2003 show notes

September 14, 2003
Dogs will be dogs. The boys were off wagging their tails through Summer adventures making movies (no, not their first TLD action-packed feature release..just yet); just some analog adventures in the real world reported faithfully to you here in the digital domain. July’s Bloomfield Bridge Tavern antics did not go unnoticed, or unrewarded.There were snacks, drinks and fun had by all, and the musical itinerary, although fraught with some technical leashes, didn’t hinder TLD from delivering a barking good set. They will return soon on one of the Tuesday open stage Calliope nights to add to their “Bloomfield experience”. Watch for the announcement here.

Now that Summer is simmering on the back burner of a promising Autumn lineup, The Dogs haven’t been sitting back on their laurels. So here’s the pitch. They’ll be in the henhouse Thursday, Sept. 18, at Moondog’s in Blawnox. Two Live Dogs will be appearing for a special 90 minute set, passing the hat and hawking CDs on Ladies’s Night there, but don’t let that stop you if you’re not of the fairer persuasion. Showtime will be 8:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome, but only the ladies get the drink specials!

Just around the corner from Halloween, the cat masks will go on and the trickery will begin. The Dogs will be heading out to the Borders again, calling on the literate and the curious to come out to share some beverages and bone-slapping rhythms. On Saturday, Rocktober 18th, it will be an afternoon soiree of two live music with Two Live Dogs at Borders East, at 1:00 pm, in Monroeville.

Then, when the big birds are all caught, stuffed and relished in the month of November, those hounds will be off to give live thanks at Borders North, McKnight Road. The evening show will kick off at 7:30 pm, Friday, November 28th.

Meanwhile, a lot of other things a’brewing in those canine brains, with hints of scratching and sniffing out new tunes happening between avoiding that ol’ dog catcher; and when they let us in on them, you can be the first to find about about it here, at the official place for TLD info, gossip, rumors and mutt-ch more. Come on out and howl with the afternoon and moonlight crooners at the Borders. And don’t forget your dog tags.

June 26, 2003
Rockin’ and rollin’ and howling at the moon.... the first day of Summer was a parfait of local fruits that could only be sampled live, and some rock n’ roll fans from Pittsburgh’s North Side and Brookline, and all points beyond, definitely partook of the feast. On the classic stage of Rosebud, Two Live Dogs was the first layer in that blend on Saturday, June 21st. Local artists “Mother Cool” and “Athame” were gracious enough to let the boys warm up their mics to kick off the evening. What an evening of diversity it turned out to be. With Kevin Madrishun at the helm in the house, the Dogs soon were rollin’ out the only acoustic tunes the local loyalists of the groups would see that evening, and all hogwash aside, the guys had a great time. The audience was treated to excerpts from the S.O.S. catalog, with Steve and Chris keeping the arrangements to their six-string numbers for the sake of simplicity due to a shortened set. New faces in the room didn’t seem to mind, much to the boys delight. They even surprised the crowd with a new S.H. Cohagan piece, called “Just Another Day”, with the added treats of a little ritual Tibetan chimes and flute added. Old friends from North Side couldn't help notice the “Tullian” touch Chris added to Steve’s solo rendering of that rasp-voiced tribute to the less than average public transit customer. A future TLD track in the making? We hope so.

“Mother Cool” is. When they hit the stage, there was no doubt as to where the dust would settle for the evening... and it wouldn’t be on the PA speakers. Commanding the group’s vocals, Tim Sorg delivered fine tunings to selections from their release, “Dance on the Bones”, and the set of power-driven rock included some great double guitar leads between Chuck and Tim too. Greg and Vaughn headed up some mean sax and horn compliments. Of course, Rick and the Mookster kept it all together on the bottom end, with some syncopations that drove nails and a crisp rhythm to be envied by any old school students of the fine arts of what really makes rock bands tick....rock steady drummers and emotional bassists. And “Mother Cool” Is possessed of both. (After the show there was a group discussion led by one live Dog explaining why good bass players can’t stand still...) A heavy repertoire with some added tasteful covers left no stoned unturned, but with the ammunition “Mother Cool” was packing, there was plenty to go around. Any cooler and it woulda hav’ta been ice ...and not like cubes... but the polished gem variety. A fine, tight set from some veteran rockers. Check them out at mothercool.com for their schedule, more band and CD info.

“Athame” wound up the night with a brand of rock that sets records ablaze and makes girls swing... their hips, which is what happened when the maestros of ritual dagger rock took over. A breed of fiery rocket men unto themselves, the dark quintet brought the meaning of alternative, grunge and Gothic to new levels on Rosebud’s stage. They worked hard, and it was greatly appreciated by all. The antics of lead singer Rob Yeager proved to be the fuel and the spark to set it off, while the band showed no mercy in their wired, yet somber, limbic deliveries of mesmerizing studies in rhythms and counterpoint. Add to that guitarist Tony Willoe’s 21st birthday celebration at the stroke of midnight, and the thrash hair whipping that madman bassist Keith Kweder gave the crowd—when he wasn’t leaping off of the drum kit, and the makings of a mombo party were hot on the coals. It was Kweder’s last night with “Athame”. He will be missed. Sean Rayl’s behemoth drums and Ron Kaufman’s subterranean guitar sound completed the circle. The ancient blade was cast, and “Athame” lived up to... and beyond its expectations.

Once again, tributes must be paid to Kevin Madrishun, who kept the night moving at the board, and for his insights in bringing together the unlikely best of many worlds in such a unique night of entertainment. Two Live Dogs wishes all the best to both bands, and would like to say muchos gracias to all our diehard animal lovin’ friends from the film crews for showing up, Kevin and all the guys for allowing the Dogs to share the stage for the evening. Bows and wows to everyone.

Meanwhile, Steve and Chris go back to rehearsals, changing all the guitar strings and flea collars, and continue to work on future outings for the summer. Check these pages often to see what’s cooking in the land of canine good and plenty.

May 29, 2003
Canines in the Clouds.....not too fast or loud....that’s what it was in May...hey hey. At The Quiet Storm in Garfield, May 22, Two Live Dogs opened up the evening’s melodic montage of fine tunings with a snappy one hour set, a mixed bag mostly from the S.O.S. catalog. As pleasantly surprising to have played a new room and smiled at some new faces was going back-to-back with “Cloud Machine”, an ethereally progressive group of four musically well-schooled guys and one sharply honed lady on vocals, who closed out the evening very coolly. The result was a widely diverse smattering of everything from banjo etudes to heavenly synthetic rock, spanning a fluid repertoire from both bands. Many thanks to both Lynn at The Quiet Storm and Cloud Machine for a gracious night of fun, and if you haven’t yet checked the place out, put it on your list of music rooms to visit soon. Ditto for the sometimes stratospheric, often cumulous ones. Visit cloudmachine.org to find out where they’ll be, and catch them in action around town.

A summery June is on the heels of Spring, promising to bring a simmering potpourri of offerings. The Dogs aren’t promising to be well-heeled, but count on them to be well-trained in how to throw down the bones on Friday, June 13 at Border’s-South, and a week later, with some surprises at Rosebud. Check out the show schedules above for more details, put a few biscuits in your doggy bag, and make a trip to both venues for some exciting acoustic tails told in rhymes and rhythms. You won’t be sorry.

May 12, 2003
After a quiet April, the fire hydrants have been tested and the Dogs are back out on the trails. With summer nearing, the local scene is picking up steam, and so is Two Live Dogs. May 22nd will see the boys at The Quiet Storm Coffee House and Vegan Cafe in the Garfield district, for an 8:00 pm show to warm up the air for “Cloud Machine.” Then, in June, pack your coffee mugs and reading glasses. Borders Books and Music will be hosting Two Live Dogs for an evening of acoustic mellowness and mayhem at their South Hills location on Friday, June 13, starting at 7:30 pm. Then, the revelry continues in June on the 21st at Rosebud for a night of rockin’ fun with local rock groups “Mother Cool” and “Athame”. Doors open at 9:00 pm, and TLD will take the stage at 9:30 to heat up the crowd for a great night of music. The season is shaping up to be a musical one. Come on out and join us!

March 3, 2003
March might have come in like a lion, but it's going to go to the dogs, that's for sure. Lee Knepshield is graciously hosting the boys for two nights in the month of March, at his "Park House in the Strip". Located at 155 21st Street, between Smallman and Penn, Two Live Dogs will kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend with a show on Saturday, March 15, from 9 to 11. Even if the month goes out like a lamb, it won't be without a bark and a howl or two. Two Live Dogs will be back at the Park House on Saturday, March 29, for another round of their acoustic revelry. Be there!

February 18, 2003
Two Live Dogs debuted their CD, "S.O.S.", plus a few surprises, with an hour-and-forty minute long show at Rosebud in Pittsburgh's strip district on February 18th. The atmosphere, thanks to the hospitality of Kevin Madrishin, Rosebud, and the support of the family and friends who braved the winter's roughest onslaught so far to attend, was a refreshingly intimate treat. Fun was had by all, and it was a rewarding evening. We would like to thank all who made it possible. Everyone's presence was greatly appreciated, and we look forward to warmer weather and more tail-wagging fun in the months ahead. Check back for further updates often. As Spring is just around the corner, and the Summer isn't far behind, new schedule dates will be posted as soon as they're available. Once again, thanks, everybody..."