Wikipedia

The Dils

The Dilswere an Americanpunk rockband formed 1976[1]and active until 1980,[2]originally fromCarlsbad, California,and fronted by the brothers Chip Kinman and Tony Kinman.[3]They appeared as the second act in the "battle of the bands" sequence inCheech and Chong's film,Up In Smoke,where they can be heard before being seen performing "You're Not Blank".[4]

"Class War"
Sample of The Dils "Class War" fromDils Dils DilsLP (1978)
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"I Hate the Rich"
Sample of The Dils' "I Hate the Rich" from theClass WarLP (1978)
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History

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Soon after forming in late 1976, The Dils relocated toSan Francisco,[5]where they would have a significant influence on that city's embryonic punk scene (bassist Tony Kinman played briefly withThe Avengersduring 1977), and then Los Angeles, becoming one of the major bands in the earlyLos Angelespunk scene too.[6]They were known for their conspicuousradical leftpolitics,[1]and for a strong melodic sense that earned them the nickname "punk rockEverly Brothers".[7]

Their debut single was "I Hate The Rich" / "You're Not Blank" (the latter covered by the Minneapolis punk bandDillinger Four), on Los Angeles–based label What? Records, released in 1977.

Their next record was their critical high-point,[8]1977's "Class War" / "Mr. Big" (the former covered by Canadian punksD.O.A.), issued on theDangerhouselabel, in a pressing of 1500 copies entitled "198 Seconds Of The Dils". The last contemporary release was a three-sided double-7 "in 1980," Made In Canada ", produced by Bob Rock, which showed a gatheringroots rockorientation. The Dils opened forThe ClashinSanta Monica[9]in 1980 and later that year the band dissolved[9]after playing a final show withBlack Flag.[10]

Music from The Dils (including material unreleased during the band's lifetime) remains available.

Possible Visual Influence

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A 2021 article inGuitar Worldmagazine discussed the possible linkage between Dils guitarist Chip Kinman's decoration of his instrument and the famousFrankenstratofEddie Van Halen.[11]

Post-breakup

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The Kinmans continued to follow theroots rockdirection, giving birth to the new "cowpunk"genre with their bandRank and Filein the 1980s, along withAlejandro Escovedo,.[3]After a move in a different direction with a rock guitar and drum-machine noise project,Blackbird,they then cast a spotlight on "cowboy music" withCowboy Nationin the 1990s and early 2000s.[12]In 2016, the Kinman brothers reunited for Chip's new band, Ford Madox Ford.[12]Released by Porterhouse records, Ford Madox Ford's debut album,This American Blues,featured Chip on vocals and guitar, Dewey Peek (Giuliano Scarfo) on lead guitar, Matt Littell on bass and S. Scott Aguero on drums, and Tony Kinman as producer.

Tony Kinman died on May 4, 2018.[12]

Revival

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Chip Kinman revived The Dils in 2019,[13]with the first show at The Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles' Chinatown on January 27. The following night, The Dils played at San Diego's Casbah Club. Joining Kinman was his stepson Giuliano Scarfo on drums, plus Brian Melendez on bass and backing vocals.[5]

Discography

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  • "I Hate The Rich" / "You're Not Blank"7 "(What? Records1977)
    • Reissued in 1990 on Gift Of Life Records
    • Both songs + "What Goes On" (live, prev unreleased) included on V/A LP/CDWhat? Stuff(Iloki Records 1990)
  1. "I Hate The Rich"
  2. "You're Not Blank"
  • "198 Seconds Of The Dils" 7 "(Dangerhouse Records1977)
    • Side A is available on the V/A LP/CDDangerhouse Volume 1and Side B can be found onDangerhouse Volume 2,both albums onFrontier Records
  1. "Class War"
  2. "Mr.Big"
  • "Made In Canada" 2x7 "(Rogelletti Records 1980)
  1. "Sound Of The Rain"
  2. "Red Rockers"
  3. "It's Not Worth It."
  • Live:DilsLP (Triple X/Iloki Records 1987)
  • The Dils Live 1977–1980LP (Lost Records, 1990)
  • Dils Dils DilsLP (Bacchus Archives1991) (reissued on CD (1992)Damaged Goods)
    • Side A has the eight studio songs mentioned above on it.
    • Side B contains live tracks from 1978 and 1979.
  • The Last Goodbye (The Dils album)|The Last GoodbyeLP (bootleg 199?)
    • A live recording from 1980.
  • Class WarLP (Dionysus/Bacchus archives 2000)
    • Includes the first 7 "and 10 live songs recorded in 1980 previously released onThe Dils Live 1977–1980LP.

Compilation appearances

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  • We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene (1976–79)(Rhino 1993) - "I Hate The Rich", "Mr. Big"

References

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  1. ^abBass, Scott (February 2018)."Tony Kinman: From the Dils to Rank & File to Blackbird..."Perfect Sound Forever.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  2. ^Whitside, Jonny (May 4, 2018)."R.I.P. Tony Kinman of The Dils".LA Weekly.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  3. ^abStrong, Martin C. (2003). "Dils".The Great Indie Discography.Canongate.ISBN1-84195-335-0.
  4. ^Arcand, Rob (May 5, 2018)."The Dils, Rank & File Member Tony Kinman Dead at 63".Spin.RetrievedMarch 24,2019.
  5. ^abGreenspon, Chris (January 24, 2019)."This '70s SoCal Punk Band Is Back In LA To Save Music At A Chinatown School".LAist.RetrievedMarch 24,2019.
  6. ^Meacham, Pauly (March 14, 2019)."THE DILS re-form 40 years after appearing in 'Up in Smoke'".iHeartRadio.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  7. ^Quinones, Sam(May 3, 2018)."Tony Kinman – An American Original".Dreamland.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  8. ^Greenspon, Chris (January 24, 2019)."Listen to Ty Segall's Cover of The Dils'" Class War "".Paste Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon November 28, 2022.RetrievedApril 4,2024.
  9. ^abCarroll, Elle (July 17, 2019)."The Dils' New Deal".SF Weekly.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  10. ^Ensminger, David (2013).Left of the Dial.PM Press.p. 41.ISBN978-1-60486-641-4.
  11. ^Gill, Chris (October 4, 2021)."The true origins and evolution of Eddie Van Halen's legendary Frankenstein guitar".Guitar World.RetrievedNovember 25,2022.
  12. ^abcCurtain, Kevin (May 4, 2018)."Tony Kinman 1956–2018".Austinchronicle.RetrievedMay 8,2018.
  13. ^Callwod, Brett (March 15, 2019)."Music Pick: The Dils".LA Weekly.RetrievedMarch 24,2019.
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