The Dickies

Infobox Musical artist
Name = The Dickies


Img_capt =
Label = A&M Records
PVC Records
Fat Wreck Chords

Background = group_or_band
Origin = San Fernando Valley, California, U.S.
Genre =
Punk rock [ [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-259802 The-Offspring] on Yahoo Music.] [ [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll The Dickies] on allmusic]

Years_active = 1977 - present
URL = [http://www.thedickies.com thedickies.com]
Current_members = Leonard Graves Phillips
Stan Lee
Greg Hanna
Dylan Thomas
Travis Johnson

The Dickies are a punk rock group formed in Los Angeles, California in 1977.

History

The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands 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.

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 Human Beinz' "Nobody But Me".

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; the group has not used keyboards live since. Jonathan Melvoin, who played drums on The Dickies album Idjit Savant, died of a heroin overdose July 12 1996 in New York City, aged 34, whilst on tour playing keyboards for the Smashing Pumpkins.

In 1988, the Dickies wrote and performed the theme music for the cult-favorite horror film "Killer Klowns from Outer Space".

Many bands have covered tunes by the Dickies in tribute including The Ghosthookers and Rich White Males, who Leonard Graves Phillips has said on record "are the best punk band around today".

ingles

* "Silent Night" (1978) - UK #47
* "Eve of Destruction" (1978)
* "Give It Back" (1978)
* "Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)" (1979) - UK #7
* "Paranoid" (1979) - UK #45
* "Nights in White Satin" (1979) - UK #39
* "Manny, Moe And Jack" (1979)
* "Fan Mail" (1980) - UK #57
* "Gigantor" (1980) - UK #72
* "Killer Klowns" (1986)
* "Just Say Yes" (1994)
* "Roadkill" (1994)
* "Make It So" (1996)
* "My Pop the Cop" (1998)
* "Free Willy" (2001)

Albums

* "The Incredible Shrinking Dickies" (1979)
* "Dawn of the Dickies" (1979)
* "Stukas Over Disneyland" (1983)
* "Killer Klowns From Outer Space" (1988)
* "Great Dictations" (1989) - Compilation
* "Second Coming" (1989)
* "Locked 'N' Loaded Live In London" (1991) - Live album
* "Idjit Savant" (1994)
* "All This and Puppet Stew" (2001)

References

* Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 7th Edition - 1988

Audio samples

References

External links

* [http://www.thedickies.com/ The Dickies web site]
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