Dogs In A Pile Team With Danny Clinch & Sun Ra Arkestra Members For Surprise Livestream Session

Dogs In A Pile surprised fans on Sunday by presenting a free livestream performance from Danny Clinch’s Transparent Clinch Gallery in the band’s hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The “Dogs In Space” session saw DIAP joined by members of the Sun Ra Arkestra for the majority of the single set.

The band made up of keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan, guitarists Brian Murray and Jimmy Law, drummer Joey Babick and bassist Sam Lucid loaded into the cozy space for a private performance one night after their hometown holiday show at The Stone Pony. Devotees were made aware of the livestream via a message shared earlier that day on the group’s social feeds.

DIAP launched the 75-minute set featuring Murray on acoustic with rollicking original “Little Things.” From there, Kaplan led his bandmates through The Kinks’ 1970 hit “Apeman” ahead of performances of live staples “Ugly Song” and “Samba For Sam.”

Host Danny Clinch became the first guest of the night when he accompanied Dogs In A Pile on Little Milton’s “That’s What Love Will Make You Do.” Jimmy Law handled lead vocals on the song frequently covered by Jerry Garcia’s solo projects while Clinch played harmonica. Law was also spotlighted on the subsequent “Power Trip.”

The set rolled on with Sun Ra Arkestra members emerging for a funky jam. Trumpeter Michael Ray, saxophonist Knoel Scott, trombonist Brent White and percussionist Elson Nascimento were dressed in their cosmic gear for the occasion.

The “Dogs In Space” jam eventually gave way to a performance of DIAP favorite “Tillie,” which in turn bled into Sun Ra Arkestra original “Nuclear War.” At one point, Kaplan played flute as the improv-heavy affair took a turn towards a set-closing take on the Herbie Hancock composition “Watermelon Man.” The Sun Ra Arkestra horns infused the jazz-fusion classic with elements of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Dogs In A Pile gamely followed along.

Watch Dogs In A Pile’s “Dogs In Space” livestream below:

Dogs In A Pile will ring in 2025 with a four-night New Year's Eve run in Saratoga Springs, New York. Putnam Place will host the quintet on December 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Scroll below for a complete list of upcoming DIAP tour dates.

Setlist (via Go-Set.net)

Set: Little Things, Apeman, Ugly Song, Samba for Sam, That’s What Love Will Make You Do[1], Power Trip, Jam[2] > Tillie[2] > Nuclear War[3] > Watermelon Man[4]

• This was a private performance billed as Dogs In Space.
• [1] with Danny Clinch on Harmonica
• [2] with members of Sun Ra Arkestra (Michael Ray – trumpet, Kneol Scott – sax, Brent White – trombone, Elson Nascimento – percussion)
• [3] Sun Ra Arkestra, with members of Sun Ra Arkestra (Michael Ray – trumpet, Kneol Scott – sax, Brent White – trombone, Elson Nascimento – percussion)
• [4] Herbie Hancock, with members of Sun Ra Arkestra (Michael Ray – trumpet, Kneol Scott – sax, Brent White – trombone, Elson Nascimento – percussion)