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THE DRESDEN DOLLS first record came out 20 years ago today. (Patreon)

Published:
2023-09-26 20:48:42
Imported:
2023-09

Content

Hello loves.

Story time. I'm reading comments, please share feels.

I was about to post our epic - and FINAL - Graveside Variety Thing-post....but then...I was gonna just write a line or two and got CARRIED AWAY WRITING ABOUT MY BAND...so I'm fucking it all and posting this here.

It's too good not to share.

So many patrons here are new to my band, The Dresden Dolls, since so many people have come to my patreon from elsewhere...from the book (The Art of Asking), from my podcast, from my TED talk, from my feminist rants on instragram, or from whatever.

It all started, my loves, with a band, and with a record.

My band formed in 2000.

In 2003 - exactly 20 years ago - we put out our first record.

It was twenty years ago today. JESUS.,

You can listen to it HERE on Spotify or HERE on Bandcamp.

When people ask me where to "start" with my music, I still point them here.

This collection of songs. It's such a great fucking record.

“The Dresden Dolls” - our eponymous self-titled debut, was a hard-worn labor of love, we borrowed money from many corners to make it, and we drove back and forth from Boston to Martin Bisi's recording studio in Brooklyn at least 7 times and crahsed on many floors during the recording.

We marked it with a record release show in Boston (our deliciously complicated home town stomping grounds) at the Paradise Rock Club.

We were at the height of sizzle with our friends, surrounded by art, creation, explosion. Looking at this show poster (swipe for it) is incredible…what a line-up. So many amazing humans: now well-known surreal comedian Eugene Mirman (a Lexington High School school-pal of mine) was on the bill, as well as Count Zero (Boston music heroes helmed by my teenage idol Peter Moore of Think Tree, who used to get constant rotation on WFNX), World/ Inferno Friendship Society, performance artists Les Freres Corbusier, clown-maniacs Daredevil Chicken Club (good friends, who are still touring and creating), and extra-curricular art from Empire SNAFU and “Third Dresden Doll” filmmaker Michael Pope....who made the "Girl Anachronism" and "Coin-operated Boy" videos...among many many other things.

And what a party it was. Here's a photo of Brian-lifting-Amanda by Kathleen Doran. The joy on our little faces.

My god.....

The Dolls in 2003:

Our little band has come so far….here’s more photos, for perspective, of us the other night at Riotfest in Chicago. Jesus.

It’s also sad to revisit this moment, this poster.

Jack Terricloth, the singer for World/Inferno, left our realm a few years ago. Thom Martin, our dear friend (and my Cloud Club housemate), who designed the album jacket, also passed away a few years ago. Things change.

Time passing. Friends. Art. Legacy. Traces. Threads.

The songs on this album are evergreen. We still play almost every single one of these when we perform live; they’ve all stood the test of time and get richer and deeper with every passing year, including “Coin-operated Boy”, the saddest song about fear of intimacy (or about a vibrator? we’ll never know) ever penned. “Truce” is one of the best songs on the album - and one of our favorites to pull out and hammer. It’s the definition of The Dolls, that song, the post-9/11 collision of debris, confusion and heartache that defines those years after the towers came down. 672…I’ll never tell you. I just wrote a little bit about "Slide", which I wrote at 15, in my post about Russell Brand and rape culture, which has garnered almost 1,000 comments on Facebook. Sadly, this topic never goes out of style.

Tell us about your relationship with these songs, your faves, your memories this record. We’d love to hear the stories and the feels.

We’re about to play comeback shows: four in NYC (sold out!) and in Portland, OR (sold out!) and a few in California: New Years in Berkeley (almost sold out!) and two surprises coming up on the west coast. (Get on the band’s email list, dammit, we’re announcing any minute.

Mailing list and upcoming show links here: dresdendolls.com 

I leave you with our favorite band quote....as we said in the album liner notes:

“Accept the worst, expect the worst, DEMAND the worst” – (our friend and avant-jazz hero) Karen Mantler

................

THE DRESDEN DOLLS

released September 26, 2003

Amanda Palmer: Piano, Toy Piano & Vocals
Brian Viglione: Drums, Guitar, Vocals & Percussion

All songs written/composed by Amanda Palmer
Produced/Engineered by Martin Bisi & The Dresden Dolls
Recorded at B.C. Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Absolute Studio (NYC, NY)
Album cover photo by Lisa Lunskaya Gordon
Album Graphic Design by Thom Martin

TRACK LISTING:

  1. "Good Day" – 5:51
  2. "Girl Anachronism" – 2:59
  3. "Missed Me" – 4:53
  4. "Half Jack" – 5:57
  5. "672" – 1:24
  6. "Coin-Operated Boy" – 4:46
  7. "Gravity" – 4:19
  8. "Bad Habit" – 3:01
  9. "The Perfect Fit" – 5:45
  10. "The Jeep Song" – 4:50
  11. "Slide" – 4:30
  12. "Truce" – 8:34 (with surprise Amanda’s Grandmother recording at 11:11)

Long Live The Punk Cabaret.

FUCK I LOVE MY BAND.

xxx

A

Files

Comments

Anonymous

I came to you through "Theatre is Evil", then I read your book, then found this record. Perfect Fit is basically one of my theme songs. Happy record anniversary to you both.

Anonymous

My best friend went to a Regina Spektor show with another friend and the Dresden Dolls opened. This was still in the time when cell phones were a privilege not everyone had and every text message cost money and even if you had a phone, you mostly kept it in your pocket or your pocket book because it was simply what it was - a phone. I was somewhere around 20 years old, I believe. The next day, she called me and said "You need to look up this band The Dresden Dolls and you need to listen to this song called Coin Operated Boy and you need to do it NOW." Truthfully, I don't remember how I did it back then. I don't remember how I managed to find the band and the song on the interwebs in a time when listening to CDs was still very much a thing and streaming just - what was streaming? But I listened and I immediately fell in love and and I told my friend and she told me that she was pretty sure that she had found my new favorite band and I should go out and buy the CD now because every song she heard that night at that show was just as good if not better than that one. And I was hesitant because spending money on a CD from a band I hadn't heard much of was such a gamble because what if I didn't much like the rest of it? But dammit if she wasn't absolutely right, and if I didn't know it with the first listen to Coin Operated Boy (number 6 on the album which I still inexplicably remember) or even the deliciously sardonic Good Day, by the time I heard Girl Anachronism, something awakened in me. I had never related to a song more in my entire life and as a whole, I had never heard music like that album in my entire life either. I led a pretty privileged and sheltered existence in the suburbs 30 minutes north of Boston and nothing *truly bad* ever really happened to me. But I had also felt very different from most of the people around me for basically my whole life. And I was. But I was also "not allowed" to be as different as I wanted to be. I adore my parents and we are very close now, but I was not allowed to dress how I wanted, listen to what I wanted, watch what I wanted, BE who I wanted for most of my life because they had a lot of rules and expectations surrounding how I presented myself and the impact that had on them and my younger sisters. We won't get into it, but even after graduation and turning 18 and all that jazz, it was still very much "our house, our rules" and yes that extended to all of the aforementioned things. Listening to this first Dolls album for the first time (and then again and again and again), I started to really learn who I was - the person that was always there but I had never really taken the time to get to know because I was too afraid. This album gave me permission to stop asking permission. It did a lot more than that over the years and I could probably write an entire thesis paper on how my relationship with this album and the Dolls and Amanda and Brian has ebbed and flowed and evolved over many years and different eras of my life. About all of the times I've seen them live. About the shitty ex-boyfriend who injured his hand and temporarily couldn't drive and his cousin that went with me to a show at the Orpheum once even though he wasn't very familiar with the band. About how, because I had driven and he "was tired and needed to get home soon but didn't have to walk that far", he insisted that I go get the car and bring it around to pick him and his cousin up while they stood and waited to see if my favorite band came out and therefore he and his cousin got to meet Amanda ("But it's fine babe, I got her to sign your poster"). About the time my husband took me to that show at the Pavilion in Boston and because he works as a stagehand he knew the crew chief, got me backstage during the show, which led to me being pulled on stage to dance during their cover of a Beastie Boys song which I swear to this day was one of the most joyful experiences I've ever had. A lot has changed over the course of my life, but what hasn't changed is the Dolls presence in it. Happy birthday to this album and thank you Amanda and Brian for...everything.

Anonymous

The Dresden Dolls are near and dear to my heart and soul. A comment on a blog about self mutilation sent me to find the Dresden Dolls site to read the lyrics to Bad Habit. I absolutely fell in love with it. The lyrics to many songs made me feel seen in a time where I was desperately fighting depression. I searched several states trying to find the physical CD, because I didn't really trust online ordering. I found it at Coconut Music, a store in the loop in Chicago and I was SO. HAPPY. I got home, put on my headphones, and poured myself in the booklet as I was glued to the entire album. It was the first time I felt validated. It was a beacon through the gaslighting - and I was not alone. I loved the album. Everything about it. And I learned that everyone that I shared it with did not share the same level of enthusiasm. At best, they were happy that I was happy. Shout out to the section on the site for the hate mail. I loved it and how you addressed the mean comments. Definitely helped me cope with the fact that me and my art just may not be for some people, and that's okay. I traveled to Ohio for my first Dresden Dolls concert. Kaledrina was absolutely stunning live. I have that audio recording of Kaledrina. I caught drumsticks from Brian that played Bad Habit. I met you both after the show and that interaction was such a moment for me. Neither of you were visibly repulsed by my scars and Amanda made me feel seen while fascinated with my scars. I treasure that photo of us. I tried to stay in touch and follow along as best as I could (Shadowbox, your blog... Twitter too) as I navigated my adult life. I'll forever be devastated that I missed the Dresden Dolls and Nine Inch Nails show. I pitched in for Kickstarters and projects and have bought so much merch over the years, and checked out the side projects. I still have my DD beanie that I ordered in 2004 ish that I swear I've lost 50 million times but I always find it 50 million plus one. 2010 DD tour and in Chicago was like a huge hug and comfort for the soul and oomph in my step! I treated myself to a custom autographed poster from the both of you and had Kaledrina quoted. Kickstarter Party in Chicago was amazing (albeit that was Amanda Palmer project). You wrote on my arm to stop apologizing so much. I have, thank you (and therapy). My husband understood early on in our relationship that this band is that important to me; one of his first gifts to me was the Paradise DVD, but it was opened. I inquired, and he said that he was curious and watched it, liked the Half Jack song but you know, it's different. (His favourite band is KISS, so there's some overlap in similarities of our favourite bands. It's impressive just how much.) I've met you after shows, ninja gigs and I'm glad that I could meet my hero and not be disappointed. Thank you both for being so raw and passionate about your music, and for sharing it with us. I've loved watching you both grow in your lives and careers, and have cheered you both along the way. Happy merry 20 years to The Dresden Dolls!

Anonymous

This truly is a magnificent record! I found it 10 years ago after already being a fan of your solo work and it has become really special for me. The songs just keep growing on me. You're right they are very timeless. I never get nostalgic when listening to them even though they were kind of eye-opening to me in my late teens; somehow they're always tied to the here and now no matter what year or stage of life I am. A couple of snapshots that come to mind: Good Day: Me lying in bed in college, broken over a relationship gone bad, and feeling empowered by taking out the trash. Bad Habit: The times I've followed my inspiration and feelings also in some dumb ways and found resonance in the line "but you see it's more productive than if I were to be healthy" The Perfect Fit: All the times I've been seen as a perfectionist and everybody has such expectations - but also when I'm a mess inside and feel like I actually can't do the simplest thing... There are so many lines in here that are just 100% accurate. I feel seen. I need to go listen to the whole thing now!

Anonymous

Happy Birthday, Still-Favourite-Album! I bought this CD almost twenty years ago just because of the Dresden in the name - it's the town where i was born and grew up. It might have been a strange reason to buy a physical CD - without even pre-listening - but it was the best decision. This album accompanied me steadily through the last two decades, has been synchronised on any portable device - no matter how little disc space it had. Currently the CD is often wandering upstairs to my 13 year old daughters room, as she fell for it, too.

Anonymous

Congratulations Amanda! Coming full circle and forging new ground! I remember when I discovered the Dolls. My girlfriend at the time, suggested we go to the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles and catch a show. It was so unique and different from any other concert I had seen in LA (and connected me back to my club days living and bartending in Chicago - so I felt very much more at home) I was totally drawn in and have been following along all these years later. Thanks for the music and of so much more

Anonymous

Many years ago, I owned a small indie record store and despite our small size, we sold a lot of Roadrunner. I know you have your issues with RR, but they really looked after us with promotions, posters and promo CDs. They sent us so many promos, I didn't get to listen to them all. One day. 30 years ago, a CD arrived, no cover, but the disc had a picture, a band name, a track listing and the words 'Instore play only. Promo copy not for sale'. Thinking it was another metal release and we did sell A LOT of metal, I thought I'd better listen to it at home first, if at all. Later that night, while catching up on paperwork, I came across that CD and put it on. I must have listen to it five or six times. The paperwork didn't get done. The next day, I ordered a box of that CD and the promo copy stayed in the store player for a week. It's still one of my favourites.

Alison Hope Ferrara

Discovering The Dolls thru a chance encounter with the Girl, Anachronism video on MTV2 was like a damn adrenaline needle to my heart. I felt restarted in so many ways - thank you, thank you , thank you . 🖤🤍🎹🥁 I went to so many shows , had an awesome crew of fan friends and the world was beautiful, new and CREATIVE again. I’m beyond excited for what’s coming next.

Laura

I have my eldest to thank for introducing me to the Dolls - although I was the one that got to see you guys play first, thanks to The Spiral (NIN's fan org)

Anonymous

I saw you in Milwaukee, WI sometime around when your first album came out. The Dresden Dolls were opening for...I have no idea who... in all honesty, I went to the show to see the band you were opening for... but... then you hit the stage and...holy fuck... mind and heart... blown away!! 😍 ...I forever after loved The Dresden Dolls...AND, was so happy to see someone else who wore tights/thigh highs with big black & white stripes!

Laura Keenados

YESSSSSS THE TIME IS NOWWWWW I cannot believe its been that long. THIS is my roots. Amanda, we grew up together. You were a huge impact of growing-upp-en-ess. I was a snarky barista working at a funky coffee shop, I was the type who would glare at customers from behind my newspaper, sitting on my stool behind the bar. I'd blast your record along with sleater kinney and kidney thieves. Happy Birthday, Dresden Dolls. Cheers!!

Delenn Irving

Ok, so I'm new to the Patreon but I have followed your art across time and social media since 2008, Amanda. I was introduced to your music by a couple whom I barely remember, only that my social awkwardness and my (at the time) undiagnosed autism made them not want anything to do with me. Anyway, my takeaway from that experience was to mask more, but also the music. After the initial culture shock of exposure to the Punk Cabaret, I quickly fell in love. Constantly broke, I followed from MySpace to Facebook to Twitter to The Art of Asking, and then to Bandcamp, with Bandcamp and the eMail list being my only source of AFP news for a very long time. Now, I'm finally able to give something back for all the times I couldn't feed the hat but still took the offered flower. Thank you, Amanda.