80’s At 8 Rocktutrnal With Scotty B Thursday 05-11-23
LONDON – 1st APRIL: Finnish band Hanoi Rocks posed in Islington, London in April 1983. The line up features Michael Monroe (centre) Razzle, Andy McCoy, Nasty Suicide and Sami Yaffa. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)
Tonight’s 80’s at 8 started in the year 1981 with a track that is exclusively for the 80’s at8 titled “Tragedy” by Hanoi Rocks. Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band that rose to fame in the early 1980s. Their music was a unique blend of punk, glam rock, and hard rock that was often described as “street rock.” One of their most iconic songs is “Tragedy,” a track from their 1981 album “Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks.” “Tragedy” was written by the band’s guitarist Andy McCoy when he was 15 or 16. The lyrics basically deal with a typical teen story of a first love and how one imagines it will last forever. At some point it all collapses and it feels that the world is breaking. The result is a “tragedy” and tears. The song is very energetic and has a fast tempo. It is also melodic, even though the guitar parts are a punk style. “Tragedy” was written by the band’s guitarist Andy McCoy when he was 15 or 16. The lyrics basically deal with a typical teen story of a first love and how one imagines it will last forever. At some point it all collapses and it feels that the world is breaking. The result is a “tragedy” and tears. The music video for “Tragedy” The video captures the band’s raw energy and punk rock attitude, with lead singer Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy in particular delivering powerful and charismatic performances. You can check it out below:
American musicians Duff McKagan, Slash, and Axl Rose, of the group Guns ‘n’ Roses, perform in concert at the Ritz, New York, New York, February 2, 1988. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage)
The second track in tonight’s 80’s at 8 was “It’s So Easy” by Guns N Roses. It’s from their 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction. “It’s So Easy” is a hard-hitting rock and roll track, driven by the pounding drums of Steven Adler and the gritty guitar riffs of Slash and Stradlin. “It’s So Easy” has also been the subject of controversy due to its explicit lyrics and themes. Some critics have accused the song of promoting misogyny and glorifying substance abuse, while others have defended it as a reflection of the hedonistic rock and roll lifestyle. Regardless of its reputation, “It’s So Easy” remains an important part of Guns N’ Roses’s legacy and continues to be a favorite of fans around the world. The song’s catchy chorus, raw energy, and unapologetic attitude have helped to solidify the band’s place in the upper Echelon of great rock and roll acts, and its impact on the music industry is still felt to this day. The music video is wild! It’s a gritty and provocative depiction of the band’s Hardcore Rock N Roll lifestyle. Directed by Nigel Dick, the video features footage of the band performing the song in The Cathouse in Hollywood ,CA. You can check it out below:
