Roots group Dime Box, featuring former members of ‘80s band Wednesday Week, play the Cinema Bar this weekend, so band member Kristi Callan told the News about what they have in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing?
As a teenager, frontwoman Kristi Callan founded the beloved ‘80s girl band Wednesday Week with her sister, and has played, recorded, and/or toured with David Gray, Dave Davies, The Ventures, and the Cruzados. She also currently plays with three-part harmony group The Roswell Sisters and in tributes to several bands including Cheap Chick, Kinks Kronikles, and A Girl Like You. Back in 1992, she formed Dime Box with her husband David Nolte (David Gray, Dave Davies, Wondermints), and Matt Cartsonis (Warren Zevon, Steve Martin, Glen Campbell). The band has had various lineups over the years and these days is currently made up of her son, James Nolte (Love, The Last) on lead guitar and banjo, and fiddle/mandolin player, Lyn Bertles (Holly Vincent, Rob Laufer) who recruited her husband Nick Vincent (Frank Black, Art Garfunkel, John Fogerty) to play drums and their son, Alex Vincent (Stop Thought, The Bots) to play bass.
Describe your sound…
Sometimes it’s hard to describe oneself. Steve Thorn, San Diego Troubadour said, “Picture the Flying Burrito “Sisters” and you’ll get the idea. I am entirely sold on their high lonesome sound.” Falling James, L.A. Weekly, said “Former Wednesday Week pop thrush Kristi Callan sings timelessly old-timey country-folk laments.”
What are your career highlights so far?
The road has been so long with this band (and we’ve all been in, and are in, so many others) that it’s hard to remember all the fun things we have been fortunate to do. We’ve had world class musicians come in and out of the band over the years, and Dime Box has played all over including in London with one of our friends from the Long Ryders sitting in. It was a thrill last year to get to do one of our favorite cover songs, “Amanda Ruth” with Chip Kinman from Rank and File, but since this is a Culver City paper, we should probably say the highlight was playing at Fiesta La Ballona years ago. That was fun and we hope to do it again.
Critics and Americana Radio loved the Dime Box Band CD, Happy, that was released before the pandemic, as well as the Five and Dime Waltz CD before that. CDs (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) are available from the band at the show, by contacting the band on Facebook or Instagram, or you can download our music from Bandcamp.
Have you performed at the Cinema Bar before? Any memories?
We’ve been performing at the Cinema Bar for nearly 20 years and never fail to have a great time. Rod and crew have created a welcoming place for bands and patrons alike. Though we’ve performed all over, playing at the Cinema always feels like home. We have wonderful memories of sharing the stage with stellar musicians and have seen amazing shows there as well. Of course, the Cinema is always free, so it is the generosity of those providing tips and donations that help assist us in our continued endeavors. We appreciate the support we have received over the years and all of the wonderful people we have met and friends made at the Cinema Bar.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
Though it will be July 5, we’ll play our song called “4th of July” and hope to poke our heads outside for a bit to catch part of the Culver City Drone Fireworks Show which I hear should be visible all over Culver City. We’ll be playing new and older original tunes along with songs by some of our favorite bands like Rank and File, the Chicks, etc. Your toe will be tappin’ so have your dancing feet ready to go! Our regular guitarist is playing in the UK, so we will have Matt Downs (Chuck E. Weiss, Ian McLagan) filling in.
Opening up the show will be 19 Hand Horse from northern California featuring legendary 80s recording artist Nathalie Archangel doing plenty of Patsy Cline, some Mavericks and a few wicked originals. Sitting in with 19 Hand Horse will be Jim “Kimo” West (Weird Al) on guitar.. Closing out the night is the excellent Blind Pony led by the Tony-award winning Kent Klineman. Come early and stay late cause it’s gonna be a good one!
What else do you have coming up?
The group is currently in the studio working on a new album but will be playing live again in the fall. Keep an ear out for Dime Box Band playing anywhere folks appreciate good music!
Dime Box performs at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next show at Boulevard Music is Bernie Pearl, on Saturday, July 13. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.
