An Interview with Andy Shernoff of The Dictators

The Dictators were “punk” before punk rock was even a thing. Want proof? Dial back to records like 1975’s Go Girl Crazy, and you’ll hear for yourself.

But that’s not all. Everyone from The Ramones to Bruce Springsteen has taken influence from The Dictators, leaving them not just icons of punk rock but icons of rock music in general. Even though the band flamed out in 1980 (though they did regroup in the mid-90s for a time), with Andy Shernoff (bass/vox) and Ross “The Boss” Friedman (guitar) at the helm since the band started in ’73, The Dictators changed the game.

In the years since, the murmurs of that influence have grown louder, leading to Shernoff and Friedman regrouping in 2020, but this time with former Blue Oyster Cult member Albert Bouchard on drums and Keith Roth on rhythm guitar in place of Scott “Top Ten” Ten” Kempner, who passed away in 2023.

The reunion was exciting, but what’s more exciting is The Dictators’ first new record in years, 2024’s The Dictators. Shernoff says he doesn’t feel beholden to the band’s classic sound and has no expectations other than continuing to do what he’s always done: play rock music.

In support of The Dictators’ latest music, Andy Shernoff dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to dig into the lot and more.

This is The Dictators’ first record in a long time. Catch us up on where you’ve been.

I’ve been making music and living the good life in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in upstate New York; I couldn’t be happier. One day, Ross called Scott and me and suggested reforming the band. I was hesitant, but Scott convinced me to give it a shot, and here we are a few years later with a new album.

Why did it take so long for a new record to happen?

Well, there was a pandemic, and then we lost Scott. We had to find a replacement, which we did. We did some touring, but we were writing and recording the new album along the way. When we were teenagers, it was 100% about the band, but when you get older, it’s harder to find the time. But we remained focused, took our time, and created a record we are very proud of.

And why did you choose to release it now in an era where it’s harder to break through with new albums than ever?

It’s absolutely harder, and we are definitely facing strong headwinds, but we wanted to establish the new lineup. I like playing the old songs, but I’m a songwriter, so the real thrill is writing and recording new material; just playing the old songs is not something I strive for.

Hundreds of records are released every day. We need to grab people’s attention and maintain it, and a new record helps in that regard. We’re also doing some vinyl singles for Record Store Day, and we started tracking songs for the next album, so you won’t be able to get rid of us.

What track kicked this album off? What’s the story behind that track?

If you mean “Let’s Get the Band Back Together,” I had the song lying around, and it seemed like a perfect lead-off track for a band that hadn’t made a record in 23 years.

How are you meeting the classic sound of The Dictators with the new sounds of the present?

Well, we play and write like it’s the 1970s: two guitars, bass, and drums with old-school song structures, but we use modern technology to record. Everything is recorded in our home studios, and then we trade files, which is terribly time-consuming, but it is the only way we can do it.

The advantage of recording in that way is that it allows us to rearrange songs, change sounds, and re-record parts. There is a temptation to get things perfect, but we leave it just a little sloppy. Feel is super important to us. Our secret weapon was having the grand master Ed Stasium do the mix for us. He pulled it all together.

Did the vinyl revival or resurgence in physical media impact how you approached this record?

Not in the recording, but definitely in the sequencing. In the CD era, bands top-loaded their CDs with the best songs, assuming people would never get to the end of the 90-minute CD. We wanted a different flow and sequenced it as if it were a vinyl record, so the first and last songs on each side were carefully chosen to create a certain dynamic. In the vinyl era, the last song on side 2 was often the showpiece.

For instance, the last song on Who’s Next is “Won’t Get Fooled Again. ” Somehow, it seems more powerful as the album’s closer. Nobody would ever do that on a CD. We chose “Sweet Joey,” our Joey Ramone tribute, to close our record, and I think it emphasizes the sentimentality.

Do you have a favorite track on this record? If so, why?

I really don’t. Different songs appeal to me at different times. I don’t usually listen to a record once I finish it, but I have returned to this album numerous times. It definitely rocks old school.

What’s the story with the latest lineup? What makes this lineup tick, and why does it work?

It’s a new lineup, but we have all played with each other in different configurations over the years. There is a tremendous depth of experience. Everybody has dozens of records and tours under their belt. Collectively, we’ve made over 100 records and played over 1000 shows… but most importantly, we have a great time together.

What’s the division of labor within the band like?

There is no formula, but I usually get things rolling as the main songwriter. The process goes something like this: I’ll bring in a demo, or we go to Albert’s house, fool around with an idea, and put it into the computer.

Then, I’ll take it home, fine-tune the arrangements, and lay down a bass part. I sent it over to Albert, who finished his drum part. Then Ross puts down a guitar, and Keith lays down a vocal, after which we might decide to either add a part, do some editing, or change the tempo.

This can go on for weeks; it’s like chipping away to make a statue. The trick is to not make it sound perfect, to leave the human qualities. Music sounds better with little mistakes.

Do you feel beholden to The Dictators’ earlier sound and records?

No, I feel beholden to make the best record with this group of musicians.

Which album would you pick out as the band’s definitive statement?

I don’t think any single record defines the band. Do The Beatles or the Stones have a definitive statement? I would argue the entirety of their recording career is the statement. Each of our albums has its strengths and weaknesses and represents where we were at that time period. That goes for the new album, too, which I think is as good as anything we’ve done.

How do you measure the importance of The Dictators on NYC music and punk?

That’s hard to measure. Our first record came out a year before the first Ramones record, which would make us proto-punk. I think we certainly helped define the lyrical attitude and look of punk, but the Ramones absolutely defined the sound. Joey Ramone used to come to our early shows.

He was still dressing glam while we were doing the leather jacket, jeans, and sneakers look and shouting “Let’s Go” in “Master Race Rock,” so I’m sure he was influenced… he ended up influencing the rest of the world, so take that for what it’s worth.

What does punk mean to you? What are your thoughts on where the genre is now?

Punk is three chords, a backbeat, and an attitude. It was a logical reaction to the grandiosity and pretentiousness of bands like ELP and Yes in the early ’70s. Outside of England, it wasn’t a commercial sound until the ’90s, when bands like Green Day entered the picture. They upped the game, and that reignited interest in bands like us. Personally, I think the genre is a little tired, though I understand the attraction.

How do you view the legacy of The Dictators?

I don’t concern myself with the band’s legacy; that seems self-important. Our job is to make the best music we can and enjoy every step of the process, from writing to recording to performing. The reward is the act of making music.

Where do you go from here?

We have no expectations. The music audience has mostly moved on from rock, but for those who appreciate the art form, we will be there demonstrating the right way to do it. We’ve been musicians our entire lives. I see no reason to stop.

An Interview with Andy Shernoff of The Dictators article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

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