The Dictators "The Dictators"

Considering that the first Dictators album came out in 1975, scads of credit is due these hearty pre-punk New Yorkers for blazing a long trail, melding the essentials of junk culture - wrestling, fast food, TV, beer, dope, cars, scandal sheets - with loud/hard/fast rock'n'roll and thus creating an archetype that has been adopted and adapted by countless other bands. Originally formed as an homage/response to the MC5, Flamin Groovies, New York Dolls and the Stooges, The Dictators wound up playing a similarly crucial and inspirational role to the generations that followed them. Now The Dictators are back with original members Andy Shernoff and Ross The Boss along with former Blue Õyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard and Frankenstein 3000 guitarist/vocalist Keith Roth. They have already wowed fans with the new singles "Let's Put The Band Back Together" and "Thank You And Have A Nice Day" and are ready to continue their 50 year legacy as one of the greatest pre-punk bands ever.