Denver Dogs

 

The Dogs were relative unknowns in the Denver area music scene prior to 2023. They played two after-shows for Phish Dicks ‘22 at the Cervs’ Other Side before hitting the Springs and Avon five months later during the ‘23 Winter Rescue Tour, but locals will tell you the Lost Lake performances and surrounding residency put the band on the map in the state.

 

Lost Lake is a tiny 75-cap room and bar on Colfax down the street from Denver’s main music theaters—your Bluebirds, Ogdens, and Fillmores. It’s a strangely proportioned experience, as the main standing area runs more parallel than perpendicular to the stage. The sound reverberates on the back wall separating the standing area from the bar, and pierces your eardrums even when using the best plugs. With no raised areas, us vertically-challenged folks had to get there early. But we tolerated the experience at the venue thanks to the excellent playing from the band, who used the room as their home base for the month-long residency that featured ten shows within driving distance of the Denver metro.

 

Night one was my first show, and the band’s first two-set concert in the state. I had only learned of the Dogs after hearing some reviews from the after-shows and wanted to make the trek down to the Springs for the show at Vulture's in February. A winter storm in the Denver area kept me grounded for a month, a period which I spent furiously listening to the soundboards the Dogs had put out after finding myself captivated by the music. At the time, there were probably around 30-40 shows available—the band had not yet nailed down their live recording setup, which kicked into gear during these shows.

 

This particular event came after a relatively “long” break of five days during their busiest month of the year that accumulated a massive count of 21 shows/13 states/3 time zones. The residency itself was a reprieve—they played only eight shows in April while in CO, before ratcheting it back up to 13 in May and 16 in June. 3/29 is not the best of the tour (see 4/7 or 4/19), but there are strong highlights throughout, and most of the band’s standards from this era are present (including three repeats from the preceding gig opening for the Disco Biscuits at the Cap). The result is a solid—if unspectacular —introduction to the Dogs for a curious crowd.

 

Electronic Set. This show sold out shortly after doors opened thanks to BKellZ—a local Colorado-based DJ whose friends and fans cleaned out the few remaining tickets available on Wednesday night (also tight with the Dogs thanks to Jam Cruise ‘23). Eric Foelske's tape on the Archive has the full set, though your enjoyment may vary depending on your preference for electronic music. The Dogs began joining one-by-one to add layers to the mix about 45-minutes in—this is where the soundboard recording begins. Joey came out first to lay down the beat, and I can immediately recall spotting the giant X on his hands and my subsequent shock at learning he was under-21. Sam, Jeremy, Jimmy, and Brian followed on stage about two-to-three minutes apart—all members are present around eleven minutes in, when Kellz announces the start of his final track. It’s a Respect Jam, with KellZ layering in a remix of the Aretha Franklin classic with supporting work from the Dogs. At 13:30, Brandon says the Dogs want to keep going, so they jam out the song into a unique dance beat—it’s worth at least one listen for the novelty.

 

First Set. BKellZ left the stage to join the crowd and the crew cleared out his mixing setup as the band launched into LJ1. I immediately recognized it as one of the band’s regulars from Beagle and from its appearance on many setlists—the night marked the 7th time played in their last 19 shows and was played with precision (though it lacks the adventure of 4/13). The catchiness of Nicolette caught me at the time, but I’m more partial to Steamboat’s outro jam. Go Set (Denver-bound) follows two Bloom singles, and the show really begins to pick up at the back end of the set with a well-worked Appleseed>Boogie>Dancin’ sequence that culminates with a return to Go Set before the break.

 

Second Set. The x factor is still present for Little Things>Royals, but Jimmy blows out his tube screamer during Hesitate, so the rest of the band picked up the slack by throwing in some interesting teases. They manage to recover by the end of Stadium Rave. The band’s more dancy numbers continued to fill out the back half of the set, with Let U Go>Bubble>EDM functionally acting as a reference to the show’s electronic start. The encore is nailed to perfection.

 

1st Set: 7/10

2nd Set: 5/10

Overall: 3 stars

 

Highlights:

Electronic Set - unique jam, worth one listen

Look Johnny - precise

Stranger - peaks

Appleseed>Boogie On>Dancin’ - great sequence

Little Things - great energy

Royals - Soaring solo, TD2 and Bugle teases 

Mr. Tooker - perfect finale, Bathtub Gin tease

 

Sources: Wookie’s tape has the opener, but you’ll want the board for the slightly-improved-but-still-frustratingly-mixed vocals (a product of the venue) once the band hits the stage. The entire Dogs portion of the show is on YouTube.