Review: Hayley and the Crushers’ single/video ‘Taboo’

. Hayley and the Crushers. Photo by Thomas Ignatius

Review: Hayley and the Crushers’ Single/Video “Taboo” – Release date August 23, 2022

One part pop, one part poison, all “poolside glitter punk,” California-to-Motor City transplants Hayley and the Crushers offer up a tsunami of bold, bad girl power. Anointed as “the naked embodiment of power pop punk” by New Wave icon Josie Cotton (who signed the band to her Kitten Robot Records in 2021), Modern Adult Kicks is the Crushers’ most ambitious and self-possessed album to date.

Helmed by husband-and-wife team guitarist Hayley Crusher Cain and bass player Dr. Cain ESQ (with Action Ben Cabreana on drums), Modern Adult Kicks (release date: September 13, 2022 via Kitten Robot Records) was produced by legendary LA punk producer Paul Roessler (TSOL, Josie Cotton, Richie Ramone) and mastered by Mass Giorgini (Anti-Flag, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio) at Sonic Iguana Studios.

ROCK AT NIGHT SAYS: All we can say is WE ARE EXCITED to hear a song with an 80s power pop sound and hints of New Wave. Lead singer Hayley Crusher Cain sounds like Pat Benatar in tone and the song screams DANCE. This song could have easily been slipped into MTV in the day. The video which is set in a vintage clothing store shows the trio playing their hearts out. Cain dressed very retro with her cat eyes glasses and day-glo orange hair (think B-52s) is playing the guitar and dancing around the store until she picks up a View-Master (remember those, kids?). The video moves back and forth between the store and a silver-clad dancer in an attic. The song and video are full of energy and positive vibes–something we all can use.

TOUR DATES

9/23 Fort Wayne, IN – The Brass Rail
9/24 Indianapolis, IN – Melody Inn Punk Rock Night Indianapolis
9/25 Chicago, IL – Reggies
9/27 Toledo, OH – The Ottawa Tavern
9/28 Cleveland, OH – Hatfield’s Goode Grub
9/30 Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl
10/1 Columbus, OH – Spacebar
10/4 Nashville, TN – The Basement
10/7 Detroit, MI – Small’s
10/8 Grand Rapids, MI – Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grillxe
11/18 San Diego, CA – Til 2 Club
11/19 San Pedro, CA – The Sardine / Recess Ops
11/26 Los Angeles, CA – The Redwood Bar