Dogs, The
Hypersensitve (black)
Formed in 1968 and consisting of guitarist/vocalist Loren Molinare, bassist Mary Kay and drummer Ron Wood, The Dogs played shows with their idols The Stooges and MC5 before moving to Detroit in 1973. By the following year, theyd moved briefly to NYC (where they shared stages with KISS, Television and The Dictators) but ultimately set up base up in L.A. and recorded two now-legendary singles. As a part of the nascent LA punk scene, however, their Detroit roots were a mixed blessing. Their sound bridged the gap between hard rock and punk, meaning they could land gigs with the Ramones as well as Van Halen and AC/DC (on the Oz bands first US tour, no less!). But to LA punkers, that made The Dogs mainstream and therefore unacceptable, prompting Loren to write the scathing "Slash Your Face" in response ("You think youre the master race"). The Dogs would try their luck briefly in London but returned to L.A. with their tails between their legs, kicking around in one form or another until going on hiatus in 1989. Loren devoted his attention to being a guitar-slinger with Geffen-signed hard rockers Little Caesar. Fast-forward to the 2000s. The Dogs inclusion on cult compilations KBD and "Bloodstains Across California" has revived interest in the band. In addition, Dionysus Records releases the essential retrospective "Fed Up", chronicling the bands 70s output. With this groundwork laid, the band records its debut album a mere 35 years into its career as a band - the solid, Motor City-worshipping Suburban Nightmare in 2003. The Dogs show theyve still got plenty of bark and bite, and in 2011, they follow it up with "Hypersensitive". With Tony Matteucci replacing Wood on the skins, "Hypersensitive" features The Dogs strongest batch of tunes yet, featuring eleven originals (including a new studio version of "Slash Your Face") and a cover of The Pagans "Her Name Was Jane". The band has lost none of its raw power nor shake appeal. Check out this albums centerpiece "Motor City Fever" for reference; youll know what we mean right from the opening riff. Hypersensitive was self- released on CD via the bands own Detroit Records and sold mostly at gigs, so it never reached the wider audience this killer album deserves. Heavy Med is proud to release this Dogs lost classic on vinyl for the first time ever!