New York Dolls – The Clicks – at The Fonda Theater – Hollywood, CA

There are self-proclaimed Punk rock purists who insist that unless a band is 100% original members, they're not worth seeing. These people insist if you weren't there in the 70's, you don't deserve the reunion tour. They would tell you the New York Dolls died forever with Johnny Thunders. Hundreds of other people know a good show when they see one, and were out in force this past Thursday night at the Fonda to see the New York Dolls who are currently on tour to promote their new album, along with Toronto-based rock band the Cliks.

The Fonda isn't your usual SoCal Punk venue. For one thing, it's really nice. Not that the Knitting Factory and the Relax bar aren't great venues, but the Fonda has carpeting, restroom attendants, and a luxuriously appointed smoking patio. They play host to a wide variety of shows though, from Siouxsie and the Banshees, to NOFX, to underground hip hop legends Atmosphere, one of the great things about the Fonda is the diversity of the crowds it attracts. Looking around at the clumps of people scattering the floor before The Cliks opened the show, there were people from all walks of life. From mohawks to business casual, it was a testament to the profound influence of the New York Dolls.

Thursday's show was short, a simple one-two punch, but that's all they needed. The Cliks stormed on stage just after 9 PM, catching the attention of the audience in seconds. A relatively new band, the Cliks have played with such varied artists as Ian Astbury (The Cult) and Cyndi Lauper, and have done appearances everywhere from the Late Late Show, to TRL (yes, really). It's easy to see why in such a short time they've gained such monumental popularity. Singer/ guitarist Lucas has a raw, emotional wistfulness to his vocal style that refuses to be ignored. Drummer Morgan and bassist Jen provide a heavy, driving rhythm section, that lends an unremitting edge to the band's tortured and introspective lyrics. The crowd responded enthusiastically to this young band, dancing and cheering through their entire set, which thanks to the foreshortened lineup was able to go on for a good hour or so. If you're a fan of grungy alternative garage rock, I would definitely head over to www.myspace.com/thecliks, or check out their new album "Dirty King" due to be released June 23.

The New York Dolls took the stage just after 10:30, just long enough to switch out gear. The Dolls didn't waste any time grandstanding, or leaving the audience slavering at an empty stage. They don't need to. The New York Dolls are no strangers to controversy, they were once voted both the best and worst new band of 1973 in a Creem reader's poll, but with the release of their second new studio album ("Cause I Sez So") since re-forming they've put themselves in a different category than many other "reunion" acts. Though singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain are the only surviving original members (Arthur Kane having passed just after the band first re-formed in 2004, and Johnny Thunders fans seeing the 18 year anniversary of his death this year), and the wardrobe and makeup has been toned down considerably in the last 35 years, the Dolls are still a mighty force of rock and roll. Johansen manages a Jagger-like swagger without succumbing to off-putting arrogance, as he growls and croons into the mic. The crowd at the Fonda was right there with him, as the set started explosively with several classic Dolls songs, including "Lookin' for a Kiss". The bar was all but emptied as everyone pressed close to the stage.

The band's energy stayed high for the entire set, and the crowd clearly wasn't worried about humdrum issues like work on Friday morning. The Dolls played a good mix of their well-loved hits, and some songs off their new album, which has lost none of the aggression of the early Dolls releases (Todd Rundgren produced both the first LP and this new album). When they came to the end of their set, they were quickly called back by an ecstatic audience, and they played a decent encore including "Jet Boy", and ended the night high on energy. It's certainly fair to say the New York Dolls have lost nothing over the years, and age has not mellowed these rock icons. If you get a chance, certainly catch them on this tour. Your only complaint will be that it had to end.

-Jo Problems-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter
 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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