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.
Shores Of California
The Dresden Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get this girl to let him get into her dress
But every time he thinks he's getting close
She threatens death before he gets a chance
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
And she's been trying with limited success
To get him to turn out the lights and dance
Cause like any girl all she really wants is
That fickle little bitch romance
That fickle little bitch romance
And that is why the girl is called a tease
And that is why the guy is called a sleaze
And that's why God made escort agencies
"One Life to Live" and mace and GHB
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa
That's the way since the animals and Noah
First climbed onto the shores of California
Must not be too kind
Stop thinking love is blind
Clench your fists, yeah, write
"She's just not my type"
Why all these conflicting specifications
Maybe to prevent overpopulation
All I know is that all around the nation
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa
That's the way Aristophanes and Homer
Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata
That's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa
That's the way since the anti-protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California
The lyrics of The Dresden Dolls' song "Shores of California" convey two different but related stories of two people trying to pursue each other for physical intimacy, but constantly facing obstacles. The first few verses describe a guy who has been attempting to get with a girl, but she keeps resisting his advances by threatening him with violence. The following verses change perspective, with the girl now attempting to convince the guy to dance with her in the dark, seeking "fickle little bitch romance." However, the guy seems uninterested, and the song shifts to addressing the reasons behind such attitudes in dating. The lyrics suggest that girls are "teases" and guys are "sleazes" and that both parties are essentially performing roles ordained by society.
The song's final verse throws a curveball as it speculates on the reasons behind such sexual interactions, citing a need for conflict and contradiction to prevent overpopulation. Throughout the song, the recurring theme is that there is a constant struggle between men and women to attain physical pleasure and explore romantic relationships. The song's title, "Shores of California," refers to the origin story of how life began on Earth, as protozoa first emerged on the shores of what is now California.
Line by Line Meaning
He's been trying with limited success
The man has been attempting to have sex with a girl, but has not been very successful
To get this girl to let him get into her pants
He has been trying to convince the girl to have sex with him
But every time he thinks he's getting close
Even though he thinks he's making progress, he ultimately fails
She threatens death before he gets a chance
The girl threatens to harm him if he tries to have sex with her
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
This kind of situation is not unique to California, but is common in other states like Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
This kind of situation is not unique to California, but is common in other states like Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
This kind of sexual dynamic has been present since the earliest forms of life
First climbed onto the shores of California
This behavior has been present in California since the beginning of recorded history
And she's been trying with limited success
The girl has been attempting to get the man to dance with her, but has not had much success
To get him to turn out the lights and dance
She wants him to turn off the lights and dance with her
Cause like any girl all she really wants
The girl just wants a romantic relationship, like many other girls
That fickle little bitch romance
Romance is important to her, even though it can be unpredictable and difficult
And that is why a girl is called a tease
When a girl does not want to have sex, some people call her a tease
And that is why a guy is called a sleaze
When a guy tries to have sex with a girl who doesn't want to, some people call him a sleaze
And that's why god made escort agencies
Escort agencies exist because some people are not able to find partners through traditional means
One life to live and mace and GHB
People need to be careful and protect themselves in sexual situations, because there are risks involved
Must not be too kind
People need to be cautious and not be too trusting in sexual situations
Stop thinking love is blind
People need to stop believing that love can solve all problems
Clench your fists yeah write
People need to stand up for themselves when it comes to sexual situations
"She's just not my type"
It's okay to not be attracted to someone, and people should be honest about that
Why all these conflicting specifications
There are many conflicting expectations when it comes to sex and relationships
Maybe to prevent overpopulation
These conflicting expectations may exist to prevent overpopulation and ensure survival of the species
All I know is that all around the nation
These kinds of sexual dynamics are present all over the country
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
Sex can be a source of frustration and disappointment for both men and women
That's the way Aristophanes and homer
Even in ancient times, there were stories and plays about sexual dynamics
Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata (not in that order)
Two famous works of literature, the Iliad and Lysistrata, dealt with sexual themes
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amanda Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@purrai3435
He's been trying with limited success
To get this girl to let him get into her pants
But every time he thinks he's getting close
She threatens death before he gets a chance
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California
And she's been trying with limited success
To get him to turn out the lights and dance
Cause like any girl all she really wants
That fickle little bitch romance
That fickle little bitch romance
And that is why a girl is called a tease
And that is why a guy is called a sleaze
And that's why god made escort agencies
One life to live and mace and GHB
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way since the animals and Noah
First climbed onto the shores of California
Must not be too kind
Stop thinking love is blind
Clench your fists yeah write
"She's just not my type"
Why all these conflicting specifications
Maybe to prevent overpopulation
All I know is that all around the nation
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way Aristophanes and homer
Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata (not in that order)
And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California
@luckyowl10
Shores of California is one of the best song I heard in some time, Amanda Palmer, you are a complete artist, unique singer, awesome songwritter and mesmerizing actress! ✌
@JBBost
and her husband is quite the looker, too
@melanieventuri947
Dresden Dolls and Kitchens of Distinction are criminally underrated. Play them at my funeral, please ❤
@VeridisQuoLive
I love the fact that she gives tissues to girls and boys haha. Well done Amanda !
@whoareyou1332
Hahaha...every time I see this video it makes me wonder what Roadrunner must have thought! I can just imagine their scared little faces going "what the hell have we just bought?!" LMAO!
@magneto44
I just discovered this band today, noticed all the Roadrunner channels posting the videos and thought the exact same thing lol
@stephybear4
2022 and I'm still here!!
@griddlethekids
2023 now!!!
@fantastischee
Love the piano, smooth
@vanzetti1927
David J, in a white suit, at the beach is the most Goth thing I have ever seen in my whole life!