Mike Dimkic Interview - The Cult, Bad Religion: STEVE JONES FINALLY PAID HIM BACK

☕️Buy me a coffee: https://www.everyonelovesguitar.com/s... 🎧 Discover How to Get Your Music Licensed & Placed in TV, Movies, Video Games & Streaming Services: https://MusicReboot.com On this Mike Dimkic Interview, Mike talks about growing up with a single mom who worked for Teen Magazine and how she influenced his love for music. The impact of divorce on his childhood & his father’s past as a successful UCLA athlete… how he connected with Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols, early influences & the impact of punk rock, joining Steve Jones' band and strange challenges they faced… how he connected with The Cult, touring with Metallica… working in a shoe store full-time… feeling stagnant in The Cult and discovering Bad Religion, his audition for Bad Religion & the initial challenges of learning Bad Religion's songs… Lessons learned from getting older, appreciating the present, how he's changed, being less concerned with others' opinions, value of experiences over material possessions & lots more Since 2013, Mike’s been one of the co-guitarists in one of the biggest selling punk rock bands ever, Bad Religion. Mike started his career playing in California Punk bands, then connected with Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols, & opening for The Cult. The Cult then asked Mike to join them as rhythm guitarist in 1993, and he was with them for 20 years. He also played on Suckerpunch’s self-titled LP. Mike’s a competitive cyclist and a former competitive long-distance runner Photo by Christian Melchinger, OutRoar.de Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:00 Mike's Musical Journey 04:34 Influence of Punk Rock 05:45 Childhood Memories and Music 08:02 Mike's Mother's Career and Teen Magazine 09:09 Letters to the Advice Column 09:36 Impact of Divorce on Mike's Childhood 11:21 Moving to the San Fernando Valley 12:24 Growing Up in the San Fernando Valley 14:14 Avoiding Troubles in the Neighborhood 19:04 The Importance of Dual Income 20:17 Impact of Mike's Father's Football Career 25:03 Legacy of Mike's Father 26:20 Meeting Steve Jones and Playing with Him 27:38 Early Influences and Punk Rock 29:15 Seeing Steve Jones in Concert 31:18 Joining Steve Jones' Band 34:11 Steve Jones' Troubles and Making Amends 37:12 Crashing the Audition and Taking Opportunities 43:14 Reflecting on Life-Changing Events 49:02 Making Amends and Repaying Debts 50:07 Interpreting Life Events 57:27 The Importance of Focus and Dedication 59:47 Connecting with The Cult 01:00:32 Personal Loss and Joining The Cult 01:01:39 Joining High City Miles and Meeting Billy Duffy 01:02:26 Auditioning for The Cult 01:03:24 Joining The Cult and Touring with Metallica 01:04:04 The Dynamics within The Cult 01:05:06 The Goat Record and Musical Differences 01:06:30 First Show with The Cult 01:07:18 Finding Joy and Traveling in Europe 01:08:11 Living in Camden Town 01:09:26 Leaving The Cult and Joining Sucker Punch 01:11:14 The End of Sucker Punch and Getting into Running 01:12:08 Working at a Shoe Store 01:19:58 The Jesse Camp Project 01:22:27 Working at the Shoe Store and Meeting Musicians 01:26:20 Forming The Looters and Playing Gigs 01:31:43 Feeling Stagnant in The Cult and Discovering Bad Religion 01:38:12 Michael's Audition for Bad Religion 01:39:16 Michael's Initial Contact with Bad Religion 01:41:17 Learning Bad Religion's Songs 01:43:30 Challenges of Playing with Bad Religion 01:45:33 Becoming a Better Guitar Player in Bad Religion 01:46:44 Transitioning to Bad Religion from The Cult 01:48:40 Musical Growth in Bad Religion 01:51:04 Enjoying Playing Music in Bad Religion 01:54:13 Acquiring Vintage Guitars 01:56:03 Preference for P90 Pickups 01:59:53 Difference Between One Pickup and Two Pickup Guitars 02:05:36 Michael's White Junior Guitar 02:06:10 The Appeal of TV Yellow Guitars 02:06:14 Preference for Single Cut Guitars 02:07:20 The Difference Between Double Cut and Single Cut Guitars 02:08:18 The Aesthetic Look of Guitars 02:09:16 Issues with Neck Joints and Headstock Breaks 02:10:44 Accidental Damage to Guitars 02:12:24 Issues with Guitars Not Staying in Tune 02:13:09 Quality Control and Nut Issues 02:15:30 Preference for Vintage Guitars 02:17:47 Possibility of Getting a 'Dud' Guitar 02:19:25 The Appeal of New Guitars 02:20:28 Protecting Valuable Guitars 02:21:12 Desert Island Discs 02:26:59 Lessons Learned from Getting Older 02:34:49 The Life-Changing Experience of Having a Child 02:35:31 The Joy of Watching Children Grow and Develop 02:36:26 The One-Way Relationship of Parenting 02:37:19 The Wisdom of Parents 02:37:29 Personal Qualities and Skills 02:38:10 Appreciation for Other Cultures 02:38:21 Favorite Travel Destinations 02:41:48 Changes in Personality and Aging 02:43:16 Less Concern for Others' Opinions 02:44:42 The Value of Experiences Over Material Possessions 02:46:16 Teaching Children Financial Responsibility 02:54:26 The Joy of Performing on Stage 02:56:28 Finding Happiness in Playing Music 03:05:09 Opportunities for Session Work