The Dickies @ The Owl Sanctuary
An absolute triumph.
Most bands, if their singer (and sole original member) had been hospitalised would pull the show. Not LA punk elder statesmen The Dickies, oh no, the show must go on.
Arriving after they were supposed to be onstage and starting twenty minutes late, openers I Got Spiders get things going with a truncated set of what, on first hearing, is fairly standard three chord punk thrash. With the trio's vocalist decked out like a Mexican wrestler - complete with mask - they are not taking things too seriously. Tonight's set was too short to judge 'em on but I'll be check them out next time they are around.
I've seen The Doughys a few times and always thought that their dub-influenced punk 'n' roll songs were better than average but a tad generic. Tonight's opener reinforces that view, being a distillation of The Ramones and Clash. From the second song on, though, they are joined by new recruit Maddy on violin. Having had just three rehearsals with the band - and played one of tonight's songs only once before - what a great addition this is. The Doughys' sound is elevated to something bordering on the very special. Bloody marvellous stuff!
Petrol Bastard is two blokes shouting over an industrial/electro backing. A distinct throwback to the 90s, bringing to mind Nitzer Ebb and Johnny Violent's gabba-hardcore crossover Ultraviolence but without the songs, Petrol Bastard were mildly diverting but no better than that.
With singer Leonard missing from The Dickies tonight, vocals are shared between the band, audience, a members of the support and even the Owl's own Dan. For the most part, the merch guy takes the mic and is a damned near perfect stand-in. In the chaos and exuberance of the gig, I missed the name - was it Ian or Stuart? - but the guy is a star.
When I was younger and first investigating punk, some of my elders (and supposedly betters) have dismissed The Dickies as comedy punks, good only for joke covers. What absolute bollocks. Yes Nights In White Satin, Paranoid, Communication Breakdown and the Banana Splits theme are brilliant but there is much more to them than that. The set is littered with classics. I Got It At The Store is so dumb it is genius. Manny Moe and Jack, Wagon Train and Waterslide are just brilliant.
What could have been a disaster is an absolute triumph. Without question, one of the most memorable and fun gigs I have been to for a long time. Leonard, get well soon. In the meantime, Stan, Eddie, Adam and Ben, keep doing this.
