One of the few bands that formed from the ashes of ska punk band Operation Ivy, Dance Hall Crashers (often abbreviated to DHC) was formed in 1989 by former Op Ivy members Tim Armstrong (vocals, guitar) and Matt Freeman (guitar), also featuring drummer Erik “Kolacek” Larsen, Joey Schaaf (keyboard), Grant McIntire (guitar), Joel Wing (bass guitar) and singers Ingrid Jonsson and Andrew Champion. Frontman Tim Armstrong and bassist Matt Freeman left the group later that year to form another, more short-lived project: Downfall.

After several membership changes that eventually left only Larsen and Wing, DHC solidified a lineup with dual vocalists Karina Deniké Schwarz and Elyse Rogers, guitarists Jason Hammon and Jaime McCormick, and drummer Gavin Hammon (Jason’s brother).

DHC has opened for several bands, including 2-tone band Bad Manners and ska punk band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and has toured with the Warped Tour several times.