They describe their heavily art-damaged and theatrical style as "Brechtian punk cabaret", a phrase invented by Palmer because she was "terrified" that the press would invent a name that "would involve the word 'gothic'," and are part of an underground dark cabaret movement that started gaining momentum in the early 1990s.
Palmer accompanies her confessional story-songs with a thunderous and shimmering piano style that rests on the shoulders of Jerry Lee Lewis and Nina Simone. Viglione's jazz and hardcore-influenced drumming and creative percussion are the perfect foil, providing in turns a delicate cradle of rhythm and a piercing bed of nails onto which Palmer lays her raw, tragicomic lyrics.
The release of their debut album The Dresden Dolls, produced by Martin Bisi (Swans, Sonic Youth), has won the band accolades from both mainstream and underground media, and it appears that the Dolls are poised to transcend cult status and smash all commonly held ideas about what a rock band is supposed to be. Their awe-striking live energy and singular look has earned them opening slots for Nine Inch Nails, Beck, the B-52s, Jane's Addiction, OK Go and Panic! At the Disco, a tour with the Legendary Pink Dots, and a victory in the 2003 WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble.
Their second album Yes, Virginia was released in 2006, eventually followed by a companion record No, Virginia in 2008, which features b-sides and out-takes from the "Yes, Virginia" sessions, as well as a smattering of new tracks.
At the end of summer 2008 they announced a hiatus. The band has made further announcements saying they will reunite when the time is right for both of them, and have stressed they have not broken up.
In September 2008, rumors began to circulate about the future of the whole band. Viglione confirmed that the band is currently on hiatus but emphasized that he and Palmer are on good terms and that they will get together again when it feels right for both of them. In late July and early August 2009, a rumor began to spread that the band was "reuniting for performances in 2010" but Palmer clarified in her blog on August 7: "There's been a ton of press lately re-printing an old quote from an old interview that's now blown up into a full-fledged press rumour that Brian and I have planned Dresden Dolls' shows for 2010. Not true. We aren't planning any shows. Sorry about that, blame the gossip whores."
In 2010, a reunion tour to selected venues in the United States occurred. It started on Halloween in New York City and ended in San Francisco on New Years Eve.
The Dresden Dolls played a show in Mexico City on 9 December 2011. They had a tour of New Zealand and Australia in early 2012, supported by The Jane Austen Argument and The Bedroom Philosopher.
My Alcoholic Friends
The Dresden Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The number of the steps
It took for me to get
Back on the wagon of the weekend
I'll use the auto-timer to prove that I'll
Get home with my imagination
If they find the body in the basement
"In the very house that she was raised in"
The number of the Times
So when we get the sign
From God I'll be the first to call them
I'm taking back the number of the beast
'Cause six is not a pretty number
Eight or three are definitely better
A is for the address on the letter
To my alcoholic friends
I'm trying hard
Not to be ashamed
Not to know the name
Of who is waking up beside me
Or the date, the season or the city
But at least the ceiling's very pretty
And if you are holding it against me
I'll be on my best behavior
Taking shots for mother nature
Once my fist is in the cupboard
Love is never falling over
(Hey)
(One, two, three, four)
Should I choose a noble occupation?
If I did I'd only show up late and sick
And they would stare at me with hatred
Plus my only natural talent's wasted on my alcoholic friends
My alcoholic friends
The party never ends
My alcoholic friends
The Dresden Dolls song "My Alcoholic Friends" is a melancholic exploration of the loneliness and shame that can accompany addiction. Singer Amanda Palmer - accompanied by drummer Brian Viglione - uses vivid imagery and personal reflection to convey the desperation and complexity of life as an alcoholic. The opening verse sets a clear narrative arc, as Palmer counts backwards from the steps that led her back to drinking, using a camera timer to transport herself home to a vivid imagination. The dark humor of the line "If they find the body in the basement / 'In the very house that she was raised in'" is tempered by the recognition of the very real danger inherent in addiction.
The second verse is a poignant portrayal of the aftermath of a night of heavy drinking. While Palmer tries not to feel ashamed, she is unable to remember even basic details about her surroundings or the person she is with. She finds solace in the beauty of the ceiling, suggesting that even in moments of chaos, there can be small moments of grace. The final verse returns to the theme of wasted potential, as Palmer wonders if she should "choose a noble occupation" but recognizes that her "only natural talent's wasted on [her] alcoholic friends." The song ends on a haunting repetition of the line "My alcoholic friends / The party never ends," underscoring the cyclical nature of addiction and the difficulty of breaking free from its grasp.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm counting back
I'm retrospectively looking at my recent behavior
The number of the steps
The amount of times I stumbled off the wagon
It took for me to get
The journey it took for me to become unsober
Back on the wagon of the weekend
Drinking again on the weekend like I used to
I'll use the auto-timer to prove that I'll
I'll set a timer to show that I can make it home sober
Get home with my imagination
I'll use my mind to convince myself that I'm okay to drive
If they find the body in the basement
If I accidentally killed someone while drunk
"In the very house that she was raised in"
It would be a huge scandal since it would happen in my childhood home
I'm taking down
I'm keeping track of
The number of the Times
How often I give in to temptation
So when we get the sign
The point when my drinking becomes a serious issue
From God I'll be the first to call them
I'll be proactive in getting sober before things get worse
I'm taking back the number of the beast
I'm rejecting the negative connotations associated with the number six
'Cause six is not a pretty number
Six reminds me of bad luck and evil
Eight or three are definitely better
These numbers align with my personal superstitions
A is for the address on the letter
Referencing the address of a letter to a friend who struggles with alcohol addiction
To my alcoholic friends
Drinking buddies who I know have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol
I'm trying hard
Doing my best
Not to be ashamed
Feeling embarrassed about my choices
Not to know the name
Not remembering the name of the person I slept with while drunk
Of who is waking up beside me
Waking up with a stranger
Or the date, the season or the city
Blacking out and losing track of time and place
But at least the ceiling's very pretty
Focusing on the positive aspects of my surroundings while feeling shame
And if you are holding it against me
If my friends judge me for my behavior
I'll be on my best behavior
I'll strive to do better and make amends
Taking shots for mother nature
Drinking to pretend I am one with nature
Once my fist is in the cupboard
Once I start drinking again
Love is never falling over
Love can help me stay on the wagon
(Hey)
An interjection
(One, two, three, four)
A musical transition
Should I choose a noble occupation?
Questioning my life choices and career path
If I did I'd only show up late and sick
Still falling back into bad habits despite a new job
And they would stare at me with hatred
Feeling judged and criticized by others
Plus my only natural talent's wasted on my alcoholic friends
Drinking is taking away from my potential to do better things
My alcoholic friends
Refers back to the people in my life that I drink with
The party never ends
The cycle of drinking and partying continues
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amanda Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VAMP
i freaking love alcoholic friends gqhjghqjgwhj