The Dimes have gathered a solid following in their hometown of Portland, Ore. The songs on the indie pop quartet's newest release, The Silent Generation, tell often dark tales set against upbeat melodies and rhythms.
The Dimes' frontman, and main lyricist, Johnny Clay, was inspired to become a storyteller and write these grim little songs after reading Depression-era newspapers. Guitarist Pierre Kaiser found the newspapers under the floor in his house, which was built just years before the Depression. The silent generation generally refers to anyone born between 1925 and 1945. As a title for the band's album, it captures the lost stories revealed and retold by The Dimes.
Clay's friendly voice and the rhythmic clapping hide a morbid tale in the opening track, "Jersey Kid." Frank McBrian, the "Jersey Kid" in this story, was found guilty for murder and sentenced "to the chair." The upbeat melody and grim story offer a compelling contrast that keep The Dimes sounding fresh.
Currently on a west coast tour that spans into mid-April, The Dimes are hoping to build a tighter-knit music community around Portland in addition to expanding their fan base, which they hope to do in a series of music festivals on the west coast.
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