Our favorite headband-sporting Three Stars alums, The Dance Party, (***) aren't content just to be one of our Favorite Local Acts of 2007, so they're giving us a reason to love them in 2008 as well. They've enlisted the services of producer Andros Rodriguez, who has previously worked with acts like !!!, Cobra Starship and Justin Timberlake. This new EP will be ready later this spring, but they'll give a taste tonight when they open for Crash Boom Bang at Jammin' Java. Show starts at 7 p.m. Keep reading to see what Mick Coogan, the band's lead singer, had to say about recording with Andros and tonight's show.

How did you hook up with Andros Rodriguez for the recording of this EP?

In early January we played a big show in Brooklyn with another D.C. band — Ra Ra Rasputin. Andros came to the show and we totally killed it. He dug the songs and performance and said he wanted to record us. It was magic.

Working with him has been a beautiful experience. We're proud to have someone that will bring the best out of us.

What direction is this heading from Friction! Friction! Friction!?

The feeling is going to be the same as Friction. It's just going to be a bigger sound.

Our goal with the new EP is to make the most polished and perfect five songs we can. We want it to be huge and we want kids in Tuscaloosa to write us fan letters.

Are you trying to diverge at all in terms of sound or more in terms of production?

Our sound is the same. Our songwriting is the same. Our songs and attitude are drawn directly from the experiences of the band.

The production will be as grand as it can be. Andros is a perfectionist. He has worked with the industry's biggest names and he really believes that we can make a perfect pop record. If each song calls for 10 different guitar lines intermingled throughout each verse, Kevin will bang it out. Every guitar stroke and snare hit must be scrutinized and polished.

What songs will be on this EP?

A-List, Lipstick, Sing Your Song, Jenny Wait, Sasha Don't Sleep.

Does it have a name yet?

Dance Weekend, Vampire Party, or Bonerama.

Can we expect to hear any of the new tracks at the Jammin' Java show with Crash Boom Bang?

We will play "Jenny Wait" at Jammin' Java. The kids will flip.

Hot dogs or hamburgers?

Hot dogs. Slippery. With relish and tomahtos.