Band · United States

The Dictators

Formed in 1973

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The Dictators are an American punk rock band formed in New York City in 1972. Known for their acerbic and provocative approach in their music, the Dictators underwent several changes in their lineups. Its founding members included musicians Andy "Adny" Shernoff (bass, keyboards, vocals), Ross "The Boss" Friedman (lead guitar) and Scott "Top Ten" Kempner (rhythm guitar). Other long-term members have included "Handsome" Dick Manitoba (vocals) and Mark "The Animal" Mendoza (bass). Throughout varying lineups, Shernoff, Friedman and Kempner have been constant members.

With albums like The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!, Manifest Destiny and Bloodbrothers, the Dictators did not initially have any commercial success outside the punk rock scene in the 1970s and courted some controversies, but later grew to be respected as one of the pioneers in punk rock with a strong cult following. Critic John Dougan said that they were "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth."

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Also in Français

The Dictators est un groupe américain de hard rock originaire de New York. Dans les années 70, ses membres qui avaient alors entre quinze et vingt-cinq ans clamaient que depuis la mise en sommeil des Stooges, le rock était mort. Ils en feront en 1977 une reprise de Search and Destroy qui fait partie de leurs classiques. Classifié parmi les groupes de protopunk, il est considéré comme une influence majeure des premiers groupes punk.

Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0