Dimmer was the name under which New Zealand musician
Shayne P Carter (formerly of Straitjacket Fits, The DoubleHappys and Bored Games) recorded and played music from 1994. It began as an umbrella name for jam sessions and short-lived band line-ups, then home recordings, then an ensemble with various members and guests. This evolution led to more settled four-piece rock band (especially from 2006–10, when only the bassist changed). At least 41 musicians have been acknowledged as playing a part in Dimmer over 18 years, with Carter the only permanent fixture.
The last Dimmer recordings were made in 2009, with the band playing live shows through 2010. A short farewell tour announced the end of the band in 2012, and Carter began recording under his own name after that. Reformed and reformatted versions of Dimmer have occasionally played live shows, drawing on all four Dimmer albums, since 2018.
Dimmer first debuted in the Official New Zealand Top 40 Albums on 3 June 2001 with the album I Believe You Are A Star. There are seven entries by Dimmer in the charts.