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Dios Ready for War With Ronnie James Dio ... Again

When the Southern California stoner band Dios changed their name to Dios (Malos) back in 2004, it wasn't because they were looking something different. Nor did they mean any ill will towards god or to say that gods are bad, as the Spanish interpretation of that name may imply (technically "dios malos" translates into a singular "god" and a plural "bad"). In fact, they wouldn't have changed their name at all if it weren't for meddling metal man Ronnie James Dio, who had his lawyers send the band a cease and desist letter.

"I mean, if you think a band named themselves Dios because they were trying to pluralize Dio then you're a weird dude," guitarist/vocalist Joel Morales tells Spinner. "The lawyers said Dio's fans were being 'confused' by the band name, which kinda explains why they're Dio fans to begin with."

It's funny because it's kinda true. Morales says that, even after the letter, he was still opposed to changing the band name, but went with Dios (Malos) after a long, arduous process in which Dio's lawyers shot down many proposed alternatives. "I thought we should've used the silliness of the whole thing to get our name out more, maybe not even change the name at all and let him sue us," says Morales. "It would've been hilarious and would've been a good story. But there were too many [wimps] in Camp Dios at the time, so no one wanted to go to war with me."

With a new record label, Buddyhead, supporting them, Dios is back to their original one-word name, boldly announced in the title of their new album, 'We Are Dios,' which drops in late July. In the meantime, fans can pick up a digital EP called 'Cosmic Rays,' which features videos, MP3s and photos, and no references to '80s metal bands or post-Ozzy Black Sabbath. At least, as far as we can tell.

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qok

A bunch of talentless trash providing a totally unoriginal take on derivative, humdrum, boring drivel.

Can't sing, can't write, can't play instruments, can't do anything except get made fools of by the legal lackeys of the great Ronnie James Dio, may he rest in peace.

In two years, all these borderline moron fat slackers will be working full time at the Burrito Barn, their stoner music dreams forgotten.

But Ronnie James Dio will forever be belting out "Man on the Silver Mountain" on cassette players for the real longhaired jeanjackets, down under the rusty railroad trestle.

May 20 2010 at 4:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Darryl

They didn't take their name from Dio, they have better taste than that.

They wouldn't name their band after a law-suit happy, money grubbing goober of a front man that helped ruined one of the greatest rock acts ever.

LIKE A RAINBOW IN THE DARK!

March 28 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roger

"Dios" might be the spanish word for "God"...but "Dio" means "God" in Italian...so it's still a rip-off

February 16 2010 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
handsomeBwonderful

jerome,,,you are such a gayfish , your probably somewhere between 12-17 yrs old you don't have a opinion,,your mother was a hamster and your father smells of elderberries!!

November 04 2009 at 10:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
handsomeBwonderful

Angelo,dammit you got it right brother!!!

November 04 2009 at 10:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jerome

"...if you think a band named themselves Dios because they were trying to pluralize Dio then you're a weird dude". hey angelo i think this sentence is for numbnuts like you. are you retarted? the band just said that they weren't trying to name themselves after Dio. Dios is the spanish word for God. ever heard of spanish? the band were right on about the stupidity of Dio fans apparently.

July 10 2009 at 12:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff

Ronnie James Dio as a singer is great, especially due to him being a midget!! But when you sick lawyers on a new band w/similar name and they offer the new band names to use?? Its time to join your confused fans in a communal suicide and rid the world of idiots, we have enough of you in our government

July 09 2009 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Angelo

This blowhard from this loser band cries about how Dio fans are confused because these clowns ripoff the band's name, yet it's this ripoff band that is confused. If they weren't confused, they wouldn't have stolen the name (yes, I know it's pluralized, but it's still a blatant ripoff), they would have come up with something original. Something they're obviously incapable of doing. Oh well, these Johnny come latelies aren't going to sell any albums anyway. The names my be uncomfortably similar, but that's where the similarities end, you see, Ronnie James Dio and his band actually have talent, and you assbags never have and never will. And by the way, Ronnie James Dio could beat the ever-loving shit out of this sorry-ass guitarist any day. This bozo can only talk tough.

July 09 2009 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Angelo's comment
equihex

Angelo, I agree completely. Dio is a known band with known talent.

What can we expect next KISSS or U2S or Metallicas or ACDCS. You know?

August 13 2009 at 2:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply