Friday November 17, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 46 |
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Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
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New York Dolls re-glam El Corazon with showy appearance |
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| New York Dolls re-glam El Corazon with showy appearance | ||
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by Jessica Browning -
SGN A&E Writer New York Dolls w/ Supersuckers, Chesterfield Kings, The Charms November 11 @ El Corazon It's a beautiful thing to see a couple of old-fashioned rock n' roll queens strut their stuff as if it was 1975 all over again. When New York Dolls hit the stage at El Corazon last Saturday night, I almost forgot what year it was, as well as what city I was in. Leather jackets, leopard prints, and plenty of silver fabric poured through the door while younger, as well as more seasoned hipsters, came out of the woodwork to catch a rare appearance from the New York Dolls. It was a long, strange journey to get to such a sweet reunion in the first place. The scene upon arrival seemed a little bizarre, if for no other reason than for the presence of several "big top" painted buses parked in front of the tiny club announcing Little Steven's Underground Garage: the "Rolling Rock Tour". The package show, with a multi-artist lineup, was carefully c0nceived by Springsteen guitarist/Sopranos star/music lover Steven Van Zandt. Sharing the stage with the legendary Dolls on this tour are Supersuckers, Chesterfield Kings, and The Charms. A circus tent-like drape framed the stage, and between bands three enthusiastic go-go girls entertained the audience, curtains drawn and 60's garage rock blaring. Bystanders didn't seem to know quite how to handle facing forward with nothing else to look at but the bikini top and hotpants-clad women (not the usual punk club backdrop), but after a few drinks and a great set from The Charms, people began to loosen up a bit. Next were Chesterfield Kings, a four piece from New York City who got the crowd fired up with their Stones-influenced set. Singer Greg Prevost proved to be an excellent frontman, dripping with classic glam posturing, yet not too heavy-handed. Seattle's own Supersuckers took the stage next. Originally from Tucson, these guys have their brand of scorching country-tinged punk down so perfectly that they can never disappoint. Eddie Spaghetti took a moment to point out that El Corazon, years ago called the Offramp, was the site of his vocal debut with the Supersuckers back in 1990. "That's both beautiful and awful", he told the crowd to much applause. Then, in a flash, it was onto the champions of all things gorgeous and trashy, the New York Dolls. Having made an impact long after their initial lifespan of 1971-1975, the Dolls left their stamp on just about every glam band to slap on eyeliner and a tight t-shirt ever since. Singer David Johansen, now 56, took the stage in a trademark sparkly blouse and skintight black t-shirt with skinny pants. Jewels clanging and nails painted, he was trim and sinewy in a way not unlike fellow rock icon Iggy Pop. Kicking off with "Looking For A Kiss", Johansen teased and taunted guitarist Sylvain Sylvain as if they'd never spent a day apart. His scratchy, campy vocal stylings haven't changed a bit. Sylvain looked amazing as well. I'm not sure how it's possible to age gracefully and still look every inch a rock star, but Sylvain and Johansen prove it can be done. Guitarist Steve Conte and drummer Brian Delaney did justice to former members Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan, both dead since the early 90s. Bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane died suddenly from leukemia in 2004, but longtime Dolls fan and Hanoi Rocks member Sammy Yaffa paid Kane a respectful tribute as well. The band ripped through a combination of old and new material including "We're All In Love", "Pills", "Dancing on the Lip of a Volcano", "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory/ Lonely Planet Boy", and a new track entitled "Dance Like A Monkey". Things reached a fever pitch with a fast-paced version of "Trash", which definitely rallied the night's biggest response. "Jet Boy" and "Personality Crisis" closed the show and left everyone completely elated. The dingy punk club vibe complete with leaky ceilings actually came full circle; it felt as if you were in a tiny club, circa 1975, seeing glam history in the making. It was a rare and fortunate thing to be packed in a sweaty room with the eternally fabulous New York Dolls. |
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