| altsounds | June 3, 2008 10:43 AM |
The Dresden Dolls
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Formed in 2001, The Dresden Dolls have defined their own genre that has led them to gain what some are calling an underground cult status with their fans. Their live performance engages the audience into a dark cabaret like fantasy which is orchestrated by Amanda Palmer (vocals/percussion) and Brian Viglione (drums). During their stage performance, both present themselves in elaborate costumes and dramatic make-up that keeps their persona hidden and as the show progresses they begin to unveil themselves to the crowd. The combination of Amanda's passionate, intense vocals accompanied by Brian's loud, aggressive pounding drums makes a perfect melody.
Currently on tour in support of their latest album No Virginia, I had an opportunity to speak with Brian Viglione about his interests, influences and his involvement with the upcoming tour with the World/Inferno Friendship Society.
Altsounds: So who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Brian: Well, I think some of the deepest ones for me and Amanda are very expressive, emotive performers, musicians, and certainly ones with a sort of creative or theatrical bent to them. For me growing up as a kid in Southern New Hampshire, I grew up listening to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal when I was young. Then the early nineties worked their magic, and I discovered punk rock and listened to many bands like Black Flag and Bad Brains. But my father also introduced me to jazz musicians and a lot of bands from his generation like Cream and Jimmy Hendrix, Mountain and so forth. He was also a drummer and really helped shape my taste in terms of what I was appreciating, what sort of musical ethics I liked, and the kind of musicianship and the ability for people on stage to really communicate and speak through their instruments. My father always said to me use your voice through the drum kit and it will speak for you.
Altsounds: On your website, I noticed your section for press that features "Good Press", "Bad Press" and Misc. Upon reading over some articles under the "Bad Press" categories, I was left wondering if you thought that some might misunderstand the Dolls music?
B: Either they misunderstand or they are threatened by it. I think it is the misunderstanding through fear of not knowing how to categorize it which makes people jump to conclusions or make certain associations such as saying that "it's not safe, and it's clearly not cool or hip". We are kind of ostracized from that sort of thing, which is fine by me because I think most of those magazines are fairly substance-less and are just sort of following the trends. It has never been something that that I take very personally. What excites us is the fact that our band has spread through a very genuine enthusiasm and a sort of word of mouth grassroots nature to a large extent. If people are sharing the music with each other, coming to our shows and having a great time, then it does not really matter what anybody is going to write about you. I feel that is the only validation we need.
Altsounds: It is definitely fun to look at some of the bad press on the site and laugh afterwards.
B: Yeah, we do not fit the mold and we certainly play around a lot with traditional gender roles and that's always something that when it's done in earnest that is threatening to mainstream media and society. I think some of the subject matter of the songs or just maybe the unconventional nature of the band altogether. It is something that people may want to associate with like "they're Goths, or like one of the magazines said "they're like trench coat mafia people". That to me shows that they are just not paying attention. What we like is challenging people's preconceptions and the fact that you cannot judge a book by its cover. We have been snubbed by every Management Company, publicity agency, and record company and they all they said" No thanks, we don't work with Goth bands." and we were like "you guys are idiots and you clearly haven't listened to the record. This isn't Goth music."
Altsounds: It also seems that if you do not fit exactly into the genre, you are not seen as anything.
B: Exactly, it is just sort of an incorporation of the wildly disparate things that we are into. It is cool because Amanda and I actually shared and bonded over that eclectic sensibility, so there was strength in that. A lot of what we have done was to be flat out rebels. We came from a very boring music scene. The scene was a very safe and conservative as far as arts and music went in Boston. There were many shoe gazing Indy pop bands and then there were people like us that wanted to smash this shit to the ground. We wanted to begin something exciting and it was funny because we actually started getting attention sort of out of left field. So you are damn right we are going to go out there and be flamboyant, outspoken and do what we want to do because we do not want to part of a scene like that!
Altsounds: If you could pick a band to open for who would it be. In addition, if you could pick a band to open for you who would it be, and why?
B: Oh my god, those question are so dizzying to me because there are so many people, can they be dead?
Altsounds: Sure.
B: I would love to have opened for the Jazz at the Philharmonic tour so I could selfishly meet all of my jazz idols. Those are amazing concert series done by Norman Grant where pretty much everybody came and had wild amazing jam sessions together. That would be something very inspiring to me, though it might be a strange musical fit. I would love to play with Nick Cave someday or Tom Waits. We've really enjoyed playing with all sort of bands. The tour with Cyndi Lauper was a total blast and we ended up having a fantastic time doing it back in 2007. The other bands on the bill included Debbie Harry, Erasure and the Clicks. It was one of the most wonderful touring experiences because everyone had such a great attitude.
Altsounds: This next question is one from a fan; the question is...What is the strangest gift you have received from a fan?
B: We get a lot of artwork and some are super strange and beautiful. Let me ask Amanda.
B: Hey Amanda, what is the strangest thing we have received from a fan?
Amanda: Oh, the hellraiser head, remember with the razor blades in it?
B: Yes, that falls under the category of disturbing but is also strange. A Styrofoam head that was decorated kind of like Pinhead from the hellraiser movies. It had razor blades, blood, and all kinds of bizarre gory stuff. It was clearly from a well functioning 14-year-old person. We usually do not get much weird stuff. Many fans will make us boxes that are decorated in a collage like style and some have been kind enough to bring us little goodies like brownies and cookies.
Altsounds: You mentioned cookies and brownies, are you guys big fans of sweets?
B: Absolutely, I love to bake. I just made these Kahlua cupcakes with tiramisu frosting the other week that were just to die for.
Altsounds: For someone who has just picked up their first Dresden Dolls Album or have just been turned on to you, what would you like them to take from the music or what would you like them to know about the band?
B: To understand the identity of the band you need to see a live performance. The core essence of what makes the music what it is the relationship and the interplay between Amanda and me. It really is all about having the music as a catalyst to play off each other, which really creates something in the moment. That is why I think the live show is so important and I am glad we were able to present this piece to our fans in a live DVD to give them an opportunity to experience that aspect. It also like listening to a soundtrack of a stage show and being like "okay, the music is cool" but when you actually see the people on stage interacting with each other you go "Aha, that's the concept, now I get it". If anyone were to take something away from the music, I think that it would be something of release, which was something they found that they can relate to or be inspired by.
Altsounds: The strangest place you have ever written music at?
B: God, I do not know, I think ideas come at the most mundane times. When you are in the car, for example the idea for 'coin operated boy' came from when Amanda was driving past a coin operated laundry, saw it and then came up with the concept of a coin operated lover. I think the ideas for songs come at quiet times when you mind is allowed to wander.
Altsounds: What do you do during your spare time?
B: Usually trying to find the opportunity to cook up a good meal or maybe go out and see a movie all together or have a big group dinner. Go hang out around town, go shopping and do fairly standard mundane stuff. We are usually sleeping and resting a lot, as the show is very physical and demanding so downtime is a much-appreciated thing. We are not like a big drug and boozing kind of band, where we are out partying a lot. It is not as if we are saying lets have a wild party and get drunk.
Altsounds: Are there going to be meet and greets with your fans on this tour?
B: Yes. I think every single tour since we have started playing shows we have tried to find time after the show to go out and meet our fans until the last person is gone.
Altsounds: What are the most interesting venues you have played at so far?
B: Red Rocks was definitely incredible, that was a phenomenal place. The other was playing in Japan at the Fuji rock festival, talk about amazing surroundings. The most incredible landscape I think I have ever encountered. Those are probably the top two for me.
Altsounds: I noticed you have recently worked on the Ghosts album with Nine Inch Nails. Are you planning to work with other artists in the future?
B: The next project I am excited about is a band I am going to be touring with called the World/Inferno Friendship Society; they are a punk rock swing band from New York City. They are basically a combination of the Count Basie Orchestra with Wilson Pickett and the Ramones. They are amazing. I will be doing a five week tour with them and then they are working on a stage production based on the life of Peter Lorrie, which will be traveling on the west coast in the fall. Working with different people, collaborating with all sorts of different artists only helps build your experience and gives you perspective on things. It all becomes useful information to put in the pot. We are happy with every chance that we get. We are happy to work with higher profile artists and we are happy to work with our friends.
Words and Pictures by Flavia1334
Currently on tour in support of their latest album No Virginia, I had an opportunity to speak with Brian Viglione about his interests, influences and his involvement with the upcoming tour with the World/Inferno Friendship Society.
Altsounds: So who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Brian: Well, I think some of the deepest ones for me and Amanda are very expressive, emotive performers, musicians, and certainly ones with a sort of creative or theatrical bent to them. For me growing up as a kid in Southern New Hampshire, I grew up listening to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal when I was young. Then the early nineties worked their magic, and I discovered punk rock and listened to many bands like Black Flag and Bad Brains. But my father also introduced me to jazz musicians and a lot of bands from his generation like Cream and Jimmy Hendrix, Mountain and so forth. He was also a drummer and really helped shape my taste in terms of what I was appreciating, what sort of musical ethics I liked, and the kind of musicianship and the ability for people on stage to really communicate and speak through their instruments. My father always said to me use your voice through the drum kit and it will speak for you.
Altsounds: On your website, I noticed your section for press that features "Good Press", "Bad Press" and Misc. Upon reading over some articles under the "Bad Press" categories, I was left wondering if you thought that some might misunderstand the Dolls music?
B: Either they misunderstand or they are threatened by it. I think it is the misunderstanding through fear of not knowing how to categorize it which makes people jump to conclusions or make certain associations such as saying that "it's not safe, and it's clearly not cool or hip". We are kind of ostracized from that sort of thing, which is fine by me because I think most of those magazines are fairly substance-less and are just sort of following the trends. It has never been something that that I take very personally. What excites us is the fact that our band has spread through a very genuine enthusiasm and a sort of word of mouth grassroots nature to a large extent. If people are sharing the music with each other, coming to our shows and having a great time, then it does not really matter what anybody is going to write about you. I feel that is the only validation we need.
Altsounds: It is definitely fun to look at some of the bad press on the site and laugh afterwards.
B: Yeah, we do not fit the mold and we certainly play around a lot with traditional gender roles and that's always something that when it's done in earnest that is threatening to mainstream media and society. I think some of the subject matter of the songs or just maybe the unconventional nature of the band altogether. It is something that people may want to associate with like "they're Goths, or like one of the magazines said "they're like trench coat mafia people". That to me shows that they are just not paying attention. What we like is challenging people's preconceptions and the fact that you cannot judge a book by its cover. We have been snubbed by every Management Company, publicity agency, and record company and they all they said" No thanks, we don't work with Goth bands." and we were like "you guys are idiots and you clearly haven't listened to the record. This isn't Goth music."
Altsounds: It also seems that if you do not fit exactly into the genre, you are not seen as anything.
B: Exactly, it is just sort of an incorporation of the wildly disparate things that we are into. It is cool because Amanda and I actually shared and bonded over that eclectic sensibility, so there was strength in that. A lot of what we have done was to be flat out rebels. We came from a very boring music scene. The scene was a very safe and conservative as far as arts and music went in Boston. There were many shoe gazing Indy pop bands and then there were people like us that wanted to smash this shit to the ground. We wanted to begin something exciting and it was funny because we actually started getting attention sort of out of left field. So you are damn right we are going to go out there and be flamboyant, outspoken and do what we want to do because we do not want to part of a scene like that!
Altsounds: If you could pick a band to open for who would it be. In addition, if you could pick a band to open for you who would it be, and why?
B: Oh my god, those question are so dizzying to me because there are so many people, can they be dead?
Altsounds: Sure.
B: I would love to have opened for the Jazz at the Philharmonic tour so I could selfishly meet all of my jazz idols. Those are amazing concert series done by Norman Grant where pretty much everybody came and had wild amazing jam sessions together. That would be something very inspiring to me, though it might be a strange musical fit. I would love to play with Nick Cave someday or Tom Waits. We've really enjoyed playing with all sort of bands. The tour with Cyndi Lauper was a total blast and we ended up having a fantastic time doing it back in 2007. The other bands on the bill included Debbie Harry, Erasure and the Clicks. It was one of the most wonderful touring experiences because everyone had such a great attitude.
Altsounds: This next question is one from a fan; the question is...What is the strangest gift you have received from a fan?
B: We get a lot of artwork and some are super strange and beautiful. Let me ask Amanda.
B: Hey Amanda, what is the strangest thing we have received from a fan?
Amanda: Oh, the hellraiser head, remember with the razor blades in it?
B: Yes, that falls under the category of disturbing but is also strange. A Styrofoam head that was decorated kind of like Pinhead from the hellraiser movies. It had razor blades, blood, and all kinds of bizarre gory stuff. It was clearly from a well functioning 14-year-old person. We usually do not get much weird stuff. Many fans will make us boxes that are decorated in a collage like style and some have been kind enough to bring us little goodies like brownies and cookies.
Altsounds: You mentioned cookies and brownies, are you guys big fans of sweets?
B: Absolutely, I love to bake. I just made these Kahlua cupcakes with tiramisu frosting the other week that were just to die for.
Altsounds: For someone who has just picked up their first Dresden Dolls Album or have just been turned on to you, what would you like them to take from the music or what would you like them to know about the band?
B: To understand the identity of the band you need to see a live performance. The core essence of what makes the music what it is the relationship and the interplay between Amanda and me. It really is all about having the music as a catalyst to play off each other, which really creates something in the moment. That is why I think the live show is so important and I am glad we were able to present this piece to our fans in a live DVD to give them an opportunity to experience that aspect. It also like listening to a soundtrack of a stage show and being like "okay, the music is cool" but when you actually see the people on stage interacting with each other you go "Aha, that's the concept, now I get it". If anyone were to take something away from the music, I think that it would be something of release, which was something they found that they can relate to or be inspired by.
Altsounds: The strangest place you have ever written music at?
B: God, I do not know, I think ideas come at the most mundane times. When you are in the car, for example the idea for 'coin operated boy' came from when Amanda was driving past a coin operated laundry, saw it and then came up with the concept of a coin operated lover. I think the ideas for songs come at quiet times when you mind is allowed to wander.
Altsounds: What do you do during your spare time?
B: Usually trying to find the opportunity to cook up a good meal or maybe go out and see a movie all together or have a big group dinner. Go hang out around town, go shopping and do fairly standard mundane stuff. We are usually sleeping and resting a lot, as the show is very physical and demanding so downtime is a much-appreciated thing. We are not like a big drug and boozing kind of band, where we are out partying a lot. It is not as if we are saying lets have a wild party and get drunk.
Altsounds: Are there going to be meet and greets with your fans on this tour?
B: Yes. I think every single tour since we have started playing shows we have tried to find time after the show to go out and meet our fans until the last person is gone.
Altsounds: What are the most interesting venues you have played at so far?
B: Red Rocks was definitely incredible, that was a phenomenal place. The other was playing in Japan at the Fuji rock festival, talk about amazing surroundings. The most incredible landscape I think I have ever encountered. Those are probably the top two for me.
Altsounds: I noticed you have recently worked on the Ghosts album with Nine Inch Nails. Are you planning to work with other artists in the future?
B: The next project I am excited about is a band I am going to be touring with called the World/Inferno Friendship Society; they are a punk rock swing band from New York City. They are basically a combination of the Count Basie Orchestra with Wilson Pickett and the Ramones. They are amazing. I will be doing a five week tour with them and then they are working on a stage production based on the life of Peter Lorrie, which will be traveling on the west coast in the fall. Working with different people, collaborating with all sorts of different artists only helps build your experience and gives you perspective on things. It all becomes useful information to put in the pot. We are happy with every chance that we get. We are happy to work with higher profile artists and we are happy to work with our friends.
Words and Pictures by Flavia1334