Everything's Dandy For Dandy Warhols Webchat

chartattack.com
by Derek Nawrot
July 19, 2000


While the Velvet Underground may have festooned their songs with gritty urban images of drugs, sex, and decay, the Dandy Warhols are getting ready to take the same trip, but with twice the fun and no track marks.

Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, out August 1, is the Portland, Oregon band’s latest foray into '70s porn anthems and all-night benders that have marked their lives since becoming ambassadors of urban living with the cool threads and bohemian looks to back them up.

Although their third album continues with the celebratory rockers of past, the band has taken a bold step by adding little nooks like horns, sing-along country, and Middle Eastern calls to prayer that are undecidedly non-Dandy, but very Dandy.

"There was a point where I hated this record because it didn’t sound like the last two. It didn’t feel like a Dandy Warhols’ album," reveals uber-chic guitarist Peter Holmstrom stretched out on his couch over the phone from Portland. "I know Courtney [Taylor, guitar/vocals] felt the same way and at one point tried to re-record some stuff and add more sounds and guitars.

"But then we ended up going back to the starting mixes just because they’re really good and they are Dandy Warhols songs, and it is a Dandy Warhols record. It’s just the next step I guess."

Although Holmstrom agrees that it’s best to keep fans guessing, he offers that he wouldn’t be surprised if the band manages to lose fans this time around.

"You’re going to lose people, but hopefully [you] get better and gain people as well," says Holmstrom. "Some people are so demanding that they get the same thing again. At least I was. I tend to like bands' first albums and it’s rare that I like their other stuff."

Granted, the band won’t take a page from the Sting catalogue. They should have no problem retaining their followers, who have in the past lavished the band with gifts ranging from homemade musical instruments to a set of Barbie dolls from Australia that were re-figured to look like the band. ("Except the one they used for Brent was a girl who had breasts.")

The band is embarking on an upcoming whirlwind tour of North America that will see them perform 15 shows in 19 days, including a highly-anticipated sold-out stop at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on July 24 and then in Vancouver August 8 at the Starfish Room. For those that don't live in Toronto or Vancouver they can participate in an online chat on July 24 at 4:30 p.m. EST hosted by virtuecast.com. Those that want to see the band in person can stop by HMV at 272 Queen St. West in Toronto at 4:30 p.m. EST to see the webchat take place live. The Dandys are hoping to strike high and hard against their audience.

"There’s a lot of kids out there, that don’t get to hear us on the radio ‘cause there’s too much Korn and Limp Bizkit... so essentially we’re filling that gap," offers Holmstrom. "Not that we get their fans, cause I certainly don’t want a bunch of little fucking shitheads in baggy pants and shaved heads with red baseball caps smashing up shit at our shows... that doesn’t sound like fun at all."