Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
If Dee Dee Penny's sequin nylons weren't enough, her Elvis-tinged vocals and gimlet eyed stare mesmerized those of us who expected to see the same garage rocker--torn stockings and Ray-Bans--from the End of Daze tour in 2012. But her aesthetic, along with rest of the Dum Dum Girls standing beside her, matched the sound on their new LP Too True, which is covered in a metallic gleam that sparkles brighter than their more minimalist origins.
Two years removed after nearly destroying her voice (the drawback of endless touring), Dee Dee's vocal range remained intact throughout a glistening set at the Echo on Tuesday. Her voice is now a more tender version of her trademark Chrissie Hynde motorbike rumble. But throughout the set, her distinct "All Shook Up" delivery showed a level of range you don't see from her peers--none of them have Dee Dee's pipes.
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
During 15 polished songs, the crowd witnessed the transformation of Dee Dee from lo-fi punk into full-blown goth queen; possessing an unearthly quality that mirrors the music on the new Dum Dum Girls LP, Too True. It was as if we'd all been transported to Bingenheimer's English disco, circa 1973, watching a star, less flamboyant than say a Jobriath or Bowie, but equally in control of her element.
"This is where it all started," Dee Dee told the crowd, reminding us that the Echo was where her vision for Dum Dum Girls first began, in front of a much smaller crowd, and during a time when nobody expected her to have this kind of presence; which is withdrawn, a bit mysterious, but all a part of her mystique as Morrisseyesque songstress.
Dee Dee, originally from L.A., is a New Yorker now, and after a few years under sunless shadows of the city's skyscrapers, her bedroom songwriting touch has evolved from sunny garage minimalism into a more moody variety of new wave that glows in the dark.
Courtesy of Sub-Pop Records
Standing next to her in a Victorian-era black dress, bassist Malia James kept Dee Dee grounded with an anchoring groove, syncing perfectly with her rhythmic sister Sandra Vu, who continues to be underrated as a drummer--she's a force of nature behind the kit. Jules Medeiros and a new guitar player (David) added the texture needed to recreate the echoing new wave cuts from Too True, such as "Rimbaud Eyes," played faster and much grittier live.
Throughout the set, which included a Pale Saints cover, Dee Dee's lips would curl as she reached deep into her lower register, "I will get stoned, cause I'm far from home," the opening words to "I Got Nothing" from 2012's End of Daze. Digging in, Dee Dee would bend her knees, shake her bangs away from her eyes, and gently sway to the beat in her vampire heels--sending goosebumps down my spine in the process. She's still got it, and any concerns about her future as vocalist should be put to rest.
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Amongst the 15 songs they played that night, "Rimbaud Eyes," followed by their favorite to play live, "Season in Hell," were the most memorable points of a set that glimmered from start to finish. I just wish they would have played their brilliant Smiths cover of "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," which is a rare Smiths cover that is better than the original. OK maybe that's going too far.
Full Set List:
Bedroom Eyes
Rimbaud Eyes
Season In Hell
Sight of You - Pale Saints cover
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Dum Dum Girls - The Echo - 1/28/14 - Photo by Leonard Drorian
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.