During this same period, Hale was invited to contribute a column to Jersey Beat magazine called "Danse Assembly" (reviewing electronic & alternative dance music.)

Private events and guest DJ gigs in the Tri-state area between 2002 and 2010 allowed Hale to keep his foot in the dance music field until 2010 when he finally landed a new residency with Asbury Park's "Swell" niteclub.

[4] Hale continued doing occasional remix and film soundtrack work and also contributed articles to the local "arts weekly" publication the "TriCity News."

He has also spun the Rainbow Mountain Resort (in the Poconos, PA) many times, as well as the Circuit party events "SandBlast," "Ascension," "Bear Weekend" and with the "RSVP Cruise line."

While the members of Wire were performing new "alternative dance" material from The Ideal Copy Mick and company would open the show by playing the entire classic Pink Flag album, in order.

[6] In 1987 Mick and former Mod Fun bandmate Bobby "Werner" Strete teamed with the psychedelic act Lord John's drummer and formed a new outfit known as Crocodile Shop.

[7] Drawing on heavier and dark-pop influences such as The Jesus and Mary Chain and Skinny Puppy, this new band was a definite departure from the jangly, guitar-driven sound that Hale had produced earlier.

This original trio then worked closely with producer Dave Fielding of The Chameleons UK on their follow-up LP "Lullaby," released on a Twin Cities based label in 1988.

The positive vibe among Hale, Strete and Collins coupled with the timeliness of the Mod Fun CD re-release ultimately led to the reformation of that band for another 6-year run.

Hale's latest single "Just Tell Me/Take It Back" was issued to all digital platforms 7 December 2021, on the long-running San Francisco dance label Swishcraft (distributed by The Orchard/Sony Music.)