FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DR. DOG LAST NIGHT AT THE FILLMORE
1. Dr. Dog loves their family and friends! What fun it was to watch the band’s entire entourage dance, carouse, and throw roses affectionately from off stage. It’s like being at a little girl’s beauty pageant, but there’s great music and you’re not bored senseless. Plus, nobody gets strangled in the basement at the end.
2. Dr. Dog knows how to pick their opening bands. Emily Lacy and her banjo put a fun spin on the Joanna Newsom formula, and Delta Spirit was equally enjoyable with their tambourines. After the two openers, it should have been time for the Doc…but no! From out of nowhere came an entire posse of tribal drummers, pounding the canvas like it owed them money. But wait, there were more drummers hidden back stage! And there were female drummers in hiding too, complete with belly-shaking moves! And their outfits were simply fabulous! And they all know how to dance! And flip through the air! Holy drum corps, Batman! I could have left after this 30-minute explosion of insanity and been good for the night.
3. Dr. Dog guitarists Taxi and Thanks clearly have played their fair share of Guitar Hero, for their riffery, shredding, and general ability to jam were outstanding. Listening to the two trade licks all evening on their beautiful semi-hollow six-strings was definitely a sound for sore ears.
4. Dr. Dog apparently does not tire! Or grow weary! Ever! Saturday night had given in to Sunday by the time the band had finished their generous set, decently sized encore, and jam-filled second encore. I think they only decided to leave because they had played every note in every key known to man. And then some.
5. Dr. Dog definitely gave ticket holders their money’s worth. After three outstanding openers and three helpings of music, not to mention a beyond-trippy light show and a savagely sing-along-able Architecture in Helsinki cover, the general consensus on the evening was “incredibly satisfied.” And hot damn, was that not the greatest drum circle for people who hate drum circles anyone has ever seen? Yes, it was.
TEXT & PHOTO BY MICHAEL DONOVAN
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