New York Dolls blogging

It's been a while since I've seen a real rock and roll show like that. Raw and loud and just up there because it needs to be done. The star of the show was Sylvain Sylvain. I had heard that before Morrisey got the Dolls back together, Sylvain was driving a cab in NY just to make ends meet (not a huge market for Sylvain Sylvain solo records I guess, which is a shame because (sleep) baby doll is a great record).

So this is kind of his last chance. Rock and roll was life or death, for them up there as much as for the kid in the audience who's working in the mall for just enough money to still have to choose between cd's and dinner. It's a real thing, the Greek calling in your debt, and maybe this next one will be it, and every chord is double or nothing, guitar strings pulled taught, and it's tightening 'round your neck.

If you heard Pre-Crash Condion and thought maybe the reunion wasn't going to be much, let me tell you, this band was tight, full of piss and vsop, and they found just the drummer they were looking for. David Johansen played his part perfectly. He's not a front man, but he plays one great on stage.

Thunders couldn't have been there on account of having croaked almost 15 years ago. His side of the stage was conciderably darker, less sparks. Steve Conte may be a douch-bag, but he worked as a place holder, and there were times when Syl was hamming it up you almost forgot Johnny wasn't over there having a smoke and a laugh.