Record Review

The Dickies – Locked ‘N’ Loaded 1990

Artist The Dickies
Label Taang! Records
Catalog # TAANG! 56
Year 1991
Format Vinyl - LP
Rock Punk

# The Dickies – Locked 'N' Loaded 1990

The Dickies, the legendary Los Angeles punk band known for their irreverent humor and energetic performances, released Locked 'N' Loaded 1990 through Taang! Records in 1991. The album captures the band at a point where they had maintained their cult following through decades of relentless touring and recording, continuing the satirical punk tradition they helped establish in the late 1970s.

The album showcases The Dickies' signature approach to punk rock: short, punchy tracks filled with comedic subject matter and rapid-fire delivery. The musical style blends straightforward punk energy with pop sensibilities, evident in their willingness to cover and reimagine existing material. The tracklist reveals their playful nature, featuring originals alongside unexpected interpretations. "Nights In White Satin" transforms The Moody Blues' melodic classic into a punk assault, while "Communication Breakdown" adds their anarchic spin to Led Zeppelin's blues-rock riff.

Standout tracks demonstrate the band's range. "Killer Clowns" and "Cross Eyed Tammy" deliver the rapid-fire vocals and distorted guitars fans expect, while "Stuart" stretches to over five minutes, allowing more narrative development. The brief interludes like "Poodle Party" and the closing medley energy maintain momentum throughout the album's twenty sides.

With Locked 'N' Loaded 1990, The Dickies proved their staying power in the punk scene, delivering an entertaining collection that balances original compositions with cheeky covers. The album remains essential listening for collectors seeking authentic, humor-driven punk rock that refuses to take itself seriously.

Tracklist

Side A
  1. 1 Intro (0:40)
  2. 2 Killer Clowns (3:11)
  3. 3 Eve Of Destruction (1:53)
  4. 4 Nights In White Satin (2:45)
  5. 5 Pretty Please Me (3:41)
  6. 6 You Drive Me Ape (1:54)
  7. 7 Just Say Yes (2:31)
  8. 8 Tricia Toyota (2:34)
  9. 9 Poodle Party (0:53)
Side B
  1. 1 Cross Eyed Tammy (3:16)
  2. 2 Going Homo (3:12)
  3. 3 Hunchback (1:36)
  4. 4 Stuart (5:16)
  5. 5 Manny, Moe & Jack (2:24)
  6. 6 Paranoid (1:58)
  7. 7 Gigantor (2:58)
  8. 8 Communication Breakdown (1:58)
  9. 9 Banana Splits (1:45)
  10. 10 Give It Back (1:54)