A genuine rock star since birth, Michael Monroe innately knows exactly how to sing, swagger and walk the most glamorous and colourful of walks. One Man Gang, the former Hanoi Rocks man’s brand new offering on Silver Lining Music, is all about the fun of Friday nights, seven days a week, letting your hair down for a dirty, dangerous, damn good time, and embracing a total escape into the rock‘n’roll dream.

Recorded and mixed by Petri Majuri at E-Studio in Sipoo, Finland over three weeks in March 2018, the 12-song record was mixed that following Autumn with Monroe and band-mates Rich Jones and Steve Conte on production duties.

With stunning presence, Monroe’s vocals blaze their unique trail across catchy, low-slung guitars mixing with saxophones, harmonicas and trumpets, plus a smorgasbord of exciting hooks and melodies. One Man Gang is old-school strut with rudely fresh vigour.

The title-track’s bombastic bar-room blitz (featuring a guest appearance by Captain Sensible of The Damned) is a valuable reminder that even if born in the gutter, you must always look to the stars. “It sometimes seems like everybody’s pissing on their own parade,” says Monroe, “whether that’s voting stupid people into power and then complaining about them or whatever, but I’m all about living with a P.M.A. – Positive Mental Attitude – and I’ll never allow myself to be forced away from that. I do what I do and I’ll never change,” says Monroe, “I don’t dress any different on or off stage because this is who I am… this is the real me.”

2019 TOUR DATES: 

Oct 30   02 Academy Islington     London, United Kingdom

Nov 01  Brudenell Social Club      Leeds, United Kingdom

Nov 02  The Craufurd Arms           Wolverton, United Kingdom

Nov 03  Engine Rooms    Southhampton, United Kingdom

Nov 04  The Mill, Digbeth              Birmingham, United Kingdom

Nov 05  The Garage          Glasgow, United Kingdom

Nov 06  Manchester Club Academy           Manchester, United Kingdom

Nov 07  The Fleece           Bristol, United Kingdom

Nov 08  The Sugarmill     Stoke-on-trent, United Kingdom

Nov 09  Hard Rock Hell Chapter XIII           Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom

Influential post-punk group Minimal Compact have announced the release of Creation Is Perfect: an album of new versions of classic tracks by a classic band, plus a brand new song. The album is due for release on October 25 via the band’s own Minimal Compact label. Formed in Amsterdam in 1980, they were part of the original post-punk explosion, and remain one of its most distinctive voices. The band developed a unique mix of propulsive rhythms, spacious bass lines, rich keyboard textures, mesmeric guitar lines, and vocal melodies with a Middle-Eastern inflection. They sounded like nothing that had gone before. 

Accompanying the announcement is a new version of live favourite 'Statik Dancin', a track of barbed hooks, fidgeting energy and an irresistible groove. Bassist/keyboardist and vocalist Malka Spigel comments: “We still play ‘Statik Dancin’ like we always did: driving, minimal, a bit moronic but still catchy. This version has a combination of the energy of the live version plus a fresh sounding production”.

Minimal Compact consists of five very different and distinct personalities: Berry Sakharof (guitars/ keyboards/vocals); Malka Spigel (bass/keyboards/vocals); Samy Birnbach aka DJ Morpheus (vocals); Rami Fortis (guitar/vocals); and Max Franken (drums). Together they released several ground-breaking and influential albums, including Deadly Weapons (1984) – which spawned club hit “Next One Is Real” – and their most commercial album, Raging Souls (1985). The band performed all around the world, from Poland to Japan, and gained a reputation for energetic, unpredictable, intense shows. However, their studio recordings seldom snared the majesty and power of the live gigs. 

Now Minimal Compact have reconvened, together with producer and long-time collaborator Colin Newman (of post-punk legends Wire), to finally capture their music in its true brilliance. Several of the band’s signature songs have been re-recorded using a mix of live recordings and studio-tooled performances. The result is an album that radiates vitality and sheer class.

Minimal Compact originally parted company in 1988. But during their absence, their influence grew and grew. By the time they returned for a handful of sell-out shows in 2004 they had been recognised as inspirational originators. They have reunited for live gigs just a few times since then, each performance serving to add to their legacy. With more live shows coming up, Creation Is Perfect is a timely reminder of what an essential and forward-thinking unit Minimal Compact are. You may be familiar with these songs, but you’ve never heard them sound as strong as this before.

When Minimal Compact are apart, the various members are restlessly creative. They release solo albums, have art exhibitions, present radio shows, collaborate with other artists, DJ, tour, run record labels, and appear on TV. But when those five individuals get back together, something magical happens – and it’s happening again. Creation Is Perfect is an album of power and depth that demands repeated plays. Crackling with energy and immediacy, this is the sound of a band reaching a new level of creativity.

Creation Is Perfect track list:

1. Statik Dancin’

2. Take Me Away

3. Nada

4. Raging Souls

5. Not Knowing

6. My Will

7. The Well

8. Holy Roar (new track)