dresden dolls do chicago : amanda palmer is cooler than me.

The Dresden Dolls have always been one of those bands on my radar that I consistently enjoyed, but never really put much effort into. Every song I’ve ever heard, whether it be through my former college radio roots, via friends’ recommendations, or on blogs – I’ve thought to myself, ‘Man, I really oughtta pick up their discs and give this a full go.’ But, alas, I have failed – and after last Wednesday night, I see how dire my failure to myself really truly was.


First off, it’s no secret that Amanda Fucking Palmer is a rock goddess. The woman is truly amazing. I don’t think words can really do justice to her impeccable showmanship and dedication to her craft. After I saw her at SXSW in 2009 when she was touring her solo debut, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, I was stricken stupid. Her solo album became one of my top releases for the year instantly. But still, I neglected my back research on DD. Fast forward to now, nearly two years later, and I’m finding myself speechless in my vain efforts to write a review of what could possibly be one of the top performances to grace a Chicago stage in 2010.

While specific song titles elude me, I will do my best to give an overall recap of what went down at Chicago’s Vic Theater on November 17th, a night I can best summarize as one of tantalizing magic, seductive mystery and cabaret triumph. From the moment Palmer and Brian Viglione took the stage, the crowd completely lost their shit. Screams, shrieks, desperate shouts and cries were only overtaken by the thunderous applause. Palmer strutted in a red cloak of sorts, tight black pants and a captain-esque cap as Viglione sported the token bowler cap and vest—both of which get ups didn’t remain on for long. After shredding and chucking a fan-given bouquet into the audience, the duo wasted no time to getting down to business.

The sold out venue was overflowing with positive energy and the crowd was one of the most diverse I’ve seen in ages – parents, LARPers, cabaret kids, and random dudes from the street you’d never guess in a million years knew, let alone adored, the Dresden Dolls made up the mix. Not a single soul ceased to be entertained. For the next 90 or so minutes, Palmer belted out a good majority of their catalogue as if her life depended on it. With her very articulate, yet powerful vocal delivery, it’s amazing how Palmer is so muti-faceted to concentrate on both singing and her intense piano pounding, and at other times, drumming. Viglione was an incredible yin to her yang, never once slowing down the energy levels on percussion and back-up vocals. I don’t think there was a single song in the set that didn’t involve crowd sing along participation.

The aroma of incense wafted amongst the front of the house, adding to the surrealism of the red, purple and blue illuminated stage. Whether I was at the top of the balcony area, back by the main bar or elbows propped on stage in the photo pit, the sights and sounds were pretty fantastic. After a couple whiskey cokes, I got swept away in the magic of it all and my notes transitioned from song titles and stage banter to scribbled notes of “Amanda Palmer is cooler than me,” and creepy illustrations of what I imagine a Coin Operated Boy would resemble.

As she crooned in “The Kill,” Amanda Palmer may be an anarchist, atheist, and even the Antichrist, but she sure as fuck knows how to put on a show; plagiarist, terrorist or not—one thing’s for sure, she’s one helluva entertainer. I feel down right humbled and extremely fortunate to have caught this show, especially considering the limited run and mark of the duo’s ten year mark.

raping my writer's block.

words have been difficult to come by lately. the motivation and drive to pummel out material has been dried up and nonexistent. ramblings and reviews have been trickier to knock out than convincing my roommate to do the dishes. in other words, it sucks. in efforts to make a change, i've been stepping up and agreeing to additional obligations beside my norm monthly load. i joined CHIRP. CHIRP is cool. it gets me free tickets to shows and excuses to write as i knock out reviews for albums in rotation. for those of you who don't know what CHIRP is, it's the chicago independent radio project, a volunteer grassroots effort for a noncommercial radio station. currently we're streaming online at http://www.chirpradio.org/ and are fighting legislative powers to pass a motion for low power fm stations to have power in major cities. its a struggle, but hopefully one we can win.

CHIRP has been a great way to meet and connect with new people, and in addition to having even more access to new music, i get the opportunity to attend interviewing workshops to strengthen my current skills and have dj training this saturday with a possibility of being on-air once again after a 5 year hiatus. radio roots. its' a good thing. finally, 5 years after college graduation i'm doing something halfway relevant with my journalism and radio/tv/film degrees. too bad i can't get paid for it. . .

regardless. in addition to chirp, my gigs with venus, chicago innerview, i recently started contributing to another local blog, secret note. so far, i've only contributed one assignment but the editors seemed happy enough with my excerpt and have expressed interest in additional pieces. to try and keep myself on track, i sought out confirmation for some upcoming chi shows. here's what i've got on the books thus far. i still need concert attending buddies, so if yer planning on attending any said shows or would like to, gimme a shout. i could use some music pals.

10/22 - deerhunter/real estate - metro
10/28 - the vaselines - lincoln hall
10/29 - the books - vic theater
11/17 - dresden dolls -vic theater
11/21 - no age - lincoln hall
11/23 - wolf parade - house of blues

i'm also thisclose to shelling out the monies (a mere $15) for junip (jose gonzalez) & sharon van etten at lincoln hall on 11/6 - anyone interested in being my date? i'll hold your hand and lean on your shoulder.

revisited : amanda palmer

so back in the day there were the dresden dolls. i mean, c'mon, as corny and cutesy as some of their tracks were (i'm looking at YOU 'coin operated boy,') they were pretty badass. the song 'sing' was a cute anthem for lonely music lovers, then there was that girl anchronism track or whatever it was called, fuck im bad with remembering song titles. but 'yes, virginia' was an amazing album. (god, i need to dust off my ddolls albums, i don't even remember if that was accurate.) but when the beautifully androgynous amanda palmer kicked shit off solo with her debut album 'who killed amanda palmer'  a couple years back, i was smitten. the ironically controversial date rape single "oasis" may have pissed off some radio stations, but i was dancing and singing along at the top of my lungs. then there was the angry 'runs in the family,' the melodic 'astronaut,' "blake says" and "ampersand." i mean, from front to back, the album pretty much ruled. (with the exception of "strength through music," i just never really fell in love with that track).

but overall, amanda palmer is a badass. and she is a wonderwoman. girl is so busy, working on a cabaret project, her evelyn and evelyn side project, and she still had time to pimp out a do it yourself release of radiohead covers. you can purchase the album for pay what you want with a minimum of 84 cents to cover radiohead licensing fees, and homegirl made 15k  in the first week or two of the release. impressive, to say the least. she's proving that artists can blow off the labels with the right amount of dedication and hard work (and fan base).

i'm just saying. she's awesome. i saw her perform radiohead's 'creep' on her lil ukelelee in person at sxsw in 09 (see video above) and it was a super fun time. i just think it's time for all ya'll to revisit some dresden dolls and amanda palmer. she's one of few left in today's music scene that hasn't let the fame or spotlight fuck with her or slow down her intentions of making rad music. i heart amanda palmer.