Go Girl Crazy

A couple of these songs would probably cause an uproar today, but if you read the lyrics, they’re not what their titles suggest, but rather they’re mostly misguided (if viewed through the lens of present day) humor and sarcasm. Still, those choruses probably shouldn’t be blared out of your car stereo system on summer day when you’re stuck at a traffic light. That aside, this is a solid early punk record, with some really good guitar playing and songwriting. It’s fun, funny and it rocks. Fits pretty solidly with the mid 70’s New York punk scene, I think. All that said, I have to deduct at least a star because of Handsome Dick Manitoba (Richard Blum). Back in the the early aughts, he threatened Dan Snaith with a lawsuit over his band name, Manitoba. Snaith, an actual Canadian, changed the name of his project to Caribou to avoid the lawsuit. How can you sue for the rights to the name of a province? Also, very punk of Handsome Dick to threaten to sue a guy on an independent label making music out of his house. Super cool move, Dick.

This album is like the grandfather of punk rock. It certainly sounds punk: adolescent humor, repeated shouts of "Let's go!", and tracks that were clearly recorded in one take. Some of it is really fun, but there's a lot of dumb here, and that's hard to overlook. Best track: Two Tub Man

Fun. Simple. Not extremely substantial, and that is ok.

Like a deeply discounted Kiss

High energy and catchier then expected protopunk that doesn't take it's self too seriously. Hilarious cover of I Got You Babe. Also liked Cars and Girls. Lots of shredding scattered throughout as well. "I think Lou Reed is a creep." Also protopunk is fun to say. PROTOPUNK. I would buy this if I came across a hard copy so I'm giving it the big five.

Fun and silly proto-punk, but lacking some substance (that might kinda be the point of the album, though)

August 24, 2021 The album cover is off-putting. I wanted to like this, and I can see how it influenced a lot of the later music I like, but I was just uncomfortable and a lot of this was pretty dumb.

Never heard of “proto punk”, but I can definitely hear some of my favorite punk through this, Jeff Rosenstock included

This was incredible! How have I never heard this before?! It’s funny, creative, an absolute joy to listen to.

This was a really fun album and I loved the I got you babe cover

I actually loved this album. It was so cool and had such a sick vibe. I wanted more at the end!

Ah, an album I've listened to endlessly. It's crass, it's dumb, wilfully offensive every now and again but it possesses so much attitude, cheek and zap-rock power that I find it irresistible. Part of the CBGB scene, and they have a good claim to have been there or thereabouts at the birth of the NYC punk scene. This, and their third album Blood Brothers, kick ass. I live for cars and girls.

Somehow back when I was exploring the big proto-punk bands like The Stooges, MC5, Velvet Underground etc I never got in The Dictators. Boy was I missing out. This is so much fun and I definitely can tell that they were super influential to many other bands I like. 4 stars for the album, the 5th for the big time influence power

Well this is bat shit mental. But I quite like it! You can hear how this influenced bands that came later like the Ramones and the Beastie Boys. Rock n Roll punk with something to say. Its also pretty funny in places. Majestically mad. 4/5

lmao what an album. So punk, so camp, great irony. Love the personality, and some of the music

If I could give this album 0 stars or negative stars I would. It not only has two racist songs but also all the songs are just bad. Bad musicians. They didn’t contribute anything to punk or music at all. Maybe we should pay more attention to a band like MC5 because they were activists and were part of the civil rights movement. Way more important than this joke of a band.

Oooops

amazinggggggg

Great, raw punk sound.

Rock and Roll and Wrestling and Handsome Dick Manitoba rule so this gets 5 stars

10/10 super fun punk album great vibes

Really enjoyed this album! Never heard of the artist before and I'll definitely be listening to it again. Two Tubs Man is a great track, but I equally enjoyed the first four songs on the album. Saved!

Nice theme

Straight forward rock, proto-punk, punk, whatever you want to call it. Some decent shredding, too. Songs are simple and funny and you can see how this album would go on to influence so much other music that I listen to all the time. One of the few albums that I wanted to put back on again right after listening to it. Great stuff.

Straight forward 70s punk with a couple of covers. Very enjoyable.

Before today I'd never heard of the Dictators. They are an early punk band who sound quite a bit like New York Dolls, with the farcical attitude of Turbonegro. Apparently, one of their guitarists, Ross "the Boss" Funichello went on to join Manowar after the band went on a hiatus. There was also, in their early days, a member of the band "Handsome Dick Manitoba" whose sole role was to be the band's mascot (he is seen on the cover of this album). Overall, an excellent album! I really like how the band doesn't take themselves too seriously. The foundations of what these guys were doing would go on to facilitate the formation of punk. These guys just didn't catch their break like New York Dolls or the Ramones because of a few failed record company deals. They would always remain an underground favourite, and they gained a new fan today! Favourite songs: (I Live For) Cars and Girls, California Sun, I Got You Babe, Two Tub Man, Back to Africa, Weekend Least favourite songs: Master Race Rock 5/5

I always wanted to enjoy punk rock from the 70s but had not particularly enjoyed much of it besides The runaways… this album was eye-opening

When I read about this before listening I was kind of not excited. Then when I played this I found it to be a total blast! These songs are weird and wild and I enjoyed this completely even if there were a few spots that didn’t age well.

Were these lyrics written by Gene Belcher? I think Cars and Girls especially showed strong Gene Belcher vibes. Overall, fun music, good to drive around with your windows down. Utterly shocked when I opened the wikipedia section to learn this was the first punk rock album and not a prime example of jock rock.

Amazing, great energy, they are up there with the Ramones IMO

I'm loving this. Very 70s NYC. Anyone who hears Kiss, now knows who Kiss was emulating. This has more in common with the Ramones. I had to check, but of course they worked with Joey Ramone, and the lead singer is from the Bronx. You can hear it. The irreverence, the humor, the stupid silliness, it's all pure old New York. "Fuck you, if you can't take a joke", is our town motto. Where has this record been all my life?

I can hear punk undertones in the music. It seem tongue in cheek for many of the songs. It was enjoyable.

Ridiculous and silly and a ton of fun. I loved it. On another day it might not have hit the same, but today it just hit right even though some of the lyrics are really stupid. Probably really a four but I'm reading it at five so that I see it on my list of fives. So don't forget about it the next time. I need some silly fun on a road trip.

5/5. Now this is punk, full of satire and aggressive sounds, something to piss off anyone it's trying to. The amateur sound is what brings this above other "punk" like the Ramones and the Clash, a clean studio sound really takes away from the passion of not giving a F. The lyrics are a little silly sometimes but there are definitely some political statements throughout, enough to upset the right people. (To be clear those people are those who support the felon). Best Song: Master Race Rock, Two Tub Man, I Got You Babe

So glad I listened to this. 7.5/10

Loved how raw this was, most original thing I’ve heard in awhile

I was different like new heavey rock for its time

I really enjoyed this one. The cover did not disappoint!

Neat album! Some great tracks on here. probably won't quite make it to my frequent albums because of my forgetfulness, but not for a lack of quality.

Cool album. Really dig the punk rock covers of classic songs. Juvenile lyrics go great with the music. Raw, great example of early American punk rock.

The guitar licks and riffs make it a 4. Enjoyed it, fun album

Ludicrous.

Pleasantly surprised

Fun. Never heard of the band before

This was a good listen. I think proto punk aptly describes this.

Surprisingly funny proto-punk.

8/10. This was fun, cool guitar parts and bass lines, and I like that I can hear the roots of so much other music I like in this.

Right up my alley, loved it but wouldn't recommend it to everyone

Great Album. Very fun.

Fun example of early punk. Had no idea this existed.

This was great, I was deeply concerned when the first few songs were go back to Africa and master race rock... however this was a great listen with many standouts weekend and cars and girls

This album was a lot of fun!

Highly influential album by an underrated band. Glam, hard rock, punk.

Mad as a box of frogs, but it races along and you can hear who it influenced.

Yes.

Go Girl Crazy! cracks me up from very first song: the ridiculous lyrics and arch delivery alongside arena rock guitar just tickles my funny bone. I forgot that they covered I Got You, Babe, which is just pure mockery, richly deserved, if you ask me. The Dictators seems to be having such a good time that it's contagious. The Dictators are actually really competent musicians, but they choose to subvert that competence by constantly goofing off. It probably cost them popularity, but God bless them for being such goofballs. Some might have problems with songs like Back To Africa or Master Race Rock, but they're so gloriously stupid and so completely not mean spirited that it's hard for me to take offense, but maybe that just means I'm old and white. I dunno. It seems ridiculous to give an album like this a top rating, but it's hard to imagine how it could be any better.

Albores del punk.

Really enjoyed it, reminded me of Parquet Courts.. probably an inspiration for PC

I liked it! It was like being serenaded with covers and new songs by a proto punk band.

This albums is great, if not just for the craziness and sophmoric silliness that surrounds its creation. Its 100% a birthplace of punk. Master Race Rock is oddly endearing(?) not actually problematic. California Sun is the best song here, and really nails the punk sound to come.

An essential proto-punk classic from The Dictators, Go Girl Crazy, has all the hallmarks of great album. Loud, fast and funny as hell, the Dictators definitely don't take themselves too seriously. Often overlooked, this album was very influential and provided a blueprint for many punk bands that followed. Highly recommended, but not for everyone's tastes.

I am absolutely predisposed to enjoy this and I did. So - pretty boring rating over here.

Leuk punk-album waarbij mijn hoofd toch af en toe op en neer ging. Favoriete nummer is 'Weekend': Eentje dat ik moet onthouden! Voor de rest wel wat 13 in een dozijn 4*

Fun weird 70s punk.

Detta ägde...

I very much enjoyed the attitude. A treat :)

A good album 4 sure

I vaguely remember hearing some Dictators songs before and not liking them because there was too much classic/arena rock influence. Pretty sure they were from a different album, though. In any case, I enjoyed this one, it's pretty fun and catchy, even though I did think there was a bit too much arena rock in this too at times.

Early punk is best punk

You know I’m here for it

A highly energetic glam rock record that would influence what would become punk rock. For an early stab at it, this was really great. Favourites: "I Got You Babe", "Master Race Rock", "(I Live For) Cars and Girls"

Surprisingly fun and silly

Ha ha cool cover… The next big thing starts with a little intro bit then goes into slow guitars only to explode into a cool rock track that kinda sounds like a more energetic bad company but being like bad company it isn’t the most unique. I was singing along by the end though so it was definitely enjoyable. I got you babe is a great slow track a cover that I vaguely recognise so I probably know another version, But I really love this. Back to Africa has a good drum beat and at points goes really mental with the guitars making a great rip roaring tune, but it’s just not as good as the others To be honest ( even with it being the most unique). Master race rock starts with laughing noises then becomes the album’s heaviest song to close side one off with a bang. I don’t tend to go too much into lyrics on first listens like this but I must say I hope it’s anti nazi. Teengenerate has to be one of my favourite song names of all time. It’s an alright opener to side two, the guitar riff is a little generic in my opinion but the application is good on this song. California sun is another cover ( but I don’t know this one) It contains a pelting bass line with thundering drums to carry the listener through, the chorus is rather anthemic Which contrast really nicely. Good song! Two tub man starts off with a nice vocals sample to only be taken over by this crunchy but not distinctive guitars riff that sounds made for the stadium. Once we get into the song the verses are extremely punky for this pre punk era but it contrasts well with another anthemic chorus that I can just imagine their fans shouting off too. The penultimate track weekend is another banger a poppy but heavy rock song the only flaw to this one is that the lyrics are a mixed bag. The album closes with the song ( I live for cars and girls) it’s alright but in comparison to the rest of side two it’s just a very “ rock and roll” song being a bit dull really. Seeing its 2. Something rating on here I thought it was going to be crap but it’s really not fine theres a few “generic” songs but 70% of the 9 songs were great.

Fun little album. Quick listen, never heard of them before but I like it a lot from a simplistic proto-punk point of view. Added to Library? N Songs added to Playlist: (I Live For) Cars and Girls

Proper bit of me this

One of the great things about the 1001 album project is discovering music that influenced the music you know. This album is a watershed protopunk album that uses humor and genuine musical chops to push the genre forward. While the music is fairly simple, the Dictators’ use of rhythmic changes, vocal harmonies, and great guitar playing betray their garage rock/protopunk aesthetic and show them to be very musically literate. The closing track is a satire of the car/girl centric superficial pop of the sixties, but is done with a sense of earnestness that lets the listener know that while they acknowledge the lyrical superficiality, at the end of the day, The Dictators are paying tribute to the music that made them.

I liked this a lot. I thought it was really good pre-punk rock. I especially enjoyed the Sonny and Cher cover. Not sure why they didn’t become bigger.

I remember laughing my ass off as a 14 year old ever time i played this one in 1975. While I don't laugh my ass off when I listen to this nowadays, I still smile broadly and wonder why thy were not bigger. Hard to believe the Ramones were not listening, and later, the Beastie Boys and Green Day.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Two tub man

Not as strong as their first two albums in my eyes but still solid. Definitely the beginning of their downhill trajectory though unfortunately.

Protopunk apparently—pretty solid—riffs licks and soloing is very punky, lyrics were pretty cheesy at times which was funny

Crazy punk record. I like it!

It was a solid album. An interesting sound that reminds the listener of the Ramones. Standout song are I Got You Babe and Weekend.

Somewhere between The Stooges and Ramones. Not the most amazing punk album ever but apparently one of the earliest? I listened twice and saved it to my collection.

Hell yeah!

Some of the tunes border on novelty song territory and that turns me off. Other songs are tuneful punk singalongs that I can totally get down with.

Ok ok ok, I liked this. I can see they influenced many bands to come after them and it was a quick and enjoyable listen.

I didn’t know I knew some of this!

Sounds like a bonus A-way album

Old school sarcastische amerikaanse punk, mooi. Beetje ongelukkige titels soms

That cover of I Got You Babe is glorious. Overall this was pretty good fun with the last track being a glorious surf rock throwback.

El proto punk dels novaiorquesos és infecciós i excitant com pocs discos de l'época. La poca més de mitja hora que dura el disc es fa curta i els temes van deixant petjades d'actitud i so del que hauria de venir pocs anys després. Una banda (i un disc) injustament oblidats

Simple, but fun. I can definitely see how this influenced/changed/made the scene. Love the lyrics and album cover. Fave track(s): Master Race Rock

Oh, this is tremendous fun! And 1975!? Wow! Some of the widdly-widdly guitar solos sound like they're taking the piss out of 80s glam metal, so I totally woulda believed this was from later - I'd probably believe you if you told me it was from this decade, in fact. A bunch of guys goofing around is kinda timeless, I guess. Fave track - "The Next Big Thing" is a fantastic opener.

This is revelatory. It's like a very early Pop punk album, including the childish humor.

Punk bangaz

Nära en femma.

Maybe 50 years ago (crazy that 1975 is almost 50yrs ago…) Master Race and Africa songs were progressive and inclusive, but it made me uncomfortable. The rest of it - loved it. Imaging a concert where the band is in a small venue, low ceilings, no stage - band is same level as audience, and amps are ear drum busting, beer-sticky floors.

Divertidos.Proto-punk

Albores del punk. Un 4.