The Dicks were an American punk rock band originally active from 1980 to 19… Read Full Bio ↴The Dicks were an American punk rock band originally active from 1980 to 1986. The band is considered influential in introducing the sound of hardcore punk, particularly in their home state of Texas, and incorporating communist lyrics and blues rock influences into their sound. Singer Gary Floyd was noted as one of a handful of openly gay musicians in the hardcore scene. In the mid-'80s, The Dicks relocated to San Francisco. The band reunited from 2004 to 2016.

The Dicks emerged during the halcyon days of Austin, Texas punk. The scene centered around the local dive bar Raul's frequented by local freaks, artists, and soon-to-be punk rockers. The band was the creation of Gary Floyd, a 26 year old from Palestine, Texas who had been a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and was openly, flamboyantly gay. Although he was advertising the Dicks before they were even an actual band, Floyd soon joined forces with three "terrorist thugs" to complete the group: guitarist Glen Taylor, bassist Buxf Parrot, and drummer Pat Deason. They started writing burly blues-drenched punk anthems and began playing raucous, shows with local heroes The Big Boys. Unlike that band's funk-infused, high-production value drag show, the Dicks opted for a cruder but still spectacular approach. Gary Floyd would assault the audience with chocolate frosting pulled from his panties, inviting any rowdy audience members to suck his dick.

The band's first single, Dicks Hate the Police, was dropped onto the world in 1980 on MDC's R Radical label. The title track to this EP is unlike anything else before or after - a total powerhouse of a song. The B-side found the band playing faster and harder than most other U.S. punk bands at the time. Like most of their Texas peers, the Dicks had a sound that didn't fit any one mold or genre. Sometimes punk, hardcore, blues, or free-form ranting, they were always playing music on the edge of insanity. Their next record is one of the ultimate documents of Texas punk - a split live LP with the Big Boys recorded at Raul's. While the Big Boys don't sound as great as their studio material, the Dicks really explode off the vinyl with a ripping live set that captures both the great songwriting and amazing energy they brought to the table.

Dicks Hate The Police

Having caught the attention of punk producer Spot, the Dicks recorded their first full length for SST. Kill from the Heart finds the Dicks' blues punk attacking conservatism and especially racism with unbridled fury. In 1982, before the album came out, Gary and the Dicks moved to San Francisco, followed by MDC and DRI who took up with them at a squatted beer plant known as the Vats. Along with their new neighbors Crucifix and Michigan's The Crucifucks, they embarked on the 1983 Rock Against Reagan tour: an exhausting 3 month extravaganza organized by the Yippies. The tour took a lot out of the band, and after its completion only Gary returned to the city by the bay. There he reformed the band with three new musicians: drummer Lynn Perko, guitarist Tim Carroll, and bassist Sebastian Fuchs.

This line-up recorded the PEACE? EP, a concept single attacking the injustices of war. While the record is powerful, especially the scorching "I Hope you Get Drafted," it also demonstrated the cleaner, more blues-rock direction that the new band was taking. 1985's These People LP, released on Alternative Tentacles, showcased a Dicks who were expanding punk sounds to play more straightforward, longer bluesy rock songs. Nonplused by the reaction from punk audiences ("play faster!"), Gary decided to end the Dicks in 1986. He and Lynn Perko started Sister Double Happiness, who recorded for SST. Gary later went solo and has a new project called Black Kali Ma on A.T. Glen Taylor, unfortunately, passed away. Alternative Tentacles has reissued a collection CD of Dicks material that is a good starting point, and bootlegs of the LP (good quality) and first 7" (bad quality) aren't too hard to come by. Go get them now.

(taken from KillFromTheHeart)

Fake Bands
Dicks Lyrics

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Aw, don't say that, they're new wave!
Called Fake Bands... ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!

Fake bands are hated too
Fake bands are stay alone
Fake bands I see you there
You're fucking pretty hand

I hate to say
I hate new wave
I hate you so
Don't want to know

Fake bands, I see you there
Your fucking pretty hair
Fake bands, I want you to know
I hate you too

I hear you say
I hate new wave
I want you to know
I hate you so

Fake bands, I hate you
Fake bands, I hate you
Fake bands, I hate you
Fake bands, I see you there
Fake bands and their pretty hair
Fake bands, I want you to know
I hate you so

I hate to say
I hate new wave
I want to you know
I hate you so... ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!

I hate to say
I hate new wave
I hate to know
What you don't know that

Fake bands, I fear you
Fake bands, I hear you
Fake bands, I hate you
Fake bands, I see you there
Fake bands, your ugly hair
Fake bands, your ugly face
I wanna smear your face

I hate to say
That you're new wave

I want you to know
I hate you so

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Fake Bands" by Dick's can be interpreted as a disdainful critique of the new wave music genre and the people associated with it. The singer expresses their dislike for fake bands, referring to them as those who pretend to be part of the new wave movement but lack authenticity or originality. The repetition of the phrase "I hate you" throughout the lyrics intensifies the feeling of animosity towards these bands.

The singer specifically points out the physical appearance of the fake bands, with mentions of their "fucking pretty hand" and "fucking pretty hair." This could be seen as a mocking reference to the fashion-conscious image often associated with new wave musicians. The lyrics also highlight the singer's desire to distance themselves from this scene and their frustration with those who proudly embrace it.

Overall, the song seems to be a rebellious expression of dissatisfaction with the perceived superficiality and conformity of the new wave music movement. The aggressive tone and repetitive lyrics convey the singer's strong emotions towards these fake bands and their associated subculture.

Line by Line Meaning

Aw, don't say that, they're new wave!
Oh, please don't criticize them, they belong to the new wave music genre!

Called Fake Bands... ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
The name of this song is called Fake Bands and it's about to begin!

Fake bands are hated too
Even fake bands are disliked and criticized

Fake bands are stay alone
Fake bands are often isolated and alone

Fake bands I see you there
I notice the presence of fake bands

You're fucking pretty hand
You have an impressively attractive appearance

I hate to say
I feel reluctant but must express

I hate new wave
I strongly dislike the new wave music genre

I hate you so
I have a great aversion towards you

Don't want to know
I prefer not to have any involvement with you

Your fucking pretty hair
Your hair is incredibly attractive