If you’ve been even somewhat involved in the live music scene around RVA over the last few years, you’re surely aware of Hot Dolphin; this garage-punk group’s been making a name for itself around town with wild live performances and catchy tunes ever since its live debut in February 2012. However, their brand new EP, coming out tomorrow as part of the Negative Fun Singles Club, is actually their first vinyl release.
If you’ve been even somewhat involved in the live music scene around RVA over the last few years, you’re surely aware of Hot Dolphin; this garage-punk group’s been making a name for itself around town with wild live performances and catchy tunes ever since its live debut in February 2012. However, their brand new EP, coming out tomorrow as part of the Negative Fun Singles Club, is actually their first vinyl release. The EP includes the song “Cat Sweaters,” which we’re premiering today and you can listen to below. This blown-out surf punk jam harks back to past rock legends including The Sonics, Bikini Kill, and The Damned, with Alison Hancock’s rumbling bassline and Lindsey Spurrier’s raging yet tuneful vocals being particular standout elements.
This EP was recorded upstairs at Gallery 5 in February 2014 by Hot Dolphin drummer Tim Falen. “It looked really silly because they had the burlesque costume exhibit set up all around the space where the gear was,” says Spurrier. “So it was almost like having an audience.” When asked about the origin of “Cat Sweaters,” she explained, “It is actually a song that [guitarist] Robert [Barrow] and Alison’s previous band, Color Kittens, had written. I think we learned it so early on because we just needed enough songs to make up a full set so we could start playing out. Plus, I was like number 1 fan girl for that band and was excited to get to sing it.” I fully expect everyone who hears this tune to become just as big a fan of it as Spurrier herself.
Hot Dolphin will celebrate the release of their entry in the 2014 Negative Fun Singles Club with a show at Strange Matter tomorrow night, October 21, beginning at 9 PM. The bill will also feature sets from Philadelphia’s Cassavetes (who feature members from Paint It Black, but apparently sound nothing like that band) and Ohio’s The Raging Nathans. Admission is $5. For more info, click here. Only 50 copies of the Hot Dolphin EP will be available for sale at the show–the rest will be available to Negative Fun Singles Club subscribers only.
The good news is that subscriptions to the Singles Club are still available, and you can purchase one for yourself for $50 from Negative Fun’s webstore by clicking here. Subscribers receive one EP each by Hot Dolphin, fellow RVA residents Positive No, Philadelphia’s No Other, Carrboro NC residents Midnight Plus One, and Cali punks Bad Daddies. Subscriptions also include a cassette compilation featuring all 5 EPs, buttons and stickers, 25% discounts on orders from the Negative Fun webstore, and other surprise bonuses. Plus, shipping is free within the US!
If you can’t make it out tomorrow night, you can catch Hot Dolphin again opening for Screaming Females on their next visit to Strange Matter, happening Monday, November 3 beginning at 7 PM. Tickets for that show are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and can be ordered here: https://screamalesrva.eventbrite.com/ This show will also feature sets from Nashville’s Pujol and RVA’s own Christi. For more info, click here.
