HOT SPOT
Philadelphia-based quintet Dr. Dog has a sentimental streak. Like a blast from the past, the indie group is heavily influenced by the good days of rock ‘n’ roll and has even been said to sound like the Beatles – not to set the bar high or anything. But while the reference to the legends is hard to miss between the heavy guitar riffs and bluesy notes of the keyboard, Dr. Dog still creates a distinguished pop-rock sound that is all their own.
Lead singer Scott McMicken and bassist Toby Leaman have been friends since the eighth grade and started making music in their parents’ basements. A smash from the start in their hometown, Dr. Dog’s songs didn’t reach airwaves across the nation until My Morning Jacket took them on tour in 2004, a breaking point in the musical careers of Leaman, McMicken, and the rest of the band — Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard), and Eric Slick (drums). Since 2001, Dr. Dog has recorded and released six albums, all of which maintain the group’s original sound. From the first, self–released ‘Psychedelic Swamp’ to the most recent and first on the label Anti-, ‘Shame, Shame,’ each album builds off progressively from the previous, with the latest albums being the most polished. In that spirit, ‘Shame, Shame’ is said to best represent the group’s energy often witnessed at their live shows.
Touring venues large and small across the nation, Dr. Dog is making a stop at the Crystal Bay Club to hopefully grace us with the hit ‘Shadow People’ and maybe a few tunes from their previous album, ‘Fate.’ ~ Julie Brown
Dr. Dog with Here We Go Magic and Good Old War, Tuesday, Nov. 2, show starts at 9 p.m., tickets $20/adv $22/door, Crystal Bay Club Casino, Crystal Bay, (775) 833-6333, crystalbayclubcasino.com, drdogmusic.com
