solo album, "Sensory Overdrive", on March 14 via Universal Music subsidiary Spinefarm Records. The CD features guest appearances by MOTÖRHEAD's Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister and three-time Grammy-winning country/folk singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams.

"Sensory Overdrive" was recorded in Los Angeles with legendary producer Jack Douglas, who has previously worked with AEROSMITH, JOHN LENNON, CLUTCH, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and NEW YORK DOLLS, among many others.

The first single from the album, "'78" (a homage to a year of great music and significant cultural happenings), will be available on February 21 on both digital download and colored vinyl complete with exclusive extra track.

"'78" is now available for streaming at this location.