Doll Parts

When it comes to getting the gig you want, there are a few things that always impress potential employers: originality and creativity in your position, the ability to overcome adversity, a solid work history, and killer references.

So it should come as no surprise that when the sole remaining members of the New York Dolls — guitarist Sylvain Sylvain and frontman David Johansen — started mulling over the idea about doing their first tour proper in 30 years and releasing a new album (the knowingly-titled and actually pretty good One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This), their prospects for gainful employment seemed bright, even though only two of the band’s original members are still alive.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Originality: First band of note to wear full drag on stage (1971), thanks to the clothing designer and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain, who first recommended the band’s trademark look. Fallout: ’70s glam, ’80s New Wave, early-90s hair metal, ’00s emo-goth.

One of the first bands (alongside the Stooges and the MC5) to add devil-may-care sneer and spit to garage rock, creating what is often referred to these days as proto-punk: a highly energetic-yet-sloppy hybrid that put less of a premium on chops than it did chips (of the on-the-shoulder variety).

Overcoming Adversity: Have endured the deaths of original drummer Billy Murcia (accidental suffocation after passing out from drugs and alcohol), original guitarist Johnny Thunders (overdose or murder, depending on who you believe), second drummer Jerry Nolan (stroke) and original bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane (leukemia).

Frontman Johansen, with Sylvain as a regular collaborator, has released a number of moderately well-received solo releases since the initial dissolution of the Dolls. These include a string of solo records, a period as the fictional lounge lizard/barfly “Buster Poindexter” (best known for the hit “Hot Hot Hot”) and two albums with a straight-ahead folk and blues band called David Johansen and the Harry Smiths.

Sylvain has formed his own band, the Criminals, and cut a solo album for RCA, but has spent most of his time working with Johansen. Additionally, he has worked as a New York City taxicab driver.

Work History: First performed on Christmas Eve, 1971 at a homeless shelter. Opened for Rod Stewart in London within a year. Released a self-titled, Todd Rundgren-produced debut album in 1973 on Mercury. Was named Best and Worst Band of the Year by Creem magazine. Too Much Too Soon (1974, also knowingly-titled) produced by band idol and doo-wop pioneer George “Shadow” Morton. Released by Mercury. Hired a pre-Sex Pistols Malcolm McLaren as their manager. Dumped him soon thereafter. Broke up. Nonetheless, like the Sex Pistols, releases loads of posthumous garbage in the coming years as royalties dwindled while its legend and influence continued to grow exponentially.

References: See (and hear) the Sex Pistols (and McLaren), Mötley Crüe, Guns n’ Roses, and the Damned, AFI, the Cure, and My Chemical Romance — to name but a few. In New York, see the Ramones, the Talking Heads, Blondie and Television, all bands who got their start in the NYC-centric scene the Dolls developed. See Weezer and the Scissor Sisters’ mix of wit, kitsch, and primal rock influences.

Two of the most vocal fans of the Dolls are R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and especially Morrissey (once the head of the U.K. New York Dolls fan club), who, in countless interviews, have mentioned the band as a formative, if not direct, musical inspiration. In 2004, Morrissey organized a wildly successful (if rough-edged) reunion of the three surviving band members (Johansen, Sylvain, and “Killer” Kane) for the Meltdown Festival. This spawned a live LP and DVD on the Moz’s label, Attack, and a documentary, New York Doll, which focused on the show’s coming into being contrasted with the troubled Kane’s parallel religious conversion. (Kane died weeks later from leukemia.)

Outlook/Qualifications: Sylvain and Johansen have joined with guitarist Steve Conte, bassist Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks), drummer Brian Delaney and keyboardist Brian Koonin. Appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in July, and also taped an appearance on The Henry Rollins Show. Played before 10,000 New Yorkers as part of the River to River and Seaport Music Festivals in August. Were subsequently witnessed and signed by “Little Steven” Van Zandt to his series of “Underground Garage” tours through Dec. 1 of this year.

Have yet to announce whether or not they’ll hang up the chiffon and sequins after the current leg, but don’t count them out just yet. After all Johansen and Co. have been through over the last 30 years, a little success is probably the least of their worries. Put another way: “Hot Hot Hot” beats cold and dead any day of the week.

The New York Dolls will appear at Charleston, SC’s Music Farm on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m., as part of the Little Steven’s Underground Garage “Rolling Rock and Roll Show;” Also appearing will be the Supersuckers, the Charms and the Chesterfield Kings; Tickets are $20, available at www.musicfarm.com or www.etix.com.

This article appears in Nov 22-28, 2006.