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John Aizlewood's rating
, New York Dolls have swagger of a Jagger
By
John Aizlewood
15 May 2009
The most iconic American punk band playing the most iconic British punk venue should have been a marriage made in safety-pinned heaven. It would have been if Johnny Thunders, Arthur “Killer” Kane and drummers Jerry Nolan and Billy Murcia were alive.
Instead, singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain were so punk they split the band in 1975, shortly before punk was actually invented.
The somewhat hedonistic pair reformed themselves and, in 2005, recruited three hired hands and
re-formed the New York Dolls — to the delight of aficionados from Morrissey to Jonathan Ross, and for all its semi-literate title their current album, ’Cause I Sez So, is no disgrace.
Last night’s show — curiously their sole British date — allegedly sold out in four minutes. Deep of voice and lined of face, the Jagger-esque Johansen looked for all the world like Cliff Richard’s far from godly sibling, while Sylvain resembled a cuddly, cheery Buddha.
Alas, they were undermined by a wretched sound which turned potential gold into mud and they never recovered from being forced to soundcheck after their first song.
Although Sylvain and Johansen no longer carry the threat and wanton unpredictability of decades past, they still rock like swaggering dervishes.
The new Nobody Got No Bizness rocked harder than most, while their version of the Cadets’ rock’n’roll classic Stranded In The Jungle still raised a chuckle.
But the real meat was in pulsating versions of Trash, Jet Boy, Personality Crisis and their version of Bo Diddley’s Pills, the collective howl of energy which was punk’s tinderbox and the Dolls’ ticket to immortality.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
The Dolls were brilliant. From the opening chords of 'Babylon', straight into their awesome new song 'Cause I Sez So' the newely invigorated Dolls remained true to their roots but also managed to capture a raw, energetic and authentic feel for the blues, the girl groups from the famous Brill Building, and sleazy rock and roll. Highlights included "Lonely Planet Boy", "My World", "Frankenstein", "Dance Like A Monkey" and "Personality Crisis." Welcome back boys - see you at the Lovebox Festival on Sunday July 19th. Can't wait.
- Dave Robertson, London, London, 16/05/2009 10:19
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Simply superb, need anyone say more.
- Daniel O' Malley, Ireland, 16/05/2009 00:57
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Sorry Alex but it is a pretty fair review. I was right in front of Syl and You could barely hear David for most of the gig. I did try several times to tell Syl and Sammy. What was a bloody good show could have been an awesome one had they sorted the sound out. It was the mix not the performance that was lacking.
regards
Andrew
- Andrew, London, 16/05/2009 00:45
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John, I expect more from a established writer. You seem to have watched the first track, written the review and headed home. The opening of Babylon was beset with dreadful sound issues, but beyond that they flew. Yeah, of course they were sloppy, but that is because they are the New York Dolls. But it was a glorious sloppy mess of dropped notes and missed chords. The Dolls simply by being the Dolls deserve more respect.
- Alex, Kent, 15/05/2009 14:23
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