@mycotropic @michelestrider
This #RockAgainstReagan thing is yet another topic I need to research.

Been attacked by nutcases (usually from behind while sat down) and I'm amazed by how I don't hold it against them because they are (often racist) nutcases.

Thank you for your service. 🍭🥇

Yesterday we lost one of the icons of 80's #AmericanHardcore punk, #GaryFloyd (1952-2024) of self described "#commie fag band" The Dicks from Texas who participated in the 1984 #RockAgainstReagan tour sponsored by the Yippies and whose band released definitive punk albums through both the SST and Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles labels. Relocated to San Francisco, his oversized personality & reputation was infamously paid tribute to by fellow ATX shock rawkers the Butthole Surfers who entitled a song after him, and his stand out strong and soulful vocals earned his next band #SisterDoubleHappiness a major label contract on Warner Reprise in the early 90s, plus the opening slot on the #Nevermind tour with #Nirvana.

The Arkansas born bad boy had a complex contradictory nature that could have the gay bookstore, south of market hole in the wall cruising barfly just as quickly holed up in a monastery and putting his music career on hiatus at the drop of a Bud long neck. He deeply contemplated Hindu and Buddhist religious themes, preached kindness to animals, with an earnestness that might seem a contrast to his nasty drag queen act, where he could be found on stage pulling liver from his panties and throwing it at the audience.

Floyd released several blues inflected solo albums after the 5 album run of Sister Double Happiness, including 6 under his own name, plus titles via the monikers #BlackKaliMa and The Buddha Brothers. His songs were covered by bands such as Mudhoney, Jesus Lizard, D-Generation, Trapper Schoepp and my ol band The Bedlam Rovers. Gary created portrait art, wrote an autobiography, and participated in indie films including a documentary about the early days of The Dicks in Austin TX.

I want to give a special shout out to Dave MDC (Millions of Dead Cops) who encouraged Gary Floyd to bring his band from Austin to San Francisco over 40 yrs ago, where he was able to connect and become such a vital part of an alternative music and LGBT community over the decades... I have a lot of Gary videos I've been shooting over the last 35 years, and I'll post some of them over on my Lil Mike's Vidiocracy Facebook page in the coming days. I want to always celebrate his music, his art, his heart, his wit, his wisdom and his inimitable sass & swagger...

Sail on Sailor! After being hospitalized last wknd, he passed circa 5 pm May 2nd and is survived by his longtime partner Thom and what is left of his ravaged organs is being considered for tissue donation.

Jello Biafra performing with Dead Kennedys at Rock Against Reagan concert, Dolores Park, San Francisco, 1984. Photo by Keith Holmes

#punk #punks #punkrock #deadkennedys #jellobiafra #rockagainstreagan #history #punkrockhistory