The Laughing Dogs

The Laughing Dogs first became popular in the New York underground music scene at CBGB's and went on to release two critically-acclaimed albums on Columbia Records, "The Laughing Dogs" and "The Laughing Dogs Meet Their Makers", and several indie CDs. They toured extensively with the Patti Smith Group, Cheap Trick, and Blondie. Their singles, "Get 'im Outta Town", "Reason for Love", and "Johnny Contender" were in the Billboard picks. The Laughing Dogs evolved from previous bands Mud In Your Eye, The Spencers, Ruben Fox, and Foxtrot. Foxtrot was the band behind Rupert Holmes on the album "Rupert Holmes". [http://www.xnet2.com/sknoof/html/19990822lafndogs.html] Their sound combines rock, power pop, and punk, with emphasis on catchy melodies, harmonies, and humor. "By borrowing from the past, the Dogs created a timeless sound that was as exciting as the explosive punk scene, but was also completely different. This was power pop with a raw edge, yet very commercial. . . . " - Stephen SPAZ Schnee, All Music Guide [http://www.mp3.com/albums/35263/summary.html]

Band Members

Ronny Carle (a.k.a. Ronny Altaville) - bass, harmonica, vocals

James Leonard (a.k.a. Jimmi Accardi) - guitar, vocals

Carter Cathcart (a.k.a. James Carter Cathcart) - guitar, keyboards, vocals

Paul Reed (a.k.a. Skip Reed) - drums

Moe Potts (a.k.a. Mark Potocsky) - drums

Concerts

The band first came out with their original music at CBGB's. "The Laughing Dogs were another band of good song writers, but they were also excellent musicians . . ." - Hilly Kristal [http://www.cbgb.org/history/history30.html]

The Laughing Dogs were the band that played behind the voices of Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones of The Monkees on the group's 1977 Reunion Tour with Coco Dolenz, Micky's sister. Band members for the tour were James Leonard, Ronny Carle, Carter Cathcart and Skip Reed. [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/3152/djbh.html] They also played at Boston popular club The Rat [http://www.bostongroupienews.com/GigList.htm] , The Bottom Line [http://www.bottomlinecabaret.com/tline_79.html] , My Father's Place, and colleges [http://www.rso.cornell.edu/ccc/pastShows.php] . For some of their shows, the opening act was satire/comedy band The Kojacks. [http://www.bottomlinecabaret.com/tline_79.html]

Discography

The Laughing Dogs - Columbia Records [http://www.mp3.com/albums/35263/summary.html] -This debut LP was produced by Bruce Botnick. The cover art, featuring a familiar stoop in Brooklyn, was originally designed for Wicked Lester. [http://www.californiaalbums.com/hm.htm] The song "I Need A Million" from this album was later performed by Nick Cave. [http://home.claranet.nl/users/maes/cave/songs/songscov.html]

The Laughing Dogs Meet Their Makers [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=16017&aid=36122#review] - This is the second Columbia Records album.

Live at CBGB's: The Home of Underground Rock [http://www.discogs.com/release/923502] - The Laughing Dogs have two songs on this famous 1976 compilation, which was later released as a CD on Atlantic Records. Other artists on the record are The Miamis, Tuff Darts, Mink DeVille, Robert Gordon, The Shirts, Manster, Sun, and Stuart's Hammer.

Punky But Chic . . . The American New Wave - Sony. The Laughing Dogs song "Get 'Im Outta Town" is featured on this compilation album along with David Johansen, The Beat, The Bangles, Wire Train, Romeo Void, The Waitresses, The Knack, The Dictators, and The Romantics.

The Long Lost Night - Laughing Bear Records

Great Italian Love Songs of the '50s - Molehill

Hidden Bones - Molehill

External Links

• [http://www.cbgb.com/bands.html CBGB's Bands]

• [http://cbgb.com/shrine/shriners/laughing%20dogs.htm Photos with Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz]

• [http://www.indranet.com/music/molehill/laughingdogs.html Molehill]

• [http://www.youtube.com/laughingdogs YouTube]

• [http://www.last.fm/the+laughing+dogs Last.fm]