Blag Dahlia on Dwarves’ New Album, Chicago Punk, and Never Slowing Down
Transmission 385: Interview with Dwarves
The Dwarves formed in Chicago in 1983, playing their first show at the Cubby Bear Lounge with a set of obscure covers before relocating to California around 1986. Blag Dahlia has since rotated a series of collaborators through the band, Nick Oliveri, Fresh Prince of Darkness, Andy Now, Mike Pygmie, Ginger, while maintaining a continuous output that has moved between hardcore, thrash, garage, and hip-hop without settling into any of them.
Artist: The Dwarves
Release Date: 2026-06-05
Genres: Punk Rock
Label: Greedy Records
Description: Blag Dahlia talks to Retrofuturista about Jenkem, the Dwarves' new album out June 5 on Greedy Records.
Jenkem, out June 5 on the band’s own Greedy Records, follows The Dwarves Concept Album and its companion release Keep It Reel, and is a deliberate reduction: shorter songs, stripped production, with new drummer Snupac taking the seat. The record comes with animated videos produced by collaborators in Croatia and Brazil, as well as a contribution from Lloyd Nickell, the band’s touring director. Blag Dahlia also has two solo and collaborative projects pending , a lounge and country record under the Ralph Champagne name and a hip-hop collaboration with ZMan and Mickey Avalon under the name Big Dick Hustlers. The band’s 2026 touring schedule includes dates with Screeching Weasel, Eyehategod, The Exploited, and Total Chaos, and appearances at Hellfest, Obscene Extreme, and Sjock Fest.
Featured image: © Julia Lofstrand
What first pulled you toward music as something to actually do rather than just listen to?
I started out looking in the mirror and holding a comb like a microphone pretending I was singing ‘Crocodile Rock’ to the girls in my second grade class. From that point on I pretty much knew what I was going to do with my life.
What was the Chicago punk scene like when you were starting out?
Chicago always hated its own. Shows would be a headliner from somewhere, a support act from somewhere else and an opener from somewhere else. Rarely ChicagoThe bouncers would find some excuse to not let us in the door, while ushering our girlfriends through. It was kind of like an off brand New York which is why we moved to California around 1986. By the late 80’s they finally started letting some local bands play and friends of mine like Material Issue and Urge Overkill started getting record deals. They weren’t really punk though, Chicago was always more pop.
Chicago always hated its own.”
—Blag Dahlia
Who were the early influences?
For punk rock The Ramones, The Cramps, The Stooges, Dead Boys, Gang of Four. For garage Chocolate Watchband, 13th Floor Elevators, The Seeds. For rock & roll Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Wanda Jackson. For hip/hop Eazy-E, Slick Rick, NWA. For jazz The Boswell Sisters, Cab Calloway, Roland Kirk.
Straight forward no nonsense music and our usual lyrical subject matter — weird sex habits, drugs, violence, and one love song so females will like us, too.”
—Blag Dahlia
What was the first live show like, yours, not someone else’s?
Cubby Bear Lounge in Chicago 1983. We did a bnunch of obscure co=vers no one knew and then went to a party on Michiagn Avenue at a weird guy’s house who knew Iggy Pop. We played with a new wave band called The Occupants.
What was the mindset going into Blood, Guts & Pussy?
Desperate for sex and attention.
How did Jenkem come together, where did it start?
After making the sprawling genre bending masterpiece The Dwarves Cocnept Album we wound up with so much material we had another record called Keep It Reel. Tons of big production and musicianship and lots of touring. Once that was over we said,”hey, let’s just make a cool punk album again!” So we did.
Damned If I Do is the mid tempo rock hit! Maybe this time we’ll all get rich…”
—Blag Dahlia
What’s the album about, is there a thread running through it?
Straight forward no nonsense music and our usual lyrical subject matter- weird sex habits, drugs, violence, and one love song so females will like us, too.
Is there a song on the record you’re most curious to see how people respond to?
Damned If I Do is the mid tempo rock hit! Maybe this time we’ll all get rich…
Where did the animated videos come from?
Friends in Croatia (Angelo Jurkas) and Brazil (Jubileu Artes) as well as the great Lloyd Nickell our mysterious tour guru.
Was there anything you tried on this record that you hadn’t done before?
We tried to not get as crazy as we got on the last one. It’s a return to our punk roots and a chance to show off some of the new guys like Snupac on drums.
I’m Blag the Ripper, Rock Legend! I only work with the best players.”
—Blag Dahlia
What has kept the band’s identity intact through all the lineup changes?
I’m Blag the Ripper, Rock Legend! I only work with the best players like Nick Oliveri, Fresh Prince of Darkness, Andy Now, Snupac, Mike Pygmie and Ginger.
Are you already working on new material?
Always! I’ve got a solo Ralph Champagne record coming out for Xmas that’s full of lounge songs and country and a hip/hop record with ZMan and Mickey Avalon called Big Dick Hustlers coming soon.
Photos courtesy of © Dwarves
Matteo Damiani is an Italian photographer and author. Curator of the sites Retrofuturista.com; weirditaly.com; china-underground.com and others
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