Author Archives: DFFD123

‘Tators Tracker: March Madness Edition

Shernoff Melnick posterHandsome Dick Manitoba is rebroadcasting his radio interview with Iggy Pop this Friday (March 12) in honor of the Stooges’ induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next Monday. Catch the interview, recorded last October, at 11 p.m. ET on the “Handsome Dick Manitoba Radio Program” in Little Steven’s Underground Garage, Sirius 25, XM 59.

Andy Shernoff is performing more of solo acoustic shows, starting with this Friday’s (March 12) appearance with Ramones tour manager Monte A. Melnick at The Record Collector in Bordentown, N.J. Next, he’ll be singing and telling stories at NYC’s Lakeside Lounge (Monday, March 15) and Hoboken, N.J.’s Maxwell’s (Saturday, March 27).

Thunderbolt Patterson will be performing songs from The LP Is Dead at Austin’s SXSW, backed by Dave Bone and the Troublemakers. He’ll be singing lead and playing drums. Shows already announced are being held Friday, March 19: 2:15 p.m. at Sonny’s Vintage, 7:15 p.m. at Spiderhouse Cafe.

Scott Kempner just wrapped up a tour of Spain with the Del-Lords. He currently is continuing work on the band’s new album. More info here.

Ross the Boss, who just played some dates in Germany with the Ross the Boss Band, is now in the studio working on the band’s second album. Check out a recent video interview with Ross at venue music.

— DFFD123

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Filed under 'Tators Tracker, Adny, HDM, Live, Ross the Boss, Thunderbolt, Top Ten

Manitoba Monday: Simply the Best

Start off your week in style, courtesy of the King of Men.

From a memorable, quote-filled (“How can you learn anything when you’re all talking?”) Dictators show 11 years ago this past weekend:

“Remember, I’m the best there is,
 I’m the best there ever was, 
and I’m the best there will ever be!!”

Handsome Dick Manitoba

Brighton Bar,
Long Branch, N.J.
Feb. 20, 1999

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Filed under HDM, Live, Manitoba Monday

YouTube Tuesday: “These Guys Are the Sh*t”

That’s the Joey Ramone introduction to the boys’ performance of “Who Will Save Rock and Roll?” in the 1999 movie Final Rinse — “Part This Is Spinal Tap, part Dirty Harry, and all tongue in cheek.” Read more at FinalRinse.com. In the meantime, enjoy the high-quality video, multiple camera angles and Joey R. acting.

— DFFD123

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Filed under Adny, Dictators Assembled, Frank Funaro, HDM, Ross the Boss, Top Ten, Video, YouTube Tuesday

Wishing Top Ten a Birthday Second to None!

Top Ten

Photo by Josh Lewis

The DFFD Blog wishes Scott “Top Ten” Kempner a first-class birthday celebration today (Feb. 6)!

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Filed under PSA, Top Ten

If the Dictators Played the Super Bowl

Dictators at Super BowlThe staff of the DFFD Blog takes a moment from praying for a Saints victory (OK, that’s just DFFD123) to imagine the awesomeness that would occur if the Dics were the 1/2-time entertainment for this weekend’s Super Bowl, instead of 1/2 the Who:

  • There would be a bevy of dancers clad as White Castle boxes.
  • The stage would be designed to look like CBGB’s.
  • J.P.’s “One Beverage” would be background music for a beer commercial.
  • HDM would be ranting and raving about how he doesn’t give a f*ck about football, although he did win $200 betting on the Patriots in 2002.
  • He’d call the whole game a fraud, stating that it can’t be called “Super” if neither of the NY teams were representin’.
  • Continue reading

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Filed under Dictators Assembled, Tomfoolery

Ffanzeen’s Dictators Double Take

Robert Barry Francos’ Ffanzeen blog features new goodies as well as archival treasures from his New York music magazine, which he published from 1977 to 1988.

A couple of weeks ago, he delivered a couple of oldies and goodies for Dics fans in a post called “The Dictators Can Sing! Two early pieces on the DFFD band.”

The first is a 1977 live report by Todd Abramson (now co-owner of Maxwell’s in Hoboken, N.J.) of an unannounced CBGB’s show, during which the band performed songs from the upcoming Bloodbrothers album:

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Filed under Archive, Dictators Assembled, Interview, Live, Live Review

The Birthday Party Starts Now!!

Handsome Dick Manitoba

Photo by Yannick Perrin

Rejoice, for today (Jan. 29) is the anniversary of the King of Men’s birth! The DFFD Blog joins HDM’s legions of devotees worldwide in wishing him a most resplendent birthday celebration.

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Filed under HDM, PSA

“New York New York” — A Hell of a Song

The Powers That Be behind the The New York Nobody Sings blog, dedicated to songs about New York, might not be the world’s biggest Dictators fans — at least according to a new post this week — but they did dredge up a cool clip of “New York New York” from Irving Plaza in ’81. For that, we salute you.



— DFFD123

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Filed under Adny, Dictators Assembled, HDM, Live, Ritchie Teeter, Ross the Boss, Top Ten, Video