Allison O'Donoghue. Editor. Journalist. Travel Writer. Blogger. ABN: 49 619 105 040: NEW YORK DOLLS

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

NEW YORK DOLLS - Fowlers. 9th Oct 2011

New York Dolls

Fowlers. 9^th Oct 2011

David Johansen & Earl Slick

Live Review & Pics by Allison O'Donoghue

Two nights later and I'm still partially deaf. What a treat to be deafened by such an iconic band. Woohoo!!

The New York Dolls live on stage with two of the original surviving members - David Johansen on vocals and harmonica with Sylvain Sylvain on guitar, joined by lead guitarist Earl Slick formerly of John Lennon and David Bowie fame. With Kenny Aaronson on Bass, formerly Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and the youngest member, Jason Sutter drummer, formerly of Foreigner and Smash Mouth.

We can thank long time fan and head of the UK fan club, Morrissey for arranging a reunion back in 2004 for the UK Meltdown Festival. The Dolls appearance was so popular that an LP and DVD under Morrissey’s label resulted in the release of Attack to great acclaim. Sending a strong signal to The New York Dolls that they were still loved and wanted and thankfully have toured on & off ever since.

It was rumoured Frank Infante (formerly of Blondie) was to appear tonight but alas not to be, he was a no show. Nonetheless, the house was full with young converts, and middle aged punters who have followed their career since the beginning. We were all here to witness greatness in action. Ok, maybe I’m gushing a little, but this may be the first and last time I get to see the Dolls live in action given their track record of disbanding or long hiatuses and the fact they rarely tour, let alone tour Australia.

I’m drinking this moment in, relishing every moment and I'm not disappointed.

Johansen & Slick

Whippet thin Johansen was greeted with a rapturous applause as he strutted on stage followed by Sylvain and fellow band members. Without any fanfare, they launch into Looking for a Kiss followed quickly by Sunway Train, Bad Girl and Trash. Johansen pulled out his harmonica for a Jay Hawks cover, Stranded in the Jungle before he addressed the crowd with a “well known North American Indian tribal saying – wherethefuckarewe?” And that’s about all Johansen said during the gig, and when he did speak he wasn’t audible above the din. Either he has a thin voice or I was already deafened. Looking like a blonde Mick Jagger, Johansen read the lyrics from a music stand, laughed and smiled at the audience and appeared genuinely pleased with the crowds reaction.

Earl Slick

Legendary guitarist Earl Slick showed us all how its done, pulling all the classic rock moves, especially on Bo Diddley’s Rock n Roll Nurse - a show stopper, which displayed his experience with effortless guitar riffs. Bloody legend. And a case in point - never write anyone off! No time to mess about with small talk, they launch straight into another great number, Fabulous. Actually, Sylvain did most of the talking throughout the night, playing up to the audience with an easy rapport and he loves to banter. He gave us little history lesson on the bands humble beginnings and told us how he originally got the idea for The Dolls when he worked opposite a New York Doll Hospital repair shop. Covet in plain sight. Brilliant.

At one stage I went into the centre of the room, then out to the bar area then eventually outside to listen, to get better grasp of the over-all sound but by that stage my ears were ringing so loudly I couldn't hear anything clearly.

Sylvain Sylvain

While Johansen caught his breath, the band did an instrumental version of I Love Candy before launching into Personality Crisis, Gimme Luv, Turn On the Light and There’s Gonna be a Showdown. Suddenly the boys were joined on stage by a female rock chick, I'm unsure if she was a back up singer as she came late to the event. I think she was backstage watching the boys enjoying themselves so much she decided to join them, regardless her vocals were drowned out by the ear bleedingly loud mix. Albeit, her appearance added a new flavour and she obviously enjoyed herself as were the whole band, creating an infectious atmosphere.

Sylvain, Johansen & Slick

I was so focused on Johansen, Sylvain and Slick whose aura’s seemed to suck me into their vortex - I all but forgot about the rhythm section - Sutter on drums and bassist Aaronson, who happily milled around in the background. Both were brilliant and looked like they were lovin’ every minute of it. And why not - living the dream.

I can’t remember what the Dolls finished with. I was gone by that stage, caught up in the moment and mosh pit. It was a thrill to finally see them live and I never thought it was ever going to happen.

The New York Dolls will leave you with a smile on your dial. I was with two young girls who'd never heard of them, other than their father espousing their greatness, but who's he but an old fogey? They came under sufferance and left as screaming converts. Literally.

Rock chick

The New York Dolls are the original 70’s glam rock punk band with R&B undertones who influenced so many: The Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash, The Damned and The Pixies to name but a few.