Did you know Sylvain Sylvain? Growing up in New York, I lived in the Manhattan Music Building and actually Thunders lived there for a brief while, but Sylvain was the guy I knew. I didn’t know him well, but in my band previous to Billy Idol we were looking to give me my stage name and Syl suggested that I just use my first name twice. Then I guess about eight years ago, I hadn’t seen him in years and years, but eight years ago we were on the same bill, Billy Idol and the Dolls. I said to him, “Do you remember when you gave me the blessing to use my name twice.” He did remember. He was a total sweetheart. He was such a New York fixture. What did the Dolls mean to you? As A kid growing up in New York, I went to high school in Manhattan. I believe the Dolls are the ones that really spearheaded not only the punk rock scene but obviously when they went to London and had such a huge impact on the Sex Pistols forming.....all of the bands in New York that kind of came after them were aware of the fact that you didn’t have to be a virtuoso. You just had to find five guys who believed in something as much as you. And they influenced I believe every band that came out of New York City, certainly Kiss, and Aerosmith, any band that played Max’s were obviously aware of the Dolls. Is there something you’d want someone to know or hear regarding the tribute or video? I think what’s great about this video, I really didn’t know what to expect...but I love the fact that there was real footage of the band and that we are really paying homage. When Sylvain passed away, I had posted a little thing in Facebook with a photograph of him. But I was really happy that we are able to honor them. They really did influence so many musicians that came after them. I’m really happy to have my name attached someway to honor him.
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Stephen Perkins: Stephen Perkins Drummer of Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros, and Think:EXP while taking a shower masterminded the idea for a tribute video for Sylvain Sylvain and here is why.... What did the New York Dolls mean to you? Courage! It’s fascinating that they had the courage to do what they did. To me it was like a local band from New York City that gave everybody in the early 70s a chance to relate to this brave and courageous band. The bravery and the courage that it takes to get on stage to be able to play their instruments with such guts. To dress up with such confidence and to strut. It showed me what it takes to be like a Salvador Dali or a Picasso. You do it your own way and you stick to your guns. They love you or they hate you, but you stick to your guns. The early punk scene that came out of New York and London, they all have that in common, but the Dolls seemed to be having such a good time. They were like this great party band. Of course, I wasn’t in New York, but it seemed dangerous and dirty and that went right into their music. It seemed like you had a good time all the time, but you had to be on your toes and look out for what was going on around you. When Jane’s Addiction finally made it to New York, I wanted to go right to St. Marks Place and go shopping at “Trash and Vaudeville” to see if we could dress up like the Dolls....20 years later, but that was the goal. Then you see Bowie and Kiss and even ABBA…all of these bands who pulled from the Dolls. The Dolls never really got the love and sometimes the greatest music does get skipped in the sense of sales. But it has to do with success, and they were a true success because they stuck to their guns and did what they set out to do.
