Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Tokyo Taboo, the awesome rockers were back in Brighton. Dolly Daggerz and the gang set up camp at the Hope and Ruin for a full on session. Get Ready!
Tokyo Taboo
Riotous rockers Tokyo Taboo have built quite a reputation for their spectacular, character driven, and often shocking vibrant live performances. I had missed these guys when they last visited Brighton on the successful Lips Can Kill tour – which reminds me I still need to get one of those killer T’s! Originally composed of the feisty and ferocious pair Dolly Daggerz and Mickey Danger, the Londoner’s debut album, 6th Street Psychosis, brought them acclaim from the likes of Radio X’s John Kennedy, BBC Radio 1, Clash and Punktastic. After grabbing the vinyl I can confirm it is really rather good. The duo now with a full on band with them were ready to raise hell and then some at The Hope and Ruin in Brighton.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Tokyo Taboo: The Band
Mickey Danger – guitars, vocals and running about – a lot!
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Nice T there Mickey as this set took place just before Brexit Hour @ 11pm 31/01/2020.
On drums… George
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
On Bass… Jools
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And the force of nature that is…
Dolly Daggerz – vocals, crowd interaction and pole
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Tokyo Taboo: The Set
I was lucky to be allowed to see a soundcheck. Talk about an appetiser, I wanted more – they sounded great! The guys have one album out 6th Street Psychosis and a new album is close as I understand. Dolly Daggerz and the guys are a delight to meet and talk with.
And so the guitar guys took to the stage wearing fire retardant protective headgear, as seen on the aforementioned album cover to a warm cheer from the now pretty busy venue.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Make It Out Alive was the first song of the set. The drums thumped hard and then the venue was introduced to the vocals from Dolly. It meant we were well and truly underway. This is a real punk / rock tune with some dangerous guitars from Mickey. Next up was Emotional Suicide, and that song just jumped joyfully along with its rousing chorus line. It became clear that Tokyo Taboo are serious about what they do. The charged lyrics feed you with maybe a shot of sentiment, outrage or anger and will give you something to think about after the set. That saying these guys are fun and are a joy to watch. And although only two songs in, we were transfixed by this punk infused joyous, and riotous slice of rock and roll in its purest form. The sound-mix at The Hope was spot on tonight and the band had a real auditorium sound mix. Every instrument and word could be heard.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Many of the songs featured are available as videos on You Tube, and I recommend a watch. One such video is for the track that was up next Papercut. Now if you like your music in your face, loud, hectic and backed by a great band then this song will leave you satiated. Now, we have to mention the pole. This has a major role in the set as Dolly performs some superb gymnastic manoeuvres, spins, slides and all the while powering out those vocals. I have tried it once with a group on a night out, and let me tell you it is hard, damn hard. The physical strength required, even to lift yourself off the floor is a trial in itself. I am always filled with admiration for anyone who can do this. Dolly does it to a really high professional standard, and does it all in 8 inch heel latex buckled boots! The pole and the movements she pulls off are timed to perfection to accompany the songs.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
There is always so much going on it is difficult to decide on where to look as the set fired at us. Self Sabotage and the bands latest single Whiskey were served next. We were being assaulted on all senses tonight! We had the hammering beats, riffs and performance from the band and throw into the mix the sweeping power of Dolly’s vocals and her pole performances. Not forgetting the enjoyable on and off stage antics.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Dolly at one stage climbed up onto the bar, propped herself against the wall and powered through a track. Not quite sure how the heck she climbed up there. N.A.R.C.I.S.M was up next. That one is packed full of razor blade sharp riffs, some fine bass and drum fills and again, 1, 2, 3, 4 that high-octane fuelled energy from Dolly ramped us through that song.
There was a brief lull in the Taboo cyclone as Drowning and a mix in with Wall was up next. Dolly sat down for this one and just poured her heart and soul into it. Drowning is an emotionals song dealing with depression and is a masterpiece of song writing. “What is depression, its like drowning“. The band powered through this with a powerful support for Dolly with this song and just lifted it out of the park. What a song.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A look at the time indicated we must be heading for the last song No Pleasure Only Pain. A phrase tattooed onto the inside of Dollys left arm. This song had a great video filmed in the middle of a desert somewhere. Dolly once again hit the pole and Mickey propelled her with a nudge when required for the spins. Dolly displays this almost as an art form as she twists and turns matching the song perfectly.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And Finally…
Thank you Tokyo Taboo – you had me at the soundcheck! Through this short set we saw the different sides of Tokyo Taboo, from the almost power ballad to the uptempo slap in the face of punk rock and roll. I enjoyed every second! Thanks so much for letting me grab some pics and chat.
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I have to say Dolly Daggerz has been through it. The Dolly Daggerz I saw tonight was inspirational, empowering and great fun to be with. Tokyo Taboo are a class act and seriously worth seeing live. Catch them on tour if they play near you.
Gigs should also be safe places for women and female performers. Respect everyone. Scene Sussex supports Safe Gigs For Women.
Keep in touch with Tokyo Taboo on the WWW
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A huge thanks to the lovely folk from Beating Hearts Agency. This was a Beating Hearts Special For Independent Venues Week. Beating Hearts is a boutique booking agency working to raise artists profiles, by providing quality performance schedules across the U.K. and Europe. You can find them on Facebook here.
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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