Greg Dulli is an often misunderstood man of mystery whose duality personifies the soul of Etta James and the twisted lifestyle of William S. Burroughs, often channeling dark, yet captivating music that makes one dream of a rock and roll lifestyle and develop a man-love even if you’re heterosexual. His wounds are yours, gushing out like a badly injured accident victim – nothing is off limits in his twisted mind. Part of you wants to bandage his wounds and nurture him back to health and the other side wants to stare until he bleeds out. The way I look at it, Mr. Dulli has channeled something from within that most of us tuck deep inside and it works on every level for him.
If you were honored to see Dulli front The Afghan Whigs, you were treated to a true show, a spectacle and spectacular music, fueled by cocaine and booze, of which most humans would not survive. Then came The Twilight Singers, a true test of musical craftsmanship and rotating musicians orchestrated by Dulli that when seen live would make the ladies swoon (in a – I want to go backstage now, kind of way – and not for conversation) and left many boyfriends and husbands jealous. The problem is these same boyfriends and husbands also can’t resist Dulli’s stage persona. When Dulli takes the stage, my wife has one of these demented crushes – the kind that sends her into fantasy-land; yet, in some twisted way, I can’t get enough of the dude either. He wants the listener or audience to feel a little perverted, uneasy; yet to be a liver of life, emotionally engaged or charged and most importantly - to push ones boundaries. Check out this live clip from 1994:
On The Afghan Whigs album Congregation, which was released in January 1992, Dulli belts out, “my twisted mind is bent all out of shape” on the song Dedicate It. That’s says it in a nutshell. It’s Greg Dulli’s world and we’re just living in it, or so it seems when you’re in his congregation. Deep down, Dulli is a soul man, like Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye, with varying influences. What comes out in his music is everything from punk/alternative/indie to classic rock and many influences in between and beyond – the Beatles to Fugazi, Prince to Etta – funk, soul, rock and roll, mish-mashing and experimenting with forms, creating his own sound that echo’s throughout his bands, instruments and voice. Dulli is also an intellectual, but the type with street cred that you don’t want to cross but would have your back no matter the situation (Austin, TX anyone?) Dulli will bring you on a ride and you will never be disappointed. You might feel a little dirty at times, but I guarantee you’ll like it. Check out this Twilight Singer's clip:
Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan, also described as “The Satantic Everly Brothers” on fan-site for all things Dulli, Summer Kiss, are joining forces on their latest collaboration, The Gutter Twins. Lanegan, also known from his days with The Screaming Trees, has also collaborated with Isobel Campbell, Queens of the Stone Age, The Soulsavers, and many other musicians along the journey. He uses his deep, Grim Reaper-esque, yet eerily beautiful voice and powerful stage persona to create a modern tour de force of duets with Dulli and his accompanying band of musicians. Both of these gentlemen might not be known to all, but I guarantee you that in the past 15 years they have influenced the music industry and other musicians more than one will never know. Don’t miss The Gutter Twins’ upcoming tour and album, soon to be released on Sub Pop. Hope you enjoy this clip.
- Mike McDonnell, Senior Contributing Editor and Extreme Snowboarder
Greg Dulli, Afghan Wigs, Mark Lanegan, Gutter Twins
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