Well, this group completely passed me by and I have to say I didn't miss anything. We're talking about The Dictators which were from New York City. Critic John Dougan said that they were "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bandsto walk the earth." Hmmm... that may be, but I have to admit that their sound doesn't appeal to me. The Iggy cover is okay but the flip is a waste of time. Anyway, a bit info: the band was formed in 1972 by Andy "Adny" Shernoff who was attending The State University of New York at New Paltz and Ross "The Boss" Friedman who was playing in the local band Total Crudd. Scott "Top Ten" Kempner was asked to join and the trio rented a house in Kerhonkson, NY where they lived and rehearsed with various drummers.
The original recording line-up consisted of vocalist/bassist/songwriter Andy Shernoff, lead guitarist Ross Friedman (aka Ross Funicello), rhythm guitarist Scott Kempner, and drummer Stu Boy King. It was this line-up–along with roadie/occasional vocalist and "Secret Weapon" Handsome Dick Manitoba–which recorded the band's 1975 debut album, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! for Epic Records, produced by Sandy Pearlman and Murray Krugman (best known for their work with Blue Öyster Cult). The album sold poorly at the time but is now considered to be the starting point for American punk rock . Entertainment Weekly wrote "Go Girl Crazy's junk-generation culture and smart-aleck sensibility did provide an essential blueprint for '70s punk. With its TV references and homely vocals, this ground-breaking and long-unavailable album continues to inspire underground groups everywhere..... They made seven albums and are apparently still on their way. Now it's bedtime.
Wrong. The Dictators fuckin' rule!
ReplyDeletea matter of taste my friend
DeleteThe first LP (Go Girl Crazy) and third LP (Blood Brothers)are the best representations of this band. The tracks on this post are from the second LP, which is the weakest of the three by far. They were kind of corny, but had some decent tracks, even on the second LP. The song "Stay With Me" from Blood Brothers has been covered by a number of punk bands. This EP is a bad choice of songs and a bad period for the band--I suggest you give them another look.
ReplyDeleteThe Dictators are class! Their sound remains one of the wildest of all time. Proto punk or punk? I don't give a fuck. They're raw as fuck rock 'n roll, and that's what matters to me. Their gigs used to be amazing. The Dictators were the origin of bands as diverse as Manitoba's Wild Kingdom, The Del-Lords or Manowar
ReplyDelete