news of the dsp breakup really didn't hit southern california, which is where i live. i came up for winter break and found that they would be playing their last show on jan. 3 at the screem in concord, their home fan base of sorts. it was a dark and stormy night- no, really it was- and the show started at 8 pm, an hour later than was scheduled. the first band up was a swing/ska band called the w's, from oregon. they were really unpolished and made the mistake of whining how people weren't getting into their music as much as they had hoped. the front man was a young guy- somewhere around 17 or 18, and he showed a lot of on stage charisma despite the problems. all in all, they were pretty decent for a new band, they just need to polish their style. next band up was the plain janes, a local band, who have opened for dsp on several occasions. they sound much like toad the wet sprocket, except they lack the depressing ambiance. they still have a lot of talent, and once they get signed, i think they'll put out some really good stuff. now on to dime store....
frank tate came up and introduced the boys, and there was a certain air of remorse, kind of like watching something great die, right before your eyes. i forget what they opened with, except that it was from fantastic distraction. they played just about every song they've recorded and then some. notable exclusions were hobo's jungle (which they never play because they don't think it's any good), resivor, and whirlwind. normally dime store doesn't play that long of a set, but this last time around i guess they wanted to really milk it for all it's worth. justin was on the verge of tears several times as they reminiced about the stories they've been told, and the good times they've had. there were some notables in the crowd that night, primarily phil meads- the orginal drummer. they asked him up for a couple of songs, on which he hardly missed a beat. for a while it was just like old times. towards the end some 5 minute walk people came up and gave them cheap gifts. masaki got a plaid shirt, justin a wooly snow cap, sam an addidas t-shirt, and joel, a sweater. as the night wore on there was this sense of trying to prolong the enivitable. the place was very small, it was hot and sweaty (aren't all dime store concerts though?) but people didn't want it to end. after playing for more than two hours, the band played feels like rain. someone brought a super soaker and sprayed justin, getting him and his green guild rather wet. he ran outside into the rain during the long bridge, and returned and simply said 'get him'. the crowd mobbed the guy with the water gun, and brought it to the stage. justin soaked the crowd, and alll were having a good time. towards the end, it became less of a funeral and more like an irish wake- a celebration of great music, and the good memories associated with it all. after feels like rain, justin- very somberly- said the main point of dsp was always to bring glory to god, and they ended the set with father of lights and then finally with i will worship. at the last song, after the second time through, the band stopped playing and everything became just pure acapella worship, there was no band, no record execs, no fans, just children praising their father. and then justin said thank you to the crowd, the band members hugged each other. justin, this time with tears welling up in his eyes, walked outside in the rain for a bit. dime store prophets was suddenly no more.
I recently saw the Dime Store Prophets and a host of other Sarabellum (5mw artists) in St. Petersburg, FL. It was my third DSP show and a very interesting one. Dime Store was not even on the bill as the show had been advertised but Masaki told me the band was given the opportunity to play and at 11 the previous night decided to play. The last gig I saw of DSP with Dryve and Model Engine then called Black Eyed Sceva saw DSP as the main stay and the last band to play; but tonight was rather different as DSP was the first band to play.
As we were waiting outside the club I could see a short guy playing with the Soundboard, obviously my first thought was Masaki. Like I said DSP was not on the bill at the time and I was rather disappointed; but I figured at least I would get to speak to Masaki. We have E-mailed each other before but we have not meant since I have had the page. Of course upon being let into the club I introduced myself (Masaki has seen the page and had sent me the new cd early). He seemed happy to see me and we spoke for quite a while. Off the top of my head I remember topics of conversation to be among other things Hanson, Europe, Radiohead, the Electrics, the production of the new album, John Keane ("a real layed back guy" and "easy to work with" if I remember correctly). He also gave me a free t-shirt and sticker. I mean what a nice guy. I guess it was for the work on the webpage (a labor of love I say). I told him I would let him go and I said I would talk to him later.
DSP lead off this quadruple bill (which actually turned into a quintet bill) most of which seemed to be part of the ska crowd to see FIF (Five Iron Frenzy). They played some off of their debut, on 5MW songs such as "Hitler's Girlfriend" and "Feels Like Rain", but most of the material was off of the new album "Fantastic Distraction" (See Below). Songs such as "Break the Blue" really took on new life of their own. The acoustics of the Refuge are not the greatest and Justin's voice often seemed to get lost in the mix but the blended sound was great. "All About You", which in my opinion is ready for modern rock radio, sounded great. The Refuge which actually is a converted chinese restaurant is not exactly the Coliseum in size and while housing this unusually large crowd became extremely hot. I do not mean simply kind of warm, a little bit cumfy or everyone was glistening; I mean more like there was gnashing of teeth and gallons of persperation was floating around our ankles. Half way through the set Justin, panting, said, "It is soooo hot!" The heat did not help Justin, who seemed to recognize the lack of DSP fans in the crowd and became very sarcastic as the set wore on.
Masaki had cued me in earlier to the fact that FIF horn section would be joining them on a couple tunes. These tunes were of course "King of Tragic Ones" which is flavored with horns on the new album and an absolute funk fest with a cover of "Jungle Boogie". On the latter I have to say we saw a new side of Masaki who absolutely hacks on the guitar. I am pretty sure they closed with "Heavy As It Goes" the final cut on the album and the sweetest.
The rest of the show really failed to capture my full attention. The Refuge became unbearable as far as the heat went and having sprained my ankle during "Ryan's Driveway" (note: in my opinion an alternative masterpiece written here by Jeremy Post and played by Model Engine)(yes people were moshing) I left into the night air. Later in the night I would catch up with Sam and Justin outside the club. I had written Justin early in the year and he remembered reading it. I was happy to hear this and we spoke briefly on the state of the world and of all things education and more importantly knowledge. For some reason I was downplaying the importance of a good education but more in the context of if it is your way of filling the void. The conversation got pretty interesting as bass player Sam made several good points. At the end of the show I asked Masaki if I could help with the equipment and we did. After hauling speakers, cables, monitors down I realized that the life of a musician is not the picture we often paint in our minds. The guys were preparing for an all night travel to Buchnell, Illinois home of Cornerstone. Our evening closed with Justin and Masaki getting a picture taken with me and a friend. I can say this after all was said and done bands such as DSP have given me hope and encouragement just by playing what is in their heart and by reaching out to others.
-The new Dime Store Prophets album is here. Released on
May 20, 1997 on Sarabellum records (a Division of 5 Minute Walk), is DSP's second album entitled Fantastic Distraction.
Tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5 were produced
by John Keane, who has worked with R.E.M., Vigilantes of Love, Widespread Panic, Cowboy Junkies, and 10,000 Maniacs; Masaki
produced the rest of the project. Masaki sent me the pre-release on the 19th
and it is great. I encourage you to buy it as soon as you can. I actually heard a cut off the record
on the radio the other night and really enjoyed it. It was "All About You" which in my opinion is the most
radio friendly song on the album and could be put on modern rock radio right now. Being on SaraBellum, which is actually a division of Warner Bros.
also gives DSP some general market distribution meaning that
you can order your record at CD Now and most Blockbuster Music stores.
See what 7ball's Chris Well had to say about it
I found this on rec.music.christian and ask that you give it a read:
This was in the liner notes of
Take Time To Listen Vol. 3:
"a final thought--warner brothers doesnt think we can sell 4000
dime store prophets records the first week it is out. it will be
available in both Christian and general market stores on may 20.
if yo uare going to get the record it would totally help us if
you git it that week.."