Review
Dee Ramone @ the Troubador
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 5/15/2001 8:06:23
January 29, 2000
I missed seeing Dee Dee Ramone once before in November, and I promised that if I was ever given the opportunity to see him again, I would jump at the chance. And I have to say that while Dee Dee will never be able to recreate the Ramones, he came extremely close.
The doors to the Trobadour hadn't even opened by the time I arrived, but a great deal of people were already lined up outside to buy tickets. As I read the marquee outside of the venue, I noticed that Dee Dee wasn't headlining; DI was. It was rather alarming that a legendary musician and punk icon was not the main attraction at a show, when he has been headlining at clubs since he reappeared on the music scene in 1996. However, after seeing the show, I began to understand why Dee Dee was only second in demand.
The opening bands were somewhat entertaining, but not musically. SexyChrist, which played first, was a disgrace to fledgling bands everywhere. The lead singer walked on stage was clad in black leather plants, mirrored glasses, and a bare chest. The bass player, a 20-something female, was wearing a leather bikini and could hardly handle her instrument. While it was eminent that the band had talent, most members of the band were so focused on gaining attention and fame that their music suffered. I believe that any people who cheered when the band left the stage did so out of gratitude for their departure.
The Groovy Ghoulies, a three piece from Sacramento, played next, and appeared to be a crowd favorite. I even heard a girl say before the show, 'I can't believe the Groovy Ghoulies aren't headlining!' Many people enjoyed their mellow yet upbeat songs in which every band member put out a deal of effort. The bass player continually expressed gratitude to Dee Dee for the opportunity to open up for him. After the Groovy Ghoulies finished their set, a portion of the audience left with them.
Finally, Dee Dee came on stage carrying his guitar. He was accompanied by his band, which included his bass playing wife Barbara, who looks very similar to the legendary black-haired and tight jean-wearing Ramones. Someone commented, 'It's weird how much she looks like Joey.' Starting with 'Rockaway Beach,' the band sounded close to the original Ramones. Only Ramones songs were covered, with Barbara lending her vocals to songs like 'Judy is a Punk' and ' Something to Do.' People of all ages were in the crowd, ranging from 15 to 45, all singing the words flawlessly to their favorite Ramones tunes. Disappointingly, Dee Dee's set was only about 40 minutes long and included less than 20 songs, only about 2/3 of what was written on the play list.
It must be said that seeing Dee Dee wasn't exactly like seeing the Ramones live. Although I can only guess, having never seen the Ramones, I know from my listening experience that Dee Dee's sound is quite different from the original. When I saw Joe Strummer last year, his band sounded identical to the Clash. If I closed my eyes while listening to Joe cover his old songs, I would have guessed I was actually listening to his first band.
I observed a few reasons why Dee Dee wouldn't be headlining. First of all, his songs aren't new or orignal material. His former band mate, Marky, has created a new band called 'Marky Ramone and the Intruders' which has produced a few albums since it was formed. While many die-hard Ramones fans enjoy hearing Dee Dee's renditions of old favorites, covering songs will not endure as long as new material will.
All in all, Dee Dee was one of the few concerts that I can say I felt satisfied leaving. Despite the poor opening bands, the show was something that any Ramones fan would be interested in seeing. If seeing the Ramones live is better than seeing Dee Dee, then I would give my life savings to see them.
I missed seeing Dee Dee Ramone once before in November, and I promised that if I was ever given the opportunity to see him again, I would jump at the chance. And I have to say that while Dee Dee will never be able to recreate the Ramones, he came extremely close.
The doors to the Trobadour hadn't even opened by the time I arrived, but a great deal of people were already lined up outside to buy tickets. As I read the marquee outside of the venue, I noticed that Dee Dee wasn't headlining; DI was. It was rather alarming that a legendary musician and punk icon was not the main attraction at a show, when he has been headlining at clubs since he reappeared on the music scene in 1996. However, after seeing the show, I began to understand why Dee Dee was only second in demand.
The opening bands were somewhat entertaining, but not musically. SexyChrist, which played first, was a disgrace to fledgling bands everywhere. The lead singer walked on stage was clad in black leather plants, mirrored glasses, and a bare chest. The bass player, a 20-something female, was wearing a leather bikini and could hardly handle her instrument. While it was eminent that the band had talent, most members of the band were so focused on gaining attention and fame that their music suffered. I believe that any people who cheered when the band left the stage did so out of gratitude for their departure.
The Groovy Ghoulies, a three piece from Sacramento, played next, and appeared to be a crowd favorite. I even heard a girl say before the show, 'I can't believe the Groovy Ghoulies aren't headlining!' Many people enjoyed their mellow yet upbeat songs in which every band member put out a deal of effort. The bass player continually expressed gratitude to Dee Dee for the opportunity to open up for him. After the Groovy Ghoulies finished their set, a portion of the audience left with them.
Finally, Dee Dee came on stage carrying his guitar. He was accompanied by his band, which included his bass playing wife Barbara, who looks very similar to the legendary black-haired and tight jean-wearing Ramones. Someone commented, 'It's weird how much she looks like Joey.' Starting with 'Rockaway Beach,' the band sounded close to the original Ramones. Only Ramones songs were covered, with Barbara lending her vocals to songs like 'Judy is a Punk' and ' Something to Do.' People of all ages were in the crowd, ranging from 15 to 45, all singing the words flawlessly to their favorite Ramones tunes. Disappointingly, Dee Dee's set was only about 40 minutes long and included less than 20 songs, only about 2/3 of what was written on the play list.
It must be said that seeing Dee Dee wasn't exactly like seeing the Ramones live. Although I can only guess, having never seen the Ramones, I know from my listening experience that Dee Dee's sound is quite different from the original. When I saw Joe Strummer last year, his band sounded identical to the Clash. If I closed my eyes while listening to Joe cover his old songs, I would have guessed I was actually listening to his first band.
I observed a few reasons why Dee Dee wouldn't be headlining. First of all, his songs aren't new or orignal material. His former band mate, Marky, has created a new band called 'Marky Ramone and the Intruders' which has produced a few albums since it was formed. While many die-hard Ramones fans enjoy hearing Dee Dee's renditions of old favorites, covering songs will not endure as long as new material will.
All in all, Dee Dee was one of the few concerts that I can say I felt satisfied leaving. Despite the poor opening bands, the show was something that any Ramones fan would be interested in seeing. If seeing the Ramones live is better than seeing Dee Dee, then I would give my life savings to see them.