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Dicks (band)

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The Dicks also refers to the former WWE tag team of Chad and James Dick. For other uses, see Dick
Dicks
Dicks performing in Austin, Texas in 2005; pictured left to right: Buxf Parrott and Gary Floyd
Dicks performing in Austin, Texas in 2005; pictured left to right: Buxf Parrott and Gary Floyd
Background information
OriginAustin, Texas, United States
GenresPunk rock
Hardcore punk[1]
Punk blues[2][3]
Years active1980–1986, 2004–present
LabelsR Radical, SST, Alternative Tentacles
MembersGary Floyd
Buxf Parrott
Pat Deason
Davy Jones
Mark Kenyon
Past membersGlen Taylor
Tim Carroll
Lynn Perko
Sebastian Fuchs
Debbie Gordon
Brian Magee

Dicks are an American punk rock band from Austin, Texas, originally formed in 1980. They initially disbanded in 1986 before reforming in 2004. Dicks are considered influential in introducing the sound of hardcore punk and incorporating blues rock influences into their sound.

The band went through two distinct incarnations in the early 1980s, changing its lineup when singer Gary Floyd moved from Austin to San Francisco in 1983. A version of its original lineup was revived when the band reunited in 2004. As a political band with socialist lyrics during the Reagan era, they did not shy from controversy. Floyd was one of a handful of openly gay musicians in the 1980s punk scene.[4]

Early history

Dicks were formed in Austin in 1980 by Gary Floyd, Buxf Parrott, Pat Deason and Glen Taylor. Their first single "Dicks Hate The Police", released in 1980, brought them much attention and is now regarded as a classic hardcore punk record.[5] In the song Gary Floyd sings from the perspective of a policeman who abuses his power by going after minorities and taking his anger out on civilians.

Dicks often played shows with fellow pioneering Texas hardcore bands MDC, The Offenders and The Big Boys; Dicks' full-length debut was a split album with The Big Boys entitled Live at Raul's Club. Dicks were unique for their era in that some of their songs, such as "Saturday Night at the Bookstore" and "Off Duty Sailor", addressed issues of homophobia and sexual identity.[5]

In 1983, Floyd left Texas for San Francisco and, with new members Tim Carroll, Sebastian Fuchs, and Lynn Perko (formerly of all-women band The Wrecks), a second version of Dicks began recording and playing.[5] The LP Kill From The Heart was released in 1983 on SST Records and These People followed in 1985 on Alternative Tentacles. The group disbanded in 1986, although occasional one-off reunion shows featuring the Austin lineup occurred through the '80s and '90s.[citation needed]

Influence on other artists

San Antonio's Butthole Surfers ended their 1984 album Psychic... Powerless... Another Man's Sac with the cowpunk anthem "Gary Floyd" in tribute to the Dicks' bandleader.

Dicks saw a resurgence in popularity[citation needed] at the onset of the grunge craze when Sub Pop Records released a cover of Dicks' "Hate The Police" by Seattle band Mudhoney. Soon after, Chicago noise rockers The Jesus Lizard (three fourths of whom were also from Austin, Texas) released their cover version of Dicks' "Wheelchair Epidemic".

On their 2004 song "Ode", queercore band Limp Wrist paid homage to Gary Floyd, Randy Turner (aka "Biscuit") from The Big Boys, and many others, as people who confronted homophobia in the 1980s punk scene by being openly gay.

Post-Dicks projects and reunion

Gary Floyd later started Sister Double Happiness in San Francisco in 1986.[6] After that band ended he formed and primarily played in Europe with The Gary Floyd Band; an overview of this material, "Backdoor Preacher Man", is available in the United States. Toward the late 1990s, Floyd played in Black Kali Ma, who released an album on Alternative Tentacles. Floyd is now in a band called the Buddha Brothers. Buxf Parrott and Pat Deason, of the original Dicks, play in the Austin, TX neo-bluegrass band Shootin' Pains. Perko went on to join Imperial Teen.[7] Parrott and Deason played in Trouser Trout and Parrott and Taylor also played in Pretty Mouth.[7]

Since 2004, Dicks have played a series of reunion concerts in Austin and elsewhere. The lineup for the shows consists of the original Dicks, with the exception of Glen Taylor, who died in 1997.[5] His role has been filled by three other Austin guitarists: Mark Kenyon, Brian McGee, and Davy Jones. At the 2009 Austin Music Awards show, Jesus Lizard singer David Yow joined the band onstage for "Wheelchair Epidemic".[7] At the same show, Dicks were inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame.[8]

A documentary film, The Dicks From Texas was released in 2015 about the Dicks and Austin, Texas punk scene along with a tribute album The Dicks From Texas and Friends with 27 bands covering 28 Dicks classic songs.

Members

Discography

Albums

10"

  • Ten Inches 10" (2006), Delta Pop Music

Lives

Singles, EPs

  • "Hate The Police" 7" (1980), R Radical Records
  • Peace? 7" EP (1984), R Radical Records: "No Fuckin' War"/"I Hope You Get Drafted"/"Nobody Asked Me"
  • Live At Raul's 2x7" (1992), Selfless Records - split with The Big Boys
  • Hog 7" (2006), Delta Pop Music

Compilations

  • 1980-1986 CD (1997), Alternative Tentacles (compilation of out of print material)

Compilation appearances

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dicks-mn0000787696
  2. ^ http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/dicks
  3. ^ http://www.alternativetentacles.com/bandinfo.php?band=dicks
  4. ^ Shapiro, Gregg (2003-06-18), "Gay Dinosaurs and Others", Windy City Times, retrieved 2008-08-12
  5. ^ a b c d True, Christopher "Dicks Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  6. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 504-505
  7. ^ a b c Beets, Greg "The Dicks", Austin Chronicle
  8. ^ "Austin Music Awards 2009-2009 Hall of Fame", Austin Chronicle
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