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Rock Band Interviews - Scott Kempner from the Dictators
THE DICTATORS are a New York City based band
which stood at the forefront of the Punk Music Scene
in the mid 1970's and who are still rockin' in 2002!
AccRock: So it
looks like 2002 is going to be a good year for the Dictators?
Scott_Kempner: it's really good to have a new record out. a biiiiiig
help.
AccRock: you've got a tour coming up again soon, right?
Scott_Kempner: we've got scattered dates over the next few months.
We sorta work regionally - a northeast run, a southeastern run. a west
coast run
AccRock: DFFD sounds more like a flat-out hard rock album. Was
it a conscious decision and how do you like the results?
Scott_Kempner: I would say you're right. The hardest thing was
making all five of us happy. It took a little more a this, a little less
of that and so on and so on until 6 years went by. So, anyway, I'm reasonably
happy with it.
AccRock: it was 6 years in the making?
Scott_Kempner: pretty much. We're not a full time band anymore.
There's nobody paying for anything but us. It was very on and off. There's
lots of discarded tunes laying around. Some great ones.
AccRock: Were you happy with the song choices on the record?
Scott_Kempner: for the most part. I think I probably have the most
differing perspective in the band.
AccRock: Yah - how so?
Scott_Kempner: they are more into this hard rock punk head and
while I love it, I miss some of the other things we have always done.
But, ultimately I'm fine with it. It was a matter of streamlining the
whole thing. This way we're representing ourselves on record more the
way we represent ourselves live. We're not sending schizophrenic messages.
I easily see the logic in that.
AccRock: Yah right! Being in The Dictators, at one of the greatest
eras of punk music (the '70's), how would you describe the experience?
Scott_Kempner: it was a great experience. It felt like history
was being affected even then. Now, that era is far enough in the past
to have gained even more shine. kinda like remembering high school. I've
been lucky to know a lot of great musicians, and even some fine people.
AccRock: What were the Ramones like back in their hay day?
Scott_Kempner: exactly the same as they were at the end. No shit.
AccRock: that's amazing! Were they a great live band?
Scott_Kempner: they came fully wrapped. They even came with an
art director. Not even bowie can say that. They were an awesome live experience.
Very concise, focused, loud, funny, and especially tuneful
AccRock: Oh man!
AccRock: What's your take on the current state of modern rock
music?
Scott_Kempner: OK, I'm losin ya. Modern rock, eh?
AccRock: Yah - hard-core, metalcore, pop punk, etc...
Scott_Kempner: well, quite honestly, it's beyond dismal. I hear
so little that is moving. Everyone's seemingly embarrassed to actually
rock. Or feel anything beyond their shoes. There's some OK stuff, but
like who fuckin cares. There's a lot of empty seats at the front of the
class and everyone gets to sit a little closer to teacher. I guess I pretty
much hate it.
AccRock: I couldn't agree more...
Scott_Kempner: I dunno, it's a new world now, maybe this will light
a fire under people's asses. Everyone can surgically remove their heads
from their butts and get down to business.
AccRock: I think you're right about that! the kids today who
think what's out there is music are really out of it
Scott_Kempner: I hope they're having some form of rock'n'roll experience.
I would hate to think that they're missing out entirely. .
AccRock: Was there one defining moment which led you to a life
of rock and roll?
Scott_Kempner: the battles on Ed sullivan, the who in central park
in 66, the stooges at ungano's in 70, and Bruce[Springsteen] at
the bottom line in 75.
AccRock: I like Tool, Radiohead
Scott_Kempner: I like radiohead but I didn't like that last one.
I still love oasis and Bruce and Neil young and Ryan Adams and all my
blues records
AccRock: Yah - Ryan Adams - he's something
Scott_Kempner: he's a blast to watch as well as to hear. He's got
that"THING". no doubt. Great writer, singer etc....
AccRock: Did you take guitar lessons as a kid?
Scott_Kempner: nope
AccRock: just picked things off of records - huh?
Scott_Kempner: I learned what I could, where I could, on the run
- whoever would show me something
AccRock: Can you read music?
Scott_Kempner: can't read it. I can read about it.
AccRock: ha ha - Where do you see The Dic's in 5 years or for
that matter - the Sicilians?
Scott_Kempner: that's a tough one.. It's hard to imagine still
playing punk rock even now, but, shit, we're so good at it. The Sicilians,
I see a little more as something that can age well at any age.
AccRock: Excellent-man, I look forward to it!
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