Artist description "...rock(s) out like some mutant cross between the Police and Jimi Hendrix, with a little reggae and funk on the side."

Music Style Power-Pop Progressive-Rock

Musical Influences Hendrix Police Miles CharlesManson Yes TerjeRypdal Cautus Cream

Similar Artists Hendrix Police Cream Knig'sX DireStraits BandOfGypsies

Artist History While bartending at a music club in '78, bass player Chuck Brownley met guitarist Skip Spady (aka Icepick). They started Unorthodox Behaviour, performing original instrumental jazz/funk. Though this band faded due to other interests, the two continued to put together sessions with various musicians, doing mostly improvised music, drawing on all idioms including rock, blues, jazz, world beat, funk, etc. Along with the instrumentals created, an expanding list of songs developed. After only one magical session with drummer Victor Jones (Stan Getz, Chaka Khan, Stanley Clarke, Angela Bofill, Lou Donaldson, etc.), it was decided that the trio, with all singing, would be the best vehicle for these tunes. The name SUBURBAN DOG was taken from a rock/rap tune by Spady, since it fit the parallel lives the three had known. Each had grown up in the New Jersey suburbs, listening to and playing the music of Led Zeppelin, Cream, Yes, etc., along with Jimi Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone, and Funkadelic, while hearing the sounds of Motown, Woodstock, the Beatles, James Brown, Ray Charles and Stax all around. They later came to appreciate jazz and blues; bands like the Police, Van Halen, Weather Report, Talking Heads, ZZ Top, etc.; & world class innovators like Miles Davis, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, etc. It would be growing families, additional career demands and Jones' ever increasing overseas touring that would allow just a few sessions and even fewer gigs. SUBURBAN DOG had to be put in the kennel. The beginning the of '90's found Spady and Brownley with open schedules, so they called on drummer Matt Scola. They regularly played east coast stages including CBGB's, Wetlands (NYC), Khyber Pass (Phila), Ozone (New Haven, CT), and many others. Fans, who came to be known as "Fleez", barked to show their appreciation of the canine antics. But again, injury and illness forced the band to be put on hold. Yet by the next summer, Brownley and Spady found themselves itching to play, while Jones, tiring of touring, expressed interest in firing up the band again. A few tunes were recorded such as "Home, Home on the Range (VCRs & Video Games)" which was included on the Black Rock Coalition's compilation Blacker Than That, resulting in wider exposure (eg. Musician, Vibe, Penthouse, Boston Globe, Billboard, Washington Post, etc.). Though not playing live much, the band continued to record over the last couple years. A ten tune cassette which also features two live cuts has been pressed. The release of a compact disk with additional selections is in the works. The "K9 Corp" delivers a full musical sound, usually absent in many trios. SUBURBAN DOG's repertoire includes original material along with a few comic or satirical covers. Their music is rooted in blues, rock and funk. Yet the hard rocking power trio plays with jazz sensibilities, exploring a variety of progressive and pop forms, combining both thought provoking and offbeat lyrics, sound bytes, with a little silliness and adult angst. Rev'd 3/27/96

Group Members Skip Spady - Guitars, vocals Chuck Brownley - Bass, vocals Victor Jones - Drums, vocals

Instruments Skip Spady - Guitars, vocals; Skip Spady - Guitars, vocals; Victor Jones - Drums, vocals

Albums Suburban Dog

Press Reviews "...rock(s) out like some mutant cross between the Police and Jimi Hendrix, with a little reggae and funk on the side." - Jim Testa/Jersey Beat & Jersey Journal "...the driving beat...leaves no doubt..." - Boston Phoenix "...we're transported...to the Twilight Zone." - Vibe Magazine "Fans are known to bark, howl..." - EC Rocker

Location Orange, New Jersey - USA

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