Richard “Handsome Dick” Manitoba, also known as “The Handsomest Man In Rock & Roll”, and the “World’s Greatest Entertainer” (at least since Sammy Davis Jr. left us) was born Richard Blum in The Bronx, New York, January 29, 1954. Richard is a musician, most well known for being the lead singer (for most of 45 years) with the New York City legendary punk band, THE DICTATORS.

MR. MANITOBA also spent 14 years (starting around 2004) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, hosting “The Handsome Dick Radio Program“, a national show, 5 nights a week in Little Steven’s Underground Garage.

And that ain’t all folks!. Handsome Dick has owned the coolest rock ‘n’ roll tavern in the Western Hemisphere for just about 20 years now. Oddly enough, it’s called Manitoba’s Bar and it’s located at 99 Avenue B between 6 and 7 Streets in New York City’s, East Village, on…the lush beautiful island of Manhattan.

HDM occasionally sang lead with the MC5 (at the time called DKT/MC5) which included Michael Davis, “Brother” Wayne Kramer and Dennis “Machinegun” Thompson, founding members of Detroit’s legendary MIGHTY pre-punk rock and roll band, The MC5.

MR. MANITOBA was a guest on his pal, Jimmy’s television program, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon“. HDM was a major character on an ill-fated, half hour reality show called Barmageddon. He proudly sat with the late great chef, Anthony Bourdain chowing down on White Castles at MR. MANITOBA’S childhood Bronx White Castle.

HDM recently traveled to Nashville, TN to work on an album with the legendary Jon Tiven, recording 18 songs in 4 1/2 days with some of Nashville’s finest musicians.

“We feel confident the album will be released in 2019…. it’s called “Born In The Bronx”.

MR. MANITOBA has a new podcast:  “You Don’t Know Dick!” with Handsome Dick Manitoba. It’s available on itunes, Google Play & Stitcher.

“A podcast can reach an infinite amount of people…. because you don’t have to buy anything! All you have to do is turn on your cell phone AND SUBSCRIBE!!! AND PLEASE GIVE US A 5 STAR RATING AND GIVE US A NICE LINE OR TWO IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

When was the last person you met that didn’t have a cell phone?…or an iPad…or a computer?…the world over… It’s all you got to do, turn it on, subscribe to it for FREE. Not only that, I’m not part of somebody’s idea, passion & dream.

I’m not filling in the holes/spaces of what somebody else has invented. I am creating the whole thing that I do. I will live and die with myself, it’s all up to me! I don’t have to push anything I don’t want to push. I don’t have to shill for a record label, for example.

I am no longer an actor in somebody else’s movie I am the director of my own movie”

Who Be The Strains? 

Paul Grace Smith - Guitar and Lead Vocals
Jamy Holliday - Guitar and Vocals
Gretta Smak - Guitar and Vocals
Kellen Mutter - Bass and Vocals  
Illi Vassiliadis - Drums 
Lionn Van Der Horst - Drums 
Dan Durecki - Drums 
(Not all 3 at once) 

Why are they so LOUD?

The Strains are 100% street. They cut their teeth on the nitty gritty spanning many decades. Individually from the gutters of Detroit in the mid 70s , to the Bowery in New York in the late 70s , the frigid climes of Minneapolis in the 80s , and the dive bars of Europe in the post Cold War era in the 90s and 2000s, only to meet up in Detroit in the NOW. These guys do not mince words or notes. They have been there through every fashion change and shift in taste, yet remain true to what has been fundamental throughout the decades. The rock and roll spirit. This live album captures them at their most real. Songs about truth. Songs about hurt. Songs about hope. 

Chicago 3 piece playing high energy fuzzed out rock with inspirational nods to genre legends of punk, garage, and 70’s stoner guitar riff apocalypse. There’s catchy hooks, sweat, and a fast action feast for all your attention deficit eyes & ears.

Double album being released in early 2023, featuring the debut recording from Electrical Audio in 2018, and a live side spanning the 6 year history of the band. More info @ Another Riff Raff Label

Chris Polish - Bass

Johnny Wator - Guitar/ Vocals

Richo Marquina - Drums