Bright blasts of sugary punk
Photo by Cory Marie Podielski
Hayley Crusher Cain (guitar, vocals), Right: Dr. Cain ESQ (bass, vocals), Left: Ryan Deliso (lead guitar) and Center: Gabriel Masek (drums).
Hayley and the Crushers are a turbo-charged, glitter-bombed tsunami of bold, bad girl power.
Hailing from sunny San Luis Obispo, California, the band made the leap to Detroit in 2022, infusing their sound with a dual-coast cool. Led by guitarist Hayley Cain and bassist Dr. Cain Esq., these self-proclaimed “poolside glitter punks" caught the adoring gaze of New Wave icon Josie Cotton in 2021.
That year, the band signed with Cotton's LA-based label, Kitten Robot Records, and released “Modern Adult Kicks” in 2022. Produced by Paul Roessler, a founding member of LA punk band The Screamers (with producer credits including TSOL, Josie Cotton, and Richie Ramone), “Kicks” showcased the Crushers' knack for playing halfsies between grit and glitz.
In 2024, these retro-futuristic renegades returned with their EP “Unsubscribe from the Underground.” Hayley's pop-punk flair transitions seamlessly from 80s radio-ready daydreams to relentless ferocity, always delivered with a wink and a (hot pink) kiss!
BUST MAG
“Like a Sour Patch Kid, Hayley and The Crushers are unapologetically bright and fun with more than a hint of mischief.”
MELTED
“The musical equivalent to bazooka bubblegum stuck to the bottom of your combat boot."
BUZZBANDS LA
“The Crushers come at you with a wallop and a wink, churning out old-school, sweet/tart power-pop while dressed like they’d found the thrift store you’ve been looking for your whole life.”