If Scott reads this Dictators thread, please let him know how much he is appreciated and respected. Not only a down to earth guy, but his guitar playing, songwriting and excellent vocal abilities exceed those of many A-list rockers. Not to mention, Scott has released solid albums with all his bands and solo projects, which is a nearly impossible feat for most artists.
This completely blows away the first song. Just heard it this past night for the first time. (heard Andy's version...when that video came out.)
I was terribly saddened to read yesterday that Scott Kempner is in the early stages of Dementia. My Mom passed away last after a 5 year battle with it. I hope Scott's descent won't be as long. It's a disease that tears multiple people involved to shreds.
I just discovered this. 1 1/2 months ago The Dictators performed at the 2021 Metal Hall of Fame Induction Gala in New Jersey. They introduced Keith Roth, who is replacing Top Ten and HDM.
Thanks for sharing this video! Although I'm excited to hopefully see them tour in with this new lineup, I think it becomes slightly tribute band when they have a replacement singing in HDM's place. Andy's voice is excellent and I think he could handle those songs much better than an HDM imitator.
I bought their third lp Blood Brothers when it first came out and loved it. I thought they were quite amusing. great fun and most importantly they rocked! I played their version of "Slow Death" over and over again and that's how I discovered the Flaming Groovies. My roommates, who were into stuff like Firefall and Leo Kottke (not that there's anything wrong with that ) absolutely hated it as well as the other six or seven "punk garbage rock records" I had at the time. I pointed out they were on the same label as the Eagles and Jackson Browne but it was to no avail. Soon after I picked up Manifest Destiny and liked it too although not quite as much as Blood Brothers. But I discovered the Stooges through their cover of "Search and Destroy" and soon picked up a copy of Raw Power. Boy were my roommates happy when they heard that one. Took awhile, I think it was out of print, but I finally found the first lp Go Girl Crazy but to be honest I don't remember it, it's been so long. I do know I also got the New York Dolls albums because of them too. And I did see them live in the 90s with the Lunachicks. I just remember having a good time but being disappointed they didn't play "Slow Death".
I only saw them once, myself, but they more than made up for not playing "Slow Death" with a blistering cover of Mott's "The Moon Upstairs".
I saw this at the Palladium in NYC on 4/27/91. Great show and hard to believe it's over 30 years ago. The Lunachicks' set is on YouTube, btw
This was released a couple of days ago. IMHO, meh. If they play this live, outside of November and December, it's going to look a bit lame.
I saw the 'Chicks & 'Dicts tour at Club Lingerie in Hollywood and Bogarts in Long Beach. Both were amazing shows. Dictators were much better at Club Lingerie, but man, HDM would be crucified for what he said on that stage in this day and age.
I was on youtube looking for something Top Ten related and found this. Jeez, the guy has had a rough go of it.
The Dictators rule! The studio albums are great but nothing beats live 'tators!! "**** Em If They Can't Take a Joke " is an amazing live record.
Poor Top Ten. He's a treasure, not just for the Tators but for his Del Lords stuff and work with Dion. I had the good fortune to shoot the **** with the Dictators when they played in Providence close to 20 years ago, with Demolition Doll Rods and my friends' band. Scott, Andy, and Ross The Boss were very kind to idiot me bothering them. Hey - did you guys hear the Del Lords reunion album about 9 or 10 years ago? DFFD!
Great album and I saw one of the few shows they performed after the album came out at a BBQ place in Brooklyn.
This was filmed before his diagnosis with Dementia. He was still living on the West Coast and is now living in the East Coast with relatives who are taking care of him.
This show occurred a month before I saw them for the first time which at the Palladium with AC/DC and the Michael Stanley Band opening up for them. It was AC/DC first ever NYC appearance and right after their performance, they went to CBGB where they did a late night performance.
Correct, I assume anybody watching that would realize it was something he dealt with in 2003 on the West Coast.
