Hometown crowd

Last night I went to the Dresden Dolls CD Release Party at the Orpheum Theater downtown for their new album Yes, Virginia. There’s really nothing like a hometown crowd. The Dolls started performing in the area about 5 years ago and have steadily build an audience. The Orpheum was packed and the audience was gracious and wonderful.. Boston might be the only place the Dolls could pull such an audience, but it was well earned. Other shows I’ve done to in the area of undefinable rock/pop/alt/punk area have been your typical 18 – 30ish crowd, this one you saw all types and ages. From parents bring their kids, to middle aged couples, to the 50 something guy in the wheelchair up front. The Dolls Brigade was there in full force as well, of course. Sometime I just love this city.

Dolls live shows don’t disappoint. But, I will say they are not for everyone. Some people have commented that the Dolls really aren’t that talented and if they didn’t put on the whole 1920-30s cabaret/punk/sideshow act that they would just suck completely. They are a package deal and now need to take the whole thing in before you make a judgement. There’s a lot of talent there and it’s more than artist putting on a show and being all pedantic and pseudo-intellectual.

The show was MCed by Tyler Frye, wonderful freak with warm up by Humanwine and Porsches on the Autobahn. I missed Autobahn, but Amanda Palmer citied them as being amazing. Even Miss Saturn was there. Then we get to the concert. Two moments, they are recording a Leonard Cohen cover for a close friend’s wedding and can’t agree on what key the song is end. By the third try they get it and the audience is with them all the way. I’ve never seen “I Love Rock’n Roll preformed with 8 girls (as in females 7 to around 14) belting out the lyrics. Well, the Dolls and Girl Authority did it proving they they all have sense of humor.

This is a rambling mess, but I had a good time and you missed a fantastic show.

First post-doc interview. Lawrence, Kansas

Coming into this venture I was thinking “Oh God, Kansas.” Images of the last two presidential elections and the rising American Theocracy come racing through my head. I had visions of a church on every corner and people trying to convert me a every turn. Vast hilly plans of good ignorant folk.

Okay that last bit was hyperbole. But, I was expecting it to be relatively dull with a strong conservative bent. In some respects I was proven wrong. The city I would be living in is Lawrence, home of Kansas University. Everybody told me, even the guy I was chatting with on the way to the airport, that it was a lovely little town. They were right. I spend about 6 hours driving and walking around down, had dinner (with a very nice little IPA), lunch, and breakfast, and found it to be very pleasant.

I took some pictures if you are interested.