Brian Viglione photo by Sarah Wilmer
Brian
Viglione has been the driving rhythmic force behind The Dresden Dolls since 2000. The band have travelled throughout
North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia to critical acclaim, as well as
being handpicked to tour alongside Nine Inch Nails in 2005 and Cyndi Lauper in
2007. In December 2007, Brian collaborated with Trent Reznor on the Nine Inch Nails album, Ghosts: I-IV. Brian has also been
featured in several theatrical settings including The Onion Cellar, a
stage production hosted by The American Repertory Theater, Addicted To Bad
Ideas: Peter Lorre’s 20th Century with The World/Inferno
Friendship Society, and The Master and Margarita at Theater Dortmund
with Botanica. He is currently
the drummer of The Violent Femmes.
Viglione has appeared on over 50 albums since 2008, most notably, Nine Inch Nails’ Ghosts I–IV, which
was nominated for two Grammy Awards, under the categories Best Rock
Instrumental performance for the track "34 Ghosts IV", and Best Boxed
Set or Limited Edition Package and sold over 750,000 copies.
Throughout
2008 – ‘09, Brian was the band leader and drummer for Brooklyn’s
punk-orchestra, The World/Inferno Friendship Society,
touring in 16 countries. He also starred in the band’s theatrical production, Addicted
To Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre’s 20th Century, in the US, Canada, Netherlands, and
Finland. Viglione joined Botanica
throughout 2010-12, touring Europe and working extensively at the city theater
in Dortmund, Germany on several productions. Brian self-released, Face Of The Sun, a metal album based
around drum improvisations he recorded with guitarist Ron Arra in 2010.
Guitarist, John Andrews (Nena, Botanica) teamed up with Brian in 2013 to record
the second Loudboy album, Ultra MK. The group opened for
Peter Murphy on his 35th Anniversary Bauhaus tour and continues to perform in
the U.S.
In
July of 2013, Viglione joined as the new drummer for Violent Femmes, performing at festivals in North America and
Australia. He continues to tour around the globe with Loudboy, The
Dresden Dolls, and record with numerous artists in New York City.
Ten
questions with Brian Viglione
1 –
Most people know you for being one half of the Dresden Dolls, how did that
differ from your musical work with other bands?
The
Dresden Dolls remains the deepest and most fully encompassing band I’ve worked
with in terms of what I was able to express. It was the sole,
concentrated creativity of Amanda and I, as opposed to me fitting into another
band’s pre-existing form. It spanned the entire gamut stylistically,
dynamically, and in the performance of the music. Many of the other bands
I’ve worked with operate using more conventional instrumentation and a lesser
degree of theatricality, and generally geared toward playing rock clubs.
With The Dolls, it was “ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.” Want us to play your public
library? Done. Play an arena show? Great. Want a metal cover? Happy
to. We’re only allowed to perform using wooden spoons and kazoos?
No sweat, where the kazoos at? We just threw ourselves into every
context and went for the throat at every show. We take a tremendous
amount in pride in what we do, yet we have no qualms about being the silliest
motherfuckers in the room and having a ball at it. It takes a level of
confidence, inhibition, and being fun-loving weirdoes to feel that free, and
it’s a special brand of dedication and humour that Amanda and I share.
2 –
You collaborated with Nine Inch Nails on their Grammy award winning album
‘Ghosts I-IV’ album, how did that opportunity come about?
That was truly special. The Dolls were fortunate enough to open 31 shows
in the U.S. and Europe on the 2005 NIN tour. It really brought the band
to a new level of viciousness live. We were scared the crowd would hate us, so
we went out playing harder than ever, ready to meet the challenge. After
a couple weeks, some of the guys on the road crew started coming up and saying,
“Hey man, I don’t know if you’re aware, but Trent is checking YOU out during
your set. He likes your drumming, pretty cool.” Trent and I had a few
short chats on the tour and he was always really kind. Then in September
of 2007, I received an email from Trent asking if I would be interested in
collaborating on the Ghosts recording at his place in December. I was
thrilled, so off I went. During the recording, he gave me complete
artistic license to play whatever I felt. He gave me the instruction to
build an unconventional drum kit, using whatever materials I chose, and wanted
me to improvise grooves on it. Being a part of the recording process with
Trent, Atticus Ross, and producer Alan Moulder was an amazing view of the
creation of a Nine Inch Nails album. I also loved seeing footage of
“Ghosts 19” which I helped with, performed live in concert as well on the
Lights In The Sky Tour.
3 –
With Trent Reznor and Amanda Palmer you have worked with 2 of the strongest
personalities in music, have you ever had a clash of personalities with someone
that has caused problems in your working relationship?
There’s a very interesting answer in that. When you use the word “personality”
in terms of someone’s overall demeanour and personal likes and dislikes, I can
get along with almost anyone very easily. I do NOT suffer the selfish or
the cruel any longer. I have no time for that. The great irony is that with
Amanda, we had some drastic personality differences that eventually did lead to
the breakup of the band, yet we shared the most fundamental qualities of our
strong work ethic in bringing our band to the world. The amount that
Amanda and I cared about our band and seeing move forward and grow was so
satisfying and helped give us the thrust to achieve our dreams. So in a
strange turn of fate, I actually get along on a personal basis better with
other band mates, yet constantly seem to hit a wall with people who are
unwilling to commit the level of time and energy that feels productive and
positive to me and that has been THE issue that has led to me leaving many
bands I’ve been in.
I
don’t enjoy the feeling of simply idling with a creative project. I feel so
fortunate that I get to do this for living, there’s nothing else I would rather
do. But, when I encounter apathy or indifference to something I feel so
passionate about, that energy begins to feel toxic to me and I need to move
on. I can say that although I went through many ups and downs, I’m glad I
never sacrificed my vision because that is what now landed me with being a part
of Violent Femmes. The Femmes are back on the touring circuit in 2014 and
looking forward to more things down the road. I’ve fallen into total
despair several times over the years when long stretches of time seem to
portend my whole musical life falling apart, and then out of nowhere something
amazing happens. I’ve learned to embrace that when you really commit to your
calling, no matter how terrifying or elating it can be. It’s who I am and
what I want to be, so I’m here to experience the whole ride.
4 –
After witnessing the raw power and camaraderie of the Dresden Dolls, live at
Reading 2006, do you miss it?
I just always enjoy playing Dresden Dolls shows and love touring when we’re
able to, I can’t say that I “miss it” or “don’t miss it”, it will always be a
part of me and I’m thrilled to do it when the chance arises. Fortunately, at
the same time, I’m totally at home with Violent Femmes and feel totally connected
to the band on stage.
5 –
What are the lowest and highest points of your career so far?
The high points for me are always when I’ve felt a certain group momentum
taking place. The early days of the Dresden Dolls with our community around The
Cloud Club in Boston and everyone pitching in at shows and on projects
together, and on later tours when you feel the massive energy of the audience
everywhere you go and that people are feeling uplifted by your music.
There’s a great sense of shared triumph in that with everyone that’s pitched in
to be a part of it. Touring is huge for me as well; the 2005 Nine Inch
Nails tour, The 2007 True Colors Tour, this last Australian Violent
Femmes tour, they have all been incredibly special times for me personally.
6 –
You’ve been heavily involved in humanitarian work through your music, how did
that start and how rewarding do you find it?
In 2011, I was invited to be a part of SOUND CENTRAL, the first rock festival
in Kabul, Afghanistan, which included bands from all over the Middle East and
Central Asia, and be presenting workshops for Afghan rock musicians to learn
and share ideas. It goes without saying that there were tremendous safety
issues involved, not just because the Taliban strictly forbids that kind of
music but also the musicians there had been threatened numerous times. But I
thought it was a very compelling and courageous move for these musicians to
take and I was interested. As ludicrous as it sounds in hindsight, I felt at
the time that I booked my flight that the festival organizers would have things
under control enough to, but it was not the case and I had to cancel the trip
due to escalating violence in Kabul. The week I was supposed to be there, the
head of Afghanistan's high peace council, former President Burhanuddin Rabbani,
has been killed and there were raids on the guest houses where I was supposed
to be staying. So I opted to do two online drum clinics via Skype instead
and it was wonderful.
CBS
News Video Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/03/earlyshow/main20114734.shtml
I
really enjoyed speaking with all the men and women musicians and not only
sharing my experiences and offering words of encouragement to them, but hearing
their stories and experiences as well and hearing that music for them, is the
main way they feel they can express their voices and who they are as
individuals, and how important it is for us all to have that in our lives. I’ve done some similar outreach programs to kids in the LGBTQ community,
to just straight up mentoring to people who’ve contacted me through email to
ask advice about their music careers, and it all has the same satisfying effect
for me. I love to see people embrace who they are and feel confident to find
and creative way to express themselves through art.
7 –
Being such an interactive person with your fans must sometimes have its
drawbacks, what’s the strangest request you’ve ever had?
Brian:
To be totally honest, it’s not fans having strange requests, it’s having people
sexually assault you in a public place when they're drunk or think they can do
whatever they want to you and you won’t react that is the most difficult.
I’ve had both men and women grab my crotch while, try to stick their tongues in
my mouth, and do all kinds of fucked up shit while I was trying to sign a CD or
take a picture with them and in front of other kids right after the show
waiting to meet and say hello. It leaves you with the same disgusting
feeling every time it happens, and you just have to address it. But that
fortunately really has only happened a few times. Ninety nine percent of
the fans I’ve engaged with are all very sweet and respectful, so I try not to
let the bad apples it for the rest of the folks who just want to express their
thanks or good wishes. But it certainly gave me a whole new perspective
on celebrities who choose to avoid contact with the public. It’s not for
everybody.
8 –
If you could play with any other act, live or dead, who would it be and why?
Black Flag back in the early ‘80s. That music saved my life, still some of my favourite
songs. That band was a force of nature.
9 –
What would be a necessity for you on your dream tour bus?
I’m
a food lover, so I would love to have a tricked-out kitchen and an inspired
chef.
10 – What can we
expect from Brian Viglione in the near future?
Plenty of music and
touring with Violent Femmes! We’re gearing up for a lot of work in the
next few years and looking forward to hitting the road. I’ll still be
recording, teaching, and kicking it in my beloved home of NYC when I get the
chance!
Having
been lucky enough to witness Brian and his musical power when drumming for the
Dresden Dolls, it has been a massive honour to get him featured on the blog and
having the chance to ask him a few questions. Whether it is a side project, a
solo project or being a member in a band, one thing is for sure, the music
world is a far better place for having Brian Viglione in it! Thanks for your
time Brian and I look forward to following your next adventures soon!
Links
for Brian Viglione
|
No comments:
Post a Comment