DOT DASH : "Spark Flame Ember Ash" (2011) CD Review

As I may have stated (numerous times before), one of the joys of blogging is the promo material one receives. This hidden gem arrived yesterday - the debut CD by Dot Dash, a Washington DC outfit who describe themself as "post punk".

For the record, I like them, down to their "Wire" (UK New Wave) derived moniker. Nothing over ambitious, just 14 well written, crafted and performed songs, from the pen of guitarist / vocalist Terry Banks.

I have been playing this in the Van on my travels today, and the same question keeps recurring - is the mid / low fi sound  purposeful, or should they be looking for a new producer ? The vocal seem half buried and this is such a pity, as there is a great album fighting to get out.

I also greatly admire the fact that they're trying to make their own way and haven't fallen into the trap of derivation, as have so many others. The four members have a decent musical pedigree between them, including Swervedriver & Modest Proposal. (The latter were my fave US based Mod outfit after The Mod Fun, from Hoboken, NJ, as I recall..). Similarly, their influences are impeccable - almost made for this blog then.

The CD has recently been released by Canadian indie The Beautiful Music (web url below), and is also available for download via iTunes, eMusic & Amazon.

As a taster, there are a couple of tracks below (with the blessing of the band) - have a listen & judge for yourselves.

I look forward to new material from the lads - just have a quiet word or two with the producer !

PS an upcoming date of interest to US visitors will be @ the DC9 in Washington, Nov 28th, supporting blog fave The Chameleons. Give my regards to Burgess !

2 tracks I particularly like... Click on the flag...

Part of their Press Release :

Dot Dash is a post punk pop band from Washington D.C.



spark>flame>ember>ash is their long-playing debut. It contains 14 songs and was recorded in three afternoons.


If this bio had one of those “RIYL/Recommended If You Like” sections, it might drop names like The Jam, Joy Division and The Byrds…


… Or perhaps it would bring up an apparent appreciation by Dot Dash for the ancient sounds of the Postcard, Whaam and early Creation labels…


But those kinds of judgments can really only be made by you, the listener.


As is often the case, Dot Dash has a whole “they are ex-members of” thing going on:


Guitarist/singer Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett were in punky power poppers Julie Ocean.


Before that, Terry was in a bunch of jangly guitar bands, including The Saturday People, Tree Fort Angst, Glo-Worm, and St. Christopher.


Guitarist Bill Crandall was in the mod/pop band Modest Proposal.


Drummer Danny Ingram began musical life in Dischord-label punks Youth Brigade before moving on to Strange Boutique and, later, U.K. guitar-wranglers Swervedriver.


Dot Dash plays shows, mostly around D.C., but occasionally out of town, whenever they can. In the recent past they’ve opened for Urge Overkill, The Godfathers, The Trash Can Sinatras, and The Capstan Shafts, among others.


So that’s it: 14 songs, recorded expeditiously, and released by The Beautiful Music. You be the judge.


Check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/dotdashdc


www.thebeautifulmusic.com