Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Didjits - Backstage Passout (1990)

If you're a longtime Didjits fan, you're likely acquainted with this punishing live bootleg of their performance at London's Kilburn National from September 1990.  As one of Champaign, IL's most valuable exports, the Rick Sims-helmed, four-on-the-floor power punkers, produced some truly bitchin' barnburners in their time, including such scorching platters as Hey Judester, Hornet Pinata, and Full Nelson Reilly.  I'd argue that Backstage Passout is as crucial as their studio output, being the utterly potent, white-hot live document that it is.  This particular gig was in support of their then recently released Hornet Pinata LP, so naturally much of the setlist draws from it (and yes, it includes "Killboy Powerhead," the track the Offspring covered for a certain multi-million selling album in the mid-90s, earning Sims more than a few martinis and a chaise lounge on the beach).  Aside from the absence of "Sweet Sweet Satan," there's nothing to complain about here, and in fact, Passout ain't a bad place for newbies to get their first taste.  Plenty of hotwired "car songs" here as well, so with that in mind, eat their dust!

01. Cutting Carol
02. Joliet
03. Killboy Powerhead
04. Gold Eldorado
05. Evel Knievel
06. Max Wedge
07. Stingray
08. Long Lone Ranger
09. Plate in My Head
10. Captain Ahab
11. Ax Handle
12. Goodbye Mr. Policeman

7 comments:

GraemeSTL said...

Great band, not blogged enough! Does anyone have any of their pre-vinyl cassette releases? I've got Signifies My Go-T but would love to hear Whoop My Head and Durga Durga Durga!

spavid said...

I have mp3s of Go-T, but am unfamiliar with the other ones you mentioned. If anyone can come up with these, don't be a stranger!

GraemeSTL said...

Remember the excellent 6 song video 'Knocked Up'? 'Loan Me A Buck' on that is from 'Whoop My Head'. They definitely exist because they were reviewed back in the day by Maximum Rock'n'Roll.

Mr_Crass said...

Great post. Saw the Didjits many times as they regulary played Wisconsin clubs. Any posts of releases earlier than T&G's would be appreciated.

dannyexplosion said...

Wow. Never knew this existed. Could you 're up this?
Cool blog

spavid said...

Just refreshed the link. Thanks for alerting us.

Dougal said...

I'm not sure if this is really a bootleg... I believe it was distributed by T&G (I got my copy from Southern in the 90s).

There's also a Didjits video compilation (have it on VHS, don't know if it made it to DVD like the Buttholes' video...).