"We
can speak of riots and petrol bombs and revolutions all day long, but
if we fail to organize we'll waste our life on protest songs."
- Joe Strummer
Virtually
everyone in the punk rock world knows who the STREET DOGS are. Many
know what they stand for, but millions of people out there have yet
to find out that this is a band out there fighting for them. "Not
without a purpose, not without a fight!" is the real-life
battle-cry from these real-life champions of the common man &
woman.
Although
more than a decade has passed since this band of brothers strung
together their first lineup in Boston back in 2002, it was clear from
that moment that this would be more a force, and a family, than
simply a band.
Mike
McColgan, a veteran of the (first) Gulf War and original frontman of
Boston's infamous DROPKICK MURPHY'S, needed an outlet for his musical
drive and ambition after having left DKM only a few years prior. The
current Boston fireman teamed up with Rob Guidotti, Michelle Paulus,
and Jeff Erna to start what would become something incredibly
special, and definitely something giving McColgan that platform to
explore his passions through music.
The
foursome recorded a demo in Early 2002, which quickly circulated and
created a heavy buzz in the punk scene. Playing live in the little
spare time the group had from their jobs and lives proved to be a
tough task, but they finally managed their first show in December
2002, at Abbey Lounge in Somerville MA (just outside of Boston). The
momentum the band would see from this moment onward, especially in
regards to the impact that their live performances have on people,
would truly start to define them.
Continuing
to realize that STREET DOGS had serious potential to become a
full-time band, Michelle Paulus left the band to work full-time with
her own band, THE DENTS. This void in early 2003 brought Johnny Rioux
into the picture, which ended up solidifying the true core of what
this family would eventually become. Rioux's work in artist
management and hands-on production work for countless bands, as well
as his own musical tenure in the legendary American Oi! band THE
BRUISERS made his attitude and contributions exactly what this band
needed.
On
the strength of the demo's buzz, and an unbelievable response to what
regional shows these guys could slip away from work to play, offers
and recording contracts (many unsolicited) started rolling in. The
music world could see that people liked being sung at from eye level,
and perhaps some people really didn't want their music and their
music's lyrics candy-coated and formulated only to sell things.
Rather than cave to dollar signs and bring in "talented"
(expensive) music industry gurus to help them concoct some scheme to
sell a million records, they decided keeping things on their level
was the smartest and most appropriate course of action. Signing to
upstart indie Crosscheck Records, the band set out to release the
seminal powerhouse debut album "Savin Hill".
No
gimmicks, no tweedle-dee-dee, no fluff - the music that the STREET
DOGS were creating was real - it was from the heart, from the soul.
Whatever emotion a situation and mood set in place, STREET DOGS fired
back with the power to uplift and bring a sense of intelligent,
hopeful optimism to the room. The sheer talent and unbelievable
songwriting that keeps this from being just another band is brought
to another level when McColgan's powerful lyrics and stage presence
are intertwined with it. Fists in the air, and choruses sung back in
perfect time, its clear that people caught in this storm are changed
and enlightened by the experience. They are the STREET DOGS ARMY.
This
lineup, with the new album on board, take it's legitimate maiden
voyage, touring all over the US with The Briggs in 2003. Lots of
other labels' A&R people (some of whom had offered to release the
new record) started coming to the shows - impressed by the strength
of "Savin Hill"'s sales, and the overall feedback and fan
support was truly overwhelming. Realizing that this was definitely a
worthwhile endeavor, Mike McColgan opted to take a leave of absence
from Boston Fire Dept. and Johnny Rioux from his artist management
position, pursuing STREET DOGS full-time. Needing a dedicated core to
treat this love like the job it was becoming, Joe Sirois joined the
band on drums, and Marcus Hollar came aboard as an additional lead
guitarist, both bringing new life and a bit of their own style to
this still-developing powerhouse.
In
2004, Street Dogs went on the "Punk Voter Tour" with
Flogging Molly across the US. They not only appreciated the company
of another motivated and professional group in Flogging Molly, they
treasured the opportunity to be a part of something that brought
their music, and "real life" closer together - as the tour
focused on making sure that everyone voted in the national election
(especially apathetic and cynical punks and skins, and other American
kids), or at least knew why it was important to. Whether that tour
made a huge difference or not on a political level is irrelevant.
What those crowds saw were bands giving it their all, day-in and
day-out, and in doing so, acting like real people and interacting
with the fans daily, all over the country. People, general people,
were starting to recognize that STREET DOGS were more than a band.
STREET
DOGS also hailed the opportunity to take the show overseas, and
engaged the invitation to embark on a European tour with Flogging
Molly as well. Tobe Bean jumped on board as rhythm guitarist, and
without question another page was turned in this exciting story.
Shortly after this hugely successful tour, the band signed another
recording contract, this time a two album deal, with indie DRT
records. 2004 ended with the band playing the first annual "Wreck
The Halls" shows, in its birthplace and home away from home,
Boston MA. This holiday show has gone on to become a yearly staple in
Boston for the group, and more recently also a succesful nationwide
tour. This first one though, in 2004, was one of the best highlights
that a band could end a year on. Hailed as a truly legendary weekend
for Bostonians and STREET DOGS ARMY alike, it would truly be a sign
of the great things down the road ahead of them.
The
release of the highly vaunted and fan beloved album "Back To The
World" kicked off 2005 in style, as did a 9 week tour of the US
with So. Cal punk icons SOCIAL DISTORTION. Touring at a frenetic pace
for 8 months, STREET DOGS became closer than ever; a true band of
brothers, and met up with everyone - embracing fantastic and truly
memorable shows (and parties) with THE BRIEFS, TIGER ARMY,
MILLENCOLIN, THE LAWRENCE ARMS, the BOUNCING SOULS, and of course and
their first stint on the Vans Warped Tour. Not giving it time to let
off steam, the year closed by beginning work on the followup to "Back
To The World," enlisting arguably (and certainly in their eyes)
the best and most valuable producer in the music industry, Ted Hutt.
Carrying
on that tradition of racking up the miles, much of 2006 including
continuous touring alongside the likes of luminaries RANCID, BAD
RELIGION and the iconic Oi!/Streetpunk legends COCK SPARRER. The
critically acclaimed "before its time" album entitled
"Fading American Dream" was released in September, and had
the band taking to task the death of the American Dream, war
profiteering, corporate greed and the downward spiral of the labor
movement. Moreso than ever, the band was making sure that everyone
knew they wore their integrity, their ideals, and their credibility
on their sleeves.
Paul
Rucker soon joined up as the drummer, and the band undertook an 8
week tour with the legendary BOUNCING SOULS. Various headlining tours
throughout the remainder of the year kept the band busy in America,
Canada, Europe, and for the first time STREET DOGS ARMY went
recruiting in Japan. To make things even more exciting, 2007 rolled
out with a supporting slot for the indomitable, groundbreaking and
legendary celtic punk forefathers, THE POGUES. On top of their
musical achievements and opportunities, this band of brothers was
beginning to see how STREET DOGS would open up other ways for them to
achieve goals outside of music. The band itself began engaging in
activism, becoming involved with advocacy for international relief
agency Oxfam as well as other noble and charitable efforts.
Amidst
all of this, and somehow staying on the road virtually non-stop in
'06-'07, the group also decided to sign a two-record deal with
Hellcat Records. McColgan's relationship with Tim Armstrong
(Hellcat/RANCID) dated back to Hellcat's release of DROPKICK MURPHY'S
"Do or Die" album in 1998, produced by Armstrong's bandmate
Lars Frederiksen. The mutual respect between Armstrong and McColgan
that made that album so successful back in '98, and the continued
camaraderie between Armstrong and McColgan having toured alongside
each other the year before, made this move an obvious one. It brought
the music business part of being in a full-time band back to the
personal side of things - knowing that they can say what they want,
do what they want, and be comfortable expressing each of their views
and making music without outside (purely-corporate) pressures taking
over. Sure, Hellcat is a business, but STREET DOGS knew that
Armstrong believed in the fight, and his goal was the same as their
own: to make music that makes a difference, and get it out to people
in a way that makes a difference...
At
this point, some of the band had been living in Los Angeles, and
McColgan especially became directly involved with organized labor.
The band did so as well, playing labor conventions all over the US
and Canada, and also joining job actions, picket lines, etc. Their
fight has always been more than just that of a band, but the band as
their platform was clearly allowing their voices to be magnified in a
way that certainly started making differences. 2008 began with work
on the Hellcat debut, being undertaken in Los Angeles, again with the
most important producer in music, Ted Hutt, at the helm. With the
Hellcat debut, the band sought out to challenge their core fan base
with an electric, forward-thinking album that once again
unapologetically says its magnificent piece, intertwined in a new
spin on that one-of-a-kind STREET DOGS brand of punk and roll. The
album clearly demonstrates that they are not looking to find a cookie
cutter formula, or play it safe and be a one-trick pony. McColgan,
Rioux, Holler, Bean, and Rucker are "real artists", not shy
or deterred by the prospect of risk taking - and it pays off. More
real music, for real people.
Coined
"State of Grace", the album contains arguably the two most
popular STREET DOGS songs, "Free" and "2 Angry Kids".
The album's achievements only reaffirmed their continued success
plotting their own course - more and more people (not entrenched in
the punk rock scene) were starting to open their eyes (and ears!) to
what this group was singing & screaming about. STREET DOGS
embarked on the entire Vans Warped Tour in 2008, with a much coveted
main stage spot, only taking that further. "2 Angry Kids"
saw huge amounts of radio play, and the video got played on Fuse TV
and got incredible responses from many premier video platforms
online. STREET DOGS also received two Boston Phoenix Reader Poll
Awards; winning an award for best local punk act, and lead singer
Mike McColgan won the best male vocalist award.
Not
content sitting still, STREET DOGS stayed on the road, touring
alongside ANTI-FLAG, THE TOSSERS and even met up again with
Oi!/Streetpunk kings COCK SPARRER at Riot Fest in Chicago. The group
also played its first shows with another Boston legend and a group
they look up to and respect, THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES. Reflecting
on all of this travel, all of the opportunities to meet and play
alongside longtime friends and others driven and impassioned by their
own love of music, McColgan and the band realize fully what the band
can accomplish with enough focus and their already proven work ethic
and drive.
After
three different writing and demoing sessions for the next album, the
group went into the Blasting Room (Ft. Collins, CO) to record what
many of it's fans and critics cite as their defining moment; their
self-titled album. Johnny Rioux and Rick Barton (like McColgan, also
a founding [former] member of DROPKICK MURPHY'S) produce the
song-rich effort, working with legendary engineer Jason Livermore
manning the console. The unveiling of 2010 with more non-stop touring
and the subsequent release of the record was a given. Their successes
musically were leading to real opportunities to make a difference,
and help achieve individual and mutual goals larger than a song, a
band or a scene - really helping the average person open their eyes
to the problems around them and explore ways of improving those
situations.
The
self-titled album was critically acclaimed and exponentially
increased their exposure, especially on a more mainstream level. The
real feat however is having done so without ever sacrificing their
musical desires and drive, or changing what they're doing as a band
to help them reach these new fans. Being themselves, and writing,
recording, and especially playing these songs they love live (so
consistently, and with such passion) have earned them the trust of
music lovers worldwide, and the moniker "the people's champ of
punk rock."
Alongside
their continued (if not heightened) activism for organized labor and
the support of Oxfam, STREET DOGS also released the stand alone
single entitled "War After The War" via iTunes, with 100%
of the proceeds going to the charity Homes For Our Troops. Following
another Vans Warped Tour slot in 2011, STREET DOGS embarked on a tour
of the US with lead singer Mike McColgan's old group DROPKICK
MURPHY'S, culminating with TWO dream-like sold-out shows at Boston
Red Sox stadium Fenway Park, in Boston. For anyone who grew up in New
England, this was not a dream come true - this was a dream no child
could ever have conceived of.
With
some serious momentum and vigor behind them, STREET DOGS traveled to
Madison Wisconsin with Tom Morello, Wayne Kramer and Tim McIllrath to
join protests against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker and his efforts
to eliminate collective bargaining for city and state employees. They
travelled to Ohio and played on the state house steps to protest SB5
anti-union legislation, and amidst getting their political digs in,
had time to motor around the states a few more times - and in 2012
they jetted off to Europe, Japan, Australia and even Russia to check
more things off that proverbial list. Through this, Pete Sosa joined
the group as the band's drummer and unquestioningly brought new life
to the rhythm section, and an upbeat and progressive attitude
backstage, and offstage. Road testing him across the states, and
especially introducing him to the STREET DOGS ARMY worldwide was the
real test - one that he passed with flying colors.
STREET
DOGS continue to grow, impressing new people all over the world, and
never have to sacrifice their ideals, their politics, or their music
because of pressures by a corporate world pulling the strings. They
are DIY, with help from friends & family. Embroiled in this
ethic, STREET DOGS opted to begin working with the forward-thinking
and exceptional independent label Pirates Press Records. They
release the inflammatory "GOP" seven inch single, on the US
presidential election day. Although the song itself is a cover,
originally "GLC" by legendary UK punk band Menace, these
updated lyrics are seen as a (timeless) outright middle finger in the
air at people trying to politically turn back the clock by 50 years.
The cover, released online before the actual release date, is widely
acclaimed and hailed as one of the best satirical musical
contributions to the 2012 election. Pirates Press Records and the
STREET DOGS ARMY handed out 20,000 flexi postcard records of the song
(at right wing political events) nationwide too. The band relished in
this opportunity to turn heads, stir shit up, and cause people to at
least have a discussion - and hopefully challenge and strengthen
their own beliefs in some way - all alongside what they felt strongly
to be a VERY important election and turning point in American (and
world) history.
After
the election, another quick jaunt over to Europe found them playing
the Rebellion X-Mas Festival, alongside now label-mates COCK SPARRER
& RANCID, as well as another handful of shows across Europe with
label-mates DOWNTOWN STRUTS. Coming home to another series of Wreck
The Halls shows up and down the Eastern seaboard with FLATFOOT56 and
other friends, the holidays found STREET DOGS just plain exhausted!
Singer Mike McColgan announced that STREET DOGS would take a brief
break from touring after all of these gigs, and in January 2103,
rhythm guitar player Tobe Bean decided to amicably step away from the
group to pursue production work ventures. Neither of those things
have seemingly slowed this band down in any way - on the contrary.
The end of 2012 and the start of 2013 ushered in a flurry of
unprecedented prolific song-writing escapades, to be released as a
slew of brand new singles by Pirates Press Records throughout 2013.
The excitement in the STREET DOGS camp is immense!
Look
for the group to also release a live album & DVD in 2013, as well
as a new studio album later in the year. McColgan's call for a break
from touring will albeit be a short lived one as well, as STREET DOGS
have just announced tour dates, including European festivals this
summer, and a subsequent fall/winter Wreck The Halls headlining tour
of the US, starting in November. Singing and screaming, and generally
kicking up a fuss about all the problems thrown at the common man &
woman is what they know and love, and what they're going to continue
to do until a force greater than them dares intervene. It's pretty
clear that the "people's champ of punk rock" has never been
more ready and eager to take on the world - they don't even know how
to take a break!
Be
sure to check out all the new tunes as they surface, and go out and
catch them live, on the front lines of music. That's where you see
the real deal in action. No gimmicks, no tweedle-dee-dee, no fluff -
this is real people music.
Veranstalter:Rockschicht e.V.