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| Chris & Amy Dickman |
NO FAKE ROCKERS
By Matt Chrystal
Little Dickman Records are celebrating their five year anniversary this summer.
Little. Dickman. Records.
What could be more "punk rock" than naming your record label "Little Dickman Records?!"
I mean, seriously, it takes balls to name your company Little Dickman Records, ammirite?
But here's the thing, Little Dickman Records are so much more than just punk rock, and Little Dickman Records are so much more than just a ballsy business name.
There is a saying that if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. Well, the folks behind Little Dickman Records didn't want to be those people griping about their local music scene. They decided to do something to make sure it kept thriving.
Amy Dickman and Chris Yaniak formed Little Dickman Records in 2012 out of "a burning desire to make a change in the same old same old Asbury Park music scene and to help bands achieve more than playing to the same bar crowd."
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| Team Dickman |
Amy and Chris may not have invented the wheel of weirdness in Asbury Park, NJ, but they sure as shit kept it spinning in the right direction. Amy and Chris have also done a helluva job steering that wheel clear from a plague of complacency that causes the infected to pay a fee to hear a plethora of aging cover bands phone in set after set of someone else's greatest hits and then call it a good time.
Pretty much everyone reading this piece is probably all too aware that Asbury Lanes was the mecca of weirdness, creativity, and culture for the Jersey Shore and maybe for all of the state. The Lanes, the little-venue-that-could (and did), became home to everyone looking for a good time: Misfits, hipsters, DIY artists, touring acts, motorheads, geeks, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, and dickheads… They all just adored the place. But, then, not so shockingly but all too suddenly, the Lanes closed in 2015; and the weirdos and local creative types were left without a homebase.
And, while they had been around and doing their thing for a bit, it was at about that same time that Little Dickman Records stepped in to help save Asbury Park from itself. Like a dynamic duo of DIY work ethic, Amy and Chris helped to rescue the scene from further gentrification by bringing in emerging underground artists from all over the country.
Little Dickman Records went on a hunt for bands who were just about to break bad nationally and brought them back to rock the dark city (Thelma & the Sleaze, Birdcloud, White Mystery, Low Cut Connie, Boogarins, Ringo Deathstarr, Mrs. Magician, etc). Amy and Chris played a major role in keeping the weird in the city by the sea by championing local rock bands that play innovative, original, killer music (The Battery Electric, Dentist, Black Flamingos, TV Tramps, The RockNRoll Hi-Fives, Corrina Corrina, Hot Blood, The Off White, etc).
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| Suffering for their art |
I meant it literally when I said that they are so much more than punk rock. While Little Dickman definitely have their punk roots from working with TV Tramps and Inspector 7, they have expanded over these five years to kick out the jams of all forms and genres of rock n roll including but not limited to psychedelia, fuzz, pop, and surf.
Little Dickman's formula for finding talent is smart and simple. They look for bands that are "hard working and not dicks... and their music has to have a good edge that cuts you when you hear it."
Amy and Chris networked tirelessly with a number of local venues and opened up all of Asbury Park to be a homebase for those in search of good times and cheap thrills. Sure, many of us still lament the loss of the Lanes; but, on the upside, there is now a buzz up and down the boardwalk again. There is some heat burning up Cookman Ave, and there is some new life on Main Street. Hell, Little Dickman Records (along with some help from CoolDadMusic) even had the Carousel rocking again for the first time in what seems like forever.
And the action doesn't stop at the county line.
Little Dickman Records basically presided over the unholy union that connected the Asbury Park music community to the DIY rock n roll underground in Brooklyn by hooking up with bands such as indie faves Sharkmuffin, Fruit & Flowers, Ex-Girlfriends, Lost Boy ?, BOYTOY, Psychiatric Metaphors, and Pink Mexico.
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| Chris Dickman always documenting. |
Amy and Chris have quietly curated and added to an already diverse scene resulting in an all-inclusive and welcoming music community. Whether there are six people at a show or a couple hundred in attendance, I have observed both Amy and Chris walk around to personally thank each person for coming. I have seen them play the role of gracious hosts to visiting artists by offering up their home and giving suggestions about the area. And I have heard the passion in their voices and seen the pride in their eyes the when they talk about the people they work with and about their hopes for success for their stable of bands and about their excitement that comes with each new vinyl, cassette, or digital release.
And while, the company name may indeed sound a bit ballsy, it should be noted that the name Little Dickman Records could and should be brought up when discussing the feminist movement in rock n roll as they have showcased and put a spotlight on a large number of bands that aren't just your typical four dudes rocking out.
Maybe you've read to this point and are starting to think that I'm getting too carried away here. But c'mon now. Do you think cool shit just spontaneously happens?
Do you think your next favorite band just randomly picks venues and cities to play?
Do you think rad new music just magically pops into your ears?
Sure, maybe that happens occasionally; but, for the most part, this stuff is happening because people like Amy and Chris are going to festivals and scouting out new bands and then reaching out and making contacts at venues and then coordinating dates and times. People like Amy and Chris are out driving around to support local shows and then out selling albums at flea markets, curating playlists, talking on podcasts, and fighting for space at record stores. People like Amy and Chris are blasting out posts on social media, hanging up flyers on lampposts, and introducing themselves to strangers just to preach the gospel of original kick-ass local music.
Amy and Chris do this with no fanfare, no false sense of entitlement, and no delusions of "cashing in" on the community. They simply act out of a sense of duty to "try and bring something different to the table, rather than the same rotation of bands and cover bands."
I could go on and on, but I'll just stop here and say I think it's important to recognize people like Amy and Chris who are trying to create an environment, an atmosphere, and a scene where people can enjoy themselves, have fun, discover something new, and feel part of something.
THANK YOU LITTLE DICKMAN RECORDS and CHEERS TO MANY MORE YEARS.
To celebrate this milestone, I talked to a whole lot of people who have worked with Amy and Chris over the last five years, and here's what they had to say about Little Dickman Records…
Natalie Kirch (Sharkmuffin): Little Dickman Records are the best! Amy and Chris have such a genuine and enthusiastic belief in every band they work with and have formed so many close friendships with the musicians they support. Every release is planned with such care -- not only to the quality of the tape and aesthetic, but to the image or idea the artist(s) want to get across.
Alex Rosen (The Battery Electric/Hot Blood): Little Dickman Records have put up with a lot of my shit. Not just in one band but in two bands. They gave us a ton of support and let us do whatever we wanted as far as art and direction we wanted to go, and that is hard to come by with labels.
They are not only putting out good music, but they are bringing new and exciting bands to the area and that is something that is really needed!
Amy and Chris really care and enjoy music, and I only see them doing bigger and better things as they continue.
Robert Collum (Pink Mexico): First of all, Chris and Amy are awesome! They are two of the hardest working, most dedicated and honest individuals out there. Secondly, Little Dickman Records is, hands down, the best record label name of all time!
I have had the honor of playing multiple shows that they hosted and they are always a rad time.
Thanks Chris and Amy for being badass!
Lauren Gilbert (Thelma & the Sleaze): They are just really nice people. I know a lot of the bands that they have worked with, and everyone holds them in high regards. It's simple. They treat bands well when they come to their city and hook it up with cool locals and they get bands a nice place to stay. They did that for us, and that makes me want to reciprocate by going down the road and telling people to go play Asbury Park, NJ because Little Dickman Records are running a really cool label there.
Tarra Thiessen (Sharkmuffin / Ex-Girlfriends / Kino Kimino): When I was in high school and just starting to play guitar, it seemed like there was nothing interesting going on in Asbury Park. There was a lot of jamming and cover bands at bars, which was discouraging while I was trying to figure out how to start a band. But since 2012, Little Dickman Records have helped create a much cooler rock community and made Asbury Park feel like a more accessible place for weirdos like me!
Emily Bornemann (Dentist): Little Dickman care so deeply about music that it is unparalleled. They bring in amazing artists from around the world to give us something new in Asbury Park. They also support (beyond words) great local music. Without them, it just would not be the same around here.
Scott Stamper (owner of the Saint): Little Dickman records have been a purveyor of a movement of new music coming to Asbury Park, our city by the sea. They have attended SXSW for many years now and have earned their success by finding new exciting road-bands and taking a chance to build them into the Asbury Park music scene.
Also, signing our local bands to their label is a major factor for our local artists hitting the road more than ever.
Miss Alex White (White Mystery): Happy Anniversary, Little Dickman Records!
Chris and Amy are awesome. They have great taste in music and are incredibly hands-on with the shows they organize; all the way from booking talent, to helping 'em load in, to buying merchandise at the end-of-the show.
Best wishes to you from White Mystery, and many more years of rock n roll!
Davey Jones (LostBoy ?): Little Dickman Records have been the best supportive home / family. They have allowed me complete creative freedom and control of my work.
These sleepless workaholics believe in their artists and friends more than you can imagine. Without them a lot of us would be lost.
On September 9th 2016, Little Dickman released a record entitled Goose Wazoo.
Let me repeat that. They released a record entitled Goose Wazoo... Goose Wazoo!
Thank you to Amy & Chris! Happy 5th Birthday Little Dickman Records!
Thanks for your continuous hard work, generosity, friendship and support. We love you <3 p="">
Lyzi Wakefield (Fruit & Flowers): Little Dickman records rule so hard! We love love, love them! They treat us and our label-mates like family. They're really genuine people and it's so clear that they're doing what they do out of a deep love for music and the music community. They press mad cool vinyl in spades and give a footing for rad up-and-coming bands without the breadth of resources major labels have at their disposal. All the hard work and investment they put in makes it possible for younger bands to emerge and compete in a more established music world.
We're so grateful to be working with them on our debut EP release and we heart our Little Dickman family! Los queremos y que sean muchos años más.
Sharif Mekawy (Looms): Little Dickman Records have not only immensely supported the DIY scene in Asbury Park and beyond, but they've been instrumental in making sure that the revitalization of their historic community is rich with the musical culture that made it great in the first place.
Ex-Girlfriends: Chris & Amy are like the ultimate fairy godparents who nurtured our band from its infancy and continue to help us grow and flourish. We are so grateful to work with such incredible people and are lucky enough to call them our friends as well. We love you Little Dickman! Happy Anniversary!
Birdcloud: The first time we played Asbury Park we played to about five people; but, this time around, Little Dickman Records set up a show for us and we played to a packed house, so thank you for that!
Jacob Turnbloom (Mrs. Magician): Chris and Amy treated us great at SXSW; and, when we arrived to New Jersey on tour, the whole Little Dickman Records crew of people were super cool and had their shit together. It's not often we encounter someone that sets up such an unconventional and beautiful show on tour. Playing directly on the beach with DENTIST was a really comforting setting, which is what we needed at that point in our tour since we were fucking exhausted and grouchy.
Joe Stalker (concert enthusiast/party animal): Happy Anniversary! I'm glad that I’m no longer the only one known as Little Dick Man.
Baby Shakes: Labels like Little Dickman Records are vital to the punk / rock n roll music scene. They give huge support to local bands and artists and help get them out there for the world to see and hear.
We self-release our records and book our own shows and tours so we know the insane amount of work that goes into it. It's definitely a labor of love, but it is also rewarding. When we first started years back, we were lucky enough to have help from a small local label, similar to Little Dickman Records, who really helped us get to where we are now so we really appreciate and admire all the hard work labels like Little Dickman put into the music scene.
Darkwing: Little Dickman Records are in the right place at the right time. They care and they work hard. They are flying JUST under the radar but soon will be recognized for all their exploits. Little Dickman Records is a family. I think their attitude toward working with bands is that they just go for great music. It has to rock or they don't get down with it. They do not discriminate based on ANYTHING other than quality.
The RockNRoll HiFives: Happy 5th Anniversary to two of the greatest people we know who run a record label in the digital age and support their bands to no end. These guys are bringing back rock n roll one record at a time and saving our souls from sucky music. They want to put out great music, book great shows and support bands that f'n rock. They have an amazing knack for putting out artists that have something to say, and they work super hard to get them heard. How can any band not love that? Chris and Amy are the coolest, grooviest badasses this family band has ever come across. We love y'all so much and are super grateful to call you our friends and to be on the greatest label in the universe. Thank you for all you do!
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| Embarrassingly, I (CoolDad) am having trouble finding pix of us all together. Here's one taken by Matt after the Birdcloud show at The Saint. |
Jim Appio (CoolDad of CoolDaMusic.com): I love Chris and Amy at Little Dickman Records and consider them family.
I had this idea a few years ago to put together a holiday benefit show, and I went to them to see if they'd be interested in partnering up. Not only did they sign on, but they also secured the venue and a majority of the bands. We raised a whole bunch of money together for the Food Bank and the Mercy Center of Asbury Park, and that whole experience speaks to the kind of people Chris and Amy are and to the kind of label that they run. Putting together a show like that -- with something like 12 or 15 acts -- and coordinating set times, getting donations from local businesses, and spending all day running the show to help out some great causes are the kinds of things they never think twice about.
Since then, we've done lots of shows together -- more benefits, the carousel shows. They've also brought tons and tons of bands to Asbury Park. Those shows -- whether I was directly involved or not -- have been some of the most fun and eye-opening experiences of my life. And I've seen them reach into their own pockets to make sure bands got paid, and they've put touring bands up in their own home.
They are two of the most dedicated, honest, and hard-working people I've ever met. They do what they do out of a pure love of the bands on their label. The work they do inspires me every day to keep plugging away at CoolDad Music. I'm proud to be able to call them friends and family.
Little Dickman Records Five Year Anniversary Summer Series continues this weekend with the following FREE SHOWS:
July 28 - The Nude Party/ Fruit & Flowers/ High Waisted at The Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ.
July 29 – Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am featuring The Electric Mess/Speed Queen/Tight Lipped at the Anchor’s Bend in Asbury Park, NJ.
July 31 – Las Piñas / Dentist / Partner - at the Anchor’s Bend in Asbury Park, NJ.
Recent and upcoming releases from LittleDickman Records include:
Drug Tax EP by Fruit & Flowers (June 30th)
The Off White/Sharkmuffin Split Cassette (July 21st)
How It Has To Be LP by Looms (Aug. 4th)
For more info, music and upcoming events please check out LittleDickman.com.
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