Growing up in Mattoon, IL, Rick Sims (guitar, vocals) spent his early years drinking beer, smoking dope and practicing in the chicken shed in Sullivan, IL with his brother Brad (drums). Joined by Doug Evans (bass), they put together some crazy-ass music and the Didjits were born! From 1986 thru 1993, they put out five great records, including Hey Judester. We talk with Rick about how those records came to be made and we also get into some stories about the intensely crazy live Didjits shows. And we are all stoked about the new Didjits Record Store Day release of Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits coming out 4/20/2024. Of course, we also talk about all things Chicago - and ... is Rick going to play live again???

Time stamps:

2:00: Starting a punk band in Mattoon, IL (really a Sullivan, IL)

3:15: Did you ever eat at the original Burger King in Mattoon?

5:10: What were some of your original influences?

7:45: Dave Landis did all the Didjits record jackets and shared a lot of cool punk rock with the band.

10:15: Touch & Go didn't like the first record Fizzjob.

10:45: What did you like about the 50's crazy performers like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.

14:00: How did you end up getting hooked up with Iain Burgess who produced your first 3 records?

16:00: How did you get the great sound on Hey Judester?

17:00: How did you connect with Touch & Go?

19:40: Hornet Piñata recording experience?

22:15: Did your success catch you off guard?

24:45: Did Doug & Brad encourage the Rick Sims wild-man persona?

27:35: Did your crowd-baiting ever get you in trouble?

29:15: Did you get crap from your lyrical content and could you write those same songs today?

34:00: How did you decide to switch over to Steve Albini for the last two records?

37:05: How did you come to live in Chicago?

38:40: How did The Offspring end up putting "Killjoy Powerhead" on their mega-album Smash in 1994?

41:05: The Didjits breakup is a messy one.

43:35: Record Store Day -- Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits. How did this happen?

47:25: Is it surreal that people are still interested in something that you did 35 or 40 years ago?

50:15: Rick's post-Didjits career.

54:35: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?

55:24: Favorite Chicago venues to play and to see shows?

58:50: What do you show off in Chicago when friends come to town?

61:30: What makes Chicago unique?

64:00: What's your favorite "go to" cheap drink?

65:00: Are you a Chicago lifer?

66:55: Will you play Didjits music live again?