The Dils were an American
punk rock band formed 1976[1] and active until 1980,[2] originally from
Carlsbad, California, and fronted by the brothers Chip Kinman and Tony Kinman.[3] They appeared as the second act in the "battle of the bands" sequence in
Cheech and Chong's film, Up In Smoke, where they can be heard before being seen performing "You're Not Blank".[4]
History
Soon after forming in late 1976, The Dils relocated to
San Francisco,[5] where they would have a significant influence on that city's embryonic punk scene (bassist Tony Kinman played briefly with
The Avengers during 1977), and then Los Angeles, becoming one of the major bands in the early
Los Angeles punk scene too.[6] They were known for their conspicuous
radical left politics,[1] and for a strong melodic sense that earned them the nickname "punk rock
Everly Brothers".[7]
Their debut single was "I Hate The Rich" / "You're Not Blank" (the latter covered by the Minneapolis punk band
Dillinger Four), on Los Angeles–based label What? Records, released in 1977.
Their next record was their critical high-point,[8] 1977's "Class War" / "Mr. Big" (the former covered by Canadian punks
D.O.A.), issued on the
Dangerhouse label, in a pressing of 1500 copies entitled "198 Seconds Of The Dils". The last contemporary release was a three-sided double-7" in 1980, "Made In Canada", produced by Bob Rock, which showed a gathering
roots rock orientation. The Dils opened for
The Clash in
Santa Monica[9] in 1980 and later that year the band dissolved[9] after playing a final show with
Black Flag.[10]
Music from The Dils (including material unreleased during the band's lifetime) remains available.
Possible Visual Influence
A 2021 article in Guitar World magazine discussed the possible linkage between Dils guitarist Chip Kinman's decoration of his instrument and the famous
Frankenstrat of
Eddie Van Halen.[11]
Post-breakup
The Kinmans continued to follow the
roots rock direction, giving birth to the new "
cowpunk" genre with their band
Rank and File in the 1980s, along with
Alejandro Escovedo,[3]. After a move in a different direction with a rock guitar and drum-machine noise project,
Blackbird, they then cast a spotlight on "cowboy music" with
Cowboy Nation in the 1990s and early 2000s.[12] In 2016, the Kinman brothers reunited for Chip's new band, Ford Madox Ford.[12] Released by Porterhouse records, Ford Madox Ford's debut album, This American Blues, featured Chip on vocals and guitar, Dewey Peek (Giuliano Scarfo) on lead guitar, Matt Littell on bass and S. Scott Aguero on drums, and Tony Kinman as producer.
Chip Kinman revived The Dils in 2019,[13] with the first show at The Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles' Chinatown on January 27. The following night, The Dils played at San Diego's Casbah Club. Joining Kinman was his stepson Giuliano Scarfo on drums, plus Brian Melendez on bass and backing vocals.[5]
Discography
"I Hate The Rich" / "You're Not Blank"
7" (
What? Records 1977)
Reissued in 1990 on Gift Of Life Records
Both songs + "What Goes On" (live, prev unreleased) included on V/A LP/CD What? Stuff (Iloki Records 1990)