The Dictators – The Dictators
Twenty-three years on from last studio album D.F.F.D., New York’s proto-punk/ now post-punk band The Dictators (who, along with Velvet Underground, The Stooges, MC5 and the New York Dolls, set that particular NYC 70s scene) have, with their new, self-titled album, proudly declared there’s life in these old New York Rock Dogs yet.
It's not quite The Dictators of old – "Handsome" Dick Manitoba, who led the charge on the short but highly effective …And You? (a 1990’s Dictators album in everything but the Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom name) plays no part, but co-founders Andy Shernoff (bass, lead & backing vocals) and Ross "The Boss" Friedman (lead guitars, backing vocals) are now joined by long-time New York music buddy (and original Blue Öyster Cult drummer) Albert Bouchard (who also contributes a lead vocal or two) and Keith Roth (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), who joined later on a recommendation from Bouchard.
That the band still have something to say was underlined by their 2021 brace of singles 'Let’s Get The Band Back Together' (a revamp of a 2012 Shernoff single) and 'God Damn New York.'
That both those numbers, included here, also feature original rhythm guitarist Scott Kempner is a poignant bonus, given he sadly succumbed to the evil that is dementia in late 2023.
It was hoped Kempner would be able to participate in the recording of the entire album, but unfortunately it was not to be – hence the addition of Keith Roth later in 2021 (Roth first appeared on 2023 non-album single, a cover of The Osmonds 'Crazy Horses').
That joyous power-pop punk celebration of the band’s reunion ("There’s changing in the weather, but the music is forever, [background shouts of] let’s get the band back together!"), leads off the album, followed by the boisterous, big-beat gang vocal shouting fun of 'My Imaginary Friend.'
That strong one-two opening becomes a triple salvo winner with the band’s fully Dictator’d cover of 'Blue Öyster Cult’s' 'Transmaniacon MC,' a nod to both Albert Bouchard’s past and his part now played in The Dictators (it also helps remind that a few early "Black and White" period BÖC numbers weren’t cut too far from the NYC proto-punk mould).
'Sacred Cow' is a cracking example of a song that could have been written back in the punkier 70s yet stands strong as a modern and gritty, "Don’t let the bastards grind you down!" punk 'n' roll stomper.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Really Good,' a bouncy, acoustic-electric Albert Bouchard vocal led number that’s the catchiest track on offer.
'All About You' returns to The Dictators rock of old and new (complete with short, bluesy bridge) as does 'Wicked Cool Disguise,' which sports a melodically shaped middle 8 and a big and ballsy, punk-blues instrumental section.
If 'Let’s Get The Band Back Together' is the rallying cry of reunion, the aforementioned 'God Damn New York' is the riff & beat nod to those Big Apple punk days and NYC itself ("Whatever happened to my party boys, we used to make some noise!")
'Thank You And Have a Nice Day' is a great slice of rock and nah-nah-nah roll boogie (think Status Quo, had they be born and musically raised in early 70s NYC); the similarly rockin’ 'Sweet Joey' (another that started life as an Andy Shernoff single), fittingly closes out the album in lyrical tribute to one of NYC’s finest punk rockers, Joey Ramone.
Yep, The Dictators most certainly still have something to say.
You’re never too old to punk and roll.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
It's not quite The Dictators of old – "Handsome" Dick Manitoba, who led the charge on the short but highly effective …And You? (a 1990’s Dictators album in everything but the Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom name) plays no part, but co-founders Andy Shernoff (bass, lead & backing vocals) and Ross "The Boss" Friedman (lead guitars, backing vocals) are now joined by long-time New York music buddy (and original Blue Öyster Cult drummer) Albert Bouchard (who also contributes a lead vocal or two) and Keith Roth (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), who joined later on a recommendation from Bouchard.
That the band still have something to say was underlined by their 2021 brace of singles 'Let’s Get The Band Back Together' (a revamp of a 2012 Shernoff single) and 'God Damn New York.'
That both those numbers, included here, also feature original rhythm guitarist Scott Kempner is a poignant bonus, given he sadly succumbed to the evil that is dementia in late 2023.
It was hoped Kempner would be able to participate in the recording of the entire album, but unfortunately it was not to be – hence the addition of Keith Roth later in 2021 (Roth first appeared on 2023 non-album single, a cover of The Osmonds 'Crazy Horses').
That joyous power-pop punk celebration of the band’s reunion ("There’s changing in the weather, but the music is forever, [background shouts of] let’s get the band back together!"), leads off the album, followed by the boisterous, big-beat gang vocal shouting fun of 'My Imaginary Friend.'
That strong one-two opening becomes a triple salvo winner with the band’s fully Dictator’d cover of 'Blue Öyster Cult’s' 'Transmaniacon MC,' a nod to both Albert Bouchard’s past and his part now played in The Dictators (it also helps remind that a few early "Black and White" period BÖC numbers weren’t cut too far from the NYC proto-punk mould).
'Sacred Cow' is a cracking example of a song that could have been written back in the punkier 70s yet stands strong as a modern and gritty, "Don’t let the bastards grind you down!" punk 'n' roll stomper.
Contrast then comes by way of 'Really Good,' a bouncy, acoustic-electric Albert Bouchard vocal led number that’s the catchiest track on offer.
'All About You' returns to The Dictators rock of old and new (complete with short, bluesy bridge) as does 'Wicked Cool Disguise,' which sports a melodically shaped middle 8 and a big and ballsy, punk-blues instrumental section.
If 'Let’s Get The Band Back Together' is the rallying cry of reunion, the aforementioned 'God Damn New York' is the riff & beat nod to those Big Apple punk days and NYC itself ("Whatever happened to my party boys, we used to make some noise!")
'Thank You And Have a Nice Day' is a great slice of rock and nah-nah-nah roll boogie (think Status Quo, had they be born and musically raised in early 70s NYC); the similarly rockin’ 'Sweet Joey' (another that started life as an Andy Shernoff single), fittingly closes out the album in lyrical tribute to one of NYC’s finest punk rockers, Joey Ramone.
Yep, The Dictators most certainly still have something to say.
You’re never too old to punk and roll.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ