Dicks were an American punk rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1980 and initially disbanded in 1986. After the first breakup, singer Gary Floyd formed the band Sister Double Happiness, with drummer Lynn Perko, then later fronted a project called Black Kali Ma. In 2004, The Dicks reunited and were active until 2016.

The Dicks went through two incarnations in the 1980s, changing its lineup when Floyd moved from Austin to San Francisco in 1983. As a political band with Marxist 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.

History

Austin lineup (1980–1983)

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. In the song Floyd sings from the perspective of a policeman who abuses his power by targeting minorities and abusing civilians.

Dicks often played shows with fellow pioneering Texas hardcore bands MDC, The Offenders, and The Big Boys; Dicks' full-length debut was the split album with The Big Boys, Live at Raul's Club. Dicks were among the first punk bands to address issues of homophobia and sexual identity, as in such songs as "Saturday Night at the Bookstore" and "Off-Duty Sailor". 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 later formed the band the Buddha Brothers, while Parrott and Deason went on to play in the Austin neo-bluegrass band Shootin' Pains and Trouser Trout, while Parrott and Taylor also played in Pretty Mouth.

Reunion, disbandment and Gary Floyd's death (2004–2024)

In 2004, Dicks began playing regular 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.

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 songs.

The Dicks announced that their final show would be October 30, 2016, at Grizzly Hall in Austin, Texas; however, due to popular demand, a second show was added the day afterward.

On May 2, 2024, Gary Floyd died after a series of health-related issues. He was 71, and was survived by his husband.

Members

  • Gary Floyd – vocals (1980–1986, 2004–2016); died 2024
  • Buxf Parrott – bass, guitar, vocals (1980–1983, 2004–2016)
  • Pat Deason – drums (1980–1983, 2004–2016)
  • Glen Taylor – guitar, bass (1980–1983); died 1997
  • Debbie Gordon – manager (1982–1986)
  • Tim Carroll – guitar (1983–1986)
  • Lynn Perko – drums (1983–1986)
  • Sebastian Fuchs – bass, vocals (1983–1986)
  • Mark Kenyon – guitar (2004–2016)
  • Brian Magee – guitar (2004–2005, 2016)
  • Davy Jones – guitar (2005–2015); died 2015

Timeline

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Discography

Albums

  • Kill from the Heart LP (1983), SST Records
  • These People LP (1985), Alternative Tentacles

10"

  • Ten Inches 10-inch (2006), Delta Pop Music

Lives

  • Live at Raul's Club LP (1980), Rat Race – Split with The Big Boys
  • Dicks Live! Hungry Butt (2006), Hot Box Review

Singles, EPs

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

Compilations

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

Compilation appearances

  • "Gilbeau" on Cottage Cheese from the Lips of Death (1983), Ward 9 Records
  • "I Hope You Get Drafted" on the International P.E.A.C.E. Benefit Compilation (1984), R Radical Records
  • "Legacy of Man" on Rat Music for Rat People Vol. 2 (1984), CD Presents, Ltd

See also

  • List of hardcore punk bands

References

  • Art Black / Ira Robbins. "DICKS". Trouser Press Guide. Retrieved February 15, 2006.
  • The Dicks on Myspace
  • A biography of THE DICKS at Kill From the Heart
  • Suburban Voice Interview - Gary Floyd interview from 1998
  • Piece on the cultural importance of the Dicks from NewYorkNightTrain.com