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
Filed under Adny, Dictators Assembled, HDM, Live, Ritchie Teeter, Ross the Boss, Top Ten, Video
A “California Sun” filmed onstage — and we mean onstage — in Oviedo, Spain, in 1996.
Some more unobstructed Oviedo treats from YouTube user pacovigil for your YouTube Tuesday viewing pleasure:
“Channel Surfing”
“New York New York” and “Science Gone Too Far!”
“Who Will Save Rock and Roll?” and “I Am Right!”
Muchas gracias, pacovigil!
— DFFD123
Filed under Adny, Dictators Assembled, Frank Funaro, HDM, Live, Ross the Boss, Top Ten, Video, YouTube Tuesday
Dictators roll call!
In random order, and with info courtesy of our friends over at TheDictators.com, here’s who’s been doing what and where and when:
Thunderbolt Patterson
Andy Shernoff
Scott Kempner
Ross the Boss
— DFFD123
Filed under 'Tators Tracker, Adny, HDM, Ross the Boss, Thunderbolt, Top Ten
Live music makes a surprise return to New York City dive bar-turned-shot palace the Continental on Jan. 17 with a star-studded Rock & Roll Reunion — featuring a guest appearance on two tunes from our fave frontman, Handsome Dick Manitoba.
The Continental, along with CBGB’s (RIP) and Coney Island High (RIP), was once a highlight of the East Village’s Punk Rock Club Circuit; however, unlike the other two spots, the Continental has remained, at least, a drinking establishment (and not a high-end clothing store) since it changed its business model in September 2006. But now it’s merely a place to drink and get drunk, and not a place to drink and get drunk while watching the Waldos.
As we gear up for the reunion next Sunday night — remember that the next day is a holiday, so you can stay out late — we at the DFFD Blog take a look back at the big show that closed out the club’s first chapter on Sept. 17, 2006.
A report from SugarBuzz Magazine on that final night discussed being confronted with the “mammoth power and energy” of the Handsome Dick Manitoba Band, consisting of HDM and the members of Thunderboss (aka Ross the Boss, J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson and bassist Dean Rispler):
Despite the one-off nature of this lineup, they were tight, shit-hot and need I say LOUD as they straddled the line between Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom and the Dictators, opening with “The Party Starts Now!” (no shit cause the mother erupted!).
Read the rest and check out some photos at SugarBuzz Magazine.
— DFFD123
Filed under HDM, Live Review
Andy at Café Nine in New Haven, Conn., on Jan. 5, 2009 Photo by Matt Friedlander
It can sometimes take digging to find silver linings in the cloud that is the Dictators’ current break from playing together. One positive by-product is the recent blitz of solo product and live appearances by band members. Most recently, we’ve been gifted by the rarest of the rare — solo acoustic gigs by Andy Shernoff. There were four hush-hush affairs at the Lakeside in November and December, one snow-delayed show at the Brighton Bar on New Year’s Day, and then last night’s show at Café Nine in New Haven, the first “official” road test. The DFFD brain trust have been lucky enough to catch three of these gigs, his first solo shows ever.
If you have ever been to the Lakeside — or to Café Nine — you know that it’s in your best interests to arrive early for two reasons: 1, there are maybe three good places to sit in front of the bandstand before you end up standing in the obstructed views, and B, to take maximum advantage of the 2-for-1 drink specials.
Filed under Adny, Live Review
The DFFD Blog lifts one beverage in celebration of Mr. J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson on the anniversary of his birth (Jan. 6)!
Filed under PSA, Thunderbolt
The DFFD Blog wishes Ross the Boss a very happy birthday today (Jan. 3)!
Filed under PSA, Ross the Boss
See what you might have missed in The Dictators Holiday Gift Guide!
DFFD123
Guest Contributors
Robbiecube
Salvi C.
Thunderbolt Patterson
The DFFD Blog 
YouTube Tuesday: “Dude . . . Put Some Pants On”
What an enchanting way to kick off a new year and new decade: Sit back, crank up the speakers and behold the Dics and their afros performing “Search and Destroy” in a clip that hasn’t lost a lick of its kinetic charm in the nearly 33 years since it was filmed. Manitoba takes the mic like he was fired from a rocket, Ross stares his singer down for an unsettlingly long time, Mark the Animal rocks ferociously, Ritchie Teeter punishes his drum kit, Andy hides in the background like a hired hand, and the otherwise cool-looking Top Ten, he wears short shorts.
This video of the performance is a bit better synced than most we’ve found, which ups the enjoyment factor considerably. Also adding to the fun: the 250 comments on this poorly synced version of the video. Look out, honey, they’re using technology! I’ll save you some serious scrolling by reproducing my faves — complete with original spelling and punctuation, for the authentic experience — starting with the uploader’s intro:
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Filed under Adny, Dictators Assembled, HDM, Live, Mark the Animal, Ritchie Teeter, Ross the Boss, Top Ten, Video, YouTube Tuesday
Tagged as Comments, Covers, Music, Punk, Video, YouTube