Dr. Dog at Stubb's [Preview]

Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog built their reputation the old-fashioned way: non-stop, nationwide touring. It also helped that they developed a sizable Internet fan base with exclusive, downloadable songs and off-the-cuff blog entries in the days before blogs were blogs and DSL even existed. The group has been around in one form or another since 1999, and the twin songwriting core of guitarist Scott McMicken and bassist Toby Leaman met each other in the eighth grade. As a result, Dr. Dog have developed a sort of musical telepathy for winning hooks and golden multi-part harmonies, which you can witness in all their glory tonight at Stubb’s.

Since their earliest incarnation, Dr. Dog have displayed an obsession for classic rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s variety. They broke out of their Philly confines with 2004’s Easy Beat, a ramshackle effort that charmed Jim James enough to invite them to open for My Morning Jacket. Since then, each album’s fidelity has increased markedly along with their songwriting. This year’s Shame, Shame was their first recorded away from their home studio, but Philly’s fingerprints are all over it, from the hometown ode of “Shadow People” to the crisp low end added by producer Rob Schnapf. It’s propelled the band into headlining status, a spot they seemed destined for since their beginning. While their albums continue to rise up the charts, Dr. Dog are a band best experienced live. They have over ten years of touring underneath their belt, and their infectious raggedness is something to behold.

Dr. Dog is accompanied by Brooklyn blog-darlings Here We Go Magic. This year’s Pigeons is an understated avant-pop concoction, but in the live setting the band takes their rubbery sound to atmospheric heights.

Dr. Dog: [official] [myspace]
Here We Go Magic: [official] [myspace]