The '80s have been having an unexpected cultural resurgence.
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill has found its way back onto the charts. Sharp-shouldered blazers and colourful ski suits have been spotted on the streets.
In 2021, the Italian glam rock band Maneskin won the Eurovision contest, as well as the hearts of fans across the world, becoming the biggest Italian rock band of all time at a time when the genre has taken a back seat to pop and hip hop.
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This is the world from which Monroe has emerged, guns a blazing. After picking up on the sense of an ’80s comeback in the ether, the band’s lead guitarist Rocco Lai put an ad out on Facebook looking to get a band together. There he found singer Jordan Klein and band members Jason Markoutsas, Brandon Grosso and Christian Christofides.
Forming amid the Covid-19 lockdowns, the band quickly began assembling an arsenal of firey, unapologetic tracks that channel the true spirit of rock n’ roll. The boys released their debut EP Out Of Fashion in October.
Packed with squealing guitar solos, thunderous drums and anthemic choruses, Out Of Fashion packs quite the punch over the course of its 20-minute run time. The group has brought together the energy, theatricality and fun of glam rock greats like KISS and Van Halen but catered their sound to the modern listener.
“While writing the EP we kind of had it in our minds that we wanted to be as versatile as possible and thus the diversity in the tunes is pretty evident, but after gigging around a bit more we eventually realised we were best at sticking to our hard rock roots and embellishing upon them, especially like our song P.S.T. We just want to write some kick-ass rock tunes you can sing and party your asses off to!” says the band.
Though they’ve only just dropped the EP, Monroe are no stranger to the stage. Their fanbase has grown organically with gigs that promise a balls-to-the-wall good time more fit for a stadium than a sticky carpeted bandroom.
“I think the live show element is definitely something we’ve worked the hardest on,” they say.
“All the bands we love don’t fuss over being technically amazing live, but giving the audience an absolute bang for your buck. Hence why we really try to do things with stage moves, dramatic entrances, light shows as well as crowd interactions all the while we bust our asses and run around onstage. We just try to absolutely let loose and give the audience an opportunity to let go of anything on their mind and feel like they’re part of a rock band too!”
This is the gift Monroe gives their fans. Dressed in metallic moon suits, singing about sexy people and partying all night and absolutely shredding on the guitar, they create a universe that leaves behind the monotony of the day-to-day and opts for all-out mayhem instead.
“As bleak as the ’80s were in terms of social circumstances, the music seemed to always convey so much joy, even if the lyrics were serious! I think it was Vince Neil from Motley Crue who once said something along the lines of ‘Life sucks, so why should music be a reminder of that?’ and that’s what we’ve strived to do with our music.”
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This article was made in partnership with Monroe.
