“They showed us how to be brave and express ourselves through music”-Rich Morowski

Dogs in a Pile is not “another Dead cover band” as Rich Morowski from Mama Tried productions said when introducing the band at the Harvest Fest in Saratoga Springs on October 9, 2022. Like many fans, he fell in love with DIAP after seeing them play once. This single set plus encore is a beautiful slice of the magic sharing with the audience their odyssey of sound. 

This set quickly demonstrated how special they are. Each song has a relatable story with a distinct personality. Each band member has the depth of knowledge and skill to bring their audience all the vibes; fun, jovial, funky, sexy, and a delicious spread of vibes. Fun and jovial, hot and sexy, funky and weird, contemplative and dreamy. Their personable and relatable lyrics combined with their talented musicianship make for an intensely satisfying experience. 

The set starts with Bugle on the Shelf, a jaunty tune which transitions nicely into the Grateful Dead’s Mr.Charlie. By the third song the audience is being blown away by Way to Be, a beautiful coming-of-age song with a sweet message about living life in a positive way “spreading good energy”. By minute three the sweet song takes a mature turn and lets loose into a rager. The strong bassline, energized drums and keys solo aptly demonstrates their jam capabilities and away we go.

While I believe every song is special and amazing here is a few highlights. 

Hesitate. An honest point of view of a classic “I like you, and I think you like me, so let’s get it on” kind of song.  The lyrics suggest a lust that is relatable and enduring…”I don’t want to wait, so let’s not hesitate.” 

Writing on the Wall- Such a mature song. Their story telling abilities show that age should not determine the maturity of a soul. They bravely write about life situations and experiences we all share but rarely talk about or know how to articulate. This song is certainly an example of bravery Rich Morowski spoke of. DIAP writes songs about the Good, bad and the ugly making listeners feel more comfortable with their vulnerability while also being musical masters.

Truth be told, my all-time favorite songs are in this set. An introspective Appleseed into a charming Inchworm, which always finds a way to make you smile, into a cathartic Spun. What a lineup for a great therapy session for mind and soul. China Cat Sunflower is a lovely familiar friend but the real star of the set is Craig and Pat. 

This Craig and Pat is an odyssey of moods. By minute 6 Sam Lucid and Joey Babick jump into a groovy bass and drum duet and by minute 10 the boys are blowing minds while Jimmy Law shreds a glorious guitar riff. By minute 13 spacey vibes are flowing. 18 amazing minutes of a raging “good time”. 

What happened next was interesting. While Jimmy was chit-chatting with the crowd a fan yelled out, “play widespread…play fucking wiiiide spread”. The boys deliberated for another minute, tuning their instruments or whatever they are up to during  transitions. A moment later they ripped into the Widespread Panic banger,  Greta. I found this particularly endearing. Did they hear the fan and decided to indulge them? Or  ironic destiny? Is it ironic that the opening lines are “a pack of rabid dogs…howling at my front door”? 

Tookin’ Around. The DIAP manifesto. We learn about cast of characters (Kieran Tooker- tour manager, Joe Lugo- photographer) while hearing about their humble beginnings and debauchery of their early career. The song’s heartfelt 5-part harmony, including Tooker himself, is a perfect way to end an epic set leaving listeners with a satisfied smile and a light heart. 

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.