dr. dog

Words by Melissa "Sausage" Cox. Photos by Anna "HashBrowns" Vernon.

The first time I saw Dr. Dog was the last show I saw at the Gypsy Tea Room right before it closed, and a guy wearing a dog mask went on stage to dance along with the band. The last time I saw Dr. Dog was at the Gilley’s complex, where a drunk girl went on stage and unplugged the opening band’s guitar (The Cave Singers), and then took off her shirt. Just from saying that, you can tell the vast change in their fan base and the people that come see their shows. This would be my fifth time to see them perform. The first time I saw them play I had never heard their music, so from the beginning I have been aware of the pure awesome they emote on stage. They made quite an impression on me, and as with most bands that are genuinely good, they have made an impression on a lot of other people as well. The last time they came into town, I was quite shocked to learn that it had sold out.

So here’s a little bit about the band, and then I’ll tell you a little bit about the show. Dr. Dog is from Philadelphia and has been making music since 2001. It is currently made up of the following members: Toby Leaman (bass and vocals), Scott McMicken (lead guitar and vocals), Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard), and Eric Slick (drums). Their music is very 60’s style groovy rock that usually has a catchy bass line. Their first major album, Easy Beat, was released in 2005. In 2007 they released, We All Belong, which is my personal favorite album of theirs. Since then they have released Fate and Shame, Shame, which have a more polished sound, and have both gained them more and more popularity.

Read the rest of the review and see more photos after the jump.

I go to too many damn shows – to the point where my excitement level seems to taper off for each random one I attend. Now and again, though, a line-up of bands will come to town that make me feel as if I'm about to go to my first show again. Before even entering the venue, butterflies build a tiny little flutter in my belly, and I start to get quite giddy. It hasn't happened many times this year, but the times it has have generally lead to an all around party. The most recent occasion of my 12 year old nervousness and excitement was when one of my current favorites, Dr. Dog, and their road-tested group of openers, Deer Tick, made their way to the jam-packed Studio at Warehouse Live. I made it just in time for the start of Deer Tick's set, and was glued to the stage for the next three-and-a-half hours.

Read all about the show and browse a bunch of my shots after the jump.

We are excited to be giving away two pairs of tickets to see Dr. Dog and Deer Tick at Houston's Warehouse Live on Sunday, May 2nd. All you have to do to win is leave a comment with your full name and either an e-mail address or a phone number in which you can receive text messages. We will be announcing the winner at noon on Sunday, and will be listing the names at the top of this post as well as contacting the winners through either e-mail or text message.

If you are a regular to our site, you assuredly know our obsession with the Philadelphia indie-rockers, so this show has been on our radar for quite some time. Dr. Dog put on one of the best live shows I've seen, so to finally catch them in my hometown is a nice little treat. Deer Tick are just the cherry on top! This will probably sell out, so if you are worried you won't win the give-away, you can pick up as many tickets as needed at Warehouse Live's official Frontgate site.

As always, big thanks to The Messina Group, AEG Live and Warehouse Live for always allowing us to put on these ticket contests. Cheers!

With their new album, Shame Shame, about to hit shelves, Philadelphia indie-folksters Dr. Dog are at the start of both their promotional blitz and a nearly two-month tour. At the very start of it all, the group made their way to Late Night With Jimmy Fallon to perform on a stage that is starting to become known as the premier late-night television music forum. With their Philly brethren The Roots sitting front row, Dr. Dog brought along with them album opener, "Stranger," to the show, and had no problems making a name for themselves in front of a massive national audience. Check out the video...

Dr. Dog will be making their way to Houston on May 2nd, where they will be joined by Deer Tick at Warehouse Live. This show will be so much fun, I highly recommend not missing it!

Philadelphia is no stranger to good music. Having produced great artists, such as G. Love, The Roots, Man Man, and the Disco Biscuits gives you street credentials in my mind. With my musical tastes often morphing, I find myself falling in and out of a lot of different bands. Dr. Dog is an exception to that, as I can't seem to get enough of them.

Read all about the show after the jump

With the rain on Thursday, and the music (finally) on Friday, we were halfway through Wakarusa. The festival had already seen its climax with its one true headliner, The Flaming Lips, but many of our favorite bands were still to come on both Saturday and Sunday.

Keep reading "Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival 2008 - Saturday/Sunday" after the jump

Wakarusa!

As you can tell, I am extremely excited about the initial artist announcement for this year's festival. It should be fun to see who else is added over the next couple of months. This week my Video Omelette features some of the bands that I am most excited for on the 2008 line-up.

View the Video Omelette