THE DILS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The short-lived Dils was the brain child of Californian brothers Chip and Tony Kinman, who across their brief four-year tenure from 1976 to 1980, managed to craft a small but integral bevvy of minimal, proto-no wave punk that flew in the face of the more snot-nosed breakneck pace of the scene at large. They also exuded slightly more melodic tendencies, earning them the nickname "punk rock Everly Brothers", but make no mistake 'Dils Dils Dils' still offers enough abrasion to peel plaster. The one true LP from the group is made up of their slew of early singles including the essential anthem 'You're Not Blank', while the B-side is rounded out with various live cuts from their momentous peak years. Ending their original run at the dawn of the 80s with support slots for both The Clash, and finally Black Flag; The Dils were the real deal (dil?) and their brief but essential discography is awaiting reappraisal and rediscovery.