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Leeching off of Corgan
Lawrence's Doris Henson talks touring, transvestites and ex-Smashing Pumpkins star, Billy Corgan
Three years after Matt, Wes, Byron, Mike and Jamie formed Lawrence's own rock band, Doris Henson, named after Matt's aunt, who he refers to as his 'patron saint'. The band has just finished two tours, one with Travis Morrison Hellfighters and the other with Billy Corgan,
of the late Smashing Pumpkins. The Corgan tour is what interests me most as I wonder, how did this little local band suddenly hit it big by scoring a tour with the man behind Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
It started with the
band's friend and booking agent, Kansas City native Andrew Skikne. Skikne, a booker forThe KORK Agency in Oakland, Calif., entered the band with thousands of others petitioning for the chance to tour with Corgan. By the grace of God, or Billy Corgan, Doris Henson was chosen. Skikne was shocked. He says that as an agent, he is not always sure what someone like Billy Corgan is looking for in a support act, but that he gives Doris Henson full credit. He says that he thinks it was the band's live show and their songs — with serious hooks and catchy melodies expressed in a not-so-obvious fashion — that made Corgan choose them. And what happened after
the tour seems to fall into Almost Famous territory.
Q: Describe your first show of the Corgan tour?
Matt Dunehoo: Our first show on the tour was wonderful. It was in Atlanta, and that show was tough to beat. We got there and there was a road crew
and we had dressing rooms. We had a big catered meal, and then there were 3,000 kids out there, some that had lined up outside. It just felt real. We went second that night and we stuck it. The crowd loved it, and it set a positive precedent for the rest of the tour. That
From Left: Byron, Matt, Jamie, Mike and Wes. Photo courtesy: www.dorishenson.com
was the night we met everyone, so Billy's band watched the set and had good things to say. I wasn't really nervous, I was just ready to get out there and show everyone what we could do.
Q: Most interesting/
random thing you saw or did?
Wes Gartner: A 6'7" mustached transvestite dressed in stunning, black and white garb, Nick Lachey gassing up his Ferrari, David-Bowie watching our set at Webster Hall in New York City. Also the night both bands stayed in a motel for $25 a night and partied all night, met some interesting people and went swimming the next morning, which is interesting for me at least, since I haven't worn shorts in about five years.
MD: We went to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and met Jay Leno, Ludacris and Jennifer Connolly.
Q: What was the best experience of the tour?
WG: Playing with Matt Walker, the drummer of Corgan's band. In Corgan's band, he was playing a stand-up electronic drum set and not doing much. You could tell he wasn't satisfied. He finally asked us if we would mind him sitting in with us and playing some "real" drums because he liked our music and wanted to pound on something. Matt has played with numerous acts: Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt and Garbage.
So, the second night of the Fillmore (in San Francisco), Matt (Dunehoo) introduced him and we played a song together .. Matt Walker, tearing shit up; it was amazing. I was smiling the whole time, thinking, "I'm playing the Fillmore with this well-accomplished drummer and everyone is screaming."
Q: What was your most rock star moment of the tour?
WG: Playing with Matt Walker at the Fillmore changed my life. Do you know how many famous and incredible acts have performed on that stage? Also pulling up to a show, getting out of the van and having the people waiting in line shout "Doris Henson!" and start applauding as you walk into the venue, that is pretty amazing.
Q: And what about Billy Corgan?
MD: Billy pulled me aside in Washington D.C. and he told me what a rad band he thought we were and how happy he was to have us on tour. After that, we didn't speak much and that was expected. Sad, but expected.
Q: Final thoughts?
MD: The funniest thing is that we actually got to be a part of
the Corgan tour, to leech off of his success in order to help cultivate our own. We met a lot of great people, including the other touring band with Corgan, the Crimea. Anything embarrassing for me
personally would just be about excessive behavior, but who cares? We had a great time and are so much looking forward to continuing to tour, continuing to gain momentum, fans and exposure.
Doris Henson is playing at the Granada August 27.
Jayplay 8.25.05
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