Doc Dart

The strange life and times of punk rock legend Doc Dart.

[@JonStabb]

Doc is one of my favorite songwriters and was a huge influence on one of my bands. There isn't nearly enough info out there about him. He deserves more credit, not just for being incendiary, but for being really musically innovative.

[@gordongrant444]

Thank you. Doc is one of those legendary figures in music and culture that may only be recognized as the giant he is/was long after his desth.

[@freyaclouds7276]

Zero tolerance task force frontman freddy doobers felt the same way. Doc dart is an enigma

[@markdeming6224]

His name is Douglas Corbin Dart. Doc is a nickname. The Lansing State Journal did indeed bring up Doc's history with the Crucifucks and his run-ins with the police in coverage of the mayoral race. I interviewed Dart in the 1980s and got to know him a bit, and while he clearly had his problems, he was a smart, talented guy and deserved to be treated better than as some "colorful lunatic."

[@lagoon__music__tahiti]

So glad to have stumbled upon this, Doc has been a favorite punk personality of mine since I was a kid (what a messed up kid...) and I was fortunate enough to personally hear stories about seeing him live from some guys from that generation who cited him as a major influence - Dave Brockie (RIP) being one of them, and Rodney Anon from the Dead Milkmen being another as they played a lot of shows together as equally misunderstood bands at the time (though the milkmen were never as aggressive, they were completely shunned by the meatheads of the time). His last album, under the name 26, was completely out of this world. If you haven’t listened ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ-5ZHd9jL91fJI ) - it’s worth it. Note the raccoon on the cover. I actually ran a record label at the time it came out and attempted to release a vinyl version but the label wanted $$$ to license it and it just felt like no one else would have cared or ever picked up on what this was - also, this was the “CD era” before vinyl was a thing again. Also, it was just TOO insane. The Crucifucks, and Doc, represent a level of free speech and dissent that simply has no home in modern America. It’s a band that was one big social experiment at striking at the heart of the disingenuous realities of this culture, namely this Christian culture, and Doc’s convictions around this ultimately drove the band members away completely - I think he resents the first album because of the people, not the content. Steve Shelley has been asked about the Crucifucks in Sonic Youth interviews and doesn’t have anything nice to say about him, either. Thanks for doing this!

[@ProfilesinEccentricity]

That's album is great. Thanks for the link Leon.

[@dkyelak]

I knew he ran for Mayor but did not know about endorsing the incumbent and getting the rape crisis center built! You brought up some excellent insights. Very nice profile!

[@DonQuixoteBBQ]

His first solo record Patricia is a masterpiece. I'm not usually one to fall into the whole top 5 desert island record trope, but if I did, it's up top.

[@gordongrant444]

Thank you for mentioning Patricia. A beautiful, heartbreaking statement that, in its own weird way, has no equal.

[@DonQuixoteBBQ]

@@gordongrant444 It really doesn't. It's pretty much perfect. Nothing like it that I can think of.

[@gordongrant444]

Many people prefer Black Tuesday. Those two records beg to be rereleased as a set. I for one would contribute to a Go Fund Me project for that to occur!

[@skaterdavedownsouth]

Favorite Doc quote from mid ‘80s: “It’s not an obscene takeoff on the word ‘crucifix’, it’s an obscene takeoff on the word ‘fuck’.

[@skaterdavedownsouth]

One other sign in the (Okemos, not Lansing) yard post 9-11: “CIA box cutters $20”

[@skaterdavedownsouth]

He’s still in Okemos to my knowledge.

[@heebielafleur4575]

Do you know him ?

[@alaskawashere7037]

The most information I've ever received on Doc Dart in one serving. I appreciate the work put into this.

[@migspit]

Doc Dart was a brilliant lyricist, there was a lot of humour in his words. I had a tape of him on MRR radio in the 80s and he a was genuinely amusing guy

[@jaymadsen6489]

This is great. Thank you. Always found Doc absolutely fascinating

[@rachiesayd9423]

WOW so much more than I ever knew!!! I always admired Doc Dart but I now have an all new appreciation for him as a person!!! Sooo fucking proud of him and wish he were my son!!! If only more people would be as engaged active and willing to put their money and body and reputation on the line like him the world would be a better place for us all!!! You go Doc!!! You are my HERO!!!!! 🤬

[@marcopervo]

This crew keeps filling in my check boxes by covering everything obscure I've obsessive/curious about for the last few decades.

[@johnyang2389]

it's crazy that I use too buy sports cards from his antique store in old Town lansing mi..

[@gordongrant444]

Great doc about Doc. Thank you. Wished you had focused at least a little on his musical output.. He made at least four records which are bonafide masterpieces: the first Crucifucks record (We are the Establishment); the second. Crucifucks album (Wisconsin)- one of my all-time favorite records; and the first two solo records: Patricia and Black Tuesday, both about his relationship with his psychotherapist (the second of which was never even released, unless you count a handful of cassettes a "release"). No shit - all four of those records are brilliant and should receive at least some attention in any review of Doc's life and art.

[@ProfilesinEccentricity]

Gordon Grant thanks for the listen

[@frillwhistlebell]

The Crucifucks song is “Hinkley Had a Vision”.

[@ProfilesinEccentricity]

you're right! thanks for watching

[@gordongrant444]

A devastating song.

[@littermonks]

We brought in the Crucifucks to play at our Community College Cafeteria in 1985.

[@grigorirazumovski1012]

Thanks for the talk. I was wondering what happened with mr.Corbin Dart. He has amazing writing and personally i like the vocals he does, for the message it is perfect.

[@BreadIsNeat]

Where’d you get so much information

[@bobbycampbell7790]

I don’t mean to nitpick but the song is “Hinkley had a Vision” not “John Hinkley was right”.

[@davidgallagher5094]

26

[@shawarmaboy4844]

I'd be interested to know your sources on these, just because a lot of information about him is inconsistent. Also there is newspaper evidence that his past was indeed brought up during his stint as running for the mayor.

[@matthewhill5895]

Super cringey when you compared him to Bruce Wayne.