Dimes, a new rock band in Milwaukee, is touring like crazy and working to make a name for themselves. They are working on an album and have already released an EP, "Minutes and Distance." On June 1 they join The Danglers and Dorian Gray for a show at BBC. Showtime is 10 p.m. and proceeds benefit the Musician's Assistance Program and Road Recovery.
OnMilwaukee.com: When was Dimes formed?
Dave Bloom (drums): James and I first got together when I responded to a "guitarist available" ad around December, 1999. He said his influences were Shudder to Think, Radiohead, the Police and Stax/Motown stuff. Later I found out that he was also a big fan of Jeff Buckley, Posies and Jane's Addiction -- we like mostly all the same artists. We played with an old friend of mine on bass for a while, tried out some singers, and nothing clicked. The bassist left to join another band in summer, 2000, and, within a week, we found Tony.
Tony Phillips (bass): My former band, the Crowning, had recently disbanded, and, after not playing for a few months, I felt the urge to look for a new band. By pure coincidence, the same day I posted an ad on a website dedicated to local bands, Dave and James had posted an ad as well, citing similar influences and sounds. We got together, jammed, and everything just seemed to click. We started writing songs together and worked with different singers. Then one day by pure luck, Dave happened to bump into Micah.
Micah Eberman (vocals): I was taking part in this nation's wonderful democratic process and noticed that about 15 people ahead of me was Dave. Before I moved to California for three years with my band Rhino, his band (12 Step Failure) and my band played many a show together all over Wisconsin. We got to talking. Thus, the full lineup of Dimes.
OMC: When and where did you guys play your first show? How much has the band improved since then?
Tony: Our first show was at the BBC on February 22. It was a Thursday night, but there was a good-sized crowd of people that came and stuck around. Naturally, we all had the usual "first show rust" we needed to shake off. We've been playing a lot of shows since, and with every show we become a little more cohesive and tighter musically.
Micah: We read each other and interact onstage more. We've gotten better at connecting with the audience. And the songs are evolving.
OMC: How hard is to get the word out about a new band in Milwaukee? Is this city willing to embrace new bands?
Micah: The hardest thing is that there aren't really enough forums to promote shows here. There are no marquees to put up posters. You can't post them publicly. It takes a lot of effort to get the word out.
Tony: We go out to bars and hand copies of our demo EP out, pass around flyers and use the internet to help get word out. We usually carry around flyers with show dates everywhere we go. Promotion is kind of a full-time thing with us. If you tell 50 people you've never met that you have a show, and 10 of them show up, that's 10 people who might not have ever heard of you, and therefore it's a success.
Dave: I'd say the hardest thing about being a new band here is convincing people that "yes, we're local, but -- really -- we're GOOD!" There's a lot of cynicism that has to be overcome to change your audience from just your friends to general music fans.
OMC: Are you currently putting together an album? Any guesses as to when it will be out?
Micah: We're working on an album. It should be out summer, 2001. We're recording it with Wendy of Bugattitype 35 at Coney Island Studios in Madison.
OMC: For those unfamiliar with you, how would you describe your music?
Tony: None of us are into the current wave of "modern rock" bands that are on the radio. I'd say we're more rooted in the alternative heyday of 1988 to probably 1996. There's a bit of Shudder to Think quirk, the power and crunch of Hum, the sheer dynamic beauty of Jeff Buckley and probably the power of Jane's Addiction. We aren't afraid to throw in unexpected twists, too, so I feel safe saying that our songs actually go places rather than stick with the tried and true "verse-chorus-verse" formula that seems to be the norm nowadays.
Dave: Sort of a hooky, dynamic, heavy thing that's consciously not metal. With some artsy, weird elements, too. People have also told me they hear some British new wave influences, like The Cure and The Smiths, in the vocals.
OMC: Is writing a collaborative process for the band?
Dave: Actually, I can't speak for everyone, but I'd have to say this is the most collaborative band I've been in. We come up with our best stuff when all four of us are practicing and bouncing ideas off each other. Some of the songs where the contributions are less equal aren't quite as good. The lyrics are more-or-less Micah's thing, but the music is all of ours.
OMC: What makes Dimes a band people should check out?
Tony: I think we offer a good alternative to the myriad local bands that emulate the current flavor of the month sound. Also, we try to make it a point to make every show top the one before it.
Dave: We're a pretty new band, so we don't have much of an audience yet, but the people who have seen us seem impressed. Which hopefully doesn't come off as conceited, since we're genuinely grateful when it comes to praise. We don't have big egos, so that question is tough.
OMC: What is going on with the show June 1 at the BBC?
Dave: We're playing a Jeff Buckley tribute show with The Danglers and Dorian Gray. Also, Malachi DeLorenzo just signed on to do a couple acoustic Buckley tunes, too. It's a benefit for Road Recovery and the Musician's Assistance Program. They're working with us on this show and also trying to get us booked for a similar Chicago show.
Tony: We got the idea when we were sitting at the Vox one night going through our personal top 10 albums of the '90s, and we all had Buckley's "Grace" way up there. So, just kidding around, we mentioned the idea about doing a show of all Jeff Buckley covers.
Micah: We then realized that not only are there a limited number of original Buckley tunes due to his untimely passing, but that it would be way too hard. So each band is mixing in some of their own material.
OMC: How did you get involved with The Danglers and Dorian Gray?
Dave: Actually, we just really like those bands. Tony knew that The Danglers were Buckley fans and the thought of hearing those guys translate Buckley to their style was incredibly cool. Around the time we were planning the show, Dorian Gray contacted us about another show after seeing our site on the web. We really like their stuff and thought we'd ask them if they were interested. They were. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that they're both sort of high-profile bands, and all three of us are very different. So it should be a fun mix.
OMC: Why Jeff Buckley music?
Dave: I was lucky enough to see him live twice when he was alive and, both times, he was one of the best performers I've ever seen. He's one of those artists where, if you hear some of his stuff and like it, you instantly become a huge fan. Most of all, I'm excited that we're doing some of the songs he was recording when he died that were never finished or played live. The charities being involved is great and everything, but mostly I'm excited to play the songs and see how the other bands play them.
Tony: Jeff Buckley is an influence on the whole band. ... He really sank everything he had into his music, and I hope that we can draw on even just a little bit of that. I know that we didn't want to do a straight-up cover show, so every band is putting their own spin on his songs, which I think pays a lot more tribute to him than just covering his songs.
OMC: Tell us a little about the organizations you are raising money for.
Micah: The Buckley estate endorses both of the organizations. Jeff Buckley's former manager, Gene Bowen, started Road Recovery. As I understand it, the organization tries to give help and support for musicians wanting to beat substance abuse/addiction. This is a common lure for musicians on the road and in the industry. MAP (Musicians' Assistance Program) is a similar program, with points of contact across the US. Their Chicago reps will be helping us in supporting and promoting the event. I believe they'll have someone at the show. All of the proceeds of the tribute will be donated to these non-profit organizations.
For Dimes music and information, check out www.dimesmusic.com.
