The Dandy Warhols departed from cold, rainy Portland to make way for cold, rainy London October 31 for a series of British television appearances in support of the (belated) hit single “Bohemian Like You”. The band will perform Saturday, Nov. 3 (Peter’s Birthday!) on CD-UK, and make a return to Top Of The Pops Thursday Nov. 8.
I can remember way ‘back in the day’ when the Warhols were first gigging around Portland, a lot of the local bands HATED them because the Warhols were rock stars before they ever set boot on stage. They acted totally against the stodgy psuedo-indie ethic that so many of the bands in this city still clung to like it was their mother’s breast. They hated the Warhols ’cause they were MADE to sell out, and continue to make no apologies for sticking with this game plan. Courtney speaks to UK magazine NME about the latest endeavour with UK’s Vodaphone.
The Dandy Warhols track, “Bohemian Like You” is being used in collaboration with Europe’s largest telecommunications company Vodafone, as part of a new year-long campaign and will be used in all PR, television, radio, and cinema spots.
Or rather, the gig June 29 at Brixton (UK) was a smashing success. Check out what was written:
A FISTFUL OF DANDY’S
DANDY WARHOLS: 29/06/01.LONDON BRIXTON ACADEMY
Brixton is hardly the “Wild West”, more the troubled South, and the only true grit you see is outside the underground! No fear for the Dandy Warhols though, these rough riders are on their way to making their individual mixture of rock & pop, with an indisputable country twang, the most exciting thing this crowd has seen for a long while. It’s an impressive performance based on the sheer confidence and togetherness of the band nowadays. Their experimental leanings have paid off. It’s not all classic power-fuelled pop like “Not If You Were Last Junkie on Earth” and “Everyday Should be a Holiday”, although these remain great crowd pleasers. In addition there’s warmly welcomed, back to basics melodies such as “Minnesoter”, “Country Leaver” and “Green” with their earthy “round the campfire” feel!
Frontman Courtney has fun teasing the crowd about all brits obvious “Notting Hill” lifestyles (Ironic) and his present disdain for the ever frog-like Lou Reed (Moronic). Sporting a scaringly “hitleresque” new hair do, if Courtney was more laid back he’d fall over…As a companion points out, he “oozes cool…”. The number of Courtney wannabe’s undoubtedly back up this theory.
Keyboard whiz, Zia, is on form and taking full advantage of the bulk Stetson deal the band have obviously acquired? Guitar toting Pete is inspirational as ever, a true musician, a god, an angel (…I’m calm and relaxed…calm!). If you add his Clash inspired arm circling maneuvers you’ll never fail to impress! Drummer Brent’s halo of hair emits a stunning green aura but luckily this doesn’t distract him from the terrific task at hand. And lets not forget some outstanding “trumpet action”, from the impressively Stetsoned backing musicians…
The band quite rightly have no affection for the usual encore scenario and as Courtney informs us they will finish, only once, with no jesting involved. This is achieved with a damn near perfect “Godless” and the band are gone, off for a touch of Rock’n’Roll style chatter. Like the Magnificient Seven (how apt…) they are gone in a flash. Now silent and still, the tumbleweeds roll again….Until next time.
–Sarah Mattock
In the middle of their highly successful (and sold-out) European tour, The Dandy Warhols were notified by international dispatch that their latest record, Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia , had achieved GOLD status for the country of Australia, and was nearing gold in several other countries. Needless to say, the band was flushed with excitement. (Peter even cracked a smile!) Upon hearing the news, the band took a vote: four to one they agreed they would just simply have to tour Australia and pay their devoted Aussie fans back for the honor. (The one hold-out was Troy, who was spooked by rumors of wild dingos.) The dates for these May shows in Australia and New Zealand are posted on the SHOWS page. If you want to help the band get even closer to gold in your country (thhis means you, USA), buy Thirteen Tales at our web store .
