THE DANCE PARTY: Debut Album, ‘Touch’, Due Out September 28 On Hell Ya! Records
July 26, 2010, 07:28 PM
A life consisting of “sex, drugs and rock & roll” is reality for THE DANCE PARTY--singer Mick Coogan, guitarist Kevin Bayly, bassist Dave Keuhl and drummer Jon Jester. They’ve already conquered their hometown (Washington, DC), held court for a six month long residency at one of Los Angeles’ premier strip clubs (Crazy Girls), and now it’s time to get friendly with the rest of the world with their debut album, TOUCH, which will be released September 28 on Hell Ya! Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group.
Make no mistake: TOUCH is sexualized danger, fused with ‘80s pop, slick rock production and soaring pop melodies. It’s evidenced by the first single, "Sasha Don't Sleep," in which frontman Mick Coogan alternates between a wailing growl and a Prince-like falsetto whisper to convey lyrics ranging from casual sex to Armageddon-level revelry. A video for the song will be released in the coming weeks.
To get fans pumped about the new album, THE DANCE PARTY will be posting remixed versions of five songs every two weeks on all of the band’s websites. “Sasha Don’t Sleep” remixed by Dillon Francis is currently available, and “Snake Eyes” remixed by Wallpaper will be posted on Monday, July 26.
THE DANCE PARTY had the honor and privilege to work with a bevy of acclaimed musicians and producers on TOUCH, including Justin Hawkins (singer/guitarist of The Darkness), David Paich (keyboardist of Toto), Matt Squire (3OH!3), and hit makers Luke Walker (Christian TV), Julian Bunetta (Leona Lewis), and Tim Pagnotta (Neon Trees). As Coogan gushes: "Sitting down with a demigod such as Justin Hawkins and hearing him rip solos and trading key licks with David Paich opened our eyes as to where we could take our pop music."
The album was recorded at a variety of studios in Los Angeles, including Swinghouse Studios, Mad Dog Studios and the legendary Sunset Sound Factory. Seasoned rock veterans Scott Shriner of Weezer and John Button of John Mayer-fame shared their talents on bass as Warren Huart (The Fray, Kris Allen), Julian Bunetta (Leona Lewis, Jessie James), and Luke Walker (Christian TV, Sugar Ray, Filter) carefully crafted the band’s sound.
It seems like a common rock and roll cliché for bands to move to Hollywood, party with reckless abandon, and hang out at strip clubs. However, for THE DANCE PARTY, the L.A. party lifestyle seemed like the most obvious next step in their career. While in Hollywood writing and recording TOUCH, the band took over Crazy Girls, setting up shop with a naughty monthly residency involving energetic performances, excessive partying, and most importantly, onstage strippers.
While the band's over-the-top live show and song writing may have seemed out of place in Washington, D.C., a city best known for power suits and politics, THE DANCE PARTY fit right in with the drugs, sex, and rock and roll of the Sunset Strip. "In Hollywood, we found a lifestyle that matched the music we wanted to make," says Coogan. "We found muses in the beautiful California girls and inspiration in the excess. Our record is a natural expression of how we live and we're proud of it." The band's series of sold-out shows at Crazy Girls gained instant notoriety, quickly becoming one of the most insane parties in Hollywood.
TOUCH is the soundtrack of lusty East Coast boys set loose on the landscape of L.A. that encourages excess and living for the moment. Their songs exhibit musical freedom with a refusal to follow the conventional patterns of pop music. Coogan echoes: "I think our songs rely on tough guitar parts, combined with big melodies layered on top of unique synth tones. I love singing home-run choruses, but I also love channeling R&B and singing falsetto. We all grew up loving every slick rock band--from Def Leppard to the Smashing Pumpkins to Phoenix--but we all love Michael Jackson and Prince just as much. I think it's reflected in our songs."
THE DANCE PARTY rock without irony. They want to melt your face. They want to have sex with you. They want to headline the first Rock & Roll Festival on the Moon. They want to rule the world.
