Hey kids! Welcome to another episode of CJ Says: A Ramones Podcast.
This week, we throw the doors of the punk-rock asylum wide open and invite onto the show the illustrious Blag Dahlia—frontman of the Dwarves, professional troublemaker, underground philosopher, solo artist, and one of the few men alive who can discuss the Ramones, Frank Zappa, jazz, rock 'n' roll, swing, and the decline of Western civilisation without even pausing for breath…
In this interview, Blag explains why the Ramones changed his life, not because they were the most technically accomplished musicians, but because they made making music feel possible! We also delve into the DNA of the Dwarves: the filthy lyrics, outrageous iconography, and deliberate collision of pop songwriting and confrontational art. Because beneath all the blood, guts and public indecency Blag always had the same obsession: making great music.
Along the way, we discuss why the Ramones had swing, why rock 'n' roll needs humour and danger to stay alive, and what happens when punk takes itself so seriously that the people creating it forget to have any fun. Blag also opens up about getting older, his constant quest for artistic reinvention, and the Ralph Champagne project, which proves that staying true to yourself doesn't have to mean staying the same forever.
So join us for a wild ride into punk, pop, rock 'n' roll, and the fine art of staying weird!
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