The Dogs in a Pile show at Song Hall has left me feeling the most deeply affected by a set of music EVER that three weeks later I stil can’t stop listening to it. What I heard at that Phish afterparty show was magic. For anyone having their first taste of the Dogs, this show offered a delicous rager with a long one-set spectacular. 

Jeremy Kaplan began the set walking onto stage alone, sitting at his sound station and lured us softly with a soulful piano solo which melted into a signature party starter, G Song. The notable hot duet by Jeremy and Jimmy melted our faces and sent the message “we are here to party” loud and clear. As the 18 minute song came to a close, Jeremy ended the same gentle way it started indicating to listeners that we were in very capable hands. The G Song hits the G spot.

The story of Tillie starts as an interesting bop allowing each of the guys to limber up while being dynamic and playful. Then, at 5:20 they get down to business. Tillie is sexy funk song and it really sounds like the boys are having fun. Jeremy’s playful solo in the 9th minute shows his dynamic style and range in a matter of two songs preparing us for a special night. The song ends with a whimsy percussion sound wrapped up like a gift with a pretty bow. 

The transition to Feels like a Stranger (by Grateful Dead) is like an old familiar friend telling newcomers that they are in very capable hands and preparing us for a “long, long, crazy, crazy night”. 

Look Johnny II is a fun bounce-around-the-room diddy about a guy named Johnny whose story of dysfunction is described with a universal familiarity that makes their level of fun very relatable.  

Tom Marshall made his way to the party as the boys played a song written by the Phish lyricist. You Didn’t Hear It From Me gave everyone (band and audience) an opportunity to groove and stretch-out our party muscles for what is a long set full of indulgence. 

Let U Go is a real bop and a first taste of EDM vibes of the set and it was special. 

It is hard not to fall in love with Go Set, a love song to NYC, especially for those in live attendance being in a Manhattan midtown basement theater. Sam Lucid’s sexy bass solo in minute 5 builds to an even sexier instrumental EDM vibe beat is phenomenal. 

The transition to Gumball was stealthy and sexy. Amonous of a good time? Yes. The deep bass beat with the whimsical keys is seductive and sticky-good especially when the quintette was all hitting the beat in a same but different way inviting us all to get weird because it was about to get super weird. 

Once Jeremy hits the first note of Spun it’s like a slap in the ass to dance. Things always get weird with Jeremy winding us up and down becoming delightfully breathless and stunned after the spin. At Minute 3:20 Jeremy lures us in like a spell and we are all happy to oblige. Spun one of many masterpieces in the Dogs wheelhouse showcasing their hard and soft sounds and seamless tempo changes. 

Joey Babick’s drum solo was a master class on every beat that pleases the soul. (Any time I can give my sole attention to the elusive and beautiful Joey Babick, I will. He is a dreamy male model romance book cover on stage. He’s also phenomenal on the drums so he provides something for everyone). I am thankful for Joey's solo because no mind would survive the full melt of Spun directly into Harry Hood. 

A clever transition into Harry Hood was like a shot of dopamine. The significance spoke to the room and we were mesmerized. Full stop and stare with stunned excitement until 2 minutes when the roof burned down and they got to it by paying homage to one of the greatest bands of all time. The cheeky addition of replacing a quick “Mr.Miner” with “Mr.Tooker” made the song THEIR song and it was beautiful. This song felt like a celebration of how far they have come to become the next great band of all time. That was demonstrated by Jimmy Law’s solo at 9 minutes making the statement about the talent Dogs in a Pile have. For any Phish lover who needed a formal introduction to DIAP got the VIP red carpet treatment with this Harry Hood. It was cathartic beauty. 

I always love a song when all four vocalists are on the mic. Craig and Pat is such a fun song. They give us a real introduction to their space capabilities but just a quick flirt. A sexy bass solo by Sam was two minutes of bliss. The party continued with a “dancing in the street” vibe then a fun Bowser’s castle theme song feels. The bassline got heavier with keys which set the tone for Jimmy and Brian to let loose and jam. 

And then there is Appleseed. The opening notes to Appleseed is salve to the soul as Jeremy (on keys) creates a sound reminiscent of a church hymn.  The lyrics allow listeners to empathize for understanding a dilemma. Universally connecting our search for understanding the complexity of feeling everything and looking for relief and finding love and understanding with each other. This song is the thread that connects the DIAP experience assuring us that It’s okay to be a work in progress. Then at minute 6:45 the dance beat hits so hard you just have to vibe out the rest of your feelings by moving. Jimmy slays with the cathartic Appleseed anthem. The keys transition into a heartfelt embrace that gently transitions us into the final song of the set. 

The Peanuts theme song Linus and Lucy is a lovely and familiar friend that is designed to put a smile on all faces. Thanks for that! 

The Truck Rum encore was a doozy. Jeremy’s introduction felt like a warning that they were about to burn the house down…and they did. Joey’s super sonic boom always welcomes excitement and the two minute introduction was bananas. The show ended with fun feel-good dancing vibes and what more could you really ask for? The answer is.…nothing. The long-ass Phish after-party show left its listeners completely satisfied.