Beautiful People 2006: The Bellmer Dolls

The Bellmer Dolls' compulsion to create music knows no bounds. "I should have quit music at least a hundred times," says bassist Anthony S. Malat (center). "If you knock me down I'll get back up. Unfortunately, that's the way we all are." Malat, who also provides the band's sharp look with his successful menswear line Sinner/Saint, and Peter Mavrogeorgis (vocals, guitar) met five years ago when they were playing in the bands Love Life and Vanity Set, respectively, finding drummer Daniel Sheerin through a Craigslist posting. Sheerin (right) was surprised by but ultimately down with the approach the other two took to his "audition," which didn't involve music but was instead a drinking session -- an endurance test of sorts. After a year of writing and fine-tuning, the New York-based band self-released their debut in 2005, Never Sates Nor Palls, after which they began recording anew with old pal Jim Sclavunos as producer. Meanwhile, they toured, supporting bands such as the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pretty Girls Make Graves and the Bravery.

Together they produce a sound that is pulled taut from long nights of rehearsal and a die-hard self-sufficiency that comes from many years on the road. Onstage, their dark, bass-driven, depths-of-hell music emerges with an intense physical energy. "We're very disciplined," explains Mavrogeorgis (left). "When we're onstage, it doesn't matter what happened to us the day before, we're there in the moment performing our role." Hear their music at www.bellmerdolls.com.
Alex Zafiris

The Bellmer Dolls wear clothing and accessories by Sinner/Saint by Anthony S. Malat. * Grooming by Eve Schlichter/Bumble and bumble.

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