On Friday 4 May 2018, Tony Kinman, bassist and co-founder of THE DILS and RANK AND FILE, passed away due to a particularly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. He was aged 62.
Born in 1956, he grew up with his family - which included brother Chip - in Carlsbad, San Diego, where the brothers formed a few bands, including THE NEGROES and THE DUDS. Come 1976, the brothers formed THE DILS, an overtly political Punk band, playing many of the city’s first Punk shows, often alongside THE ZEROS.
They decamped briefly to the more vibrant, and Punk-friendly city of San Francisco, before moving again, this time to Los Angeles. September 1977 saw the band release its first single, ‘I Hate The Rich’/ ‘You’re Not Blank’ on What? Records which was followed just two months later by the classic ‘Class War’/ ‘Mr. Big’ single on the infamous Dangerhouse Records. The band also landed a part in the film, Cheech And Chong’s Up In Smoke performing ‘You’re Not Blank’ in the Battle Of The Bands scene.
The Kinman brothers then moved back to San Francisco only to record their final EP, ‘Made In Canada’ in Vancouver, Canada. Although the band secured a supporting slot with THE CLASH and were in discussion with John Cale (of the VELVET UNDERGROUND) about a collaboration, the band split in 1979, before the ‘Made In Canada’ EP had even been release. Tony then had a brief spell with San Fran band, THE AVENGERS.
Following the break-up of THE DILS, the brothers relocated again, this time to Austin, Texas and continued to work together in RANK AND FILE - a Roots Rock/ Cowpunk band. They landed music in the film, To Live And Die In L.A while their 1982 album, ‘Sundown’, earned them the title of Country Band Of The Year from The Austin Chronicle. The band split in 1987 after the hard-rock driven self-titled third album.
Following RANK AND FILE, there were various music collaborations including a Techno-Metal deal in BLACKBIRD and Country and Western influenced (with emphasis on the Western) COWBOY NATION.
More recently, Tony worked behind the scenes on the new FORD MADOX FORD album, ‘This American Blues’, which also features Chip's son, guitarist Dewey Peek and was released in February.
In March, Tony was diagnosed with cancer and began what was expected to be a six-month program of chemotherapy, according Chip's wife, Lisa Kinman. However, the cancer turned out to be extremely aggressive.
On Thursday 3 May, Chip Kinman's Facebook page alerted fans of his brother's condition: "Tony is home with his family. He is no longer receiving treatment and is comfortable and at peace. I have read him everything that people are posting and he is very moved. I will let everyone know when it is done. I love you all. Thank you, Chip."
The following day, Tony Kinman passed away. Besides his brother Chip, he is survived by his wife, Kristie.
Born in 1956, he grew up with his family - which included brother Chip - in Carlsbad, San Diego, where the brothers formed a few bands, including THE NEGROES and THE DUDS. Come 1976, the brothers formed THE DILS, an overtly political Punk band, playing many of the city’s first Punk shows, often alongside THE ZEROS.
They decamped briefly to the more vibrant, and Punk-friendly city of San Francisco, before moving again, this time to Los Angeles. September 1977 saw the band release its first single, ‘I Hate The Rich’/ ‘You’re Not Blank’ on What? Records which was followed just two months later by the classic ‘Class War’/ ‘Mr. Big’ single on the infamous Dangerhouse Records. The band also landed a part in the film, Cheech And Chong’s Up In Smoke performing ‘You’re Not Blank’ in the Battle Of The Bands scene.
The Kinman brothers then moved back to San Francisco only to record their final EP, ‘Made In Canada’ in Vancouver, Canada. Although the band secured a supporting slot with THE CLASH and were in discussion with John Cale (of the VELVET UNDERGROUND) about a collaboration, the band split in 1979, before the ‘Made In Canada’ EP had even been release. Tony then had a brief spell with San Fran band, THE AVENGERS.
Following the break-up of THE DILS, the brothers relocated again, this time to Austin, Texas and continued to work together in RANK AND FILE - a Roots Rock/ Cowpunk band. They landed music in the film, To Live And Die In L.A while their 1982 album, ‘Sundown’, earned them the title of Country Band Of The Year from The Austin Chronicle. The band split in 1987 after the hard-rock driven self-titled third album.
Following RANK AND FILE, there were various music collaborations including a Techno-Metal deal in BLACKBIRD and Country and Western influenced (with emphasis on the Western) COWBOY NATION.
More recently, Tony worked behind the scenes on the new FORD MADOX FORD album, ‘This American Blues’, which also features Chip's son, guitarist Dewey Peek and was released in February.
In March, Tony was diagnosed with cancer and began what was expected to be a six-month program of chemotherapy, according Chip's wife, Lisa Kinman. However, the cancer turned out to be extremely aggressive.
On Thursday 3 May, Chip Kinman's Facebook page alerted fans of his brother's condition: "Tony is home with his family. He is no longer receiving treatment and is comfortable and at peace. I have read him everything that people are posting and he is very moved. I will let everyone know when it is done. I love you all. Thank you, Chip."
The following day, Tony Kinman passed away. Besides his brother Chip, he is survived by his wife, Kristie.
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