by | January 16, 2012

The Party Starts Again!!

In accordance with the age-old show biz axiom of “Always open out of town,” Manitoba made their world debut on Friday, Jan. 13. The band headlined at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ, as part of the “Light the Day” benefit series.

It had been a looooong 5 years since these songs have been performed in the loud and proud, and it was a toss-up as to who was more excited — the band, to finally have the chance to play them, or the audience, who finally had their patience rewarded by being able to hear them. Suffice to say, it was an emotional and cathartic night for everyone in attendance. The supermodel-thin Handsome Dick spoke for everyone in the room when he bellowed, “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than in a bowling alley in New Jersey on a beautiful Friday night!”

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Filed under HDM, Live Review, MANITOBA, Ross the Boss, Thunderbolt

by | January 6, 2012

Happy Birthday to the Thunderbolt!

Happy birthday to our favorite renaissance man, J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson!! If you can’t wait until the upcoming Manitoba shows (Jan 13 and 26, as if you didn’t know already) to catch him in action, and we can’t, then give your channel changer a work-out, and look for him in the new Capital One commercial with Jerry Stiller.

– Salvi C.

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by | January 5, 2012

The MANITOBA Era Is Nigh!!

The chance to catch MANITOBA is nearly upon us!

Catch the debut of the band (Handsome Dick Manitoba, Ross the Boss, J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson, Daniel Rey, Dean Rispler) at Asbury Park, N.J.’s Light of Day benefit, on Friday, Jan. 13. They’ll play only a handful of songs, but you can say YOU WERE THERE … and the ticket proceeds go to a great cause. Get your tickets at TicketWeb.

MANITOBA will perform a full set at their second show, Thursday, Jan. 26, at NYC’s Bowery Electric. TicketWeb has your $15 ticket (for now, so hurry). We will SEE YOU THERE!

– DFFD123

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by | December 23, 2011

Happy Holidays From The DFFD Blog!

It doesn’t matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa — we ALL celebrate the Dictators! Happy holidays and Dictators Forever Forever Dictators!

To celebrate, some video of the band in 1997 at Coney Island High … enjoy!

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by | December 8, 2011

Manitoba Debuts!! [Update: Not]

[12/12 UPDATE: Manitoba is unfortunately off the bill, so let's hold this thought until next time ... there WILL be a next time, right?!?!]

It could be great. It could be “Jazz Odyssey.” Either way, we’ve waited 5+ years for it. If this ends up being a one and out, or a living and breathing entity, will really hinge upon our acceptance of the band as, if not The Next Big Thing, then at very least, The Next Best Thing.

There’s no need for debate, or dismissing the project with a “It’s not the Dictators.” We already KNOW that. For us, your humble reporters, it’s all about the songs. We know and trust the guys involved to do justice to the old classics and then, if the project grows legs, to breathe life into new classics.

Whether or not you decide to embrace the new line-up is entirely up to you. You know where you can find me. I’ll be up front, on the Ross side.

– Salvi C.

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by | December 1, 2011

“Don’t Mess With Manitoba!!”

Too late for Chanukah 2011, but just in time for Purim 2012 – Aggronautix is accepting pre-orders for the Handsome Dick Manitoba Throbblehead doll! Even the BOX is cool!

– Salvi C.


Handsome Dick Manitoda Throbblehead Figure Announced

Pre-orders open now, shipping February 2012

Handsome Dick Manitoba, King of New York and fearless leader of The Dictators, has been promoted to throbblehead status!



This figure capturing Richard’s signature modern day look is limited to 1000 numbered units, stands at 7 inches tall, and is made of super strong polyresin.



Don’t mess with Manitoba as he stands proudly representing the Lower East Side. He’s accurately sculpted right down to the weathered Dictators leather jacket and searing glare.

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by | November 23, 2011

Woohoo!! We’re 2!!

It’s the two-year anniversary of this thing of ours. If you haven’t figured it out by now, this site exists to pay homage to the greatest band ever. There is no room here for the negativity and arguing that is running rampant in Tatorland.

Our wishes for the future are that our boys should play the songs however they want, whether loud or quiet, in whatever collaboration can stand each other’s company, and please, please SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY.

Respect!

– DFFD123 & Salvi C.

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by | November 15, 2011

Foooking Hell!

We’ll have a much longer blow by blow on the Norton 25th Anny weekend in the days to come, but while we try to deal with the harsh return to reality, and sift through the detritus of the trip (any theories as to why I bought a “Learn to Dance with Jackie and The Cedrics” DVD would be appreciated), here’s the highlight of the event from our Dictators-centric point of view. Enjoy.

– Salvi C.

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Filed under Adny, Live, Video

by | November 3, 2011

Dorian’s Voice Benefit at JD’s Place

Did you have plans for this Saturday, November 5th? Well, cancel them. This is what you’re doing instead. You’re heading out to JD’s Place on Rte 109 in Farmingdale (L.I.) to see Ross the Boss perform as part of a benefit show to support 3-month-old Dorian, who suffered horrific injuries at the hands of his father. I can’t attach the picture because it makes me cry to see it. The music starts at 6 pm. There will be 50/50 raffles all night, excellent prizes, free food, and drink specials. Line up your designated driver, and make a night of it.

For those of us who are out of state and can’t make the gig, here’s the link to the fundraiser page:

Dorian’s Voice

Dig deep, people. Dig deep.

– Salvi C.

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by | October 27, 2011

It Ain’t Nothing But a House Party!

If you had your druthers, and could choose the parameters for the perfect party, what would those parameters be? If your criteria includes a wonderful venue, gracious hosts, amazing food in quantities that could feed a small army, guests who are fellow music fanatics, and last but not least, a kicka** band playing three feet from your face, then Chumley, you really should have been at the Del-Lords house concert this past w/e.

Saturday’s show at the Root Hoot concert house in Peace Dale, RI, was the third leg of the band’s World Domination Tour, after lesser stops at the Lakeside and in Spain. Some 75 lucky souls spent 2.5 hours being regaled by Scott, Roscoe, Frankie and Lucky. The band played two sets. The first set was very tight, and loaded with DLs classics. Then, after a 45-minute break, in which everyone attempted to put a dent in the mountain of food, they played a much more adventurous second set, in the classic “Do we even KNOW this one?? Ah Hell, let’s do it anyway” style. Three or four from the upcoming album were previewed and well received. It also seems that both Scott and Eric are frustrated comedians, as they told very funny stories about Stu-boy King, Screaming Jay Hawkins and “Sergio F**king Franchi.”

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