OFF/BOC: Dictators

[Christian Mumford]

Just listened to the Dictator's great 1975 album 'Go Girl Crazy' again
for the first time in ages, and on the song 'Two Tub Man', Manitoba (the
singer) roars a crazed challenging opening dialogue, the closing part
being to the effect of "Haystack Balloon, Eric Bloom, I don't care who
you bring on baby, they'll all tremble under the might of Manitoba!". I
presume The Dictators knew BOC through Sandy Pearlman who produced both
them and The Dictators. And obviously 'Haystack Balloon' is the
legendary wrestler 'Haystack Calhoun'.... It's interesting nonetheless
that thru Pearlman and otherwise, a 'rawk-band' like BOC had such
new-wave/punk connections like Dictators, Patti Smith and Dream
Syndicate.

Otherwise, fans of Ramones should definetly get this album, not only do
they pre-date their buddies Ramones (I think) with the 'Let's Go!'
chorus and style (but somewhat slower, more melodic sound), but they
also looked just like them, haircuts, ugliness and leather-jackets and
all!

Christian