For those of you who don’t know Ms. Taylor Thompson, she’s the muscle behind Washington Social Christmas – the girl in charge of getting it all together and getting you there. She’s also a kick-ass publicist by day and general source of merriment by night.

Taylor talked to some of the bands involved in the Christmas rock ‘n roll craziness (at the 9:30 Club on December 15!) about their holiday wishes.

From electric toothbrushes to naming the stars to giving vs. receiving, add some happiness to your holidays!  First up:

The Dance Party

(what the fuck is that? -ed)

The Dance Party have had a smashing 2007. Their first full album was released to cheers, happy reviews and wet panties world-wide. And when they take the stage next Saturday it will be their FIFTH performance at the 9:30 Club this year. As D.C. well knows by now, everything is more fun with a little DP in your life.

BYT: You guys are one of those (very) rare and refreshing bands who are friends first, band mates second. What does The Dance Party get each other for Christmas? And how do you celebrate together - carols around a Christmas fire, decorating a tree, emptying a few bottles under the highway?

Danny Hoagg (bass): Last year I bought the band electric toothbrushes. Then we proceeded to get drunk in our practice space and talk about getting awesome.

Kevin Bayly (guitar): Last Christmas I brought a six-pack of Zima to practice. Mick drank three and started crying. It was beautiful. Believe it or not, Danny’s nickname in the band is actually “Father Christmas.”

Mick Coogan (vocals, guitar): Four words: strip club gift cards.

(Check out our Dance Party listening party here)

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Washington Social Club

Marty, age 5

The reason we’re all here, folks. Their second album, Bigger Than Your Boyfriend, was released in June. Since then it’s been featured on Entourage, Gossip Girl and soon to be on prime-time shows on NBC and ABC. It’s beautiful, it’s brilliant, it’s bigger than your boyfriend (but not mine, obviously).

BYT: Which is better - giving or receiving?

Martin Royle (vocals): Usually I’d say GIVING because I’m a dominant, forceful top by nature. But lately I’ve been having fantasies about RECEIVING, maybe from someone older, a little more mature and experienced. Anyway, if someone out there fits that criteria, email me at KBAYLY@gmail.com.

BYT: What’s your worst holiday memory?

Martin: Oh, that’s easy. I worked retail one Christmas at a fancyish store in Pennsylvania. I have never loathed the human condition, both my own and my customers, more than I did in the week between Christmas and New Years.

What was the best thing about 2007 for you?

Randy Scope (drums): The birth of my daughter Amelia Marie was the best thing about 2007.

(Check out our Wash Social Club Listening Party here)

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Jukebox the Ghost

Wow, D.C. music gets better and better and better. The proof in the pudding? Jukebox the Ghost! If you’ve yet to catch one of their masterfully skillful and wonderfully energetic performances, you’re missing a joy comparable to waking up on Christmas morning and finding that Santa ate your cookies and left whatever your five-year-old heart desired most. Pure joy and amazement. Welcome, Jukebox the Ghost!

BYT: Pick a Christmas album – Mannheim Steamroller or A Chipmunk Christmas?

Ben Thornewill (vocals, piano): Chipmunks Christmas, but it has to be the old one and not the new one.

BYT: There’s a new one?

Ben: Yeah, it’s not out yet, but we got an advance copy from a music publisher. It’s god-awful. It has the Chipmunks doing hip-hop like (rapping in low, very un-Chipmunk like voice) “Party like a Chipmunk! Party like a Chipmunk!” AWFUL.

BYT:  That’s embarrassing. Okay, what’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone and the worst gift?

Ben: Worst gift was the Rock n Roll Hamster. I bought at Spencer’s gifts for my aunt, who is actually much cooler than that. She left it at my house in the guest room and I found it nine months later.

The best gift I gave was…okay, you know how you can buy a star online?

(At which point I hear the other members of Jukebox the Ghost complaining loudly in the background. Something is said about “sponsoring a whale,” expletives, etc)

BYT:  Yeah, I know about that.

Ben: Okay, I named a star online for my best friend.

BYT: For your best friend? Not for a girlfriend?

Ben: No, not a girlfriend. It was right before we both went to college. And in the summer we used to watch the stars together.

BYT: Wow. (sound of hearts sighing collectively everywhere…)

(More sexy pics of them here)

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Laura Burhenn

Jumping up-and-down in my office, running in place and squealing with glee – that’s what I did when I got the email saying that Laura was available for Washington Social Christmas. She’s the front-woman for the delightful Georgie James, whose first album Places is raising people’s spirits in far corners of the world and right here at home. Laura also does beautiful solo shows that linger with you days after the entry stamp fades from your hand. She’s a living, breathing argument against that tired charge that D.C. has no style and she’s downright beautiful to boot. Given all this, I’d still buy all her albums and go to all her shows if Laura was a raging bitch / maniacal diva – but, no, she’s the sweetest, kindest, coolest of girls. And WE COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED that she’s joining us on December 15. 

(check out Laura’s BYT column here)

BYT: I think you’re D.C.’s most crush-worthy musician. A lot of the boys and a number of girls out there would like to know: what’s your favorite way to keep warm in the winter?

Laura: There’s nothing better than heading out into a snowscape, getting so cold you think you might lose some fingers or toes, and then cozying up by a fire with some hot chocolate (or a bottle of red wine) and someone near and dear. Keeping warm should be an interactive experience.

BYT: What’s the best present you’ve ever received for Christmas? Worst present?

Laura: The commercialization that fuels the holidays is a terrible thing. All the emphasis on physical stuff — defining us and somehow demonstrating how much we care for the people in our lives. “You wanna know how much I love you? I love you a [Wii, scarf, diamond, DVD, new car]’s worth!” The best gifts are always the homemade ones. And just time spent together.

BYT: Okay, kids, you heard her – let’s spend some time together. What are you doing next Saturday night?

Washington Social Christmas
with Washington Social Club, Laura Burhenn, The Dance Party, Jukebox the Ghost, Susan and Emily from Exit Clov, Members of Le Loup, Caverns and more!

9:30 Club
6:30 pm doors – DON’T BE LATE! The fun starts early.
$15

Sponsored by Brightest Young Things and SPIN

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