The Dopamines are an American
punk rock band originating from
Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in late 2006 by Matt Hemingway (drums), Jon Lewis (guitar, vocals) and Jon Weiner (bass, vocals). In 2008, Hemingway left the band and was replaced by Michael Dickson. Their loud style of punk has been compared to Midwestern punk bands like
Dillinger Four.[1]
Occasionally, the band had toured with a second guitarist, including
Mikey Erg from
The Ergs![2] Since 2013, Josh Goldman has been the band's second guitarist.[3]
History
Jon Lewis and Matt Hemingway played together in the Cincinnati punk band Black Tie Bombers (which also featured Ryan Rockwell of
Mixtapes), while Lewis and Jon Weiner played together in Ukraine Crane.[4][5] Together they formed The Dopamines and recorded a self-titled album in 2008, which was received positively. The punk-rock
fanzineRazorcake described, "…they sound like they're having the times of their lives, playing to a sweaty basement of wigging-out friends. That energy and the precision how they play make this record a fun, strong listen."[6]
Later that year, The Dopamines played
Insubordination Fest, in
Baltimore, which was part of the band's tour with
The Leftovers.[7] At the festival, video crews recorded the band's set, which were later released as a live CD/DVD titled Live From Baltimore.[8]
In 2009, a new song, "My Future's so Bright I Have to Wear Night Vision Goggles", appeared on Volume III of the
Traffic Street Records "Dangerous Intersections" 4-way split series along with
Todd Congelliere,
Apocalypse Meow, and Closet Fairies.[9] Later that year, the band released a split 7-inch with
The Copyrights titled "Songs About Fucking Up".[10]
In 2010, the band released its second album "Expect The Worst" on Paper + Plastick Records, and went on tour with Paper + Plastick founder
Vinnie Fiorello's band
Less Than Jake.[11] The new album was recorded by Less Than Jake guitarist Roger Lima and
Teen Idols drummer Matt Yonker, and mixed by
Descendents guitarist
Stephen Egerton.[12]
In March 2011, the band started recording a new album, produced by Yonker;[13] the album, Vices, was released in June 2012. The band released their fourth album Tales of Interest on Red Girlfriend Records in June 2017.[1]