When I “came out” this summer over my support for the Vote No campaign in Minnesota (they succeeded by the way!) my post reached wider and hit harder than I anticipated. Popular news and entertainment blog Towleroad picked it up, and the tee preorder reached beyond my expectations. I also was asked soon after to speak with Boston Spirit, a local publication dedicated to LGBT culture.

In it I speak about the brand, its inspirations, and the path we've had from start to future. I also speak specifically how being gay has influenced my interest in horror and ultimately the brand. While I wouldn't call Dance Party Massacre a “gay brand”, to ignore the influence growing up homosexual has had on me would be a fault. I think we all feel a bit like freaks at times, and part of DPM is to throw that back at people by creating something loud and fun for people to wear that often reminds us to face our fears head on.


You can view the full article here, which spanned over 3 pages and included a GIGANTIC image of me. (Oh boy.) I think it's a good read about Dance Party Massacre and a new look into my journey and thoughts. Plus if it helps 1 of you out there feel less like a weirdo, then I'm so glad I did the interview. A thanks goes to writer Scott Kearnan and Boston Spirit for covering my story. You can check out the other newsworthy pieces Dance Party Massacre has been getting in the Press section.

Go fight,
-Alex 

When I told you we'd be going all out for our 5 year anniversary, I meant it. We had a zombie fashion show, held a benefit auction with Jason Voorhees himself, sold at the #1 Halloween destination, and printed special anniversary designs. Well, we still have 1 more surprise that's been hiding. I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle, so I held back... until now.

I'm very excited to announce we've teamed up with horror royalty Fangoria Magazine to give you an exclusive and original limited edition t-shirt design.

A world-renowned publication for horror news and entertainment, the cult favorite has been “first in fright” since the 1970s. While here at Dance Party Massacre we love everything horror, we also appreciate brands and companies that have earned the right to be considered "classics" in their field. Fangoria has earned their cult status in popular culture for a reason, and we're just as excited to team up with such a kick-ass company as we are to put out a killer horror design.

The concept for the t-shirt combines the classic Fangoria cover design, and reimagines it for Dance Party Massacre. In it, Dance Party Massacre is a real-life slasher movie surrounded by other horror-ible stories. Illustrated by powerhouse Matthew Skiff (the man behind such top sellers as The Other Gloved One and The Horror Club) we put everything from zombies, teens in peril, a monster scream queen and Frankenstein on it. The design is topped off with a Dance Party Massacre X Fangoria limited edition seal on the sleeve. The shirt will be printed on the same super-soft tees you've come to know from us, with the same quality printing and details.

For 1 week only you can pre-order the design for over 20% off the regular price. Deal ends November 22 at midnight.

We have exclusive rights to sell this design online (you won't even be able to order it through Fangoria's website), and right now we're doing pre-orders on it for 1 week only. Not only is it at a discounted price, with this pre-order we are able to allow a wider range of sizes than we usually offer. This collaboration is a limited edition, and Dance Party Massacre will only be printing 50 tees. If the pre-order reaches that limit, you won't be able to buy from us after it.

As if I didn't gush enough about Fangoria when they featured us back in June, now the fan freak-out can commence more. I worked back and forth with the head honchos at Fangoria to make something we'd all be proud of. And getting consistent collaborator Skiff to come back in to illustrate this one just feels like one big anniversary celebration. This collab is perfect for genre fanatics while also giving indie apparel and tee fans something unique and retro-cool for their collection. It's a dream come true to work with such an esteemed company, and I hope you're stoked as much as I am!

PREORDER THE DANCE PARTY MASSACRE X FANGORIA DESIGN

Love and blood,
Alex 

Over the past few weeks we've been gradually. putting. out. the Fall 2012 line. I'm proud to say everything is now fully online! T-shirts, a sweatshirt and a new poster are available in the online shop. The look book and video is out too, which was shot in our studio and also up north in NH.

VIEW THE FALL 2012 LOOK BOOK
SHOP FALL 2012 IN THE ONLINE STORE

As if I haven't already said it, this marks Dance Party Massacre being around for 5 years - Thank you so much to everyone that's even bought one thing! It's crazy to think that's half of a decade. I still love this brand and the ideas and imagery around it, and personally get inspired every day.



Among the new releases we also reprinted the design you fans voted for. Out of 5 top selling (but out of print) designs I asked you to help me decide which one to bring back from the dead. Now “The Classic” is back from our very first launch of designs! (I love this one.) It's now available to buy again, and for a limited time it comes with a vinyl die-cut sticker too.


Thank you again for all the support! If you like the new product and/or promo material, please continue to share with people. (Hey, it's almost time for some holiday shopping. Give people some hints what you might like!)

Love and blood,
Alex 

It's that time of the year again: Open studios in South Boston is happening Saturday and Sunday. While there are multiple buildings and artists opening up their workspaces to the public, make sure to stop by our building (The Distillery) and head to Studio 411. I'll be showcasing DPM, and selling them at market prices. My roomie Pat Falco also has some funny/cool/odd art for your viewing pleasure.

While The Distillery is tucked away a few streets off of the main strip of Broadway, look for the building surrounded by new condos and yuppies. We're the large, rundown brick building that holds all the misfits.

Open Studios at The Distillery: 516 E 2nd St, Boston, MA
Dance Party Massacre: Studio 411
Time: Saturday + Sunday, Nov 3 + 4 / 12-6PM 

Our zombie fashion show celebrating 5 years of Dance Party Massacre was a huge success! It was a great turnout, including new faces and supporters I've known throughout the years. The models look amazing thanks to hair by Kayla Dupras and makeup by Julie LeShane. People were put in the mood with music by Nathaneal Bluhm. Future Boston was great support in finding the talent and providing exposure for our little brand. And the Emerald Lounge was a spectacular venue with a great ambience. They even put together a Dance Party Massacre drink just for the night!

Twitter and Instragram were ablaze with people showing their excitement and support for the event. The buzz and actual event was better than I could have expected. Thank you so much for everyone spreading word, including the publications that ran stories on the night. And of course thank you to the fans who supported us at the show and throughout the years. No matter what happens in the future, to have hit the 5 year mark for DPM with such a bang is something I'll take note throughout my career.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM OUR ZOMBIE FASHION SHOW

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Alex

PS-For all who couldn't make it that night, the Fall 2012 designs will hit the online store in the next couple of days. Just in time for Halloween. ;)

While it's the time of year for scaring ourselves silly, it can also be a time for something a bit more nurturing... Forget Christmas, Halloween is a time where all us ghouls can give back to those who live every day with horrific battles—those literally fighting for their lives.

“Scares That Care!” is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides money, toys and other items to help sick children. They have also partnered with horror icon Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th 7-10, Hatchet 1-3), and created the “I Helped Kane” program, where they provide assistance to those children who have suffered serious burn injuries. (Kane, himself, suffered 3rd degree burns on over 50% of his body during a stunt.)

Here at Dance Party Massacre we wanted to give back, and working with “Scares The Care!” seemed like the perfect match. Thanks to their help and James over at Count Orlock's, we were lucky enough to get Mr. Hodder to sign one of our The Horror Club posters! The design features your favorite horror misfits, including Jason Voorhees, in tribute to The Breakfast Club.



Starting today, and lasting up until Halloween day, the signed poster by Kane Hodder will be up for auction on eBay. This is the perfect chance for those who've been eyeing the design to grab it up while doing something good at the same time. To also get it signed by the man who played Jason Voorhees in 4 Friday the 13th movies is a one-time opportunity!

I've started the bidding at a low $.99 with FREE S&H to get things started. Let's get the ball rolling and see what we can raise for sick children. If it wasn't clear, 100% off the profits will go to “Scares The Care!”. We have 1 week—let's scare up something good on Halloween!

BID ON THE SIGNED POSTER FOR CHARITY ON EBAY

Scares and cares,
-Alex

For more information on “Scares The Care!” check out their official website, or visit their dedicated fanbase on Facebook. And thank you to Kane Hodder! He recently released a book titled Unmasked: The True Life Story of the World's Most Prolific, Cinematic Killer that you should check out.

We've been getting some great press around our Zombie Fashion Show next week. We were highlighted as one of the picks of the week by The Phoenix, and in their "Free Fun Shit" section. FLUX Boston featured us in the weekly wrap-up. We've also popped up around the web in blogs like at Boston Bachelorette and beanstyleventues. I think it just goes to show that with all the talent involved, it's going to be a great night!



With all the different reasons to attend (Halloween, zombie fashion show, newly-opened venue) I'm most proud of the fact that it's also a celebration of Dance Party Massacre being around for 5 years. Check out the piece by Bostinno on the event and our anniversary, including some words from myself during our interview last week.

Thank you so much to everyone who's been supporting DPM throughout the years!
-Alex 

We're doing our 5 year anniversary BIG! Dance Party Massacre kicked off in 2007 at a Halloween house party showing off the designs and gathering friends for a good time. We come full circle now, but bigger and better as we move from the streets to a designer lounge at one of the newest boutique hotels in Boston.

Join us 1 week before Halloween on Wednesday, October 24th for a zombie fashion show featuring Dance Party Massacre! Come mingle and have drinks at the newly-opened Emerald Lounge in the Revere Hotel before having a seat to watch the show. With support from Future Boston we'll have models in zombie-inspired make-up clothed in our most horror-related designs, as well as new looks from DPM. This will be the first time for the public to view the Fall 2012 collection.



Besides the fashion show we'll be giving out free Blood, Sweat & Beers koozies to the first 25 people who buy a Pabst tall-boy. There will also be other giveaways, and people will have the chance to buy the latest Dance Party Massacre designs at special debut prices. To top it off, there will be a screening of the classic Night of the Living Dead film inside Emerald Lounge that night.

Cool venue, zombies, new designs, 5 year anniversary, Halloween atmosphere, fashion show, a movie, free stuff—What else to convince you to stop by?! Well how about there's no cover charge? :) The official press release is below. Please come out and celebrate with us! It's going to be one frighteningly fun time.

Zombie Fashion Show: Emerald Lounge, 200 Stuart St, Boston
Time: Wednesday, Oct 24th / Doors open at 7PM
RSVP to the Facebook Event

Love and blood,
Alex

Future Boston and Emerald Lounge present: Dance Party Massacre's Zombie Fashion Show
Dance Party Massacre’s Zombie Fashion Show - Fright and fashion collide on Wednesday, October 24^th at the Dance Party Massacre Zombie Fashion Show. An outrageous and Halloween-centric night celebrating local clothing brand “Dance Party Massacre.” The night will feature a fashion show of zombie-fied and movie monster themed models sporting looks from DPM’s Fall 2012 line as well as some of the brand’s best-sellers.  There will also be a pop-up DPM store offering merchandise and hair-raising special giveaways including a DPM “Blood, Sweat & Beers” koozie for the first 25 people who purchase a tall boy PBR.  Zombie-lovers will also be treated to a screening of the original cult-classic horror film, Night of the Living Dead inside of Emerald.

Kicking off tomorrow, Dance Party Massacre will be vending at the Salem Open Market for 3 weekends in a row. Every Saturday leading up to Halloween we'll be there selling product and having great deals! Part of Haunted Happenings, which celebrates everything spooky and fun each Halloween season, it's a setting to pick up some DPM and check out the local haunts (pun intended).

Salem Open Market: Derby Square in Salem, MA
Times: Saturdays on Oct 13, 20, 27 / 11AM-6PM

Hope to see some of you there!
-Alex 

You may have noticed something different recently, specifically when it comes to shopping on our site...

It took a bit of time, but the online store now has shots of apparel on models. About 2 years ago I decided to make the store fresh and clean by only offering basic product shots on a white background. The store is still set up this way to shop, but now on individual product pages there will be an example of someone wearing it too (assuming that makes sense for the product).

It's something I wanted to offer to make online shopping easier; a little addition to raise the appeal of the brand, which I am always trying to do. Now customers can see how product looks on someone—even if they are better looking than us! (Damn you, models.)

Cheers,
Alex