DICTATORS
+ SONS OF HERCULES
+ SUNDAY DRUNKS @ Club Clearview, Dallas
March 8, 2002
I'll admit it - I've kinda been in hibernation since 9/11. Not so much geeked by the terror, just affected by a combination of things:getting my ass kicked at work, trying to put together a band and not wanting to see anybody else's gigs "until we play out." The wheels having come off that project a coupla weeks ago, I no longer have that excuse/concern. And besides, seeing the Dictators in the oasis that is Texas is too good of a deal to pass up. (Interestingly, the support bands tonight are the same ones who appeared with the Dics here last May.) Good thing, too...this show wound up being a thriller, one that I wouldn't have wanted to miss.
Having released the best album of 2001 (and if you don't own "D.F.F.D." yet, stop reading this and surf immediately to www.thedictators.com to remedy that), which actually got AIRPLAY on Nashville's 102.9 "The Buzz" as well as the usual college suspects, and played a triumphant "reunion" show as Manitoba's Wild Kingdom in New York in January, the Dictators have set out on a series of short, surgical strikes across the United States. On this leg, it's New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, and Austin (just BEFORE the city gets overrun by the annual plague of bizzers for SXSW). The night before in Houston, they'd had a rowdy crowd that actually wrecked the club (Rudyard's - my pal Jimmy's band Gun Crazy opened), then their van was burglarized and their merchandise stolen. To make matters worse, Handsome Dick Manitoba's throat was on the verge of going out. And the opening Sunday Drunks' drummer Rod Baird was nowhere in sight 20 minutes before showtime; Dics drummer J.P. Patterson and Kory Cook from the second billed Sons of Hercules were discussing whether one of them would need to play with the Drunks. Would the scrappy hustlers from Da Bronx be able to pull this one off?
Luckily, the Drunks' drummer miraculously materialized in the nick of time and the show was able to start on schedule. This Dallas band, a side project for some of the guys from the Mullens (who have three albums on Get Hip but somehow managed to slip under my radar), seem to open every cool show that comes through town and get better every time I hear 'em. Having recently given the bum's rush to their old guitarist/vocalist Dustin (who remaining guitarist Lee Lazarine now admits "was holding us back"), the Drunks have tightened up and focused their attack considerably. Bassist Dana Williams (playing one of those seventies Gibson models that Gene Simmons used to favor; can't remember if it was "The Ripper" or "The Grabber" - NOT the one with the sliding pickup...bass aficionados, feel free to chime in) has stepped into the frontman role with aplomb, playing impressively complex lines (with fingers; no pick here!) while singing a lot less self-consciously than his predecessor used to. His big sound lays the foundation, and guitarist Lee (playing a 335 tonight in place of his customary Rickenbacker; I'd like to know how he's able to get away with kneeling in front of his Marshall with that guitar without massive feedback problems) does a good job of filling the space recently vacated by the second guitar. The Sunday Drunks are ready, and it looks like they may actually get the chance to visit Oz (they've stayed in touch with the Onyas since they opened a show for them here back in July 2000).
The Sons of Hercules are up next. Having seen these guys (whose members are split between San Antonion and Austin; must be hellish trying to coordinate rehearsal schedules) every year since '99, I'd rate 'em as the Lone Star State's premiere punk rock'n'roll band. Like the Drunks, they've gotten in the habit of appearing with every worthwhile purveyor of Rock Action that hits the boards in these parts - probably because they're one of the few local acts capable of holding their own with the likes of the Dics. Since guitarist Dave "Bone" Pedersen (a native Bostonian transplanted to Austin, who played in a latter-day incarnation of the Real Kids and also leads his own band, the Troublemakers), they've adopted a harder, more aggressive attack - definitely more "rock'n'roll" than "garage." The combination of Dave's Les Paul and Dale Hollon's Rickenbacker provides all the depth and crunch you could want from a guitar tag-team, and they alternate lead and rhythm seamlessly. In the engine room, bassist Casino El Camino (my homeboy from Patchogue, Long Island, and owner of the Austin bar which bears his name, whose daytime parties are always a SXSW highlight) and drummer Kory drive the music relentlessly, just the way you love it, while towering frontman Frank Puglise remains a dominating presence onstage. The new material from their "Right Now" CD (sorry, kids, but you have to go to the shows to cop; they're between labels right now) is all choice rifferama, alternately redolent of the Stones, Kinks, and Stooges, with plenty of guitar buzz and howl and exultant call-and-response vocalismo.
Finally the Dictators claim the stage, with "I Stand Tall" from "Bloodbrothers" playing over the P.A. Not their greatest song ever, but one which has taken on added resonance since the events of 9/11/01 in their hometown. "We are the Dictators from New York City," announces Handsome Dick, "and THE PARTY STARTS NOW!" And indeed, it does, with the lead-off track from the Manitoba's Wild Kingdom "...And You?" album. Scott "Top Ten" Kempner tears into the classic riff, even though he wasn't present for that record (still being a Del-Lord at the time). Enough can't be said about how much conviction and commitment Top Ten brings to the party; he has the moves and the sound of a rock'n'roll True Believer. Then Ross the Boss kicks off the telegraphic intro to "Who Will Save Rock and Roll?" (Swiped from the Clash's cover of "Police On My Back?" YOU decide!!!) Between the two of them, the guitar partners have mastered and display every nuance of RockGit Showmanship (rootsy rocker on your left, metal guitar god on your right - later in the set, Ross leads off one song with musical quotes from both the Who's "I Can See for Miles" and Black Sabbath's "Iron Man"); their interplay is featured on the instrumental "Channel Surfing."
Discussing with my ex-gtr partner over fish and chips and beers this afternoon, I concluded that there are three things a rock'n'roll band needs to be great: 1) great songs with hooks, 2) a great drummer, and 3) a great frontman. The Dics have all three in spades. No bout a doubt it, Andy Shernoff writes rock'n'roll anthems like Pete Townshend used to, is probably the only rock songwriter left standing with the balls and heart to do so, and offers the added bonus of not taking himself too seriously. When has another Beach Boys fan ever wrought so much mayhem as the former Teenage Wasteland Gazette scribe? Nevah! Drum-wise, J.P. "Thunderbolt" Patterson kicks the traps hard and provides plenty of color with fills and breaks, but always serves the needs of the song; no "look at me!" chopsmanship here ('cos he knows he doesn't need to). Finally, if it's what's up front that counts, the Dics have the competition handily beat with Handsome Dick, surely no shrinking violet or wallflower, who makes their tune-ups as interesting as some other bands' songs with his wit and repartee. Tonight, if he's having problems with his voice, it's not evident to the throng out front.
They play a beautifully-paced set that flows from strength to strength, light on songs from "Girl Crazy" ("Next Big Thing") and the Wild Kingdom rec (besides theset-opening "The Party Starts Now," only "New York, New York"), heavier on those from "Bloodbrothers" ("Faster and Louder," "Baby Let's Twist," "The Minnesota Strip") and the new one (besides the aforementioned, "Pussy and Money," "What's Up With That" - which gives HDM a break as Andy takes the lead vocal, "The Savage Beat," "Avenue A," "Burn, Baby, Burn!" - which HDM dedicates "to all my vegetarian friends"). The set climaxes with the cataclysmic "I Am Right" and "Stay With Me," then the Dics leave the stage, only to return with "Blitzkrieg Bop" ("for my friend Joey up in Heaven") and, by popular demand, the inevitable "Two Tub Man." Watching the crowd, I'm reminded of Ross' astute observation that "Nowadays, girls LIKE rock'n'roll!" A Dictators show has become as good of a place to watch other men's wives and girlfriends as the beach or downtown in the summertime. Who woulda thunk it - smart (with attitood) is sexy! Then again, life's full of surprises. As Ross says, "If someone had told me when we were starting out back in '74 that we'd still be playing in 2002, I woulda told 'em to get outta here!" But thankfully, the Dictators still are, at the top of their game and showing no signs of readiness for retirement. May it always be so. - Ken Shimamoto
(Further info tidbits: Yes, they DO plan to reissue the Wild Kingdom record this year. Additionally, Rhino will be releasing both "Manifest Destiny" and "Bloodbrothers," along with some demo material, so now I'll finally be able to hear "16 Forever" on shiny silver disc. Woo-hoo!)
