New York Dolls, Sixfthick @The Tivoli 29/3/07

Tue 3rd Apr, 2007 in Gig Reviews

It’s a fairly quiet night at the Tivoli, there isn’t a sea of loiterers hanging around outside and there’s a lack of drunken rockers causing trouble inside. Yes, it’s another typical school night show in Brisbane and only a dedicated few have made the effort to come and see the new incarnation of one of the most influential yet underrated bands of the ‘70s, the New York Dolls.

By the time the local agricultural rock juggernaut Sixfthick take the stage a small group of fans and curious types have congregated at the front of the room. Launching into their first song with an impressive flying judo kick from singer Ben Corbett, the band kick off with a stomping, bass-heavy number drawing heavily from vintage Oz rock a la Beasts of Bourbon. The Corbett brothers do a fine job of working the large Tivoli stage with a variety of contorted rock moves, self harm and crowd baiting. A few technical guitar hiccups don’t stop the train from rolling, with White Light, Wet Heat garnering an enthusiastic response from the front row and a strobe light show that could send one into epileptic seizures. The ‘Hick make their presence felt, but as the crowd slowly trickles in, it’s obvious there’s only one band they’re here to see tonight.

The New York Dolls take the stage sans the infamous drag attire they donned back in the early days but are still glammed up enough to keep their camp gutter-glitter image intact. David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain are the only two original members still alive and kicking, and both appear to be in great health and are clearly having a ball being back on stage with a fresh batch of band mates. The opening number Looking For a Kiss is introduced with Johanson reciting the classic line “When I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V”. The cheers from the crowd anticipate the unmistakable Stones-esque guitar line from Syl Sylvain and Thunders replacement, Steve Conte. Johansen’s voice, thick with Staten Island venom, has nothing if not improved over the years, as showcased in tonight’s second song, Puss ‘N’ Boots, from the band’s second long player, Too Much Too Soon.

By the third song in the band have launched into some new material, We’re All in Love being the first cut played from the new album, and it’s here that the rhythm section of drummer Brian Delaney and ex-Hanoi Rocks bass player Sami Yaffa really hit their stride, propelling the song at an intensity that the recorded version seems to lack. Johansen tries to get the crowd singing along with the chorus, but either lack of awareness or inebriation stops too much crowd participation throughout the evening.

Johansen takes a break to tell the crowd that while the Dolls are labeled as such an influential band it was Janis Joplin who really influenced the Dolls. The band launches into the song Joplin made a classic, Piece of my Heart, before returning to some newer material including Fishnets and Cigarettes and the jungle hop of Dance Like a Monkey, a song that would surely make fellow New Yorkers, the Dictators, blush.

Next comes the emotional part of the show when Johansen and Sylvain take time to celebrate their fallen brothers in Arthur Kane, Jerry Nolan and of course the one and only Johnny Thunders. In a most befitting tribute to the man who penned the classics You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory and Lonely Planet Boy, the band merge the two into one song, emphasising the emotional depth of the songs and also just how god damn similar the two are.

But then it’s time to rock out and fans of the old stuff (everyone) are now treated to an onslaught of classics by means of Trash, Who are the Mystery Girls? and the Bo Diddley classic, Pills. The band is loving it, the chemistry between Sylvain and Johansen never seems forced, Johansen’s Cheshire cat grin and Jaggerisms make him hard to take your eyes off the entire time. Conte is a worthy, if at times almost a little too slick lead guitarist and Yaffa in particular is having a ball rattling out the bass lines of such timeless rock ‘n’ roll songs.

The crowd finally comes to life as bodies start jumping around and plastic cups are sent skyward. A couple more new songs and the band leaves the stage to rapturous hooting and an encore chant of “NEW YORK DOLLS”. The band delivers the goods, launching into the most glaring omission of the night, Personality Crisis. The crowd once again responds feverishly and the band finishes the night with new song Gotta Get Away From Tommy, a track with a curious Joey Ramone meets Andrew W.K. vibe.

The ever-gracious Johansen once again reminds us that “One day it will please us to remember even this” (album title or a playful stab at tonight’s poor attendance?) and the band say farewell with a bow, waving to the crowd for a minute, soaking up an enthusiastic ovation from a small yet adoring audience.