Following the breakup of
the New York Dolls, guitarist
Sylvain Sylvain continued to work with
David Johansen for a time, but also began directing his efforts to a solo career. Prior to joining
the Dolls,
Sylvain had been in a band called
Actress with future
Dolls Johnny Thunders and
Billy Murcia; when a replacement was needed for guitarist
Rick Rivets,
Sylvain stepped in. After
the Dolls' breakup in 1977,
Sylvain remained with
Johansen for the next two years while forming a band called
The Criminals, featuring keyboardist
Bobby Blain, bassist
Michael Page, and drummer
Tony Machine. (Some
Criminals material is collected on the 1985 compilation '78 Criminals.)
Sylvain finally chose his solo career over
Johansen in 1979 with the formation of the Teenage News, which featured
Johansen, bandmates
Johnny Rao (guitar) and
Buz Verno (bass), plus
Criminal Blain and drummer
Lee Crystal.
Sylvain recorded a self-titled debut that year, which consisted of traditional, smoothed-out, highly melodic
pop/rock with a variety of influences. Its 1981 follow-up was released under the name (and title)
Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops, but like its predecessor, was a commercial failure, and
Sylvain was dropped by RCA. He released an independent single in 1983 but has not been heard from since. In the late '90s,
Sylvain Sylvain pulled together several releases that included Sleep Baby Doll (1998) and In Teenage News (2000) both on Fishhead. Paper Pencil & Glue was issued on Munster in fall 2000. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Sylvain Sylvain/Syl Sylvain and the Teardrops