The Dresden Dolls
W/ Die Mannequin
January 4, 2007
The Phoenix

Known for their love of art and artists and supporting everything that falls under those categories, The Dresden Dolls had cooked up a surprise for guests this evening. They had added a new opener, so entering the concert hall it was interesting to see a large band which included a cellist and a clown pulling handkerchiefs out of his underpants onstage. I was finally introduced to Toronto’s Friendly Rich And The Lollipop People. I only wished I had known so I could see at least a full song. My curiosity has definitely been peaked.

Next up was an abbreviated set by some more locals Die Mannequin. A seemingly odd choice since this trio has a much heavier sound than The Dolls themselves. Despite the fact that Die Mannequin generally sounds like mashed up noise in which I can not make out a single word they are saying, Die Mannequin is entertaining to watch. Front woman Care Failure seems tougher than any man I have ever met and makes this act a show. As she constantly almost throws her guitar off her back between songs then jumps from speaker to speaker, up into the rafter of the Phoenix and takes a run through the crowd. If their set wasn’t already explosive enough, they were joined for the last song by The Dolls’ Amanda Palmer who raised the intensity level that much more by smashing away on drums and guitars.

Then The Dresden Dolls appeared themselves in capes and masquerade masks. From here on out it was all about the music. Since both Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione both sit for most of their performance The Dolls could put on a boring show, but they have found a way to make it entertaining and interesting for each track. Palmer sings with passion and makes flowing skirts; garters and combat boots look sexy and beautiful. While Viglione acts out the tracks from behind his drum set. Without getting near each other they have better chemistry then many other bands.

Since The Dresden Dolls don’t have a ‘new’ CD to tour behind it clearly gave them a chance to play a wide variety of songs, from the very old to tracks from Palmer’s to be released solo album. Fan favourites and stand out live tracks seemed to go hand in hand. “Mandy Goes to Med School,” “Coin-Operated Boy” and “Missed Me” were all crowd sing alongs and performed amazingly. Midway through fans got one of the coolest treats of the night with Failure joining them onstage this time for a cover of The Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right” with Viglione on guitars and lead vocals and Palmer on drums. It was high enough energy that even the people partying backstage came out to watch, although the tune was clearly lost on most of the young girls in the first few rows.

Although the show seemed complete when they went offstage, we all knew they were coming back for an encore. It may have been closing in on club time, but they were not done just yet. Thank god for it too, because the encore might have been the best part. The duo stood with an acoustic guitar to give us covers previously only seen on their DVD of “Mein Herr” (which is so perfect for them you would think they wrote it) and finishing off with the beautiful “Two-Headed Boy” that really shows how far they can take it if they want to.

If I am ever in a band, I hope it comes anywhere near the realm of The Dresden Dolls. The make music fun and sexy and mean what it is supposed to.

- Stephanie Joudrey 


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