The Dictators
Bloodbrothers

THE REVIEW

The Dictators from NYC!

How can you not adore a bunch of colossal tricksters wasting tremendous talent!

The combo features Ross The Boss (yes... the one from Manowar...) and his bosom buddy from the Bronx, a roadie, bouncer, troublemaker with an outstanding afro hairstyle: Handsome Dick Manitoba, a fool in name and deed.

Heroes of CBGB'S, where they regularly perform since 1975 with their mix of garage-punk-pop-surf-hard'n'roll, they release the excellent "Go Crazy Girl" in the same year (see the delightful review by Supersoul on this site). Handsome Dick is more or less a mascot, and the main hits are sung by bassist Andy Shernoff, the author of most of their repertoire.

They seem to have the same qualities as people like the Ramones, but apparently distracted by Debbie Harry, the Dictators remain stuck in place.

They try again in 1977 with "Manifest Destiny" but the aim is completely off target, and the band is about to fall apart.

There remains one last attempt, one of desperation! In fact, they decide to promote Handsome Dick Manitoba to the rank of captain, making him a full-fledged singer. And as in the best matches, the change in the final minutes seems to turn the fate of the Dictators...

Bloodbrothers (1978).

The album is a direct continuation of their debut work, and the tracks are captivating: ranging from the Hard Rock of "Minnesota Strip" to the Power Pop of "Baby Let's Twist," "Stay With Me," and "No Tomorrow," from the rock'n'roll of "Borneo Jimmy" to the punk of "Faster and Louder." The episodes of "What Is It" and “I Stand Tall” are, in my opinion, lesser, but the latter anticipates the Survivors of Rocky.
The long-playing concludes with a cover of "Slow Death" by the Flamin' Groovies, a reinterpretation that in my opinion surpasses the original, with Manitoba pouncing on it like a lion, turning it into the highlight of his live performances.

However, the Dictators miss the open goal, and the album goes unnoticed.

This time, the band truly breaks up... Ross the Boss inexplicably forms Manowar, and Handsome Dick lingers in the NYC underground. They will return in 2001, in their original lineup, with the remarkable "D.F.F.D." still met with general indifference.

P.S.: At the beginning and end of "Faster and Louder," you hear the classic 1-2-3-4! Well, it turns out that at the microphone was none other than Bruce Springsteen, someone who knows quite a bit about losers.