By Chris Rockson

 

Dolls concerts are always quite spectacular events in their visual and musical approach, and this was no exception from that rule!

Having spent the day in the company of one Steve Conte, friend and lead guitarist of the band, I was just about ready for some good old rock n roll, served up as only the Dolls can do it....and they didn't fail me!!

The band hit the stage, looking calm and rested on this, their penultimate show of the eight day UK tour, and when David Johansen greeted the sold-out crowd with the familiar line, 'When I say I'm in Love..' you just knew that this was going to be another memorable night in Dolls-ville. This is a completely 'new' sounding Dolls, by that I mean that Syl and David weren't forced to replace their fallen brothers with identi-kit clone-a-likes of Thunders, Nolan and Arthur kane....no, they took the right decision and employed some of THE BEST guys in town, each bringing with them a new direction to add to the flavour!

Sami Yaffa, formerly with Hanoi Rocks and band leader with the unique 'Mad Juana' is without a doubt one of the, if not THE best bassist I've seen....and I've seen tham all!!, Combined with Brian Delaney, again one of New York's most sought after and busiest drummers, they are a formidable rhythm section, just what you need to carry off some of the Dolls songs, complimenting Sylvain's crunching guitar and David's  unorthodox vocals. All of this is an absolute must for any Dolls fan, but talking to some pre-show, I am still amazed at how many still regard this as a tribute band, due to the lack of one 'Johnny Thunders'.

How wrong can you be? The Dolls had a very unique and far ahead of their time sound back in the 70's, and for that were largely ignored. Thunders himself, widely regarded as a great talent was overlooked for his playing, whilst the media focussed on the drug abuse which ultimately led to his demise. Not so with Steve Conte, the 'replacement' if you like for Thunders. I see Conte as an addition to the band, not a replacement in fact, and what an addition!!

Steve Conte - Shopping for Beatle Boots in Liverpool - Chris Rockson Photo

If you want a classic New York Dolls, late night Downtown Bar sound, then Conte brings it all. A class apart from the rest, Steve avoided the obvious connection to his former, fallen band member and brought his own flavour of hard rocking guitar tone to the Dolls camp. To be perfectly brutal, it wouldn't take a great guitarist to clone the Thunders sound and playing on the early recordings anyway...even though I'm a huge fan of the first incarnation of Dolls, I recognise the fact that the guys have 'aged' with dignity and artistic pride intact, and decided to bring us something new....Kudos!

The set list includes the familiar numbers as well as some more 'interesting' ones from the latest cut 'Cause I sez So', released earlier in the year. The crowd lap it all up, song after song and the band are quite clearly enjoying playing back in Liverpool. Until next time guys....

SoundCheck Rating :

 

www.nydolls.org

Syl Sylvain & Chris Rockson, Backstage, Liverpool, December 2009