- Dr. Dog
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Dr. Dog 
Dr. Dog live at Coachella 2009Background information Origin West Grove, Pennsylvania, USA Genres Psychedelic rock
Indie rock
Baroque PopYears active 1999–present Labels Park the Van
ANTI-Website drdogmusic.com Members Scott McMicken (Taxi),
Toby Leaman (Tables),
Zach Miller (Text),
Eric Slick (Teach),
Frank McElroy (Thanks),
Dmitri ManosPast members Doug O'Donnell (Truck),
Ted Mark (Today),
Andrew Jones (Trial),
Juston Stens (Turbo)Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock band from West Grove, Pennsylvania.[1] Its lineup currently consists of Toby Leaman (bass), Scott McMicken (lead guitar), Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard), and Eric Slick (drums). Lead vocal duties are shared between Leaman and McMicken, with all members contributing harmonies. In addition, each band member has a nickname, and they have explained that friends of the band also receive nicknames, which are drawn from aspects of their lives and personalities (Former member Andrew Jones, for example, is a licensed attorney).[2]
The band's version of pop-rock is strongly influenced by bands of the 1960s. Their earlier recordings show influence of the lo-fi sound and pop sensibilities of indie rock bands of the 1990s, such as Guided By Voices and Pavement.[3] Recent albums have featured more polished production.
Contents
Origins
The band began as an offshoot of Leaman's and McMicken's earlier music project called Raccoon.[4] Dr. Dog formed with the addition of Miller, drummer Ted Mark, and guitarist Doug O'Donnell. Their early recordings were experimental and recorded on eight track. They self-recorded and self-released their first album The Psychedelic Swamp in 2001. They released Toothbrush in 2002. Mark left the band in 2003 and O'Donnell left in 2004. Juston Stens replaced Ted Mark on drums. The band's early years were spent largely in and around Philadelphia where they developed a small fanbase touring with other local bands such as The Teeth.[5]
In 2004, My Morning Jacket invited them on two tours after a copy of Toothbrush was given to Jim James after a My Morning Jacket show.[6] Soon after, The New York Times music critic Kelefa Sanneh praised the group's album Easy Beat in a December 2004 article, leading to attention from other critics. They signed with Park The Van Records, who released the album Easy Beat, and completed their first cross-country tour in 2005. A music video was released for the song "Fool's Life". Late 2005 saw the departure of Jones, who became a full-time lawyer. Jones was replaced by Frank McElroy, a friend of Stens from New Jersey. The band continued to tour heavily as their popularity grew, due in part to their use of the internet to promote their growing catalog.
Recent History
By 2006, Dr. Dog started using a new studio as well as new recording equipment. Philadelphia engineer/producer Bill Moriarty, who they share the studio with, is credited in helping the members use this new equipment to create particular sounds they wanted in their new recordings due to his vast knowledge in recording tools and methods. That year, they released the Takers and Leavers EP. Two of the tracks on the EP would later be released on their next album. In 2007, they released We All Belong, which has a markedly cleaner production compared to earlier albums. They appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in support of the album. Through the late summer of 2007, Dr. Dog streamed ten unreleased tracks on their website, with a new song debuting weekly. Songs were posted each Monday from July 2 until September 3. These recordings were later released as an album, titled Passed Away, Vol. 1. In 2008, the band released Fate. They appeared again on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on July 17, 2008, in support of the album and then on the new Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on April 2, 2009 as well as the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Then the band went on tour with The Cave Singers and label-mates Golden Boots.
On July 29, 2009, Dr. Dog signed to Anti- Records.[7] The first album on their new label, titled Shame, Shame, was released April 6, 2010. Scott McMicken has characterized the album as more modern, and a little more punk rock, more prominently featuring electric guitars, so as to accurately reflect the band's live show.[8] During this year, Eric Slick replaced Juston Stens on drums for the Shame, Shame tours although Stens plays most of the drums on the record. Stens continues to make music with Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang. Dr. Dog toured in support of Shame, Shame for about two years and performed again on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. For 2010's Black Friday Record Store Day, the band released a limited red and blue 7" collection of four tracks recorded in the summer of 2011.[9] These were the first songs recorded with Eric Slick on drums. They were later rereleased with Shame, Shame as a deluxe edition of the album.
On October 26, 2011, McMicken announced that their new album, Be The Void, will be released in February of 2012.[10] This will be the first album made with Dimitri Manos, also in the band Golden Boots, as an official member of the band although he has toured with the band extensively. He has played drums on Easy Beat and once filled in for Juston Stens last minute for a whole tour. They also plan to release a new 7" for the upcoming 2011 Black Friday Record Store Day. The 7" includes the new tracks "Warrior Man" and "Control Yourself" and each vinyl will be a different color.[11]
Discography
Dr. Dog Performing at the 2008 Treasure Island Festival
Albums
- Toothbrush (2002)
- Easy Beat (March 15, 2005)
- We All Belong (February 27, 2007) #30 (US Heatseekers)[12]
- Fate (July 22, 2008) #86 (US)
- Shame, Shame (April 6, 2010) #44 (US)
- Be The Void (February 7, 2012)
EPs
- Takers and Leavers (2006)
Compilations
- Passed Away, Vol. 1 (2008)
- 10 Dr. Dog songs, for you. (Promotional)
- Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to Shel Silverstein (2010)
Scott McMicken and his Custom Sommatone Overdrive 75 Amplifier.7" Vinyls
- Al Thomas and the Robot (by The M's)/Me and My Girl (2006)
- Goner/I Hope There's Love (2006)
- The Girl/Heart It Races (Architecture In Helsinki cover) (2007)
- The Dearly Departed/Is It Worth My Time? (2008)
- The Breeze (performed by Floating Action)/Don't Stop Loving Me Now (performed by Dr. Dog) (2009)
- Take Me Into Town/Black-Red and Nobody Knows Who You Are/The Sound (2010)
- Control Yourself/Warrior Man (2011)[13]
Amplification
- Scott plays the first Sommatone Overdrive 75 ever built. He has a custom head stripped of its tolex as well as two 2x12 open back cabinets.[14]
References
- ^ Denny Dyroff (2010-05-13). "Dr. Dog has roots in Chester County". dailylocal.com. http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2010/05/13/entertainment/srv0000008253081.txt. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
- ^ Allmusic bio
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p696372/biography Allmusic bio
- ^ "Park the Van record". http://www.parkthevan.com/img/drdog/DD_Bio_Fall_2006.doc. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
- ^ "Canine Teeth". Philadelphia Weekly. http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/canine_teeth-38384464.html. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ ":: news ::". Drdogmusic.com. http://www.drdogmusic.com/news.shtml. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
- ^ "Dr. Dog's howling at the moon". Colorado Daily. http://www.coloradodaily.com/music-news/ci_16388771#axzz132BbGLpM. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ "Record Store Day 2010". Record Store Day. http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/958. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ "Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog Talks “Be The Void”, their new LP due out February". WUOG 90.5 FM. http://wuog.org/music/2011/10/26/scott-mcmicken-of-dr-dog-talks-be-the-void-their-new-lp-due-out-february/. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ "TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS". The Free Weekly. http://www.freeweekly.com/2011/11/03/teaching-an-old-dog-new-tricks/. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ Billboard Chart, billboard.com, retrieved on 22-02-2008
- ^ "Black Friday Releases". http://www.bullmoose.com/rel/v2_home.php?storenr=258&deptnr=171. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ "Sommatone". Sommatone. http://sommatone.com/artists.html. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
External links
Categories:- American psychedelic rock music groups
- Musical groups from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Rough Trade Records artists
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