Dr. Dog | 10.07 | Providence, RI

By Team JamBase Nov 12, 2008 11:40 am PST

Words & Images by: Bear Connelly

Dr. Dog :: 10.07.08 :: Club Hell :: Providence, RI

Dr. Dog :: 10.07 :: Club Hell
This fall Dr. Dog has hit the road hard in support of their new album, Fate. On a crisp Rhode Island night, the band brought their show to Club Hell in Providence. Yeah, creepy name for a club, I know. Club Hell is located in the jewelry district of the mid-size New England city and is usually home to punk and metal bills, not throwback ’70s granola-rock bands. Although confused by the name, the band seemed pleased with the club and its décor, including art on the wall that reminded bassist Toby Leaman (aka “Tables”) of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

The show consisted of only songs from the last two albums, which was a little disappointing considering they technically have six (including this year’s compilation of unreleased old tracks, Passed Away Vol. 1) under their belt. Highlights from We All Belong included a full band arrangement of “Love at the End Of Your Day” and a “Die Die Die” encore that featured members of the opening band, Delta Spirit, on various percussive instruments. Some of the new tunes that got the crowd going were an up-beat version of “The Breeze” and the catchy, arpeggio filled “The Old Days,” which got the night started.

Dr. Dog definitely has a flare for the dramatic. They dance and hop around while playing so much I thought they were going to crash into each other. At one point, Leaman was lying on the ground with his feet in the air thumping away on his bass. It’s apparent that these guys are having a hell of a time, especially when they are dressed in unique hats and funny glasses. The positive energy transferred well to the young college age crowd, who hung on every word. Their great stage presence can make up for the lack of translation that some of their songs experience going from the studio to the stage. Gone are the perfect harmonies and honky tonk piano licks, replaced by out of breath backing vocals and an electronic, multi-sound keyboard. The band does travel with a Rhodes electric piano, but it was located onstage near guitarist Scott McMicken (aka “Taxi”), who didn’t use it much.

Delta Spirit warmed up the hipster crowd with their brand of Americana rock that reminded me of The Strokes but less riffy. The band has a nice sound but tends to use the same songwriting formula, which leads to everything sounding the same, especially if one is not familiar with their material.

Dr Dog :: 10.07.08 :: Providence, RI
The Old Days, Hang On, The Way the Lazy Do, Army of Ancients, Love at the End of Your Day, The Breeze, My Friend, 100 Years, Worst Trip, From, Ark, Ain’t it Strange, The Beach, Fate, The Rabbit The Bat & The Reindeer
E: Die Die Die

Delta Spirit :: 10.07.08 :: Providence, RI
Bleeding Bells, Strange Vine, People C’mon, House Built For Two, Streetwalker, Parade, St. Francis, Children, Trashcan, People Turn Around

Dr. Dog – 10/07 – “Die Die Die”

Check out our exclusive feature/interview with Dr. Dog here.

Dr. Dog is on tour now in Europe. Dates available here.

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