After reuniting last year for the first time in decades, seminal underground rock act the New York Dolls has signed a new deal with Roadrunner. The group is at work on its first new studio album since 1974’s “Too Much Too Soon,” expected to be released next spring.
Surviving original members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain will be backed on the set by guitarist Steve Conte, bassist Sami Yaffa, drummer Brian Delaney and keyboardist Brian Koonin. That same lineup is on the road this summer for a handful of dates, beginning Saturday (July 16) at the Cisco Systems Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario.
“Since word has spread of the band getting back into the studio to record new material, I’ve been inundated with calls from various high-profile producers and artists wanting to get involved,” Roadrunner A&R executive David Bason tells Billboard.com. “I can’t reveal any names yet but it’s nice to have such a vote of confidence from the artistic community out of the gate.”
“The sound of this record will be true to form New York Dolls — down and dirty rock’n’roll,” he continues. “I’ve heard sketches of the material and if it’s any indication, the record will blow you away.”
The Dolls regrouped in 2004 at the urging of Morrissey, who was the president of the group’s fan club during its heyday. An early comeback show yielded the CD/DVD “The Return of the New York Dolls: Live From Royal Festival Hall 2004,” which Morrissey released on his Attack imprint via Sanctuary. Original bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane died suddenly of leukemia shortly thereafter.
As previously reported, Kane is the subject of the new film “New York Doll,” which chronicles the ups-and-downs of his post-Dolls life. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters in October.
Here are the New York Dolls’ tour dates:
July 16: Ottawa, Ontario (Cisco Systems Bluesfest)
July 17: Montreal (Les Franco Folies De Montreal)
July 23: Amagansett, N.Y. (Stephen Talkhouse)
Aug. 6: Notodden, Norway (City of Notodden)
Aug. 12: Sayreville, N.J. (Starland Ballroom)
Aug. 13: Atlantic City, N.J. (House of Blues)
Aug. 31: Anaheim, Calif. (House of Blues)
Source billboard.com.
