From an intimate club in Düsseldorf to the Rebellion Festival stage in Blackpool, the Californian Fun Punk pioneers continue to prove why they've lost none of their energy after almost five decades
My first encounter with The Dickies dates back to 19th December 2015 in New York City. Since then, our paths have crossed several times, usually either in Düsseldorf or at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.
One of the greatest things about Rebellion is that so many bands from the United States and other far-flung corners of the world use the festival as the centrepiece of a European tour. For fans, that often means getting the chance to experience the very same band in two completely different settings – one night in a small club, the next on a huge festival stage.
That was exactly the case with The Dickies. Just days before their appearance in front of around 3,000 people in the Empress Ballroom at Rebellion, they squeezed onto the stage of Pitcher in Düsseldorf to play for little more than 100 fans. Personally, I love that contrast. The atmosphere couldn’t be more different, yet both settings have their own unique magic.
For German readers who may not be familiar with the band, I often describe The Dickies as the American equivalent of Die Mimmis. Fast, melodic, humorous and never taking themselves too seriously, they’ve been delivering first-class Fun Punk since 1977.
I’ve now seen the band several times over the years, and one thing has remained remarkably consistent. Their stage show has barely changed, and the setlist only varies slightly from tour to tour. Does that make their performance predictable? Absolutely. Does it make it boring? Not in the slightest.
Returning fans know exactly what they’re going to get and wouldn’t want it any other way. First-time visitors, meanwhile, usually leave the venue with a huge smile on their face, wondering why it took them so long to discover this band.
Still leading the charge are original members Leonard Graves Phillips (vocals) and Stan Lee (guitar), supported by Ben Seelig (guitar), Eddie Tater (bass) and Adam R. Gomez (drums).
For me, one of the standout performers is Adam R. Gomez. His explosive drumming drives every song forward with relentless energy and precision. Musiklexikon Punk! once described The Dickies as “probably the fastest punk band in the world”, and after watching Gomez behind the kit, it’s easy to understand why.
Of course, no Dickies show would be complete without their trademark high-speed cover versions. Their blistering takes on Black Sabbath‘s ‘Paranoid‘ and Barry McGuire‘s ‘Eve of Destruction‘ fit seamlessly alongside their own material, transforming classic rock songs into frantic punk anthems which always go down a storm with the crowd.
Nearly five decades after forming in California, The Dickies still aren’t trying to reinvent themselves. They don’t need elaborate production, costume changes or flashy gimmicks. Instead, they rely on blistering speed, infectious melodies, self-deprecating humour and an obvious love for what they do.
Whether they’re playing to a hundred people in a cosy club or thousands on one of punk’s biggest festival stages, The Dickies remain one of the most consistently entertaining live bands in the genre. If they’re playing anywhere near you, do yourself a favour and go. You won’t regret it.
Main Photo Credit /All Photos: FLORIAN REITH
Live Video: FLORIAN REITH
- Rosemary
- I am ok
- Nights in White Satin
- Fan Mail
- Give it Back
- Golden Boys
- Pretty Ballerina
- Tricia Toyota
- Got it at the Store
- I‘ve got a Splitting Hedachi
- The Dreaded Pigasaurus
- My Pop the Cop
- Waterslide
- Manny, Moe & Jack
- Doggie Do
- You Drive me ape
- Curb Job
- Paranoid
- Gigantor
Encores:
- Rondo
- Eve of Destruction
- Banana Splits
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I’m Florian “Flo” Reith, based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Since 2009, I’ve been living for live music – over 1000 shows, 200+ cities, 30+ countries. The camera was there from the very beginning: I tried to capture every gig I went to. Over time, things became more professional and more structured and somewhere along the way, I discovered writing too. I love supporting new and unknown bands. Whether it’s behind the merch stand, working as a roadie, helping organize shows, or sometimes co-promoting them myself – I’m always down to jump in where I’m needed. But let’s be honest: my favourite place will always be the pit – front row, dust, sweat, and pure mosh pit chaos!
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