☕️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