Wicked Cool Records Reissue Demolition 23’s Debut Album

Stevie Van Zandt‘s Wicked Cool Records have reissued the debut, and only, album from Demolition 23 that is now available on digital, CD and blue smoke vinyl formats. The band, which formed in NYC in 1993, consisted of former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe, ex-Star Star guitarist Jay Hening, Monroe’s Hanoi Rocks bandmate Sami Yaffa on bass and Jimmy Clark on drums. Demolition 23 originally had a limited release in 1994, but has long since been out of print. The album was produced by Van Zandt and features collaborative songwriting efforts between Monroe, Van Zandt and Jude Wilder, and one track, Deadtime Stories, co-written by Monroe & Stiv Bators (Dead Boys / Lords Of the New Church). The album, a return to the members’ punk roots, also includes covers by Monroe‘s influences and friends, including Stiv Bators, Ain’t Nothin’ To Do, and Johnny Thunders’ I Wanna Be Loved. Many of the songs from the record have become staples in Monroe‘s live sets, which recently have included festivals and a stint opening for Alice Cooper.

The digital and CD release of Demolition 23 includes all of the original songs, along with 3 bonus demos. The physical versions of the album include a booklet with photos and liner notes from Monroe detailing each song, with additional notes written by all of the living band members. The vinyl also includes a download card for the bonus tracks. The band’s logo was designed by Yaffa, who continues to play with Monroe to this day. The band recently reunited for a historic performance at the Helinki Ice Hall in Finland on September 23rd, as part of Monroe‘s 60th birthday celebration, which also featured a landmark set by the original Hanoi Rocks lineup. This was Demolition 23‘s first performance since the band’s breakup in 1995.