We're On a Mission from Sweet Sweet Satan--Didjits--Hornet Pinata!!!

If the Blue Brothers were on a mission from God, I think the Didjits received their instructions from somewhere in the Deepest South. Where all great rock originates from, as we hapless connoisseurs of musical obscurity know so well. But then again, maybe only evolution could explain how farmboys from Champaign-Urbana could mutate into this over the top, world class, annihilating monster truck of a band.

Champaign Wishes, Caviar Dreams

It might be because Champaign might be the flattest place in the world--I don't really have the answer. I hadn't listened to one in a while, and I forgot what a great rock n roll album these guys made. Coming out you at the Crossroads between Big Black and Husker Du off their meds (or funny Nirvana), this is a classic rock and roll album that spans the continuum between Little Richard, The Stooges, up to the aforementioned band. They even end the album with a bottom heavy cover of  Hendrix's Foxy Lady and MC5's Call Me Animal. An album so aggressive it could tear your head off, tightly performed, irrerverant, appalling, hedonistically hilarious. One of 1990's best. This album definitely is in the rock n roll Hall of Fame of my delusions. 13 songs in 28 minutes. They were the real deal.

The Didjits were a three piece juggernaut from Champaign-Urbana, the home of the University of Illinois. Rick Sims sang and played guitar. Doug Evans was on bass, and Rick's brother Brad was on the drums. Hornet Pinata was their second full length album, released on Touch and Go records. Sims is a pretty amazing, charismatic frontman who somehow manages to tower above the musical maelstrom. Despite the velocity and ferocity, there is a surprising amount of melodicism to the music. And makes me want to drive my car fast. Take one look at the album art and you know where they're at. I remember downtown on the weekends and how all the local kids would just drive around and around that downtown area in their cars all night like some sort of a teenage parade. Maybe that whole car/speed thing is something that comes through in this music. Or more than likely not. But they put out their first records shortly after I came back East. I never got to see them. Damn.

Hornet Pinata starts out with Killboy Powerhead, which actually got some critical attention in its day. And deservedly so. Probably the Offspring cover is better known. But just the start of many special moments on the record. I especially like the riff pummel of Gold Eldorado.




Of course, their hallucinatory Evel Knievel tribute is a beautiful thing--a lot of bands sing about the American Daredevil and Hero but so few deliver the real goods. These guys are the exception to the rule.



Sweet Sweet Satan is one of those songs that draws a line in the sand--I don't think they were thinking about topping the College charts. Overall this disc is quite solid, no disappointing songs here, in my opinion. Other nice tracks are Cutting Carol, Goodbye Mr Policeman, and Joker Express. There are those who would pan the lyrical content of the record, but I find it hard to believe people would take these songs so seriously. This is goofy, gross out humor, and it should be taken in that spirit.



So if you want to listen to some loud over the top hard rocking alternative tunes with a lot of humor and chops, I think you will really appreciate this band if you give them a chance.