- Berkeley's DANCE HALL CRASHERS are not about two girls fronting a band but about the remarkable band these two girls front and the original sound they've developed. Their new album, Purr, delivers that unmistakable DANCE HALL CRASHERS style which amps up their fans with an energizing drive and fun sarcastic attitude. The double vocals of Elyse Rogers and Karina Denike resonate with catchy pop melodies and inspired harmonies, while the guitars of Jason Hammon and the rythms of bassist Mikey Weiss and drummer Gavin Hammon seamlessly incorporate classic punk and two tone influences.
- The songs on the new album Purr resonate with sarcasm and wit; from the sweetly stinging biting humor in songs like "Real You" to the sentiments in the super catchy "Beverly Kills," an urban anthem about the leeching, life-sucking power of Los Angeles. Purr also gives fan a more personal touch with songs like the comforting "Remember to Breathe," and their only acoustic song, "Cricket," a sweet sounding lullaby dealing with childhood fear of death.
- While continuing to give their fans all that they love, Purr also evolves the DANCE HALL CRASHERS sound by being noticeably heavier in parts to reflect more accurately the band's fierce live shows. Denike remarks, "We tend to come across a bit lighter on our albums than we actually are. With Purr, we wanted to recreate our live sound." To help capture this, DANCE HALL CRASHERS brought in Fat Mike (NOFX) to produce the album and Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, The Cure, Robert Plant, and Tears Fears) to mix it.
- Purr is also the debut album for Pink and Black Records, a new label distributed by FAT WRECK CHORDS which was created specifically to release female-fronted bands. The DANCE HALL CRASHERS previously re-released their 1989-1992 albums on one album that they tiltled The Old Record on FAT's other distributed label, Honest Don's. The DANCE HALL CRASHERS also experienced considerable success releasing two full length albums on 510/MCA Records, the much anticipated Lockjaw and the critically praised follow up Honey I'm Homely. They also released a limited run enhanced EP entitled Blue Plate Special, featuring a collection of the best unreleased DANCE HALL CRASHERS songs along with the band's four videos.
- After the release of Blue Plate Special, The DANCE HALL CRASHERS left MCA due to irreconcilable creative differences. "There was no big drama," Rogers remarked. "It just felt like a good time to part ways while we were still on amicable terms. We wanted to have fun making music again, and we felt that there were lots of advantages to being on a big indie label right now."
- In 1997 and 1998 the DANCE HALL CRASHERS did some of their most extensive international touring and demonstrated how a wide variety of audiences connect with their distinct sound. In addition to jaunting through Japan and Europe (including festivals like Reading, Bizarre, Pukkelpop, and Lowlands), the DANCE HALL CRASHERS toured with such bands as NOFX, Third Eye Blind, and Madness. Likewise, the two years of touring brought international attention to the groups stunning live shows, about which NME wrote "A force ten gale of punkoid joy," while the Village Voice said "their sneers alone are worth the price of admission."
- DHC's latest miracle on Pink & Black Records is The Live Record: Witless Banter and 25 Mildly Antagonistic Songs of Love. The name says it all! This album has all the hits from every period of the band's recording history and even includes a Tom Petty cover!
All the DHC hits are here on one live record! There's 25 songs plus a buncha talking in between them. Now that's a party!
Listen to "She's Trying" (3:06)
The first ever Pink & Black release! Produced by Fat Mike, Purr is 12 songs of love, laughs, and lousy boyfriends. Their best record yet, and really cute kittens on the cover!
Listen to "The Real You" (2:41)
Dance Hall Crashers
"The Live Record"
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Dance Hall Crashers
"Purr"
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