The Dictators

The Dictators

The Dictators are a punk rock band from New York, United States, formed in 1973 and active to the present day. Their sound spans punk, punk rock, proto-punk, hard rock, garage rock and classic rock, and they are associated with the New York punk scene.

History and significance

The band releases its first album, Go Girl Crazy, in 1975. It is widely noted as the first album by a New York City punk band to appear on a major label. Their version of “California Sun” draws a strong response and becomes one of the recordings most often linked with their early reputation. They are described as influential in the development of punk, and Steven Van Zandt refers to them as a link between the MC5, the Stooges, the New York Dolls and the punk movement of the mid to late 1970s.

Recognition

The Dictators are represented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Punk Wing”.

Members

Members include Richie Teeter, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Mark Mendoza, J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson, Dean Rispler, Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. Earlier line-ups include Richard Manitoba on lead vocals, Ross “The Boss” Friedman on lead guitar and backing vocals, Andy Shernoff on bass and keyboards, Stu Boy King on drums, Mel Anderson on drums and Frank Funaro on drums. Ritchie Teeter is also listed among the band’s drummers.

Albums

The discography includes Go Girl Crazy (1975), Manifest Destiny (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), Fuck ’Em If They Can’t Take a Joke (1981), The Dictators Live, New York, New York (1998), D.F.F.D. (2001), Viva Dictators (2005) and Every Day Is Saturday (2007).