[ Metro | Metroactive Central ]

Bye Bye Beat

Unhappy Boy

By Todd S. Inoue

I didn't sniff when Jerry Garcia and Shannon Hoon bought the farm. The death on Nov. 7 of Beat Farmers vocalist Country Dick Montana due to a heart attack, however, socked me in the stomach. Dick cared about this area, playing the Cactus Club or Catalyst whenever the band toured, regardless of the label's lukewarm support. The Beat Farmers were like herpes, they'd always keep coming back. Dick would pull off some great stunts. Audiences would hoist Dick to the bar where'd he'd consume shots. He'd allow anyone with a kazoo onstage for "Happy Boy." The infamous "campfire circle" was the best; Dick would go onto the dance floor, stinking of booze and sweat, and get everyone to sit down. He'd tell dirty campfire stories then sing "Are You Drinking With Me Jesus." The faces around that circle lit up like a damn Christmas tree. If Cobain and Hendrix are jamming on some heavenly stage, Country Dick and Buck Naked are playing the garage down the street, hubba hubba hubba.

[ Metro | Metroactive Central ]