two girls singing some fine ska, what could be better? well the dance hall crashers do it better than anyone else i have heard of or know of. crazy wacky good band. this interview was done over email in December, ‘96 with Gavin.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE BAND RIGHT NOW?
DHC- We're making a new record and just rereleased our first.

WHICH IS A BETTER PEST: MICE OR ROACHES?
DHC- Mice, they're at least kinda cute. Roaches just get meaner and more indestructible.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DONUT?
DHC- Plain cake with chocolate and nuts, preferably at a Winchell's

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT STATE OF SKA? IS IT A REVIVAL? THE 3RD/4TH WAVE?
DHC- Well, I've yet to see a fourth wave. I think third just encompasses lots of different variations on a theme. Ska is popular as it has always been, but I don't see it as a "next big thang". Most of the so-called ska bands (us included) on alternative radio these days aren't even ska by most fans' standards. There are regular posts to AMS (alt.music.ska for you non-puter geeks -EDITOR) about who's ska and who's not. It's tough to keep up.

WHAT TIME WOULD YOU LIKE TO PERISH?
DHC- Afternoonish, maybe around 3pm or so...

HOW DID THE WARPED TOUR GO?
DHC- Warped was great. All the bands are supercool and we got to see great performances from great bands and skaters everyday. I highly recommend it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MIMES?
DHC- They get a bad rap.

AS OBVIOUS CHEESE FANS, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?
DHC- I'd have to go with monterey jack, but that view is strictly my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of dhc as a whole...

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU FOR?
DHC- Making them laugh and have a good time at a show. We'd like to send people home a little happier than they came.

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST SHOW EVER?
DHC- We had a terrible show in Montreal with Bad Religion. It was in this big hockey arena, about 4000 people maybe, I dunno, it was dark. Right as we're walking out on stage, Jason gets pegged with a battery. So he's playing with blood trickling down down his arm, very metal. To top that off, they really didn't like it. After each song there was some vague applause followed by a resounding, audible BOO. That was the first time we'd been booed. It sucked, not a good feeling. Even better when half of 4000 people are booing.
But we got mail from some very cool Canadians who apologized for their countrymen, which made up for it.

WHO ARE YOUR HEROS
DHC- Ben Kenobi.

WHERE IS THE GREATEST PLACE ON EARTH AND WHY?
DHC- The SF Bay Area. Best weather, best food, best coffee, best record store.

CAN A GREEN CHALKBOARD STILL BE CALLED A BLACKBOARD?
DHC- What would you call it, a greenboard?! I didn't think so...

WHAT ARE THE WORST 5 RECORDS EVER MADE?
DHC- Kenny G's catalog, or the best five I 'spose.

ANY AWESOME BANDS YOU WANT TO PLUG?
DHC- Mighty Mighty Bosstones, High Standard, the Police, Bouncing Souls, Rocket From the Crypt, AFI, Limp, NOFX, Deftones, the Upsetters, the Clash, Elvis Costello and the Attractions and many many more....

WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO PLAY WITH?
DHC- I would have really loved to play with the Police.

REVERSE INTERVIEW!!

ASK ME 2 QUESTIONS AND I WILL ANSWER THEM!
DHC- What was the name of the spy who sold out Han, Luke, Chewie, Ben and the droids at docking bay 94?
GEEZ, I THOUGHT YOU'D ASK SOMETHING HARD. LANDO CALRISION OF COURSE!

DHC- Who is Kaiser Soze?
WELL, I COULD SAY BUT THAT WOULD RUIN THE MOVIE FOR OTHER PEOPLE. I'LL JUST SAY WATCH EVERYONE REAL CAREFUL-LIKE AND IT IS NOT TOO HARD TO FIGURE OUT.

NOW, GIVE QUESTIONS FOR THESE ANSWERS:
I LIKE THE LITTLE LASAR THING, BUT IT JUST ISN'T COMFORTABLE AND IT IS HARD TO GET USED IT.
DHC- How's that prosthetic forehead treating you?

OVAL. WELL, SOMETIMES A CUBE.
DHC- What shape is respect?

IT'S GOTTA BE A DARK BLUE, OR IT IS A NO GO! WOW, THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
DHC- What are your criteria for finding the perfect mate?

OK, BACK TO NORMAL.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE DANCE HALL CRASHERS?
DHC- We're going to make a new record and then tour like bats out of hell.

ANY FINAL WORDS/ PHRASES/ THREATS/ ETC?
DHC- Thanks for the support everybody.

Thanks alot for the opportunity. You write a fun interview, I had a good
time. Thanks!

Gavin Hammon
(percussion guy)
Dance Hall Crashers