Hanoi Rocks certainly have had a cult following for years. This DVD captures a 1984 show that found the band in concert in the UK. It shows a group that were at the top of their game – and straddling a number of musical styles. Were they punk? From the sounds of the music you’d have to say, “yes.” Were they metal? Well, from the glam styling of their clothing you’d think they were 1980’s metal. Surely the closest thing to what Hanoi Rocks did was The New York Dolls, but in some ways it seems like Hanoi Rocks took that influence and moved it to its most logical extreme. What do you call a band of this type who covers CCR (“Up Around the Bend”) in the same show as The Ramones (“Blitzkrieg Bop”)? Whatever you call them, though, these guys rocked. It’s great that this show was captured for prosperity and even better that we can now get our hands on it.  While not a big scale production the video and sound quality here is good. That said, the sound is a bit rough – but I think that is more about the sound at the show (come on it, it is a punk show) than about the way it was captured on video.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2008  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.