Song Spotlight: Mr. Dinkles' Eat Chips and Talk Shit (a night at Gold-Diggers)

The Seattle to Los Angeles band Mr. Dinkles blends a young Jane Fonda activism with punctuated punk rock edge. Many of their songs are furious bursts of energy, often clocking in at the 2 minute mark. The two piece band has Mac Rettig on vocals / guitar and Rocco Ramos on drums. 

Mr. Dinkles at Gold-Diggers

A Youtube interview I found (click here) mentions that the band name is based off of a cat's name mix-up -- that is, the cat's name is not Mr. Dinkles. The cat was the pet of a previous drummer of the band. Will the band ever expand to a three piece with a bassist? The band does have a song out called "I Hate Bassists." It is a song about a specific individual, but there is that plural form of the word.

They brought that attitude and humor to a recent Rocknite showcase at Gold-Diggers. 

Mr. Dinkles at Gold-Diggers

As a side note, Rocknite initially started their run at The Goldfish, but the venue / restaurant recently shifted directions and so Rocknite has been touring local venues. Based on the trust that has been built by the concert promotor in discovery bands / singers, the DIY music crowd has followed them from venue to venue.   

Comment of the set: You don't have to stand still . . . it is a movement free zone.

Mr. Dinkles at Gold-Diggers

Mid-set, Rettig asked the crowd if they wanted a fast song or a slow one. The crowd wanted a fast song. I think she was expecting them to ask for a slow one. They acquiesced to the request and played "Strip," but the band was not going to be prevented from playing their slow tune and told the crowd later, "Okay, we're doing a slow one. F*ck you!" All done with humor.

What did I notice: Rettig was cognizant of the time constraints that every band deals with in terms of the length of a set. She had a watch and kept on checking it for the time. The band did get through their setlist just fine and ended with "Bits." I can't do math, what is after eleven? She joined the mosh pit that had formed to end the punk set in proper exuberance.   

Mr. Dinkles at Gold-Diggers

The song spotlight goes to the recent 2026 single "Eat Chips and Talk Shit." A song about hanging out with friends at a park, no doubt reflecting on a lovely summer day in her adopted City of Angels.  

I could get us some wine or even champagne.

Setlist (not specifically in this order): Control It, Socialism Ditty, Eat Chips and Talk Shit, Brain, Letter To Elon, Purpose, Chains, IDRW, Strip, Bits.