Country Dick Montana - The Devil Lied To Me

Yesterday got me reminiscing about the Late Great Country Dick Montana. The man was a legend who's been unjustly ignored.

Born Daniel McLain, in 1955, Country Dick was a record store owner, president of the Kinks Preservation Society and a seminal figure in the early SoCal punk scene as the drummer for The Penetrators. When they came apart he, like many others from the scene, eased towards a country feel forming with former Shames guitarist, Jerry Raney, Country Dick and the Snuggle Bunnies, which later became the Beat Farmers.

They recorded their first album for $4000 and though the they were praised in the US, they got their greatest attention in Europe where they were favorably compared to the Beatles. An endless battle with their label, Curb, made their lives miserable even as their popularity grew through the 80's.


Dick lived life to its fullest, never missing a chance to party, carouse and wreak mischief. At one point he got himself ordained in order to perform non-traditional marriage ceremonies. Legend has it that Dick officiated a wedding for a couple at their request and then was invited to party with the couple after. When the groom became incapacitated by the heavy drinking, leaving the bride unfullfilled on her wedding night, Country Dick took his matrimonial responsibilities to the full service level. The groom was reportedly grateful for Dick's generosity.

Despite his persona, Dick was a very private man, keeping his personal life distinct from his public. When he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the early 90's few knew. His own doctor was kept in the dark because when Dick suspected he was ill, he choose a different doctor from the phone book at random, reportedly deciding on the physician because the doc had the word "bar" in his name.

Though successfully treated for the disease Dick was not long for this world. In 1995, during the third song of a Beat Farmers set in Whistler Canada, he dropped dead from a heart attack. It went virtually ignored in the mainstream media. He was 40 years old.

This album was his only solo project, finished shortly before his death. Featuring an all-star guest list including Rosie Flores, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Katy Moffatt and Mojo Nixon, it's a rollicking example of Dick's spirit, loaded with swagger, bravado and, of course, his booming bass voice.

Country Dick once said there's only three kinds of songs in the world: drinkin songs, fuckin songs, and killin songs. The man mastered them all.

Hear