Dogs
Biog
Dogs have always liked to live life fast. Taking less than two years to attract the interest of the major labels, the London-based five-piece signed to Island Records in 2004.
Debut album Turn Against This Land was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. The snarling, vitriolic indie punk LP was a snapshot into wordsmith Johnny Cooke’s observations on what it’s like to live and love in England this side of the millennium. According to Clash magazine, “Turn Against This Land is an easy mix of fiery punk and anthemic rock that has more hooks than The Ramones on a fishing trip”.
2007’s follow up, Tall Stories from Under the Table, saw the group adopt a more mature, versatile sound to the buzz pop of their debut. Johnny, a dedicated lover of literature, effectively uses the canvas of the band’s songs to paint vivid pictures of the stories that capture his imagination.
Based on tales both published and real, the collection of 12 songs takes in cult Orwellian characters (Winston Smith), iconic gangsters Bonnie and Clyde (These Days) and the problems of youth violence today (Little Pretenders). Modfather Paul Weller also features, having joined Dogs in the studio to record album closer Let it Lay.
Live performances by the band are incendiary with fans travelling thousands of miles across the globe just to catch one of the band’s legendary shows. Tattoos of lyrics and copycat tattoos just like Johnny’s are often flashed on the front row. The gospel of the band is spreading rapidly across Europe, with recent tours in Germany drawing large crowds. Celebrities and musicians such as Roger Daltry, Paul Weller, Noel Fielding, Jonathan Ross, former tour mate Sam Riley and Kings of Leon have all joined the ranks to heap praise on them.
The quintet are currently writing new material and road-testing it live around the country. Building on the foundations laid by the first two albums, they are pulling on increasing circles of influence within their music, while maintaining the bite underneath that has become their calling card.
“We’re making a big leap forward,” explains Johnny, “We’ve developed a telepathy with each other and it’s reflected in the music. Songwriting's a pleasure at the moment, we have no agenda and are just letting ourselves go creatively, our only restriction is a self imposed one not to repeat ourselves. The songs are more melodic than before, but we’ve retained the grit and guts that make it all matter to us so much. We are irrepressible.”