Feature Photo courtesy of Blah Dahlia/The Dwarves.
As an icon of punk rock music and one of the genre’s boldest characters, Blag Dahlia has helped shape punk in all its forms dating back to the mid-’80s. Laconic language, ballistic performances, and sometimes off-kilter but often catchy music are just a few of the precursors of one of punk’s last remaining bands, the Dwarves. If you’re a fan, a Chicago native, or have dug on classic records like A Hard Day’s Nightmare (1985), Horror Stories (1986), Sugarfix (1993), or The Dwarves Must Die (2004), then you know full well the magic inherent in the band’s music.
To that end, Chitown’s favorite sons are at it again via their latest record, Concept Album, a blissful amalgam of all the things that have defined Dahlia and his bandmates for nearly 40 years. Of course, the rage and vibe are there, but what’s changed most is the, no pun intended, concepts herein.
Over the years, Dahlia has honed his songwriting, combining his pre-existing chops with interesting observations and the same humor-meets-stoicism that made him a legend in the first place. And so, if you’ve missed the boat thus far, now is as good a time as any to learn what makes the Dwarves tick.
In support of Concept Album, Blag Dahlia beamed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to dig into his process, inspirations, and mindset while making the Dwarves’ latest music.
What keeps you inspired to make new music?
We’re old-fashioned; it’s basically sex and drugs with a healthy dollop of anger and resentment. Someday, we’ll prove everybody wrong and earn our rightful title as kings of rock ‘n’ roll and the very last punk band alive!
How did the band’s latest record, Concept Album, get started? Where were you pulling from in terms of songwriting?
The Dwarves all write songs, that’s why our records are still good, and all the old punk bands make such unlistenable shit. Some of us write chord changes, others write lyrics, and still others come up with titles or concepts or create new songs out of old loops. By doing it in different ways, we keep it interesting!
What tracks proved to be the most challenging, and why?
We recorded the basics for 25 songs in two days. Nothing is challenging when you’ve got an all-star lineup, and ringers like Josh Freese and Nick Oliveri coming in to do the dirty work. We can’t be stopped!
Do you have a favorite track? If so, why?
I like “Roxette” because I wrote it in about 10 minutes, and it’s one of those songs that seems like it’s always been around. The New Wave keys are a nice final touch on there, as well.
Which of these songs best represents the band you are today, and why?
“Voodoo” sounds like we live; it’s just a hard-pounding punk song that’s more complicated than you think. And “Terrorist of Love” has all the elements of a hit pop song, but it’s just too disturbing to be anything other than a Dwarves tune. And “We Will Dare” takes on the modern cancel culture using a female vocal and a ’90s pop-punk approach. It’s like a flaming turd on your doorstep, wrapped in shiny paper.
How do you view how you write and perform today versus the past? What has changed most?
We always offended people with everything we did. Now, we still offend people with everything we do, but it seems like we’re just old and out of touch, as opposed to just being out of touch like back in the day.
How do you view punk music in the modern era versus the past?
There used to be a lot more violence and quite a bit more sex. Now, there are lots of participation trophies for crybabies who are about to quit music anyway.
What are your short and long-term goals? How will you achieve them?
My short-term goal is to get rich and get laid. My long-term goal is to get the Dwarves in the Smithsonian as national treasures.
Blag Dahlia Of The Dwarves: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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