‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is Ska/Punk band Dimestore Skanks.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
We are an 8 piece 4th wave ska/punk band. We basically play “The Wellington Sound” at a much higher tempo. We’ve been together for about 5 years now and until recently, we have focused on the dive bar/ punk scene/ house party scene.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
We’ve recently received semi-residency at Leroy’s Bar, so we have furiously been writing new material for a more well-rounded hour and a half set. We are planning on recording a new EP this year, probably in the second half, we’re not really a full album recording kind of band as we’d rather have an all killer, no filler set list. Definitely more of a live band than a studio band.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Facebook.
Bandcamp.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Pennywise – Full Circle, it got me into punk
Less Than Jake – Hello Rockview, it got me into ska
Kitsch – The Way It Was, it got me playing music.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
That’s a tough question as our scene is so small that to be honest, we play with all our favourite Kiwi bands regularly but I’d have to say Brubeck, sadly they broke up 15 years ago but I’m slowly picking my way through the NZ bands that I loved growing up so fingers crossed.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Honestly I enjoy nothing more than taking over someone’s lounge or backyard, we’ve played some crazy house parties over the years including one which we shot the video for “Game Over” at.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
It’s a mixed bag really. Being an 8 piece, song writing collectively is sometimes just a headache. We now do a lot of rhythm section recording and build horn lines and melodies. A lot of tracks get started, few make the cut to live set lists
Where/when is your next gig?
Cuba Dupa on the top stage at 9.30pm.