In a new feature by music writer Joel Gausten, guitarist Cheetah Chrome of punk legends The Dead Boys discusses the new version of the band he’s put together and the first new Dead Boys studio album in nearly 40 years, Still Snotty: Young, Loud And Snotty At 40. Excerpts from the story appear below:
 
Currently living in Austin, Chrome is spending 2017 celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Dead Boy’s classic ’77 debut, Young, Loud And Snotty, by putting together a new version of the band (including original drummer Johnny Blitz), re-recording the album and putting out a new version called Still Snotty: Young, Loud And Snotty At 40 (released on Plowboy Records). Chrome and his comrades are also currently on a US tour that will run through mid-November.
 
The new album and tour mark the first time Chrome and Blitz (who also drummed for Rocket From The Tombs) have played together since a 2005/2006 Dead Boys reunion alongside fellow classic-era members Jimmy Zero (guitar) and Jeff Magnum (bass), which saw Chrome handling the vocal spot left by the 1990 death of Stiv Bators.
 
“Me and Johnny have been playing together since we were 15. We learned how to play together, and it’s really fun being back with him.”
 
That’s all fine and good, but a Dead Boys reconfiguration in 2017 is clearly missing one hell of an important ingredient. How in the world could anyone replace Stiv Bators? It’s been nearly 30 years since the guy passed away; who would have the balls to take over that role? Ladies and gentlemen, Chrome and Blitz have found their man.
 
Enter Jake Hout, singer for “zombie” Dead Boys tribute act The UNDead Boys and the closest approximation of Stiv Bators you’ll ever get from anyone who’s actually breathing.
 
“Jake just fucking walked in and took over,” Chrome says. “He’s the first person I’ve ever trusted to fill Stiv’s shoes.”
 
Detroit scene legend Ricky Rat, who previously shared the stage with Chrome when he was playing with Texas Terri, is on bass. Jason “Ginchy” Kottwitz, a long-serving member of Chrome’s solo band, rounds out today’s Dead Boys on second guitar.
 
“To me, it’s amazing how the dynamic’s pretty much the same (as with the original band). These guys are nuts, too! It’s really cool; I’m really enjoying it because it feels like a band.”
 
Naturally, the fact that Chrome and Blitz are this willing to redo moments from their past raises an important question: Will their second album, 1978’s Felix Pappalardi-produced We Have Come For Your Children, receive the same treatment?
 
 “I sure fucking hope so!” the guitarist replies. “If ever a record needed to be fucking redone, it’s that one. It sucked.”

The complete feature is available at this location .

Dead Boys tour dates are as follows:

September
18 – Somerville, MA – Once Ballroom
19 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
20 – Harrisburg, PA – Mid Town Arts Center
21 – Cleveland, OH – Now That’s Class
22 – Toledo, OH – Frankies Inner City
23 – Nashville, TN – Little Harpeth Brewery

October
21 – Omaha, NE – Lookout Lounge
22 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
23 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
24 – Lombard, IL – Brauer House
25 – Madison, WI – The Frequency
26 – Detroit, MI – Small’s Bar
27 – Toronto, ONT – Velvet Underground
28 – Montreal, QUE – Fairmont
29 – Ottawa, ONT – Brass Monkey
30 – Rochester, NY – Photo City Improv
31 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon

November
1 – Long Branch, NJ – Brighton Bar
2 - New Hope, PA – John & Peters
4 – Cleveland, OH – Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
7 – Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
8 – Flagstaff, AZ – Green Room
9 – Las Vegas, NY – Beauty Bar
10 – Los Angeles, CA – Viper Room
12 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
13 - Sacramento, CA - Harlows