The Dresden Dolls

the singer looks like she's put her makeup on in the dark and the drummer is probably wearing his mother's dress, but this pair have written some of the most beautiful music you'll hear all year

Feature by Jay Shukla | 16 May 2006
Hey, check out my new Snow Patrol tattoo! is not a sentence you're ever likely to hear emerge from the mouth of any sane human being. And yet there are certain bands whose passion and vitality will incite equivalent acts of devotion. The Dresden Dolls are one such group, an incendiary duo who have not only inspired reverential body mods, but also galvanised many an enthusiastic fan to wear mime artist makeup and experiment with transvestism.

The combination of Amanda Palmer's theatrical, confessional vocals with thumping piano chords and pounding drums – coupled with their unusual hybridisation of gothic and cabaret styles – always left them vulnerable to accusations that what they were peddling was mere schtick, and yet since emerging from Boston in 2004 the band have cemented their reputation as the world's most exciting (and indeed only) purveyors of "Brechtian Punk Cabaret."

In conversation with The Skinny, drummer Brian Viglione expresses his bemusement at any conception that the group's image is in any way contrived: "It really amuses me to hear people talk about the way in which we have 'cultivated our image'. There was never any premeditation to any of this. There was one time that we were playing a residency and got made-up for one of the shows and it just worked. So we stuck with it."

The band's penchant for cabaret decadence and over-the-top performances have earned the Dolls as many detractors as it has fans, yet those who count themselves as followers are some of the most zealous that any group could hope for. Foremost amongst these are the members of 'The Brigade' – an organised network of painted freaks and delicious doppelgangers who turn up to shows and provide ancillary shenanigans; either in the form of rehearsed 'acts' (roller skating fire-jugglers anyone?) or merely through the very act of looking fabulous.

"The creative process doesn't end when we finish writing a song" says Viglione. "We want to inspire others in any way we can. We're very lucky in that we've found ourselves surrounded by so many talented people." The band's DIY punk ethic has certainly served them well thus far; their witty and wonderful video for breakthrough single Girl Anachronism was assembled on a shoestring by close friend Michael Pope, and the artwork for new album 'Yes Virginia' was put together from over 600 submissions by fans, friends and artists from all around the world. "What we do isn't necessarily about reaching the maximum number of people," he continues. "We're lucky to enjoy a genuine connection with our fans."

Their debut record derived much of its impact from its lurching, bombastic arrangements, yet Palmer's vocals – whilst sounding impassioned and wonderfully expressive – sometimes felt a little hammed-up; giving the impression that she was playing a role to some extent. Thankfully, the direct and stripped down production of the new record is complimented by a more mature and engaging song writing style. Mrs. O is the band's greatest achievement to date; an ambiguous yet poignant ballad written from the perspective of a holocaust-denying old woman. "Watch the vultures count the hours/ April trains may bring strange showers" sings Palmer; and it's then we realise that the Dresden Dolls have given us the old one-two. Yes, the singer may look like she's put her makeup on in the dark and the drummer is probably wearing his mother's dress – but hell, this pair have written some of the most affecting and beautiful music you'll hear all year. Now all you have to do is decide where you want to put that tattoo…
Yes Virginia' is out now.
The Dresden Dolls play The Exchange, Edinburgh on May 4 and The Cathouse, Glasgow on May 5. http://www.dresdendolls.com