The Dils Explained

The Dils were an American punk rock band formed 1976[1] and active until 1980,[2] originally from Carlsbad, 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 in Cheech and Chong's film, Up In Smoke, where they can be heard before being seen performing "You're Not Blank".[4]

History

Soon after forming in late 1976, The Dils relocated to San Francisco,[5] where they would have a significant influence on that city's embryonic punk scene (bassist Tony Kinman played briefly with The Avengers during 1977), and then Los Angeles, becoming one of the major bands in the early Los Angeles punk scene too.[6] They were known for their conspicuous radical left politics, and for a strong melodic sense that earned them the nickname "punk rock Everly Brothers".[7]

Their debut single was "I Hate The Rich" / "You're Not Blank" (the latter covered by the Minneapolis punk band Dillinger 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 punks D.O.A.), issued on the Dangerhouse label, 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 gathering roots rock orientation. The Dils opened for The Clash in Santa Monica[9] in 1980 and later that year the band dissolved after playing a final show with Black Flag.[10]

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

Possible Visual Influence

A 2021 article in Guitar World magazine discussed the possible linkage between Dils guitarist Chip Kinman's decoration of his instrument and the famous Frankenstrat of Eddie Van Halen.[11]

Post-breakup

The Kinmans continued to follow the roots rock direction, giving birth to the new "cowpunk" genre with their band Rank and File in the 1980s, along with Alejandro Escovedo,. 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" with Cowboy Nation in the 1990s and early 2000s.[12] In 2016, the Kinman brothers reunited for Chip's new band, Ford Madox Ford. 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.

Revival

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.

Discography

  1. "I Hate The Rich"
  2. "You're Not Blank"
  1. "Class War"
  2. "Mr.Big"
  1. "Sound Of The Rain"
  2. "Red Rockers"
  3. "It's Not Worth It."

Compilation appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bass. Scott. Tony Kinman: From the Dils to Rank & File to Blackbird.... Perfect Sound Forever. February 2018. October 28, 2019.
  2. Web site: Whitside. Jonny. R.I.P. Tony Kinman of The Dils. LA Weekly. May 4, 2018. October 28, 2019.
  3. Book: Strong, Martin C.. 2003. Dils. The Great Indie Discography. Canongate. 1-84195-335-0.
  4. Web site: Arcand. Rob. The Dils, Rank & File Member Tony Kinman Dead at 63 . Spin. May 5, 2018. March 24, 2019.
  5. Web site: Greenspon. Chris. This '70s SoCal Punk Band Is Back In LA To Save Music At A Chinatown School. LAist. January 24, 2019 . March 24, 2019.
  6. Web site: Meacham. Pauly. THE DILS re-form 40 years after appearing in 'Up in Smoke'. iHeartRadio. March 14, 2019. October 28, 2019.
  7. Web site: Quinones. Sam. Sam Quinones. Tony Kinman – An American Original. Dreamland. May 3, 2018. October 28, 2019.
  8. Web site: Greenspon . Chris . January 24, 2019 . Listen to Ty Segall's Cover of The Dils' "Class War" . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128055647/https://laist.com/news/entertainment/the-dils-back-together-to-play-in-chinatown . November 28, 2022 . April 4, 2024 . Paste Magazine . en-US.
  9. Web site: Carroll. Elle. The Dils' New Deal. SF Weekly. July 17, 2019. October 28, 2019.
  10. Book: Ensminger, David. Left of the Dial. 41. PM Press. 2013. 978-1-60486-641-4.
  11. Web site: Gill. Chris. The true origins and evolution of Eddie Van Halen's legendary Frankenstein guitar. Guitar World. October 4, 2021. November 25, 2022.
  12. Web site: Curtain. Kevin. Tony Kinman 1956–2018. Austinchronicle.com. May 4, 2018. May 8, 2018.
  13. Web site: Callwod. Brett. Music Pick: The Dils. LA Weekly. March 15, 2019. March 24, 2019.

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