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.

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

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

Like a deeply discounted Kiss

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

proto punk. new york. ross the boss manowar

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.

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

this feels like it goes on for an eternity, and the album is only 34 minutes

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

I liked this: a goofier, more glam take on what the Ramones were to perfect, though the tunes don’t have that immortality.

More fun than any Alice Cooper album I've heard, but the New York Dolls did it first, and did it better.

The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! Not sure if I’ve heard of The Dictators or not. The name sounds familiar but it also sounds like the name of a lot of bands from the mid to late 70s who presaged or followed punk. I thought it might be more like that Germs album, but it’s more listenable than that, reminding me a lot of the New York Dolls, with that sped up frenetic glam rock and blues rock sound, and a bit of the Ramones (esp the cover of California Sun), but without being quite as good or as exciting as either of those bands. I can see how this would be influential on punk and puncturing some rock posturing, and while some of it is decent, California Sun, Weekend and Cars and Girls, and some of it is a dumb sort of fun, like Back to Africa, Master Race Rock and Teengenerate and the rest just sort of dumb and not that much fun. One of those albums that, although I didn’t fully enjoy, I'm glad to have heard, even if I’m unlikely to come back to. Solid 2. 🤪🤪 Playlist submission: Cars and Girls

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.

this kicks ass!

Girls are cool!

Getting this the day after I got Dookie by Green Day just reaffirms why I gave that album 2 stars. Great punk album.

.

Magnificent.

Ross The Boss. It's funny how unserious this band is and his other band is over the top serious. His guitar playing is the highlight of this album

It referenced random NWA wrestlers, no notes, top marks excellent work. Also the bass was good.

Instant Classic! Amazing! Now I know where those epic tracks from Personal and the Pizzas were inspired from, incredible, i gotta dig in.

Fresh 70's anthem rock!

5 out of 5. Banger album from a banger band.

All killer no filler. Dumb, snarky, sarcastic, camp, very danceable, everything that punk music should be.

I discovered this band as a teen. After reading in a Trasher magazine issue that some skater named them in their favorite music to skate to but cant remember who. Took me years to actually find a cassette of them in Puerto Rico. They were too old and too raw for the stations. I had never heard a whole album after the 80s until today. Would just have my 2 fave songs in my mix tape. Theor importwnce for the scene and the genere is incalculabe. They are part pf the first generation of punk hard rockers that could actually play and write. They are hardly ever named or mentioned but they are rowdy and loud. Love this hope everyone hears this album cause its great.

This was an awesome surprise. I was initially sceptical when I was told this was early punk/protopunk and saw the global rating. I was imagining some swampy gurgling over the top mess performed by people with so many piercings they would cause a national tragedy if they stood too close to an MRI machine. What I got however was a very accessible album with was solid to good all the way through. I don't know why my expectations went the way they did. Hearing the protopunk makes so much sense. It really sounds like a metamorphosis between 60's-70' classic Rock 'n Roll to something with a little more edge to it. The lyrics are all pretty nonsense but it fits with how silly the album feels as a whole. I really liked the lead guitar in this, especially whenever they got a moment to just shred away on their own on songs like Teengenerate and California Sun. I'm kinda surprised with how low the global score is on this one. From what I read it seems like quite a few were from people who were not impressed with the lyrics on songs like Back to Africa and Master Race Rock. Both songs were too goofy for me to find myself offended by but I don't know how I'd feel singing the hooks to some of these songs out loud. Also, last but not least I'd like to shoutout the bands Backup Vocalist/Poster Boy/Self Described 'Secret Weapon' Handsome Dick Manatoba. He was pretty funny in the songs he was in the back of and I liked his pro wrestling style and how he cut little promos before some of the songs he was on like The Next Big Thing and Two Tub Man. I feel like these guys would be pretty cool to see live. So yeah, surprisingly awesome album. I feel like it's just on the cusp of being a 5 for me if it maybe had 1 or 2 super stand-out songs. The only one I wasn't a big fan of was Cars and Girls but while everything else is good I wouldn't say I was completely in awe with them. Great album nonetheless that deserves a bit more recognition for the goofiness on display

How have I not heard this before? It feels like the Sonny and Cher cover was literally made for me. The lyrics are clever and pretty funny, the band clearly had a great time playing these songs. Master Race Rock really feels like it came from the Frank Zappa school of 'write the dumbest thing you can think of and make it funky'. One thing I wish that future punk music would have taken from this album also is great sound mixing! But I suppose it's easier to play like shit when nobody can tell what's going on. Side 1 is fantastic, the only weakish song on here is Back to Africa. First track on side 2 was good, but when California Sun started playing and that bassline kicked in I was hooked properly. If I were a music journalist in the 1970s and I heard this, then I too would have become a massive dickrider for punk music. This album totally explains (but doesn't excuse) the mass hysteria that music journos experienced at the time. 5/5 would get fucked up to this album

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

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Nice theme

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!

10/10 super fun punk album great vibes

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

Great, raw punk sound.

amazinggggggg

Oooops

Banger!

It's nice to listen but didn't find there anything special. Still likeable a lot

Dug it

Rock and roll just does it for me

"The Next Big Thing" was funny. "I Got You Babe" is great. The album is reminding me a lot of The Clash at the moment. It looks like this album came out a year before The Clash formed, so maybe they were from the same circles. "Back to Africa" was a strange song and I can't tell how I should feel. It was pretty rocking though. "(I Live For) Cars and Girls" is also funny, it sounds like they're clowning the Beach Boys. I really liked this album. It was funny and not too long. The music was great too. 8/10

Never heard of these guys, not really a genre that I know much about but I like it!

This is just fun music

This really reminds me of mc5. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Moins déjanté que les Stooges, mais bien effronté, du plaisir mur à mur

I mean, this is kind of terrible but I think it is supposed to be. I enjoyed it a lot, but still might not ever listen to it again.

missing link

Often imitated, rarely duplicated.

Really good, raw, raucous rock 'n roll. Fun.

Those French pretenders and their silly plastic hats aren’t daft punk - THIS is daft punk! Really enjoyable album, with some surprisingly excellent guitar work.

This great. Just a good laugh, solid riffs, humourous and fun. Mood lifting

nem egy clash-level album, de igen csodálatos azért, négy és felet kapna ha lehetne!

22/02/25 Oddly enough, this wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.

A undiscovered gem of the pre punk era

Much better than I expected from a group I've never heard of. It's irreverent and silly, but it's still good rock and roll with punk elements. I'm a sucker for guitar solos. I liked the covers of I Got You Babe and California Sun. I laughed out loud when I heard that pro wrestling promo name-dropping Vern Gagne and Dick the Bruiser. Maybe it'll be a 5/5 when I revisit.

It’s albums like this that make me glad I’ve taken on this listening challenge. I picked up on some early Who and Alice Cooper band vibes. The album rocks and is elevated by its humorous approach. Just a lot of fun and great grooving music!

- Personality: 5/5..."Handsome Dick Manitoba" may be the greatest name for a frontman ever. And I am in love with the album cover. - Considering the emphasis on humor, this is surprisingly strong with regard to how much the guitar gets your blood pumping throughout. - Not sure if "Back to Africa" has aged well...but it is super catchy. "The Next Big Thing," "California Sun" (a cover, no less), and "Two Tub Man" are straight bangers. - I bet their greatest hits album is spectacular.

Better than the Beatles

Tässäpä on kelpo biisejä toisensa perään. Hienoa! Ei pidä aliarvioida yksinkertaisen kitaramelodian voimaa, saati sitä, että kerroksia tarttis olla kovin monta. Niin vahva 3 että pyöristyy 4.

You're favourite punk bands favourite punk band. Back to Africa slapped. Not a big punk fan personally, however this album could be the gateway drug.

Gotta love when good musicians just make goofy music. It’s a great sendup of bands like KISS or The Beach Boys.

That was superb. I went in blind, not having a clue about the band or the type of music. You could hear the precursor to punk in there clearly, but a very strong rock and even folk thread too. I loved the cover of Sonny & Cher, it was better than the original.

This album was good fun. Great guitar work also. 4 stars

I didn't know what to expect from this, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. You can definitely hear elements of American punk here -- they kind of seem like the missing link between the New York Dolls and the Ramones. The do bring an element of goofiness to the table, but I don't think it gets in the way too much. 4 stars.

I have never listened to this before or even heard of this band. This was a fun listen early punk and garge rock with a adolencent agnsty feel.

fun early punk songs

Muy bueno

Bonkers! Liked it!!

Looking into the Dictators and how much they meant to later acts, I really appreciate what they did. As someone seriously interested in how rock and popular music developed and evolved, I have to respect their place in the development of punk and other genres that followed. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-dictators-go-girl?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Just good fun.

super fun pop punk

Way more melodic and fun than I was expecting based on reviews.

Somehow people listened to this and said "yeah, this is a new genre" while it's basicly RocknRoll with funny lyrics. Anyways, better than most punk that came afterwards

Liked some songs

Wow! This is great garage band punk!

Goofy and knowingly stupid; reminded me a little of Andrew WK.

I had fun with this one and listened to it twice. I'll definitely come back to this.

Good stuff all around here. Fun listen.

It’s a pretty solid early punk(-ish) album. Fun and snarky.

This is like if Deep Purple met The Ramones. You can definitely identify the similarities with The Ramones here, but I believe this record came first. I love punk, and this is probably the first example of punk rock that's identifiable, hence the label proto-punk. The album definitely trailed off toward the end, but man the covers on this album were great. I Got You Babe and California Sun (Ramones did it better though) were so good. I honestly can say I enjoyed every song on this album, probably with the exception of 'Master Race Rock', that was a bit weird. This album was a super fun listen, and the instrumentals were on point. It's not perfect though, and I couldn't see myself running back to listen to this one in a single sitting again, but I've already added a few songs to my playlists. Glad to see some punk rock history appearing on this list.

3.5 rounded up i think i kinda hate handsome dick manitoba but this was pretty solid tbh highlights: master race rock, (i live for) cars and girls (aug 19 2024)

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Silly early punk fun

3/4