Dance Hall Crashers - Lockjaw

The Bay Area's Dance Hall Crashers were originally founded as a ska band and side project by Rancid members Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, but the group evolved through several permutations into a pop-punk band with no Rancid members. The Dance Hall Crashers' major-label debut, Lockjaw, is full of staccato guitar riffing and impatient complaints about authority, but it's all set to irresistibly catchy melodic hooks. As with Green Day, the contradiction between the unhappy lyrics and the deliriously happy music comes across as a remarkably healthy response to an unhealthy social environment. Here, that response is given a fresh twist by the chirpy, twin lead vocals by Elyse Rogers and Karina Denike and by the remaining traces of Caribbean rhythms. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

um.......ya

So I have been listening to the dance hall crashers since I was like 14 which was like 9-10 years ago. I bought this cd a a local record shop back then and I fell in love. I haven't listened to them for a few years even though I still have all of their cds, but I thought it would be important to share that this band absolutely is cool. The ladies are beautiful, and in concert they rock. So if any teeny bopper wanna be punk jerk decides that he or she should think otherwise than you are not punk...you are not ska punk...and you should not give advice to any more amazon users. thank you. October 11, 2004

What a shocker...

I found this CD in a bunch of burned CDs a friend was throwing away. It was the first one I picked up, and I let her keep the rest. After I found out who exactly I was listening to I rushed to buy the real CD. The entire Lockjaw album is upbeat and catchy, and is one you can listen to over and over. The harmonies are fun, and the band builds a solid backbone behind the girly duo. Pay special attention to the song GO- it's my personal favorite, and a good starting point for anyone looking to love DHC. July 15, 2004

no...

I won't get into a negative review like I'd do for the Backstreet Boys or *N'Sync, but still, DHC isn't what you'd call a good punk band (in my opinion). I admit, I like Buck-O-Nine. I like Green Day. And believe it or not, I LOVE Rancid! I've even started wearing a Tim Armstrong-like mowhawk! But as for the Dance Hall Crashers, no. The song "Sticky" has the strangest lyrics ("Take the knife out of my back/clean the blade and put it back"). even a Slayer fan like me finds that weird, probably because it's being sung by a chick. The 2 girls definetly aren't fun to look at either. They're both extremely pail with dark red lipstick. Real female punk is Joan Jett, The Donnas, Patti Smith, you know, singing about rock & roll and boys and pissing and stuff and not songs about other girls with mental problems. To me, DHC's style has nothing to do with real punk. Now, since I like punk, even ska punk, I hope DHC sells well, but I wouldn't bother buying one of their albums. May 23, 2002

DHC's Lockjaw a MUST HAVE in my book...

Wrote this review because, quite simply this album is MONSTER POP, just insane giddiness, harmonies reminiscent of X with the lead singer in lower octaves, grass roots appeal.. just totally throws it out there, hilarious punk rock humor... They draw on soooo much great great music... they are really step wayy over the boundary of just a ska band... The lyrics, harmonies and solid band really took me by surprise... they can really tear it up. Songsss are anthems harmonized by cynical gurls who tell it the way it is, my favorite song keeps changing.... I have been listening to if for the better part of a year, and have never taken it out of rotation... This band really has it going on. Get the album. Tell your friendz... They totally deserve your support... Totally entertaining, CD is destined to be a classic. Songs are wayyy too good not to be... I listened to one other album by them, maybe Honey I am Homely... but this one is my fav so far... Holds it's very own place in my music collection. July 11, 2001

Even Guys Can Like It! Don't Worry, It's OK!

Alright, I'm a 17(18 on the 26th)-year old guy and I love this CD. It's the only DHC I have, but I've heard other songs by them. I'm sure any guys out there who like DHC are afraid to admit it. Well, DHC is no different from other punk/ska bands. After all, it was Rancid who put them together. The only quality making them "girly" is their vocals. THAT'S IT! Cm'on! They have good songs here! My fav being a split between "Go" and "Pictures". Get this CD. You'll see what I mean. July 11, 2000

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