I bet you fuck like a rock star too...

[shapeofthings]

15.09.2006 Dresden Dolls @ The Arena, Brisbane, Australia

That afternoon I stepped off the plane from Sydney, took a taxi home, washed the travel off me and put on my dancing clothes. I had a concert to go to.

We missed ZenZenZo due to the early start necessitated by the all-ages status of the gig (which also likely accounted for the prominent police presence). By 7:30 I'd worked my way to a suitable viewing station on the mezzanine level (for the Arena-familiar, near the booth area, which was cordoned off due to structural difficulties (holes in the floor!)). The Red Paintings appeared, suitably bizarrely attired, and took the crowd on a sonic ride with electric violins and violas, drums and guitars, and a vocalist channeling Maynard Keening and Brian Molko.

Between the Paintings and the Dolls we were treated to Jason Webley's piano accordion and spoken word version of "Hey Ya" (by Outkast) and I consolidated my position against the railing whilst the crowd played along.

Then Amanda Palmer (in a faded Iron Maiden T, hot pants and suspenders) and Brian Viglione (plus bowler hat) entered stage left and I know we were in for a rocking show. It didn't take Brian long to loose his shirt, much to the approval of the fan-girls, as his frenetic drumming left him dripping with sweat. We all sang along to the songs we knew and delighted in the live show lyrics ("I can even fuck him in the ass..."in Coin Operated Boy).

With Brian on guitar they gave "Port of Amsterdam" the full cabaret treatment (confusing some in the audience) and covered a range of material, including their version of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs". In the midst of the massive build-up for "Half Jack", Amanda broke a keyboard peddle and a replacement was rushed on stage while they continued playing. Tunes from both the old album and new were performed with gusto and when they left the stage all too soon an encore was furiously demanded. Striding back on stage, Amanda showered the front rows with beer in rock start style (delivered from the mouth) before taking the drums for a riotous dissection of Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" with Jason Webley on accordion and Brian on Guitar.

The night climaxed with a performance of "Girl Anachronism" that shook the ceiling, the crowd revolting against security and ignoring the barrier to have a dance. Then it was over and the crowd filed out: a sea of black and gothic fashion at 10:15 pm. I felt I should want a cigarette.