Mr. Dinkles’ Insightful EP is Out Now

June 10, 2026 Jason Shrum

I have been tracking the band Mr. Dinkles since their catchy hooks, and fuzzy riffs first graced the algorithm of Instagram and landed in my feed. This DIY band has been lifting off over the last year or so, and now the LA/ Seattle band has put their dynamic tracks together on a nice slick EP that is currently out everywhere. I just received my 10” translucent red vinyl from Futureless Records recently and it has been flipped over repeatedly – to the point where my dog knows all the words. Comprised of vocalist and guitarist Mac Rettig and drummer Rocco Ramos, Mr. Dinkles have quickly popped up on the radar of those new punk fans and some of us old heads as well. I really haven’t been this excited about a new sound since I was given a cassette tape in high school that had this California trio called Green Day on it.

The band debuted in 2020 with an album called Titled Self, and then followed that up in 2022 with their sophomore album, What Happens When You Smoke Dr Ug. This year has been full new singles like “Eat Chips and Talk Shit,” “IDRW,” “Letter to Elon,” and a brand-new drop that is aptly titled “Socialism Ditty.” The EP is R.I.P.T., and it includes these four bangers plus one that I had not heard before labeled “Grinding My Teeth”. Their songs are full of angst that is presented in a whimsical fashion and contain memorable melodies laced in edgy sarcasm. The tracks are tightly woven with decadent grooves that create a beautiful head bop and punch societal grievances right in the face.

So, in their messaging you will definitely feel that presence of the punk rebellion. As it was with The Sex Pistols, Black Flag and so many more, Mr. Dinkles keeps this format of not backing down and challenging the norm. Punk is not dead. This is exemplified in “Letter to Elon”, which I have written about in a past article. It speaks on his hypocrisy of not being American yet hating immigrants and spending on rockets when we could use the aid domestically or at least Earthly. It is served up nicely alongside a bed of “Socialism Ditty” that screams about sharing the wealth. “Socialism Ditty is about billionaires taking everyone’s money,” says Rettig. There is humor in the ask but also a furious frustration that looms large.

As these twenty-something-year-olds navigate this new brand of political oligarchy, it is clear that they are fed up and deserve change. They are not here to deliver on answers but rather are bringing awareness to these future generations. They are certainly connecting with the masses, and their voices are carrying a beacon of hope to those who want to listen and rattle the cages of those in charge. I am a fan of angry music and lyrics that reflect the idiocy of society. To me, change is constantly necessary. Learning and growing should never stop. People get too comfortable and get stuck in a mindset that suits them but leaves our children stuck in a world that they didn’t get to create. Mr. Dinkles does a great job in lifting the veil and pointing out the wrongs of our leaders. This EP is so well timed and absolutely necessary. Please listen to it and be kind.