Rick is the Dickies' bass player and has been for the last six or seven years.

In light of recent events we thought it high time that we catch up with him to shoot the breeze, have a chat, get the low-down and maybe even set the record straight.

Ciaron and Sean’s questions are in bold, Rick's replies are in normal lower case.

So, what's going on at the moment then Rick?

Just to set the record straight I haven't been replaced. The fact is I am unable to do any extensive touring at this time so they asked Olga to fill in for me. I'm grateful he was able to do it. He's a hell of a player and I'm sure he'll be a great addition to the line up.

What inspired you to pick up the bass in the first place?

I wanted to play the guitar in Junior High school but they didn't offer it and all the cool instruments like sax and trumpet were already taken so the next best thing was stand up bass. I played in the orchestra for two years and finally bought a Fender Precision in 1970. I played that for several months until one of my friends left an old Kalamazoo guitar at my house. This was when I discovered playing lead was much more fun. So I tried my hand at guitar until I realised I was never going to be the next Jeff Beck or Larry Carlton. So I decided I'd stand a better chance of making it in a half way decent band as a bass player. Since then I've grown to love the bass and I really respect good bass players. It takes a lot of chops to play well. ...I must admit however, I think I'll always be a guitar player at heart.

Were you in any other bands prior to joining the Dickies?

My first real band was called The Da Da's ,which I started in 1979 in LA. It was electronic synth / new wave, sort of a bad version of Devo meets Talking Heads. Then in '81 in Santa Barbara it was The Surging Monkey Preps -weird tongue and cheek punk rock After that it was back to L.A and a band called Hippie Gone Bad, fast hardcore. This was when I met Travis. I was looking for a drummer and I saw an ad he was running in the Recycler. Then I was in the Fixtures for a few years. After that I had the good fortune of spending some time with De De Troit and UXA, and finally The Dickies.

When you're playing the older stuff live, how closely do you try to follow the bass lines that the previous bass players played?

I follow the bass lines pretty closely. I pick and choose between live stuff and studio recordings. So I've had the luxury of pulling all the best stuff.

What chain of events bought you together with the Dickies?

I knew Stan and Leonard from way back but it was a mutual friend who brought us together They were auditioning bass players, after losing Charlie following the release of Idjit, and he suggested I go down and try out.

Were you already a fan of the band?

Yes! The Dickies were always one of my favourite bands. It's funny because I was a DJ in Santa Barbara back in the early 80's and I used to play them on my shift all the time. Who would have figured I'd end up in the band one day.

When and where was the first gig with the new line up?

The first gig I did with the Dickies was somewhere in Orange County at this weird German Village sort of thing. It was little Dave's first gig also. We had Sparky, their ex roadie, on drums. He had replaced Melvoin for a short time before we enlisted Travis.

How has the writing for the new album been split, is it still mainly Leonard and Stan or have you had a chance to chip in some ideas?

Stan and Leonard are the genius behind all the songs but I still write my own bass lines.

Was any of it recorded at your studio?

Not this time. We recorded some of the vocals and some guitars on Dogs at my place but on this last one I only added the sound effects.

How long has it actually taken to get all the tracks for the new album done? We were hearing rumours that work had started at least 2 years ago.

2 years ago is a conservative number. Lets just say it was in true keeping with ye old Dickie time.

Do you have a particular favourite song off '...Puppet Stew'?

I have a few but Free Willy and Did It are on top in my book.

Is it likely that there will be any more singles released off the album?

You'll have to ask Fat Mike.

Is being a Dickie a full time occupation?

Not by a long shot!

Apart from comfort on-stage, why the dress?

Showbiz baby, showbiz!

Did you enjoy Japan when you were over there?

Yes Japan was definitely a trip in the truest sense of the word. And the people were some of the most receptive crowds we've played to.

And the last tour?

I had a great time. Holidays In The Sun rocked.

Do you have any final messages for all the fans out there?

Thanks for all your support. Live long and prosper.

Ciaron & Sean would like to send a special thanks out to Rick for the interview and also for all the encouragement he's given us for the archives site.