Dementions, third version (Battle of the Bands winners, 1968) with (L-R) Randy Belger, Don Wadyka, Bill Bernico, Carl Block, Kim Steffen
The Dimensions (first lineup) with (L-R) Bill Bernico, Randy Belger, Don Wadyka, Dan Shaske Bill Bernico sent these photos of his bands, the Dimensions, High Water and Pye, based around Sheboygan, Wisconsin, about halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay.
I formed the band in the fall of 1965 and our first name was The Dimensions, later changed to The Dementions and finally to High Water (we found a road sign warning of High Water).
We played throughout Wisconsin until July of 1972 at which time we all went our own ways. We played a lot of Sheboygan Armory jobs, opening for such acts as The Robbs, Cryan’ Shames, Skunks, Tony’s Tygers, ? and the Mysterians, The Legends, Next Five and on and on. As for our members, they were… and were from…
Bill Bernico…Sheboygan Don Wadyka…Sheboygan Falls Dan Shaske…Batavia Randy Belger…Batavia Carl Block…Random Lake Kim Steffen…Fredonia
Second version of Dementions with (L-R) Randy Belger, Bill Bernico, Don Wadyka, Kim Steffen, Carl BlockAfter more than 43 years, I am the only one still active as a working musician. I’ve pared down from a 6-piece band to a duo and now a solo act. Other Sheboygan bands I’ve played with included PYE, Colonel Corn and Flashback.
As for recording, we had the song all picked out, rehearsed and ready to record when our keyboard player decided he didn’t want to have to tour to promote it, went to another band.
Bill Bernico, 2009
High Water with (L-R) Kim Steffen, Carl Block, Randy Belger, Bill BernicoHigh Water, final lineup (1971) with Kim Steffen, Bill Bernico, Randy Belger (back) and Carl Block (front)Pye, my 1969 band (lasted 6 months) with (L-R) Tom Roth, Bill Bernico, Steve Progar, Mick Johnston, Dick Colbath
16 thoughts on “The Dimensions, Dementions, High Water and Pye”
Bill Bernico did NOT start the Dimensions in 1965. The group was originally started by myself (Dan Shaske) and rhythm guitarist Don Wadyka in late 1964. We (Don and I) met at Goodells music store in Sheboygan. Mr. Bernico wasn’t brought on board until a few months later.
The group started in late 1965 when Don Wadyka and I got together with drummer Greg Warner and decided to add a bass player (Shaske) who was the last of us four to join. He may have known Don earlier, but there was no band until Don and I decided to put one together and invited Dan to join. He was also the first member to leave the band in 1968. The rest of us went on for another 4 years until the band broke up.
Thank you Bill for putting this website together. I share it a lot with my job as a hospice chaplain in Mesa Arizona where I continue to play guitar and sing to my patients and also do when our shows at retirement homes mobile home parks and rest homes. Carl Block carlsentertainment.homestead.com
We are doing a reunion gig July 8 at Random Lake. You might like to come over. Just a hop skip and a jump from Waukesha. Randy will be drumming and singing joking around.
So my dad was a volunteer fireman in Streamwood Illinois in 1965. I recently acquired the meeting notes from the Board of Directors meetings, he was the secretary. There is a blurb about it being approved for the Dimensions to play at the Halloween dance. The meeting notes are dated September 20,1965. I am curious if you have any recollection or pictures of this. My fathers name is Bruce Dingler , soon to be 80 years old. I’m gathering some memorabilia from those years
All in all, my time as bass player for the Dimensions and Dementions was a great experience. Getting together and making some good music with the guys was a blast. While I don’t see any of my bandmates much at all these days, I still look back and remember all the fun we had and the big name acts we worked with. It was a great time to be alive. Would like to see Bill Bernico more and reminisce a bit. Bill and I sometimes didn’t agree on things (i would hope that’s ancient history) we made damn good music. Bill, Randy, Don, Carl and Kim….I would sure like to play a few songs with you guys just one more time.
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Bill Bernico did NOT start the Dimensions in 1965. The group was originally started by myself (Dan Shaske) and rhythm guitarist Don Wadyka in late 1964. We (Don and I) met at Goodells music store in Sheboygan. Mr. Bernico wasn’t brought on board until a few months later.
The group started in late 1965 when Don Wadyka and I got together with drummer Greg Warner and decided to add a bass player (Shaske) who was the last of us four to join. He may have known Don earlier, but there was no band until Don and I decided to put one together and invited Dan to join. He was also the first member to leave the band in 1968. The rest of us went on for another 4 years until the band broke up.
My, my…no end to the ego, is there Bill?
Thank you Bill for putting this website together. I share it a lot with my job as a hospice chaplain in Mesa Arizona where I continue to play guitar and sing to my patients and also do when our shows at retirement homes mobile home parks and rest homes.
Carl Block
carlsentertainment.homestead.com
Randy Belger is my 1st cousin !! My Dad’s late sister’s son ! Wishing him the best where-ever he is now !!!—-Van Mehlos, Waukesha , WI
randy belger is my grandpa
Hope all is well !!!–Van
We are doing a reunion gig July 8 at Random Lake. You might like to come over. Just a hop skip and a jump from Waukesha. Randy will be drumming and singing joking around.
So my dad was a volunteer fireman in Streamwood Illinois in 1965. I recently acquired the meeting notes from the Board of Directors meetings, he was the secretary. There is a blurb about it being approved for the Dimensions to play at the Halloween dance. The meeting notes are dated September 20,1965. I am curious if you have any recollection or pictures of this. My fathers name is Bruce Dingler , soon to be 80 years old. I’m gathering some memorabilia from those years
All in all, my time as bass player for the Dimensions and Dementions was a great experience. Getting together and making some good music with the guys was a blast. While I don’t see any of my bandmates much at all these days, I still look back and remember all the fun we had and the big name acts we worked with. It was a great time to be alive. Would like to see Bill Bernico more and reminisce a bit. Bill and I sometimes didn’t agree on things (i would hope that’s ancient history) we made damn good music. Bill, Randy, Don, Carl and Kim….I would sure like to play a few songs with you guys just one more time.
Where were you during the last five reunions?
my grandpa is randy belger and my name is alivia belger
he told me how much fun u guys had so i found this app and i will tell him about it so u guys can text i can call him right now
Hi guys this is randy
Yo, Randy, this is Bill (remember me?)
Hi Randy! This is your cousin Lon in Sonoma County, California. Sorry to tell you that Van passed away recently from COVID. Hope you are well.