Dimestore Skanks Newsletter Interview

Thanks to Tim for answering these questions:

What can we expect to see from Dimestore Skanks over the next year?

We are releasing our debut album ‘Rough Housers and Rabble Rousers’. Hopefully a lot more gigs with some more Ska bands (we have something big in the pipework), some more touring around and maybe start a follow up album.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Play what you love not what you’re told is “cool”. If its something you love and are passionate about you’ll have more fun playing to 40 people than you ever would playing something you hate to 500.

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

For myself I would have to say The Dead Scene (Welly punk) but that’s biased, I love the old stuff, Brubeck, Kitsch, Blake, Sommerset, The Offbeats but also I love the bands that are around now (or still around) like Roofdog, the Managers, Battleska Galactica, Dead Fool’s Fiesta and Black Lick.

What will Dimestore Skanks next release be?

Our debut album ‘Rough Housers and Rabble Rousers’ which is a 10 track album we recorded at STL in Wellington with Troy Kelly. The album pretty much consists of our current live set minus the covers.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

We just write about what ever we feel, some are stupid some are meaningful but it feels good to be able to sing whatever comes into my head and not have to be as serious as it is in punk.

Who would you most like to support live?

TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS!! But I would settle for Streetlight Manifesto

How do you believe Dimestore Skanks fit into the NZ music industry?

Personally I feel we kinda play the popular NZ rootsy sound except faster and angrier. I suppose we could appeal to fans of roots and punk/rock.

What can you never leave home without?

My keys otherwise I would be locked out.

How do you describe Dimestore Skanks’ music?

We started with the goal of playing “ska for punks”. I think we pull it off.

What is the best part of being a musician?

Having people dance smile and sing to your songs. Hanging out with mates and making friends with some great people you wouldn’t usually get to hang out with.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

Just more local punk and ska, come on people!

What is in your CD collection at home?

To be honest I only really have punk and ska on cd, most of it from the late 90’s early 2000’s maybe some Bob Marley, I think Beastie Boys Ill Communication and thats about it.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

I don’t think there ever have been any? Most of the stuff ups are by me trying to distract the band during solos, we can laugh off a lot, we are only there to have fun.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

The mosh pit at an Outsiders gig.

What inspired you to start Dimestore Skanks?

Well Pete and I already had The Dead Scene and we wanted more punk bands to play with so we decided to start Dimestore as a little side project with some other musicians we’ve met along the way and came up with this.

How did you come up with the name Dimestore Skanks?

Basically we wanted to have the classic ska name that has SKA in it somewhere but more subtle. That and who doesn’t wanna call their band cheap whores.

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

My favourite so far I would have to say would have been our mini tour with Roofdog and Masterhuna. Good guys, Great bands and some meaning skanking.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Just on our Facebook page.

What rumour would you like to start about Dimestore Skanks?

Their singer is really good in the sack.