Released on vinyl through Heavy Medication The Dogs second full length record originally only go treleased on CD so its been a long time coming but finally, its here in all its Motorcity glory. Loud loose and hocked up on gasolene ‘Hypersensitive’ is a killer record. Sure the opening salvo and salute to the forefathers of the Garage proto punks is one hell of a signal as the flag is raised with a middle digit in the air as we all get our freak on.
The 2012 release was the Los Angeles-by-way-of Detroit punks tribute and Features material going back to the band’s late ‘60s/early ‘70s origins, plus a cover of The Pagans’ “Her Name Was Jane.”
‘You Can’t Catch Me’ is thunderous as it hurtles along like a runaway express train from that ultra bassy riff hypnotising the listener to the gang vocals on the chorus and ripping solo. You can just imagine this live tearing the roof off the venue with ease from the low flying blades of that wah as it goes through the gears and back into the verse via some howling feedback – exhilerating stuff.
‘Slash Your Face’ is a heaving hypnotic rolling thunder of a track filled with menace and darkness before pulling away through the gears. Originally featured on the ‘Killed By Death’ comps. As for that Pagans cover ‘Her Name Was Jane’ is a mighty fine tribute.
Formed in 1968 and consisting of guitarist/vocalist Loren Molinare, bassist Mary Kay, and drummer Ron Wood, The Dogs played shows with their idols The Stooges and MC5 before moving to Detroit in 1973. By the following year, they’d moved briefly to NYC (where they shared stages with KISS, Television, and The Dictators) but ultimately set up base in L.A. and recorded two now-legendary singles.
They even took up residency in London briefly but soon returned to LA playing with a wide range of bands from AC/DC to Van Halen as well as the Stooges. As a part of the LA punk scene, however, their Detroit roots were a mixed blessing. Their sound bridged the gap between hard rock and punk, which probably explains how Loren joined Little Caesar.
Fast-forward to the 2000’s. The Dogs’ inclusion on cult compilations KBD and “Bloodstains Across California” has revived interest in the band. In addition the band recruited Tony Matteucci who replaced Wood on the drums.
‘Hypersensitive’ is a fantastic collection of songs with the title track being one hell of a song as it motors on. Songs like ‘Good Time Girl’ lean heavily on the likes of The Dictators with its familiar riff its got a ton of energy.
‘Beatin’ The Floor’ is the first song they ever wrote and its a banger filled with timeless riff-o-la and makes you want to see them live where these tunes would truly shine. Good on Heavy Medication for pulling all this together and releasing a sonically excellent and coherent record that ebbs and flows nicely.
Get an earful of this Dogs bark, it’s terrifying and wonderful at the same time seems you can teach an old dog new tricks after all. Besides you should buy it on the strength of the cover art alone. Now kick out those jams mother fuckers!
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Author: Dom Daley
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