GINGER Quits MICHAEL MONROE's Band, Says Singer's Management Is To Blame

Ginger (THE WILDHEARTS) will play his last gig as the guitarist for Michael Monroe's (HANOI ROCKS) solo band on June 17 at the Provinssirock festival in Finland. The identity of Ginger's replacement in Michael's group will be revealed after Provinssirock and Monroe and his bandmates are certain that it will be a pleasant surprise to all fans of the legendary Finnish rock vocalist.

Monroe will make his live debut with the band's new guitarist on June 26 at Kalasatama in Helsinki as the support act for the FOO FIGHTERS.

In a series of online postings, Ginger stated about his departure from Monroe's band, "I left for a lot of reasons, mainly the management.

"I didn't agree with the management of the band, but didn't have enough of a position in the band to change anything.

"It was basically me or the manager, and Michael chose the manager.

"Choosing one thing I didn't like about management policy would be like choosing one hair on a dogs back. Put honestly, that dog has a very hairy back.

"There are too many points that I disagreed on to choose any specific ones. I think Michael should have had stronger management.

"I have known for a while [that I wanted to leave Michael's group], but I told the band that I would honor all live shows this year. Recently, in Nagoya, Michael told me that Provinssirock, June 17th would be my final show this year, and that they will have a replacement in place for the FOO FIGHTERS show in Helsinki on June 26th.

"Me and Michael will be friends forever. As I will be with all the guys in that band. We became brothers in music after the last 18 months.

[Regarding Monroemanager's statement on split with Ginger: "It's pointless to stir up a sensation out of this because there isn't any."] "It was as hard to leave something I'd been involved in for 18 months as you'd imagine. [Michael's manager] Virpi [Immonen] didn't write the lyrics and music, so I imagine this wasn't difficult for her.

"When it came to decision-making, I was never as much of a chief member as Michael and Sami [Yaffa, bass]. This is understandable as they formed the band. I was aware of my position from the beginning, but coming from a position as band leader (with THE WILDHEARTS) this was an increasingly difficult situation for me.

"Although [Virpi] might be brilliant in other aspects of the music business, she doesn't understand band management.

"I'm sure Virpi is a very good business woman outside of band management.

"Band management involves as much psychology as business smarts. You also need to be on top of everything, give 12 projections and have great imagination.

"I have no idea who will replace me. The band would not/could not tell me which guitar players were in the running.

"The Michael Monroe gig was never as lucrative as my solo shows. I didn't rely on Michael Monroe for money."

"[I am] not gutted at all [about leaving Monroe's band]. We all have to make choices in this life. Michael made his and I made mine."

"Sensory Overdrive", the new solo album from Michael Monroe, entered the official chart in his home country at position No. 1.

"Sensory Overdrive" was released on March 14 via Universal Music subsidiary Spinefarm Records. The CD features guest appearances by MOTRHEAD'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.