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Lost Dogs
Biography
Lost Dogs
For four guys who only wanted to take a short acoustic break from their respective rock group associations, the Lost Dogs sure have roamed the scenic routes a good long while. Terry Taylor, Derri Daugherty, Mike Roe and Gene Eugene have burrowed beneath the fence and sneaked away from their day-job obligations once again-just long enough to record "Gift Horse," their fourth album, and first for BEC Recordings. As anybody who has heard their other three previous releases (Scenic Routes, Little Red Riding Hood and The Green Room Serenade, Part One) knows, these misplaced canines have been all over the map-musically speaking. You're just as likely to hear a country song, a blues song, or an all out rocker at any given moment, and usually within the context of the very same album. With "Gift Horse," though, the Lost Dogs chose to stick a push pin into only one particular spot on their musical Thomas Guide, aiming for a little stylistic consistency. "We made an effort to keep production solid, thick and meatier," explains Roe. "We wanted the textures more singular." "We tried not to overdo it with the production," adds Daugherty. "We wanted it to be more like the first two (albums), and less like the last one, with not all of us playing guitar on every song. We wanted to make it a little more sparse, and make the vocals the main thing." The recorded result is a relaxed and natural sounding effort. Their formula is simple, really. Take excellent songs, written by one of our greatest living songwriters, grab an acoustic guitar or two, and howl with all your heart. Rather than have each member contribute songs-as they've always done in the past-Terry Taylor wrote all the words to all the songs for "Gift Horse". Much like four friends at a picnic, it was the attendee who came with the full basket that ended up providing all the food. "Terry showed up with something like 27 songs," explains Daugherty, amazed "and we all showed up with like one." "We wanted to give these songs a modern feel sonically," comments Taylor "but with the sense that these stories are timeless. They could have taken place in the 1800's, or they could take place now." "I did want to stay away from some of the sort of pop excursions we took on some of the other records," Taylor continues "and give the listener a sense of unity, musically, and some sense of unity as well with some of the story lines." These new songs range from the blatantly spiritual messages of "Loved And Forgiven" and "Diamonds To Coal," to more of the Dogs' own patented story songs, as in "A Vegas Story," which details the trials and tribulations of a family man who has one large and cancerous gambling habit. From the very beginning, Lost Dogs members have remained in awe of all the creative chemistry that materializes each time they get together. They may not yet be selling out the "big rooms," but even if they never reach such a commercial plateau, there will always be something special about just being a Dog. This may be why you'll never hear a disparaging word from these guys about their unique dog's life. Mike Roe is especially enamored with the group's camaraderie, and the opportunity to "be a part of a miracle-the miracle that it's sill together this long." "There's a little bit of pride involved with just being in a good band with other really great musicians," says Daugherty. "It's like a family reunion," says Taylor. "It goes beyond just artists getting together to record an album; there are real friendships and real great times, and you just anticipate and look forward to it." While Lost Dogs is still widely regarded by many outsiders as an extended side project working overtime, these veterans of such classic groups as The 77's (Mike Roe), Adam Again (Gene Eugene), Daniel Amos (Terry Taylor) and The Choir (Derri Daugherty), are now more active as the Lost Dogs, than they are in any of their other better known musical collaborations. At a time when their other regular classic rock outfits appear to be on hiatus, Lost Dogs are-as we speak-already pawing out their next move. Expect to see these guys morph soon into road dogs, when they hit the highway to tour. In the meantime, remember to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, gaze intently at this great new gift from our friends, the oddly ambitious Lost Dogs. |
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