The Dwarves are often referred to as “the greatest rock and roll band of all time” and “the last punk rock band around,” at least according to lead singer, Blag Dahlia.
They have had a raw, often brutally honest, and raunchy career spanning 40 years.
While most bands have tamed and even matured personally and musically, the Dwarves still deliver the same wild live show and unapologetic music that they have been brandishing since their early days.
While Blag released his own solo project last year – the wonderful, underrated “Introducing Ralph Champagne” – behind the scenes the Dwarves were busy at work recording their next release and the time has finally come for it to drop.
INTRODUCING RALPH CHAMPAGNE
The hilariously titled “The Dwarves Concept Album” is not just a clever name but a preview of what’s to come from the 20-track album. According to the band, the album – which will be released November 17th – will see the Dwarves covering various genres from “hardcore to garage rock and surf music, experimental noise, pop punk duets and bar band rock & roll.” The two core members of the Dwarves have always been Blag and longtime guitarist, HeWhoCannotBeNamed, often seen playing in just a Mexican luchador mask and a studded, leather thong.
HeWhoCannotBeNamed has been noticeably absent the past few years when the band has played, but rest assured he will definitely be present on the album and was integral to its recording process. Though the band has shifted members throughout the years, the past few have seen the lineup solidified with a talented group of musicians including the magnificent bassist, Nick Oliveri (aka Rex Everything), guitarist Mark Diamond (aka The Fresh Prince of Darkness), and drummer Gabriel Perez (aka Snupac). If you’ve seen the chemistry and energy when these guys play live then you’re just as excited as I am to see what the band has been working on for the past few years.
As if all of that was not enough to leave you on the edge of your seat, the band also collaborated with longtime friend and contributor Josh Freese. The Vandals and Foo Fighters drummer is who I consider to be one of the greatest session drummers in music history. Personally, I cannot wait to see what he and Perez have planned for drums as both are exceptionally skilled, fast and technical drummers.
Never one to shy away from controversy, particularly when it comes to album covers, the band released the album artwork for “The Dwarves Concept Album” on Instagram on Monday.
It features a beautiful model naked sans a pair of reading glasses, as she sits atop a pile of books in a contemplative glance looking above, with her bare breasts exposed.
The artwork was photographed by F. Scott Schafer and fits right in line with the rest of the band’s discography, and in fact might be their tamest, and even artistic cover yet.
The Dwarves plan to tour behind the album with a busy schedule that takes them throughout the end of the year, with a just-announced New Year’s Eve show with Pussy Riot at the Kilowatt in San Francisco.
For Southern California fans, the band will be playing day two of Punk in the Park Fest, November 5th at Oak Canyon Park.
