THE DANCE PARTY
IS JUST GETTING STARTED
WITH THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, ‘TOUCH’,
DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 28 ON HELL YA! RECORDS
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.
www.myspace.com/thedanceparty
www.facebook.com/thedanceparty
www.twitter.com/thedanceparty
www.youtube.com/thedanceparty
Contacts:
Amanda Cagan @ ABC PR – 818-990-6876 – Amanda@abc-pr.com
Andrew Steinthal @ ILG – 212-707-3086 – Andrew.Steinthal@WMG.com