The Golden Dogs - 3 1/2 preview

The Golden Dogs, despite their long standing as one of the most ferocious live bands in Canada and catalogue of critically acclaimed albums, have never quite gotten their due.

Like the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir (which cultivated the musicianship of Chris Brown and Kate Fenner, David Wall and Broken Social Scene's Andrew Whiteman); or By Divine Right (which gave BSS founder Brendan Canning and Leslie now just Feist national exposure at the start of their careers); The Golden Dogs may be as well known for their own music as for giving many musicians a schooling and a start including Zeus' founder Carlin Nicholson and ace in the hole Neil Quin.

The high point of their career thus far has likely been playing the Hollywood Bowl touring in support of Feist with Sloan.  Not bad for a husband and wife team from North Ontario's Thunder Bay who met in an Italian wedding band playing polkas. It's hard to fathom the distance between Thunder Bay and Toronto unless you've driven it.  Every band that's crossed Canada- an improbable feat at times- knows that crossing the Ontario border heading East or hitting Thunder Bay is a cruel lie and means another 20 hours drive.  In Europe you could likely cross 10 borders in the same time.

When they originally descended to the Big Smoke The Golden Dogs fronted by the frenetic and inevitably sweat drenched Dave Azzolini and his wife, former keyboardist now drummer, Jess Grassia were a formidable force made up of other near Northern Ontarians from Sault St. Marie with a powerful debut Everything In 3 Parts (2003).   The Canadian Music press fawned over them deservedly.  Lineup changes have been consistent but the 'band' has always been a vehicle for Azzolini's formidable pop chops.  Big Eye Little Eye followed in 2006 to the same acclaim but 2010's Coat Of Arms failed to explode despite its considerable charms. In the same period their brohemes notably Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen) and Zeus have gained international profiles and eaten their share of humble pie.  Afie's eaten the least.   His raffish good looks and breezy delivery (not too mention what they all share in common incredibly substantial guitar chops) have made him a steady commodity in soft seaters and cool kid clubs alike.  In short everyone's rooting for The Golden Dogs on this one appropriately titled 3 1/2.

Reinvigorated by Grassia's confidence in her role on drums and a strong new lineup with Stefanie McCarrol on keys and guitar and Alejandro Cairncross on bass live and on record the group is notably reinvigorated.  McCarrol and her brother Jay's group Brave Shores, at least with their booming single Never Come Down, are also getting considerable airplay with perhaps the most crossover appeal.  In that 3 1/2 embraces some of these electro touches it's a departure of sorts and an arrival in others.  Stefanie's presence, physically resembling and echoing Jess' enthusiasm at the same station, adds a welcome updated synthesized wash which carries across the recording.  Some of the polish is undoubtedly Carlin Nicholson's spit shine who mixed it at Sloan's studio.  The single Do It For You is in heavy rotation on the CBC and a video for the second single Decided (recorded live off the floor with Joao Carvalho at Revolution Recording) is due soon.  Caught recently Azzolini's enthusiasm was self evident:

"Regarding the sound we're going for.  I suppose it's a reflection of wanting to make super pop-y music and noisy-screamy-er stuff on one album. Songs that are friendly and songs that are abrasive."

2015 ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS

FEB 21 – Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli w/Jane's Party
FEB 27 – Ottawa, ON @ House Of Targ w/Ornaments
MAR 6 – Hamilton, ON @ This Ain't Hollywood w/High Kites, Chuck Coles
MAR 7 – Montreal, QC @ Divan Orange w/guests tba - buy tickets
MAR 13 – Kitchener, ON @ The Boathouse w/guests tba
MAR 20 – Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club w/guests tba
MAR 21 – London, ON @ Call The Office w/guests tba