actress

Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Party Crashers

music The Dance Hall Crashers know how to have a good time,
bringing a youthful audience to its feet with their blend of punk,
pop and ska.

By Michelle Zubiate

Daily Bruin Contributor

Rod Stewart comes close with "Forever Young." David Bowie’s
"Teenage Wildlife" almost hits it. Even Tony Bennett’s "Young and
Foolish" has the right idea. But no song can truly capture what
Dance Hall Crashers truly embodies in their energy and vigor: the
juvenile spirit.

On Feb. 13, the pop/punk/ska group Dance Hall Crashers (DHC)
gave a stellar performance to their younger fans at The Roxy in
Hollywood. Through a compilation of old favorites from their
previous albums and a few new hits from their most recent album,
"Honey I’m Homely," DHC gave their loyal followers a performance of
electricity and compelling drives.

The audience, in return, made it clear that it didn’t matter
what was played, as long as DHC continuously fed them the vitality
their sound is a trademark of. The Roxy on the chilly night before
Valentine’s Day was the place to shout, sing and have a blast.

Fans usually aren’t sure what words describe DHC and their
music. "Fast," "rockin’" and "awesome" come to mind, but as far as
putting an adjective to their style … fans are often left without
a clue. Older fans would contend that their songs are strictly
punk, but then again there are hints of ska influences. Their new
album proves that their music has evolved into a more pop-style
rock than, say, older albums like "Lockjaw" or "Old Record."

Since the band first emerged roughly seven years ago in
Berkeley, they have found their own style and their own groove
which is distinguished from rock’s stereotypes. The two lead
singers, Karina Denike and Elyse Rogers, use both unique harmonies
and outstanding solo vocals to create mass appeal among their fans.
Bassist Mikey Weiss, drummer Gavin Hammon and guitarist Jason
Hammon complement the band’s clean-cut image but, at the same time,
uphold its sarcastic attitude.

Opening with a rivet of drums and screaming teenagers and
20-somethings, Dance Hall Crashers captured the crowd from the
beginning. The first few songs of the set included old favorites
that immediately pleased those fans of their punkier sound era.

Rogers and Denike confidently dominated the stage and took
advantage of The Roxy’s small club atmosphere to create a
crowd/performer connection at every chance possible.

Rogers’ cute, stylish black hair with bangs and Denike’s floral
skirt and blouse gave the two a distinct retro-esque image of
quasi-innocence. Their bold lyrics and brash vocals, however,
proved they were more than sweet little girls. They hopped about
the stage, often calling for the crowd to constantly "jump!"

The audience willingly obliged. And DHC twisted and grooved,
initiated sing-a-longs and even challenged the crowd to maintain
their "bounce" throughout an entire song. Past the smiles and the
charisma was a band who, as evident in the hushed pants and
slightly glowing faces, gave it their all and did not hold
back.

In return, the crowd gave its own contribution to the show.
Besides the usual tiresome crowd-surfing, they often broke out in
silly incomprehensible chants. At one point, the band invited loads
of giggling girls on stage to take over and sing their own
rendition of "He Wants Me Back." It was the perfect song for
independent women who were feeling a little extra bitter on the
night before the dreaded V-Day. Even though the scene invoked
remembrances of that third- grade Christmas pageant or last week’s
Karaoke night at Shakey’s, it won the crowd over with charming
humor and fun.

Those favorite songs are what really got the crowd on its feet
every time. The uncanny "So Sue Us" is characteristic of their
hyper – "I don’t give a shit" style. The house cheered and sang
along with every word.

"Lost Again," a new hit, has recently seen a lot of air time on
the radio and even was featured on a recent episode of "Beverly
Hills, 90210." Songs such as "Mr. Blue" and "Queen For A Day" had
great slammin’ guitar moments and dished out danceable beats all
over the place. This element is clearly something you cannot get
from just listening to the album, due in part because Dance Hall
Crashers are gifted live performers as well as talented
musicians.

Although DHC gave an encore of "The Truth About Me" and two
other old hits, the set ended entirely too soon. Many of the band’s
other favorites were saved for the next night’s show to the
disappointment of those unable to attend both performances. A few
fans voiced their disapproval over the fact that not enough songs
were played from their newest album, "Honey I’m Homely!" But DHC’s
vitality shined and left a packed Roxy screaming through the
finale, happily satisfied, if not yearning for more.

Lead singer Karina Denike rocks the excited, youthful crowd at
The Roxy’s pre-Valentine show.

Fans sing with the Dance Hall Crashers onstage as Karina Denike
looks on.