MICHAEL MONROE Says NIKKI SIXX, TRACII GUNS Are Trying To Get Publicity For Their Band

HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe has commented on the Internet war of words that followed his remarks on the Metal Sludge web site regarding MÖTLEY CRÜE, L.A. GUNS and POISON.

Asked in Metal Sludge's "20 Questions With..." what his thoughts were on MÖTLEY CRÜE releasing a box set called "Music To Crash Your Car To" in light of the fact that CRÜE frontman Vince Neil caused the tragic car accident in 1984 that killed his passenger, HANOI ROCKS drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley, Monroe said, " 'Disrespectful' is an understatement. The 'Mostly Crude' gotta be as dumb as they are to have done that. I'm not only talking about Razzle, but also for the other families involved in the accident (in Dec. '84)... as we've previously stated: The most tasteless and murderous gimmick to cash in on the past we've ever heard of. There's nothing 'cool' or 'funny' about death or winding up a paraplegic for life. How low can you go? I'd say this gave bad taste a bad name!"

Responding to Monroe's comments on the Metal Sludge message board, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx's BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION bandmate Tracii Guns wrote, "It's not really a good idea to slag two out of four of the guys in a band that your band just tried to get an American tour with especially after [L.A. GUNS singer] Phil [Lewis] and I dragged your ass up to Polygram in '88 to try to get you your solo deal (which you did) and after I got [HANO ROCKS guitarist] Andy [McCoy] those really nice custom Vox tear drop guitars made for him... So I guess the answer is no... We would not like to tour with HANOI this year. It's kinda fucked up too, because we were thinking of doing [a version of HANOI ROCKS'] 'Until I Get You' on our next record because we felt it would be cool to get you guys a little publishing because we respect your music but, fuck it!!!! Oh ya, remember Cologne, Germany in '89 when you and I went to that little club and saw Dan Mcafferty blow our minds??? I guess it's hard to remember good fun shit like that when you're basically just an asshole. I regret saying all the really kind shit I did say about you in the past. Don't get too high on thinking you created AXL bro... that was Izzy's idea and Axl just basically wiped your ass too the floor... oh ya ... did you know that crystal meth puts little pinholes in your brain???

"Peace Michael Monroe, or is it just really just Norma Jean with a dick."

Speaking to Zrock.com last Saturday (March 20) at the South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, Monroe elaborated on his previous remarks, stating, "I just said my opinions about it. I guess they are trying to cash in or use the opportunity now that I mentioned some names that they asked me about. I just said my honest opinion and they are latching onto it. I guess they’re trying to milk it for their own publicity or something. I wouldn't have said anything at all if it wasn't for that stupid song title, I mean that stupid album title that they had, which is very sick and very low. You know what I'm talking about. So that's why I figured okay, I'll put a little bit of… But then at the same time, I opened the door for a certain type of return from a group of people. I'm surprised the people even have anything to do with it. It's band members, I mean, writing a big thing about it. It looks to me they’re using the opportunity to get some publicity for their band. I didn't even know they had a band. I would say there's no need to thank me, don't mention it, much obliged, but that's enough now. If they want to thank me for the great publicity I give them. Besides, what I said about Gene Simmons is very true. In fact, everybody knows that [it's] true and he should be proud of the fact. He is what he is and he should be proud, I’m sure. A guy like him even. At least he's busy enough to not lower himself to the level of guys who look at the screens and say oh I know you over one of mine, nah, nah! I don't have the time. I don't have a computer. I don’t look around and look at gossip and stuff. I think it's a waste of time. I don't know if that's playing it down or what, but I haven't paid attention to it. I just answered the questions in a questionnaire and I thought was pretty funny. They had some funny and unusual questions. . . I know that opinions are like assholes – everybody has one. And there are a lot of them around. I'd rather not even…. If you ask me about those guys, 'I love them all! They're brilliant. Great contributions to humanity.' I haven't paid attention. I don't know what the situation is right now with the gossip club or gossip column or whatever they call it. There's all kinds of shit flying back and forth here and there. I guess you could say I looked at it and thought I could shake it up a little bit and put some life into the normally boring and repetitious website or guest book or whatever it was. I really don't even know. Even if I had a computer, I could not be sitting in front of it going, oh, he said this, I've got to answer him now. I'm a rock and roll musician. I'm not a computer. I'm not user friendly."

Michael Monroe's entire interview with ZRock.com can be viewed at this location.