The Dictators at The Empty Bottle - 05/24/04

The legendary, the one, the only Dictators in Chicago. We roadtripped up and had a room
at the House Of Blues Hotel. We got situated and ready for some dinner at the HOB resturant, where
DMX was doing two shows. We heard his bass thump all the way through the joint. We then hopped into
a cab and got to The Empty Bottle, not knowing what to expect venue-wise. Typical Chicago it was
pretty much a dive, but the people were very friendly and the sound system was great. No stools or
chairs, or tables, or carpet, just cold beer and music. A band called The Paperbacks were up first and
within the first tune we thought they rocked, worth the trip alone! They had a girl singer who was
part Iggy and part early Morrison in the way she worked the stage. I was worried at first because the
guitar players had a Telecaster and a Ric. Not exactly power guitars. But they used 'em that way. 
Some really great songs that were as much rock as they were punk. A brief break for some beers and
the second band was up, The Returnables. Best I can say is return to the basement for a bit more
practice. They had some really good moments that took about 1/2 a song to get going, and a few that
they had to stop and restart. It was their CD release party and maybe they are one of those bands that
sounds better in a studio. 

Another quick break and a few beers and The Dictators were up. I've been a huge fan since the
mid-seventies and this was my first chance to catch them. I was excited. Allison had only heard of the
band since she met me and I knew she curiously excited.  They start out with "Young, Fast, Scientific,"
which I haven't heard in a long long time. From the start of that on I knew this was going to be
an awesome show. About four songs into it, I pry away from watching to turn around and see Allison
grinning from ear to ear and singing along to every word. HDM is The Man, he knows how to keep the
energy up and the audience into it. Ross is the Boss, some of the most amazing guitar I've ever seen,
and I've seen a lot of amazing guitar. J.P. and Andy held the bottom line as tight as they are tough.
HDM said at one point that they had been recognized as geniuses years after doing this song, because
when it came out they were called morons. They then went into "Cars and Girls." How cool is that?
The whole show was a non-stop greatest hits party. It is amazing to see something of that caliber and
to think that there is not a bad song or even an okay song in there. They all should be #1's. They
threw in "Sonic Reducer" and "Blitzkrieg Bop" as parts of the encore. We've been talking about how
great it was ever since being there. I know we'll be packing our bags again to catch 'em, unless
someone here in STL wises up and brings 'em to town!!!!