The Ringers, Dave Allen and The Arrows, Chesterfield Kings, Super Suckers, NY Dolls
The Avalon
Hollywood, California
November 4, 2006
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Photos by Dawn Laureen
It’s Election Day and I voted for the Ringers. And they WON!!!
Little Steven has been running a competish for the opening slot of the NY Dolls national tour. We got an ecstatic voice mail from Ringers lead singer, Joe Hursely, “We’re in New York at CMJ and we just got the word. We are opening for the NY Dolls!” What followed was a very girly scream. Apropos. We gave out a girly scream too. Looks like the good guys won. In Washington and Hollywood.
In between seasons on the Sopranos, side man for The Boss, Steven Van Zandt has a fabulous syndicated (and on-line) radio show that teaches and preaches Rock 101. Next logical step? Concerts, of course! Two years ago, the NY Dolls had their first American concert post-Morrisey reunion in London (reviewed here) at the Undergound Garage Festvial on Randall’s Island in NYC. Now Steven is doing the Dolls coast to coast.
We called our friend and ace Rock photographer; Dawn Laureen (and star in her own right- The Eyeshadows) to take the shots for this extra special night.
Little Steven’s got style and all his shows start with glamorous Go Go Girls dancing in boots and fishnets with the stage decked out in circus motif of stripes and mad lights. A perfect setting for our fave rave locals, The Ringers. A mis-cued curtain did not slow them down. Joe, Joe, Joe and their cousin Patrick on drums delivered a blistering set.
Mr. Hursley made fine use of this big stage; hopping, skipping, jumping and singing his brains out. The traditional opener “Kamikze Heart” melted quickly though selections from their new release “Tokyo Massage III” and ended with the perfect closer “Freak Show in the Circus of Love.” Gotta say, the Ringers love flags and flash. This very graphic look worked perfectly with the trappings of the stage. Man, like the colors were so way cool, man!
Next up Dave Allen and the Arrows. (Trivia: this band was featured in the Corman classic “Wild Angels” with Peter Fonda and Nancy Sinatra.) One of Little S’s faves. We know why. Who else would do a Henry Mancini tribute with the theme to “Peter Gunn.” Ferocious guitars from these guys.
We LOVED the Chesterfield Kings. A classic garage band from Rochester, New York. Starting their set with the Mose Allison/Yardbirds “I’m Not Talking,” the long-legged lanky lead singer, Greg Prevost kicked holes in the ceiling. With a raspy voice, 2 polka dotted scarves and too much personality, he continued to kick, smirk, slither and shake his way through the set with tambourines and finger cymbals. Prevost even did the double-maraca Mick Jagger thing to a T. He’s done his homework.
We loved their “Come Back Angeline.” And their gorgeous bass player Andy Babiuk not only looks like Brian Jones, he plays his same guitar. We pointed this out to Mr. A post-set and he was impressed. Ah hem. We’ve done our homework too.
The C-King’s guitar player, Paul Morabito is from the Steve Stevens-Steve Conte School of Gorgeous and Deadly. Drummer is cute too, Mike Boise. Check out their album cover tribute to the Stone’s Aftermath. It’s love, baby, it’s love.
Next up, the Super Suckers added a rough and ready Rockabilly edge with a brutal set bringing the perfect touch to an evening that included Glam, Pop, Punk, Garage and Vintage Rock. We can’t say Retro ‘cause none of this ever gets old. None.
The SS’ers took the time to thank the audience for their exquisite taste in coming to the show tonight. (That same night in Hollywood - Aerosmith and Motley Crue were at the Bowl and Joan Jet played the Fonda with the Eagles of Death Metal.)
And then the beloved New York Dolls took the stage. Jesus, what can you say? The band that launched a thousand other bands is back and back again! We’ve seen them what, seven or eight times in the past few years and we still can’t believe it. The New York Dolls have once again gotten out of bed to teach the world how to rock. (If you know that reference, you are really good.)
A sneak peek back stage and a quick hello to drummer, Brian Delaney, allowed us to take a shot of the set list. The new stuff from “One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This” seamlessly melted with the beloved classics.
David Johansen on lead vocals and harmonica; Sylvain Sylvain on guitar and vocals; Sami Yaffa on bass and our hero, Steve Conte on lead guitar offered a breath taking show to the devoted. Opening with the now familiar “When I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V!” Which he stole from the Shangri-La’s. Like Judy told Liza, ‘it’s OK to steal, if you steal from the best.” The encore was “Personality Crisis.”
Well, there you have it. From Alpha to Omega. The perfect rock show. Open with the Ringers and close with The Dolls. Thank you God. Thank you Little Steven. Amen.
www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com
