Blag of the Dwarves Rebellion Spotlight Interview On The Spot at Moosewood Meltdown
Blag with friends at Mosswood Meltdown-All Photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Blag Dahlia, also known as Earl Lee Grace or Ralph Champagne, is more than just the frontman of the notorious punk legends, the Dwarves. He’s a versatile artist who's written three novels, acted, narrated in films and TV shows, and contributed to soundtracks. Recently he released a country album, showing off another side of his musical talent. He gave an incredible performance with the Dwarves at this year’s Rebellion Festival, where he was also voted the sixth favorite trading card. And let’s not forget the time Ginger Elvis assaulted him—just another chapter in the unpredictable story of Blag Dahlia.
Image from Blag's In Spite MagazineTrading Card: -All Photos -©dickslaughter.com
The always-accommodating Mr. Dahlia was kind enough to give me a quick interview when we ran into each other at Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland, CA. We talked about the Rebellion Festival, his love of cocaine, and how he hoped to teach the Brits how to play punk rock this year. I don’t know if that happened, but the Dwarves did deliver a great set. Since I didn’t manage to get the interview out on time for a preview, I thought it would be fun to include it in the review.
Blag at this years Rebellion Festivals: -All Photos -©dickslaughter.com
Dick: Have you played Rebellion before?
Blag: Oh fuck yeah!
Dick: How many times?
Blag: We’ve been playing Rebellion so long that I don’t even remember how many times—at least five or six. It’s always a trip, and I love it there. It’s for people who love punk rock. It’s a great festival.
Dick: Are you playing with just the Dwarves at Rebellion this year?
Blag: What more do you need? Fuck everything else that isn’t the Dwarves.
Dick: I like other stuff too. I thought maybe we’d be in for some Ron Champagne or something.
Blag: Not this year, but there are plenty of great bands playing Rebellion. But you should make sure to come see the Dwarves, take your top off, and enjoy the show.
Blag at this years Rebellion Festivals: -All Photos -©dickslaughter.com
Dick: Are you playing other shows in the UK?
Blag: Yeah, we’re doing London the day before and some other shows, but Rebellion is always the high point for me because I love to teach English people how to play punk rock.
Dick: Will He Who Cannot Be Named be at Rebellion?
Blag: You never know when he’s going to show up. He’s been known to hit Rebellion.
Dick: I’m surprised he can get a passport.
Blag: That’s the thing—you never know which He Who Cannot Be Named you’re going to get. He’s both schizophrenic and multi-dimensional.
Dick: Like the Unknown security guard.
Blag: Exactly.
Blag at this years Rebellion Festivals: -All Photos -©dickslaughter.com
Dick: I’m surprised you can get a passport with your criminal record.
Blag: It’s all about the money, and I got it. You just have to pay.
Dick: Oh, so you paid off the Brits?
Blag: Yes, indeed. You gotta pay them off.
Dick: I live most of the time in Baltimore now...
Blag (interrupts): You have my condolences.
Dick: What? Are you afraid to come to Baltimore? When was the last time you played there?
Blag: Just kidding, we love Baltimore. We just played Hell in the Harbor Fest, a big heavy metal thing with Napalm Death. I was just there. It was amazing. I love Baltimore—there’s always lots of cocaine there, and I love that.
Dick: Well, that’s true.
Blag with friends at Mosswood Meltdown-photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Blag: And Reptilian Records is there. We’ve got a big connection to Baltimore, but it’s a fucking mess, you know that.
Dick: Well, I also live in California, and you know what we say: "Oh, don’t come here because there are earthquakes."
Blag: Yeah?
Dick: Well, we do the same thing in Baltimore, except we say don’t come because you might get shot.
Blag: (Laughs)
Dick: But, you know, you still might get shot. Who are you looking forward to seeing at Rebellion?
Blag: Who’s on the bill?
Dick: I thought you just told me there were tons of great bands on the bill. Now you only know the Dwarves are playing?
Blag: I was just talking that promotional bullshit. You know how it is.
Dick: The Stranglers are playing, of course. Our friend Dick Lucas with the SUBHUMANS. Steve Ignorant is doing the CRASS thing. Oh, and you’ll love the Knuckleheadz.
Blag: (pulls up Rebellion on his phone) Oh wow, Sham 69, the UK Subs, Lydia Lunch... (we rattle off bands to each other for a full minute). Who isn’t going to be there?
Dick: Yeah, it’s like that every year. Have you tried Buckfast?
Blag: No, what’s that?
Buckfast: Made by Monks, Drunk by Punks-photos by ©dickslaughter.com
Dick: It’s caffeinated wine. It’s like the official drink just outside the Rebellion Festival, among the punks on the street.
Blag: Oh, caffeinated wine. That sounds good.
Dick: No, it really isn’t. It might get better as you drink more, but it tastes like what brake fluid smells like. But try it out and tell me what you think.
Blag: I prefer cocaine.
Dick: Oh no, I think cocaine’s out of vogue in England now.
Blag: Well, that’s their fault. They need to add more fentanyl to give it that extra kick.
Blag at this years Rebellion Festivals: -All Photos -©dickslaughter.com
Dick: So you want fentanyl in your cocaine?:
Blag: Oh, absolutely. You have to ask for extra fentanyl.
Dick: What’s in your pockets?
Blag: My pockets? (goes through his pockets.) A vape. Cash (well, over a hundred dollars). A key. A phone. That’s it.
Dick: No drugs? Boring, man.
Blag: Sorry, man, I gotta go take a piss.
Dick: Well, I guess that’s the end, go pee. Thank you for your time.
Blag: Anytime Dick.
It was obvious to me that Mr. Daliah kept his takeover in his prison wallet and needed to get someplace private to retrieve it. so we bid ado. The Dwarves tore the stage apart at Rebellion with a wild and chaotic set. Whether He Who Cannot Be Named showed up or not remains a mystery, but the band delivered exactly what the crowd craved. They blasted through a lineup of hits, including but not limited to "Fuck You Up and Get High," "Terrorist of Love," and the crowd-pleaser, "We Must Have Blood." It was classic Dwarves—loud, fast, and unforgettable.
Get your tickets for the 2025 Rebellion Festivals now, RebellionFestivals.com 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th, of august 2025. BLACKPOOL UK
Dwarves Tour Dates
08/24/2024: Los Angeles, CA - Dwarves with Leftover Crack and Angry Samoans at 1st Street Pool Hall
08/25/2024: San Diego, CA - Dwarves with Leftover Crack at Observatory
09/11/2024: Charleston, SC - Dwarves at Tin Roof
09/12/2024: Wilmington, NC - Dwarves at Reggie's
09/13/2024: Atlanta, GA - Dwarves at Star Bar
Don’t Miss Blag and the Dwarves 09/14/2024: IN Orlando, FL - at Punk in the Park with Alkaline Trio, Black Flag, and Dead Kennedys
Get a trading card from our Punk In the Park from Detroit Paul Holstein and check out his preview.
The Dwarves last US SHOW 09/15/2024: Ormond Beach, FL - at Destination Daytona with TSOL
Until they come home from DOWNUNDER.
10/30/2024: Brisbane, Australia - Dwarves at Tivoli with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/01/2024: Gold Coast, Australia - Dwarves at Miami Marketta with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/02/2024: Newcastle, Australia - Dwarves at Bar on the Hill with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/03/2024: Canberra, Australia - Dwarves at The Baso with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/06/2024: Sydney, Australia - Dwarves at Enmore with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/08/2024: Torquay, Australia - Dwarves at Torquay Hotel with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/09/2024: Melbourne, Australia - Dwarves at Forum with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/10/2024: Adelaide, Australia - Dwarves at The Gov with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
11/13/2024: Perth, Australia - Dwarves at Astor Theatre with Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN 2025 EARLY BIRD PASSES ON SALE NOW!!! mosswoodmeltdown.com
Check out the Dwarves' latest chart-topper featuring He Who Cannot Be Named's granddaughter, Madd Lucas.
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