Saw the Dresden Dolls (Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione) Saturday night for the second time. Amanda plays piano and does the vocals and Brian is an amazing drummer. Sometimes it's hard to believe two people can put out so much sound. It's also so freaking great to have another woman rocker who speaks her mind freely on stage!

Punk cabaret is how their music is described. It's a mixture of sounds- klezmerish at times, hard rock, minor keys and frantic beats. If anyone remembers Oingo Boingo (Danny Elfman's band in the 80's) that's the closest modern band I've heard that comes close to the Dresden Dolls. The themes of the songs are often dark and offbeat. They also have become known for their ability to cover a wide variety of songs. I've cried to the wistful acoustic "Rainbow Connection", laughed hearing Carol King's "I Don't Care" (from "Really Rosie"), and totally rocked out to a slamming "War Pigs" (Black Sabbath) that is quickly becoming a show stopping favorite among fans.

There are also amateur/professional performers that show up and present their offbeat theatre in the crowd or in the lobby before the show. And it's encouraged. The crowd tends to be punk/goth but at this second show, I saw some hard rock folks I've seen at other shows. (One guy said it's the "War Pigs" cover that hooked him.)

"Coin Operated Boy" and "Girl Anachronism" get a bit of airplay but those are only a shred of what this band can do. They are a must see live act (or at least check out the live show dvd).

I've just been listening to their new album for the past week for a review I wrote on it for our school paper (which will be coming out this Friday). I centered it around how well they're able to make such a vigorous sound.

They're definitely a fun and interesting band with a lot of creativity within the style they've created for themselves. If you liked the debut, I'm sure you'll like the new one.

Coin-Operated Boy is the one that stands out the most of their songs. Probably my favorite. Never heard about their covers though.

The Oingo Boingo comparison is interesting. You mean in the way the music's has so much dynamic activity, right? If so, definitely. But I supposed then you could just as easily compare them to any prog band or bands with a similar sound.

As for a woman who's able to speak her mind, is that really that hard to find? What lead woman rock musician doesn't do that now-a-days?

Oingo Boingo had a very manic sound. I can't think of another band that captured that off-the-wall darkness until the DD came along. (The Tiger Lilies are in the same genre when it comes to writing from the grit and bizarre though. They would be a great opener for the Dresden Dolls). There are times when Amanda is playing on stage and it sounds Elfman influenced and you're not real sure where she is going to go with it. The unexpected changes and the quirkiness- you get it much more at the live show than the albums. How'd you get ahold of the new album? They're not releasing it here till the 18th?

Did get to pick up their "A is for Accident" album at the show but haven't had a chance to listen to all of it yet. Must say the "real" (concert) version of "Coin Operated Boy" contains a "not for radio" line, yet the video does imply what that line actually is. First time I saw them in concert I laughed so much because it was the same line I would sing just because the words fit. I like the song but it's kind of light and I'm really drawn toward their deeper, darker songs.

From the "first" album, I love "Half Jack". Very Jekyl and Hyde look at the transgendered dilema. They performed a little off the new release- "Sing" of course but I really want to read the lyrics to "First Orgasm".

As for women in rock speaking their minds, I've seen Shirley Manson censor herself because her bandmate whispered something to her about being in Ohio. I've heard her sound off before so it was a bit disappointing to hear her stop what was probably going to be an anti-boosh statement. Lucuna Coil has a dynamic female co-lead but she isn't a speaker. That's a band that plays their set with little talk. Most of the women I've seen perform fall into that category- they sing and that's pretty much it. Maybe that's why I've always loved Chrissie Hynde- never have heard her mince words on stage.

Ah, I think I see what you mean about the Oingo Boingo. Although I haven't heard very much from them yet. I should.

Yeah, it's April 18th across the country. I got it because when you write a review for the newspaper, the record label usually sends the album in early so the review will come out before the album comes out.

Ah, I know what you're talking line you're talking about. Heh.

First Orgasm is a pretty solemn song. And it's explicitness is pretty overt. I can post the lyrics from the album if you want. I don't think there are words that would be censored. It might be better to wait to hear it with the music though. It's not the same without the feeling.

Hmm, I know there are a few more possible outspoken female singers. How about The Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Do you know if their singer is very outspoken? Karen O. I bet she is.

OOOOH, I need the prerelease hook up! I'm in the wrong business! I have some nice photos of the band when they did an acoustic set at our local radio station in October. I could show them if you're interested. (I think I have them in a Yahoo album.)

Don't post any lyrics that might upset someone! I'll be getting the album as soon as it hits the stores. The song impressed me when she did it Saturday night so I've heard it once. I enjoy reading lyrics for their poetry though.

They do play the Yeah Yeah Yeahs here but they're not sticking with me as a band I'd look into more at this point. One of the other bands that performed here Saturday, OK Go, surprised in that they've not really grabbed me on the radio but on stage, they're a hoot. For an encore they did their version of what the music video for "A Million Ways" would look like, if MTV still played music videos.

Heh. Yeah, it's a pretty spiffy set up I've got. Yeah, lets see the pictures.

After you hear it, post back here and let me know what you think. I bet you'll really love it.

I was wondering what happend to Ok Go until they recently popped back up. I can't remember if I've heard much from their new stuff.

What was this going on Saturday night? Some kind of festivial of bands? Ok Go didn't open for Dresden Dolls, did they?

Every year our locally owned and operated radio station CD 101 has a $5 show to celebrate the day they went on the air. They bring in 5 or 6 bands- newer ones and regional ones and a couple of better known ones-and play all night.

This year the line up was Rock Kills Kid (I missed them), Bril (from CA), Nine Black Alps (from Britain), The Sun (from here in Ohio), the Dresden Dolls and Ok Go was the headliner but they only played to about 2/3 the original crowd because all the Dolls fans left.

The bands were about as different from each other as you can get on one show but the station is "alternative" so just about anything goes. You can actually request Johnny Cash, the Ramones, Tori Amos (yuck) and Beck and hear them played. They also play local bands and allow listeners the chance to come in and play ANYTHING they choose for an hour. (I did it a couple years ago. It was FUN.)

They also have what is known as The Big Room where bands can come in and play a few songs live on the air before a show. I've managed to get in there for They Might Be Giants and the Dresden Dolls and a few big local bands. It's amazing- you sit on the floor about 6 feet away from the performers. It's very cool to be able to talk with the artists and thank them personally for playing a song you like.

I'll email you- I've got some so-so concert pix from last fall up but I've got to get the Big Room shots online this afternoon. One of those things I thought I did but didn't. We were in such a barn Saturday that I couldn't get a decent shot of anyone except a couple of the Brigade performers.

That sound like a great celebration show.

Your station sounds a little like one we have here. Our station has a request hour where they'll play anything. One time they played all of The Cure's Disintegration because someone requested it. Yours sounds even more interesting though.

Ah, see it.

CD 101 streams using Windows Media Player. Does your local station stream?

You mean on their website? Yeah, they do, using Windows Media. I thought most stations had streaming on their website.