The Dickies
Encyclopedia
The Dickies are an American punk rock
group formed in San Fernando Valley
, Los Angeles
, California
, U.S.
in 1977.
to emerge from Los Angeles. They were the first California punk band to appear on network television
, and the first California punk band to be signed to a major record label
(A&M Records).
The Dickies' style is campy
and humorous, influenced by The Ramones, for whom they sometimes opened. The Dickies are popular in the United Kingdom
, and had a Top 10 single
with "Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)" in 1979. Many of their lyrics
concern Southern California
culture, rife with references and in-jokes; examples include songs like "Waterslide", "I'm A Cholo
", "Manny, Moe, and Jack
", and "(I'm Stuck in a Pagoda with) Tricia Toyota
". They are also known for recording
several fast-paced punk covers
of classic rock
songs, including the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin
", Black Sabbath's "Paranoid
", Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", and the Isley Brothers' "Nobody but Me". They have also covered "Pretty Ballerina
," a song by The Left Banke, as well as "Hair"
.
Drug problems slowed the Dickies down considerably in the 1980s, but they have continued playing and recording sporadically to the present day. Guitarist
/keyboardist
/saxophonist Chuck Wagon
(born Bob Davis) committed suicide
after a break-up with his girlfriend in June 1981. Jonathan Melvoin
, who played drums on The Dickies album, Idjit Savant, died of a heroin overdose on July 12, 1996 in New York
, aged 34, while on tour playing keyboards
for the Smashing Pumpkins.
Original drummer Karlos Kabellero died on September 22, 2009 from heart related problems. One-time guitarist Enoch Hain (born Robert Lansing, Jr.) died on July 25, 2009 from complications arising from pneumonia.
In 1988, the Dickies wrote and performed the theme music
for the horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space
which was the debut of drummer Cliff Martinez
who had recently played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
, The Weirdos
, and Captain Beefheart
. Cliff would play with them from 1988 to 1994 on albums such as Second Coming
, Locked N' Loaded Live in London, and idjit Savant
.
In 1990, the Dickies wrote the theme song for Lucas Reiner's (son of actor/director Rob Reiner) comedy film Spirit of 76.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
group formed in San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1977.
History
The Dickies were among the first punk rock bandsMusical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
to emerge from Los Angeles. They were the first California punk band to appear on network television
Big Three Television Networks
The Big Three Television Networks are the three traditional commercial broadcast television networks in the United States: ABC, CBS and NBC...
, and the first California punk band to be signed to a major record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
(A&M Records).
The Dickies' style is campy
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
and humorous, influenced by The Ramones, for whom they sometimes opened. The Dickies are popular in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and had a Top 10 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
with "Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)" in 1979. Many of their lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
concern Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
culture, rife with references and in-jokes; examples include songs like "Waterslide", "I'm A Cholo
Cholo
Cholo is an ethnic slur created by Hispanic criollos in the 16th century, and it has been applied to individuals of mixed or pure American Indian ancestry, or other racially mixed origin. The precise usage of "cholo" has varied widely in different times and places...
", "Manny, Moe, and Jack
Pep Boys
The Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack , branded as Pep Boys Auto and commonly abbreviated as Pep Boys, is a full-service and tire automotive aftermarket chain....
", and "(I'm Stuck in a Pagoda with) Tricia Toyota
Tritia Toyota
Tritia Toyota is a former Los Angeles television news anchor and a current adjunct assistant professor in anthropology, Asian-American studies and the media at the University of California at Los Angeles.- Early life and education :...
". They are also known for recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
several fast-paced punk covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
songs, including the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin
Nights in White Satin
"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
", Black Sabbath's "Paranoid
Paranoid (song)
"Paranoid" is a song by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, featured on their second album Paranoid . It is the first single from the album, while the B-side is the song "The Wizard". It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100...
", Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", and the Isley Brothers' "Nobody but Me". They have also covered "Pretty Ballerina
Pretty Ballerina
"Pretty Ballerina" is a song written by pianist Michael Brown and was a number 15 hit for his band The Left Banke on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The original Left Banke version of the song, released December 1966, was sung by Steve Martin Caro...
," a song by The Left Banke, as well as "Hair"
Hair (song)
"Hair" is the title song to the 1968 musical Hair, as well as the 1979 film version of the musical.The song was a major hit single for The Cowsills in 1969 and their most successful single. Their version spent two weeks at #1 on the Cash Box Top 100 and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100...
.
Drug problems slowed the Dickies down considerably in the 1980s, but they have continued playing and recording sporadically to the present day. Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
/keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
/saxophonist Chuck Wagon
Chuck Wagon (musician)
Robert "Bob" Davis , known by his stage name Chuck Wagon, was an American musician and original member of Los Angeles punk rock band The Dickies, with whom he released two albums...
(born Bob Davis) committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
after a break-up with his girlfriend in June 1981. Jonathan Melvoin
Jonathan Melvoin
Jonathan Melvoin was an American musician active in the 1980s and 1990s.He was the brother of Susannah and Wendy Melvoin of Prince and the Revolution. He first learned to play drums, and was cited by friends and relatives as one of those people who could play anything...
, who played drums on The Dickies album, Idjit Savant, died of a heroin overdose on July 12, 1996 in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, aged 34, while on tour playing keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
for the Smashing Pumpkins.
Original drummer Karlos Kabellero died on September 22, 2009 from heart related problems. One-time guitarist Enoch Hain (born Robert Lansing, Jr.) died on July 25, 2009 from complications arising from pneumonia.
In 1988, the Dickies wrote and performed the theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
for the horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a 1988 American comedy horror movie, made by The Chiodo Brothers and starring Grant Cramer. It is the only Chiodo Brothers' directed and written film – they have worked in many other projects in other roles, such as producing and visual effects...
which was the debut of drummer Cliff Martinez
Cliff Martinez
Cliff Martinez is an American film score composer and former drummer.-Biography:Cliff Martinez was born in the Bronx, New York. Raised in Columbus, Ohio, his first job composing was for the popular television show Pee Wee's Playhouse...
who had recently played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, The Weirdos
The Weirdos
The Weirdos were an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. They formed in 1976 and broke up in 1981, were occasionally active in the 1980s, and recorded new material in the 1990s...
, and Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
. Cliff would play with them from 1988 to 1994 on albums such as Second Coming
Second Coming (Dickies album)
Second Coming is the 1989 comeback album by Los Angeles punk band The Dickies, and the band's fourth studio album.By 1989, the Dickies' brand of tongue-in-cheek, poppy punk was largely out of fashion, but the later success of bands like Green Day and the Queers make it clear what an influence these...
, Locked N' Loaded Live in London, and idjit Savant
Idjit Savant
- Credits :The Dickies* Leonard Graves Phillips – vocals, keyboards* Stan Lee – guitar* Glen Laughlin - guitar, backing vocals, mandolin* Marc Vachon – bass* Jonathan Melvoin – drums, percussionAdditional Musicians:...
.
In 1990, the Dickies wrote the theme song for Lucas Reiner's (son of actor/director Rob Reiner) comedy film Spirit of 76.
Singles
- "ParanoidParanoid (song)"Paranoid" is a song by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, featured on their second album Paranoid . It is the first single from the album, while the B-side is the song "The Wizard". It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" (1978) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#45 - "Eve of Destruction" (1978)
- "Give It Back" (1978)
- "Silent NightSilent Night"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
" (1978) - UK #47 - "Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)" (1979) - UK #7
- "Nights in White SatinNights in White Satin"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
" (1979) - UK #39 - "Manny, Moe And Jack" (1979)
- "Fan Mail" (1980) - UK #57
- "Gigantor" (1980) - UK #72
- "Killer Klowns" (1986)
- "Dummy Up" (1989)
- "Just Say Yes" (1990)
- "Roadkill" (1990)
- "Make It SoMake It SoMake It So is a single released on 7" by punk rock band The Dickies. The cover is a photo of the popular science fiction TV show Star Trek with the Dickies blended in among the cast....
" (1994) - "Pretty BallerinaPretty Ballerina"Pretty Ballerina" is a song written by pianist Michael Brown and was a number 15 hit for his band The Left Banke on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The original Left Banke version of the song, released December 1966, was sung by Steve Martin Caro...
" (1995) - "My Pop the Cop" (1998)
- "Free Willy" (2001)
Albums
- The Incredible Shrinking DickiesThe Incredible Shrinking DickiesThe Incredible Shrinking Dickies was the 1979 first album by the California punk band The Dickies. The album included the group's notable cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid", which reached No. 45 in the UK charts in July 1979...
(1979) - Dawn of the DickiesDawn of the DickiesDawn of the Dickies was The Dickies' second album, released in 1979. It included the UK hits "Nights in White Satin" which reached No. 39 in the UK chart in September 1979 and "Fan Mail" which made No...
(1979) - Stukas Over DisneylandStukas Over DisneylandStukas Over Disneyland is an album by American punk band The Dickies, originally released in 1983. It includes a cover of The Quick's "Pretty Please Me" and Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown"....
(1983) - We Aren't the World (1986)
- Killer Klowns From Outer SpaceKiller Klowns From Outer Space (album)Killer Klowns From Outer Space is an EP released by The Dickies in 1988.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jerry Angel - Drums*Lori Buhne - Bass Guitar, Vocal*Enoch Hain - Guitars, Vocals*Stan Lee - Guitars...
(1988) - Great Dictations (1989) - (compilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
) - Second ComingSecond Coming (Dickies album)Second Coming is the 1989 comeback album by Los Angeles punk band The Dickies, and the band's fourth studio album.By 1989, the Dickies' brand of tongue-in-cheek, poppy punk was largely out of fashion, but the later success of bands like Green Day and the Queers make it clear what an influence these...
(1989) - Locked 'N' Loaded Live In London (1991) - (live albumLive albumA live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
) - Idjit SavantIdjit Savant- Credits :The Dickies* Leonard Graves Phillips – vocals, keyboards* Stan Lee – guitar* Glen Laughlin - guitar, backing vocals, mandolin* Marc Vachon – bass* Jonathan Melvoin – drums, percussionAdditional Musicians:...
(1995) - Dogs from the Hare that Bit Us (1998)
- Still Got Live Even If You Don't Want It (1999)
- All This and Puppet StewAll This and Puppet StewAll This and Puppet Stew is the sixth studio album by Los Angeles punk rock band The Dickies. It was released in May 2001 on Fat Wreck Chords.- Track listing :* All songs written by Stan Lee and L G Phillips, unless otherwise stated...
(2001) - Punk Singles Collection (2002)
- Live In London (2002) - (live albumLive albumA live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
) - Dickies Go Bananas! (2008) - (live album of a July 16, 2002 show at the Wedgewood RoomsThe Wedgewood RoomsThe Wedgewood Rooms is a venue, in Southsea , Hampshire, UK, that hosts music and comedy events.It has a capacity of 450-500 people, and is located on Albert Road in Southsea. Recently it has hosted events from up-and-coming British pop and rock artists, such as You Me At Six, Kasabian, Mercury...
in PortsmouthPortsmouthPortsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
)
Videos/DVDs
- Dickies Over Stukaland (1991) - Compilation of various Dickies' performances in Europe in 1990.
- The Best of Flipside#6 (1997) - Material originally recorded in 1985 in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. - Rocked 'N' Roaded (2000) - Compilation of various Dickies' performances in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 2000. - Peepshow (2002)
- World Shut Your MouthWorld Shut Your MouthWorld Shut Your Mouth may be:*World Shut Your Mouth , an album by Julian Cope*"World Shut Your Mouth", a 1987 single by Julian Cope...
(2003) - An Evening with the Dickies (2004) - Dickies' show at Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, July 16, 2002.
See also
- List of punk bands, 0–K
- List of bands from Los Angeles
- Music of CaliforniaMusic of CaliforniaIn the United States, California is commonly associated with the film, music, and arts industries; there are numerous world-famous Californian musicians. Hardcore punk, hip hop, country and heavy metal have all appeared in California...
- Timeline of punk rockTimeline of punk rockThis is a timeline of punk rock, from its beginnings in the early 1960s to the present time.-1965:*Bands formed**The Velvet Underground*Albums** The Sonics - Here Are the Sonics-1967:* Bands formed** The Stooges** The Deviants*Albums...
- Punk rock in California
- List of former A&M Records artists