Potent Quotables: Johansen's a Humble Doll
- Posted on Jul 22nd 2009 1:00PM by Adam Horne
- Comments (17)
"I don't really like to sit around the house listening to my own records. They're not that good." -- David Johansen
In a shocking, some might say refreshing, display of rock star modesty, the New York Dolls frontman reveals his insecurity. "I'm afraid of me," he adds. "Sometimes when I hear my voice on tape, I'm like, 'Who is that horrible man?'"
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Reader Comments(1 of 1)
martyrottenat 7-25-2009
Hey David, your records are great man! Don't be so hard on yourself!
pledge2rockat 7-25-2009
I haven't ever heard a New York Dolls song, but his humility is diefinitely respectable. Kanye, Jay-Z, and Oasis could learn a thing or 2 from this guy
gahenslerat 7-25-2009
Everyone who loves rock 'n' roll has worn out multiple copies of the Dolls' first two albums. Their recent albums after reforming in recent years are also really good, too, though not cutting edge the way the first two were.
stensticksat 7-25-2009
DUH...MEAN, IF HE DOESN'T LIKE LISTENING TO HIS OWN RECORDS, WHAT MAKES HIM THINK WE WOULD EVER LISTEN TO THEM...HELLLLOOOOO!!!!
APat 7-26-2009
Well, Johnny Depp said when he was on the Letterman show that he doesn't really like watching his own movies. Some people are just like that, and feel that their albums or movies belong to the public once they're finished being involved in them. Not a thing in the world wrong with that. Johansen has a sense of humor about the whole thing, and ten to one, that's where he's coming from with his comment. HELLOOOOO indeed! LOL
ggreyspyat 7-26-2009
Well, then stop singing, man. And ... maybe you need to have your hair cut.
Dougat 7-26-2009
How many people here remember his turn as Buster Poindexter in the '80's? That truly was NOT that good. Props to David for admitting as much.
Rickyat 7-26-2009
Buster had a minor hit in the 80's "Hot Hot Hot" and he was als in a pretty funny movie with Richard Dreyfuss called let it ride...
Tomat 7-26-2009
In the early 70's, when the local FM rock station (KSHE95) refused to play the "new" proto-punk bands like the Stooges (Iggy) or Velvet Underground, or the New York Dolls, they lost all "cool" cred.to me and my friends. Thank God for the FM college stations in St. Louis. Without those stations to continue Rock's evolvement, I would be without the Sex Pistols,the Clash,Black Flag, Richard Hell and the Voidoids,the Vibrators, Circle Jerks,the Jam,Television,Buzzcocks, ect, ect.I could go on and on. And at the age of 57, I realize that these bands are from 30 years ago! Yikes! But you all Kicked Ass, and I've got the vinyl to prove it!
Saw you live in Springfield, Mo. of all places.
ycav4424at 7-26-2009
Maybe to a true artist, their work can never be good enough for them but is for others. That would make them keep trying to make it the best that they can.
Kimat 7-27-2009
new york dolls are going to be important no matter what. but yeah, their music isn't really my thing.
aerofan4everat 7-27-2009
guess what dude,ur RIGHT,over rated crap....might go down in punk hitory cause we all know that no1 knew their ass from a hole in the ground then......stick another needle in ur arm and go the fuck away
dioat 8-27-2009
David is not nor has he ever been a junkie
in fact hes very much into YOGA
you ought to see the DOLLS if you wwant to see a real rock blues band with REAL MUSICIANS
and if your taking about AEROFAN as in arossnmith they were all junkies and drunks
Stevens been married how many times and he beats women
read his first wifes book hes a jerk too I met him really full of himself and full of crap too
and they worshiped the NY DOLLS espeically the orginal member Johnny Thunders
dstinnettusaat 7-27-2009
Sorry....The Dolls sucked....Buster sucked a little less
DEE S. 517at 8-18-2009
Cheeez.......Who beat this guy with an ugly stick? Not trying to be mean but just saying.......you know?
Duncan Maxat 10-06-2009
New York Dolls kicked ass!! We need more bands like them today...
rock n roll nurseat 11-15-2009
a little humility isn't a bad thing. I don't think its all that uncommon to not like the sound of one's voice- especially on a recording! Soooo many bands were influenced by the Dolls- often imitated- but never as good. And as for the Buster Poindexter thing- well, you still hear "hot, hot, hot" quite a bit- movies, commercials, etc. David has evolved thru the years- and that's a good thing. It's incredible that they're out here 35 yrs. later- making new music- and not resting on their laurels. As long as DavidJo keeps making music, I'll keep listening! (As no one else mentioned it, do check out David Johansen and The Harry Smiths- yet another side of this VERY talented man!)