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The Dresden Dolls are Amanda Palmer (piano, vocals) and Brian Viglione (drums, guitar), two Boston-based troubadours who have been bringing their weird act of "Brechtian Punk Cabaret" to grease-painted, sold-out audiences across the country throughout the twenty-first century.
Amanda's furious, rock- and classical-inspired piano and smoky, evocative vocals are a dynamic pairing with Brian's jazz-and-hardcore percussion that leaves you wondering whether to start a moshpit or do the Charleston.
Despite such a hectic schedule and lifestyle, Brian and Amanda recently shared a few words about themselves, as well as on subjects dear to the hearts (and other pulsating parts) of skin fans.
Amanda's furious, rock- and classical-inspired piano and smoky, evocative vocals are a dynamic pairing with Brian's jazz-and-hardcore percussion that leaves you wondering whether to start a moshpit or do the Charleston.
Despite such a hectic schedule and lifestyle, Brian and Amanda recently shared a few words about themselves, as well as on subjects dear to the hearts (and other pulsating parts) of skin fans.
The Dresden Dolls have definitely cultivated a sensual, unique sense of style. Are there any actors, actresses (specifically of the cult/skin variety), or other performers who have influenced the way you portray yourselves visually onstage?
Amanda Palmer: I feel like there's a huge mish-mash of performers I've seen over the years who have influenced my stage and personal styles. Madonna (Picture: 1), Cyndi Lauper, and Prince were my early heroes. Robert Smith and Edward Ka-Apsel must have both had something to do with the whiteface, subconsciously.There were a few films that really impacted me, visually, and left me feeling: "That! That! I want my art to look like that!!! One was Santa Sangre, by Alejandro Jodorowsky, and one was King of Hearts, a beautiful French film by a director named Philippe de Broca.
Brian Viglione: The Muppets, Warner Brothers cartoons, Crispin Glover, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (Picture: 1)
The aforementioned style often hints at androgyny-at times a sort of Bob Fosse's Cabaret look. What are some of the more colorful responses you've received to this type of sexuality in your look and in your music, especially with songs like "Half Jack"?
Amanda Palmer: Responses? Well, people have certainly made some interesting "Half Jack" inspired artwork and costumes, which you can view on the website. I think androgyny is the original rock 'n' roll. You can't have one without the other.Brian Viglione: Our audiences are aware that we do what feels good for us.
I've noticed that some of your fans have produced short films in homage to the band. What have been some of your favorites, and if a real feature film about the Dresden Dolls was to be produced, who would play you, Amanda? Who would play Brian?
Amanda Palmer: There's a great lip-synched version of "Girl Anachronism" by some fans that I'd love to put on our site once we get some bandwidth for it. "The Dresden Dolls Story"? Maybe Crispin Glover would play Brian. I'd like to be played by Eddie Izzard.Brian Viglione: Picking a favorite fan film is like picking a favorite child; you can't. They're all great for different reasons, and if they ever made a film about our dumb band, they would have to use either sock puppets or fruits and vegetables. No humans in the cast whatsoever. Amanda would be played by a pineapple, and I would be played by a turnip. Maybe the other way around. I don't know. This is a really complicated topic.
These past few years have seen the band's popularity explode, and, with that type of explosion, inevitably, a band collects groupies (in a perfect world, at least). What types of groupies seem to flock to the Dresden Dolls? What body parts or other odd objects do they ask you to autograph?
Amanda Palmer: We've seen our fair share of punk and goth kids, but plenty of other stragglers: children, old folks. Young girls in pain seem to relate very well. Wonder why? Brian signed a girl's sphincter in Santa Barbara, and I've signed lots of nipples. I've seen a few fans tattoo our signatures into their skin; that's quite the head trip. My poor ego doesn't need that kind of inflation.
Brian Viglione: We don't get groupies, thank Christ. However, we've singed a fair amount of bellies, breasts, buttocks, and foreheads over the years. I signed a girl's sphincter in California, just to try it.
It was sweaty and the marker didn't really work. I felt sorry for the girl, mostly. What an embarrassingly stupid position to put yourself in, in trying to look "cool". Oh well. Bring a note pad, I say!
One of your best-loved songs is "Coin-Operated Boy". You assert that the song is about loneliness, despite the fervent assumptions of many of your fans that it is about some sort of self-pleasure device. Is there one artist or actor who would embody your ideal Coin-Operated Boy?
Amanda Palmer: I don't think the ideal Coin-Operated Boy exists, that's sort of the point. I want a guy I can argue with. If I could choose one? It'd be a toss-up between Jack Nicholson and Andre 3000. Both at once would be priceless.images of the Dresden Dolls courtesy of DresdenDolls.com
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