Dick. E and the Birds have firmly cemented their place in the vibrant St. John’s punk scene. This punk/blues collective, despite not fitting neatly into hardcore or metal categories, has become a cornerstone of the city’s recent punk and hardcore renaissance. Ahead of their show on November 15th at Second Stage, alongside Snitfit, Kid Gruesome, and QLOI, we delve into the heart of the band, spotlighting bassist Jack Carey and the eclectic sound he helps forge.
Dick E and the Birds band members performing live on stage
Formed in February 2019 as a trio, Dick. E and the Birds has evolved into a dynamic five-piece, featuring Dick on vocals and guitar, Ian “Bean” Phillips on guitar, Mason Mercer on drums, Cole McGuire on saxophone, and the steadfast Jack Carey on bass. Carey, a founding member, has been a constant presence through the band’s journey, witnessing numerous lineup shifts, particularly in drummers, before the recent additions of Mercer and McGuire earlier this year.
Drummer Mason Mercer recounts his entry into the band, “I joined shortly after becoming friends with Dick in the summer of 2023. I wasn’t familiar with the scene before meeting Dick, so I learned as I went, and it’s been a really fun experience.” Cole McGuire, the saxophonist, adds perspective on the band’s evolving sound, “I had seen the band before I joined, and they definitely had a heavier sound then. Nowadays though, I’d say the band is much more varied in terms of genre.”
Defining Dick. E and the Birds’ genre is a challenge the band embraces. While descriptions like garage punk, blues, and rockabilly might come to mind, the band members themselves resist easy categorization. Dick states, “In my opinion, we’re just playing music. There is no specific genre. We’re just a group of people playing whatever feels and sounds good to them. If people enjoy it, that’s just a plus.” Mercer echoes this sentiment, “We kind of just experiment with different genres and sounds and just use what works. The Birds have a wide spectrum of sound.” Ian “Bean” Phillips playfully questions their identity, “Are we a Jam band? Are we a Cover band? Are we a garage/punk/blues/rockabilly band? Are we really even real? I’ll never tell 😉”. Jack Carey succinctly captures the essence: “We are definitely making rock music but the shit goes deep!” This playful ambiguity and genre fluidity is a key part of their appeal.
The band’s emergence coincides with a resurgence in the St. John’s music scene. Dick and Carey, who joined the scene in 2021, have observed significant growth. “There are definitely a lot more bands than there were back then,” Dick notes. “There are a lot more kids coming to the shows which is great to see.” Phillips reflects on the scene’s creative spirit, “As I recall, the scene was very open and creative. Despite the smaller number of bands, there was a very diverse sound coming from them. It really felt like you could get your friends together, learn how to play the instruments, and get out there. I’m starting to see that kind of variety coming up again.”
Dick. E and the Birds’ sets often feature a diverse range of covers, from The Kinks and The Stooges to Elvis Presley, showcasing their wide-ranging influences. When asked about inspirations, Dick points to older music, while acknowledging modern influences. Cole highlights their eclectic approach, “We’re all over the place in terms of influence. 90% of the songs we play don’t even have proper horn lines. We’ll go from covering Elvis to doing an insane hardcore breakdown with a crazy sax line in the same set.” Jack Carey emphasizes the impact of the local scene on his musical journey, “I’ve been into a bunch of different things over time but the bands that inspired me the most are the ones I’ve gotten to know by going out to shows.”
Delving deeper into individual influences, Dick cites guitarists Frank Zappa and Rory Gallagher. Mason’s drumming roots are in metal, drawing inspiration from Danny Carey, Neil Peart, and Joey Jordison. Cole’s saxophone style ranges from the avant-garde John Zorn to classic blues rock. Ian’s guitar heroes span from Dick Dale to Tony Iommi, but like Carey, he finds local bands particularly inspiring.
Members of Dick. E and the Birds recently experienced a highlight for any punk enthusiast: witnessing The Circle Jerks on their North American tour. Dick and Ian describe it as “a monumental occasion,” still buzzing from meeting Keith Morris and acquiring signed memorabilia. Their brief exposure to the Halifax scene during the trip left a positive impression, noting the welcoming people and impressive local acts like Booji Boys and Squander.
Looking ahead, the band members shared their dream opening act scenarios. Dick envisions opening for King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard or, impossibly, The Mothers of Invention. Ian champions local band Riproar, and Cole also names local favorites Killer9000, a sentiment echoed by Dick. Jack Carey, with characteristic humor, throws in Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson.
Excitement surrounds their upcoming November 15th show. Dick notes their anticipation for sharing the stage with Snitfit, Kid Gruesome, and QLOI, emphasizing their southern shore roots and appreciation for any band willing to play with them. Cole humorously mentions a past attempt to play with an “old head rock band” that was thwarted by illness.
The future for Dick. E and the Birds is geared towards releasing original music. “More shows but more importantly releasing music,” they affirm. “Recently, we’ve been writing more originals than ever, and we are all anxious to get into a studio to record!!!” With their unique genre-blending sound and the solid basslines of Jack Carey, Dick. E and the Birds are poised to make a significant mark beyond the St. John’s scene.
