Chip Kinman

Chip Kinman is a prolific American musician, songwriter, and genre-defying innovator in the punk, cowpunk, and experimental music scenes. Best known as a founding member of The Dils, a pioneering punk band from the late 1970s, Kinman helped shape the early punk movement with politically charged songs like “Class War” and “I Hate The Rich.” Alongside his brother Tony Kinman, Chip brought a fierce DIY ethos and raw energy to their music, earning the band a reputation as one of California’s seminal punk acts.

 

In the 1980s, the Kinman brothers reinvented themselves with Rank and File, blending punk with country influences to create “cowpunk,” a subgenre that bridged the gap between punk rock and Americana. Their groundbreaking album Sundown (1982) was critically acclaimed for its innovative sound, featuring heartfelt storytelling and lush harmonies.

 

Chip continued his sonic explorations with projects like Blackbird, an industrial-tinged band, and Ford Madox Ford, which leaned into blues-punk territory. His career has been marked by a willingness to push musical boundaries, often blurring the lines between genres while maintaining his signature rebellious edge.

 

Renowned for his influential contributions and unyielding creativity, Chip Kinman remains a vital figure in the evolution of American underground music.