The Dresden Dolls
Melkweg, Amsterdam
21/02/05
The Dresden Dolls really are a strange entity. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a band before that ticks so many of my musical boxes in one go. Indie-rock with a nod to metal drumming, some female angst with a hint of riot grrrl, then add a final touch of gothic cabaret. As a duo, it’s no doubt their image plays a big role in their success, and their onstage character is a massive part of their charm. But it is only a part, and I am really happy to forget about that aspect when necessary and just enjoy the music for what it is.
Weirdly, so it seems were a mismatched audience in a packed Melkweg. Goth puppeteers (literally) stood side by side with indie-rock poseurs, and were backed up by a variety of tourists who had somehow got a sniff that something unique was going down. And to be fair, the audience seemed to be loving it. At least that was the impression I got from the applause following each song, although the floor seemed so static most of the time that it was even lacking in nodding heads. I can only assume they were hypnotised by the constant flashes of underwear – which seemed to be what all those camera phones were pointing at.
Never the less, pianist/vocalist Amanda Palmer and drummer/guitarist Brian Viglione have got some excellent theatrics sorted. From the make-up, to the costumes, to the crotch spotlights, to the playful eye contact and acting between both, you get the impression anything is possible. And as contrived as much of it is as a cabaret act, when combined with the energy and passion of a live concert it’s really refreshing.
Of course most of the music is taken from their self-titled album, so no-one’s favourites are really left out. ‘Miss Me’, ‘Good Day’, and ‘Coin Operated Boy’ receive the best results in the early stages. The latter even managing a brief sing-a-long, and I swear, there’s a piano solo in the middle that turns into Split Enz for a few moments. Can someone please reaffirm that I’m not imagining it? The odd new song is added in too, as well as a sprinkling of covers. A raw guitar version of PJ Harvey’s ‘Rid of Me’ was a pretty big surprise, and although nothing will ever compare to seeing Harvey performing that onstage alone, the Dolls’ version came close with Viglione taking the “Lick my legs I’m on fire” lines.
With one small lull near the end of the set, a powerful rendition of ‘Half Jack’ reinvigorated the crowd before closing with the violent and cathartic ‘Girl Anachronism’. By which point I was satisfied I’d seen the best of the duo. What now though? Their popularity is clearly growing. Can they strike it big? Would I object if they stumbled upon stardom? I mean, who ever thought a duo like the White Stripes could make it when they were playing tiny dives? The Dresden Dolls have the tunes and the uniqueness to go up a level. It’s all a matter of whether mainstream media sees them as friends or foes. Not that they’ve completely nailed the perfect set yet, but with so much touring under their belts, by the time their second album comes out, their shows may be getting even better.
Steven McCarron
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