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)
Rich Daddy
Dicks Lyrics
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Well, then you're livin' the good life
You got a big fat daddy at home
Writin' checks tonight
You got nothing?
Well, then you're livin' a bad life
You got a big, fine car
And you eye me while you pass me by
A rich daddy? No! No! I never had one
You got money?
Well, then you're livin' the good life
It seems like everything you touch
Wants to turn to gold
You got nothing?
Well, then you're livin' the sad life
And I guess I won't have nothing
When I'm sick and old
A rich daddy? No! I never had one!
A rich daddy? No! No! I never had one
In Dick's song "Rich Daddy," he describes the stark contrast between two different lifestyles- one of wealth and privilege, and the other of poverty and struggle. He addresses the idea that money can buy happiness, and those with rich daddies live the "good life," while those who don't are living a "bad" or "sad" life. He portrays a sense of envy towards those who have it all, with big fine cars and the ability to write checks at will. This envy is particularly evident when he sings "And you eye me while you pass me by," implying that those with wealthy parents look down upon those who are struggling, almost as if rubbing their privilege in their faces.
However, throughout the song, Dick makes it clear that he does not come from wealth himself. He repeats the phrase "A rich daddy? No! I never had one!" multiple times, emphasizing the idea that he is an outsider to this privileged world. He also points out the idea that while life may seem good for those with money in the present, there is no guarantee that it will last forever- "And I guess I won't have nothing when I'm sick and old." Thus, the song can be interpreted as a critique on the wealth gap and the way society values people based on their financial status.
Line by Line Meaning
You got money?
Do you have a lot of money?
Well, then you're livin' the good life
If you've got a lot of money, then you're living a good life according to societal standards.
You got a big fat daddy at home
You have a wealthy father who can afford to spoil you and provide for all your needs.
Writin' checks tonight
Your wealthy father is spending money on you by writing checks.
You got nothing?
Do you have no money?
Well, then you're livin' the sad life
If you don't have money, then your life is considered sad according to societal standards.
You got a big, fine car
If you don't have money, but you have a nice car, people might assume you're pretending to have money.
And you eye me while you pass me by
You might look at me with envy or judgment if you think I don't have money.
A rich daddy? No! I never had one!
The singer is proclaiming that they have never had a wealthy father who could support them financially.
A rich daddy? No! No! I never had one
The singer is doubling down on their statement that they have never had a wealthy father who could support them financially.
It seems like everything you touch
If you have a lot of money, it might seem like everything you do or touch is successful.
Wants to turn to gold
Everything you touch is successful, and you're able to make more and more money.
And I guess I won't have nothing
If you don't have money, you might worry that you won't have anything in the future.
When I'm sick and old
The singer is worried that they won't have money when they are no longer able to work due to illness or old age.
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.