I remember seeing Washington Social Club the first time during the a summer show a few years back (if I remember correctly they played with Cartel-which is now Cedars, and Monopoli-which is now no more) and the Cat being sweaty and actually dancing. Which, at the time, I did not see that often in DC.

It was special.

And it kept being special at every sold-out, girls-in-dresses-wall-to-wall shows we attended of theirs since.
Now, 3 years or so later, DC’s premiere purveyors of foot stomping, you better jump to it power pop are back after too long (3 years) with a brand, spanking new album called “Bigger than your Boyfriend”.

And they’re throwing a big party this Saturday at the 930 club to celebrate this momentuous occasion. With The Dance Party (playing their second show at the 930 in six months)there to join in on the (inevitable) fun.

Anyhoo, we are excited… for the new CD, for the party, for yet another ALL-LOCAL line-up on a weekend at 930 club… and so much so we have a big, fat, Washington Social Club treat lined up for you:

1. An interview: In the Questions Corner: Mick Coogan, The Dance Party and in The Answers Side : Martin Royle, Washington Social Club.
2. A listening party: brand, spanking new tracks you will get to hear this Saturday, streamed for you courtesy of us, and explained courtesy of the band.
3. A very special (one could even say, enchanted) photo editorial featuring Washington Social Club, their fans AND some very patient frogs.

ENJOY.

Interview

TDP: During the last three years, Catching Looks has been on constant rotation at The Dance Party headquarters. Describe the progression from “Catching Looks” to “BTYB.”

WSC: Catching Looks is the white powder on the back of a CD case. Bigger Than Your Boyfriend is the whisky shot in the cup of coffee the next morning.

TDP: What are your favorite songs on Bigger Than Your Boyfriend and why?

WSC: “Not A Rockstar” for getting me up when I’m feeling dirty. My favorite part of “Let Us Go” is “Your CD’s always skip, I scratched the words ‘I love you.’” And on “Bigger Than Your Boyfriend” it’s “I’m not gay, I’m just bored.”

TDP: What is the state of D.C. rock?

WSC: Stronger than ever but not yet in a state of complete madness. The missing link to everything is all the bands drinking together. I’m totally serious. That’s the thing that could propel all the bands into really being great. If we hold on to a “Yours and Mine, You vs. Me” mentality, forget about it. But if we all have fun and play together and party together, there’s no limit to what could happen. More jamming, more drinking, less talking, less thinking.

TDP: In one word, characterize WSC’s experiences in the music industry.

WSC: How about I characterize the music industry in one word? DEAD. The party is over. And I went to that party so I can tell you – it was lame. But it’s over and we’re throwing our own party in D.C. with the best crowd in the country. The industry is dead – Long Live DIY!

TDP: Finish this sentence: Rocking the 9:30 Club is like waking up with all your friends around you, naked and singing.

TDP: What are the next steps for WSC?

WSC: Another recording! We made everyone wait too long, we know, we know. We’re sorry and we won’t do it again.

TDP: Was Luke Skywalker gay, or was he just bored?

WSC: Bored. That was the point right? Now Mark Hammill on Sea Quest…GAY!

TDP: What do you do when a zombie bites you?

WSC: Bite your girlfriend like in Wild Zero.

TDP: Patrick Swayze or Emilio Estevez?

WSC: Again and again, over and over, Swayze.

TDP: Does Olivia’s treachery ever get you down?

WSC: Not particularly. It’s delivered with such flair.

TDP: How would one survive for two weeks in the Mojave desert?

WSC: Eat a dick.

TDP: What the fuck is the big deal anyway?

WSC: The big deal is that Washington Social Club and The Dance Party are playing the 930 Club. Two bands that don’t rightly give a shit, partying till dawn because damn it, we still rock cause we need to. That’s the big deal. And if that’s not a big enough deal for you should probably retire from adolescence.

Listening party

The Break-Up
Martin: These lyrics are like large boobs on a skinny girl. No explanation for them – they’re just that fucking good. Olivia and Evan’s double vocal harmony swoop before the second chorus is my favorite moment on the album.

Let Us Go
Olivia: Martin wrote this song awhile ago and from the beginning I thought it was so catchy that I would sing along on the choruses. Eventually, he just gave them to me.

Close the Roads
Martin: The boy in this song is me and the girl? Joyce DeWitt.

Kids In The Back
Evan: One whimsical tune. In fact, I may have permanently depleted my supply of whimsy in writing that riff. But when duty calls…

Bigger Than Your Boyfriend
Martin: my glorious homoerotic anthem! You know, D.C. needs more of this kind of song. I challenge every band currently working to write a homoerotic anthem. The best song will be crowned in an award ceremony of my hosting called, wait for it, “The Reach-Arounds”!

The Frog Prince shoot

where we took a band, their fans, a wonderful DC summer locale (Malcolm X park) and hrew a frog (prince) into a mix for this:

all photography: Joel Diedriksen
styled by: Morgan Hungerford
art direction: Erik Loften

Want more?

do your homework before this Saturday by:
1. BFFing Washington Social Club and the Dance Party on their myspaces.
2. Check out amazing photos Joel took at some of their previous shows we attended:
WSC @ the Cat
TDP @ 930 Club
and just be there.

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