Dot Dash is a “post-punk pop” band the formed in Washington, D.C. in mid-2010. They have released 3 LP’s on Canadian independent label The Beautiful Music. Dot Dash’s current line up consists of:
Terry Banks – guitar, voice; (ex-Julie Ocean, The Saturday People, Tree Fort Angst)
Steve Hansgen – guitar; (ex-Minor Threat, Government Issue, Modest Proposal)
Hunter Bennett – bass; (ex-Julie Ocean, Weatherhead)
Danny Ingram – drums (ex-Swervedriver, Strange Boutique, Youth Brigade)
Here’s a little bit of history involving guitarist Steven Hansgen and Minor Threat: There was a brief period in Minor Threat where Bassist Brian Baker switched to playing electric guitar instead of bass. Steve Hansgen played bass for Minor Threat during Baker’s bass-hiatus in 1982/1983. After recording the Out of Step LP, Hansgen was out of the band, and Minor Threat returned to it’s original lineup. Steve Hansgen plays guitars in Dot Dash and is the newest member of the band.
The members of Dot Dash come from different backgrounds of music. Some pop and some hardcore punk. The two genres combine beautifully to create a sound that is retro, raw, and feel-good. We don’t understand how somehow could dislike the sound of this band.
You can download a free MP3 of “Faraway” via bandcamp. This song was released in September of 2012 on the “Winter Garden Light” LP and will be re-released in upcoming independent documentary Kelly & Cal this September (2014). We especially love the background harmonies in this track – you may even find your self singing to them!
If you dig “Faraway”, get Dot Dash’s 3rd full-length 10-track album titled “Half-Remembered Dream” from bandcamp for only $7 released in August 2013. This was their most recent release. We recommend listening to the song “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past.” This song brings us back to early punk and to the 1980’s. This catchy song will have you both dancing in your living room and singing the hook at the top of your lungs. There is also a free download of “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past” available on bandcamp.
Dot Dash reminds us of a mix of The Buzzcocks, The Smiths (but way less depressing), The Only Ones, and the Go-Betweens.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Sept 17, 2014 – Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, Maryland, USA (flyer below, facebook event)
Visit Dot Dash on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dotdashdc
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