Hanoi Rocks invented a curious hybrid of garage rock, pop tunes, glam rock, and even traces of reggae and dub. Fusing New York Dolls and T.Rex, these Finns, who had relocated to Stockholm, kept the banner of wild rock flying in Scandinavia throughout the ’80s, led and inspired by Andy McCoy’s untamed guitar work and Mike Monroe’s beastly roars.

They debuted with the single I Want You (1980) and were first noticed at the start of the decade with the album Bangkok Shocks Saigon Shakes Hanoi Rocks (Johanna, 1981 – Castle Music, 2012), which included the classics Tragedy and Village Girl, and the single Dead By Xmas (1981). But their success came with the second album, Oriental Beat (1982), featuring the wild rock and roll of the title track, even though Visitor already leaned toward Alice Cooper-style glam rock. The album includes several catchy choruses, from Motorvatin' to Don't Follow Me, from Teenangels Outsiders' to Sweet Home Suburbia, all complemented by the single Love's An Injection (1982).

Self Destruction Blues, a collection of singles and unreleased tracks, followed that same direction, featuring the immortal Taxi Driver and Beer And A Cigarette.

With Back To Mystery City (Lick, 1983) they gained international recognition, although only the driving rock and roll of the title track matched the group’s past achievements. Tracks like Malibu Beach Nightmare, Until I Get You, Strange Boys Play Weird Openings, Mental Beat, Tooting Bec Wreck, Lick Summer Love, and Sailing Down The Tears bordered on a rock operetta.

Becoming ever more glam, the group ended up in the swamps of Two Steps From The Move (CBS) before disbanding.

Their strongest legacy lies in the breathless rhythm and blues of Malibu Beach Nightmare and Lost In The City, songs that set many a concert ablaze.

Lean On Me (1992) collects singles and rarities.

Hanoi Rocks' reunion yielded the mediocre Twelve Shots On The Rocks (Liquor And Poker Music, 2004), and the exact same sound.