The Christian Underground Encyclopedia

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====== Dime Store Prophets ======

Alternative Rock\\
San Francisco, California, USA

[[Justin Stevens]] and Masaki Liu originally formed the band [[Radiation Ranch]], a roots rock band with strong rockabilly influences, after their previous band [[9 Red Roses]] broke up. With Justin writing the lyrics, melodies and most chord progressions, Masaki provided the sound with an old Telecaster guitar. With the addition of Phil Meads on drums and Sam Hernandez on bass in 1993, the band changed its name to Dime Store Prophets. The name was taken from a lyric of a Radiation Ranch song called "Mercy Me" (the lyric was changed before Dime Store Prophets recorded the song on the first edition of their first CD).

Dime Store Prophets often opened for various acts such as Joan Jett, Mudhoney, and Better Than Ezra. The Lighthouse described their sound as "rock music pulled from the ground, exposing its roots of folk and blues." The group's albums were released on [[5 Minute Walk]] and its subsidiary [[SaraBellum Records]], which were distributed by Warner Records.

Dime Store Prophets disbanded some time in or before 1999, when lead singer [[Justin Stevens]] (aka Justin Dillon) formed his own band. It first took the form of the [[Justin Dillon Combo]], then, Justin Dillon and the Brilliantines, and later Tremolo. Masaki became a producer, working with [[Five Iron Frenzy]], [[Seven Day Jesus]], and [[The W's]].

===== Discography =====

| 199? | Demo |
| 1994 | Love is Against the Grain (original version) |
| 1995 | Love is Against the Grain | [[5 Minute Walk]] |
| 1997 | Fantastic Distraction | [[SaraBellum Records]] |

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==== Demo ====

199? Independent

At least three songs, including:

  - Ride Sister
  - Grace
  - Wounded Son

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==== Love is Against the Grain ====

1994 Independent

  - Come Back (3:18)
  - Love is Against the Grain (5:03)
  - Jezebel Eyes (6:00)
  - Reservoir of Soul (4:02)
  - Mercy Mercy Me (5:06)
  - Ready for the Rain (4:33)
  - Wounded Son (3:12)
  - Clayton, New Mexico (4:27)
  - Desperate (I Want to be Faithful) (6:08)
  - Baby's Got a New Dress (5:14)
  - Snakes and Stones (5:02)
  - So Young, So Innocent (5:29)
  - So Young, So Innocent (hip-hop version) (7:47)

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==== Love is Against the Grain ====

1994 [[5 Minute Walk]] (BRD4018)

Justin Stevens - Vocals, Guitar\\
Masaki - Guitar, vocals, violin\\
Sam Hernandez - Bass, vocals\\
Phil Meads - Drums, vocals

Scott McGill - Organ
Gary Minadeo - Percussion on "Love Song 58" and "Daddy's Gun"\\
Jeff Campitelli - Percussion on "Feels Like Rain," "Hitler's Girlfriend," and "Hobo's Jungle"\\

Christine Beitsch - Vocals on "Hitler's Girlfriend," "Love Song 58," and "Whirlwind"\\
Eric Wood - Vocals on "Hobo's Jungle"\\
Kelli Walchek - Vocals on "Feels Like Rain" and "Hitler's Girlfriend"\\
Kim Jenson - Vocals on "Hitler's Girlfriend," "Love Song 58," and "Whirlwind"\\
Susan Strane - Vocals on "Love Song 58"

  - Feels Like Rain
  - Hitler's Girlfriend
  - Jezebel Eyes
  - Baby's Got a New Dress
  - Hobo's Jungle
  - Reservoir of Soul
  - Love Song 58
  - Love is Against the Grain
  - Daddy's Gun
  - Ready for the Rain
  - Desperate
  - Whirlwind

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==== Fantastic Distraction ====

1997 [[SaraBellum Records]] (2-46654)

Justin Stevens - Vocals, guitar\\
Masaki Liu - Vocals, guitar, violin\\
Sam Hernandez - Bass\\
Joel Metzler - Drums, percussion

Tom Suzcek - Piano, Wurlitzer\\
Jeff (Leanor) Ortega - Saxophone\\
Dennis Culp - Trombone\\
Brad (Nathaniel) Dunham - Trumpet

  - Fantastic Distraction (4:23)
  - Break the Blue (3:00)
  - All About You (3:15)
  - Boxing Shadows (4:38)
  - Soothsayer Speaks (4:35)
  - Suckers Alchemy (4:31)
  - Yeah Sure Ok Monet (3:32)
  - Mystery (5:12)
  - King of the Tragic Ones (4:07)
  - Heavy as It Goes (4:56)

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