Artist description J Dog mainly plays guitar and sings original songs as host of open mic at Java Junction in Clearwater, FL eafch Wednesday, 9pm-midnight. J Dog's guitar of choice is the electric twelve string as made by Rickenbacker, following the tradition of the Byrds, Beatles, R.E.M., Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and countless others who use its jangly, bright tone to fill in an area of sound commonly reserved for synthesizers.

Music Style Bland pop with a wacky twist

Musical Influences Ben Folds, Elvis Costello, Duke Ellington, Roger McGuinn, Pixies, Genesis, R.E.M., Cracker, Jimmy Buffett, Rush, Frank Sinatra, Brian Setzer, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Stereolab, They Might Be Giants, Joe Walsh, Tom Petty, New Radicals, John Pizzarelli, Eminem, Chet Baker

Artist History Lifelong Tampa resident J Dog's music story starts in 5th grade band by the decision to blow a trombone. That seemed to work pretty well all through college at the University of Tampa, where J Dog discovered keyboards, guitars, basses, drum patterns, computer-based recording, and most importantly, BEER. He played trombone with Tampa acid jazz outfit Sugardaddy from 1995-1996. He worked with Tampa ska/swing group Figure 8 from 1996-1997, then began playing weekly at a Tampa Methodist church and started really making some bling-bling for playing, and eventually directing the church group there until his 1999 departure. Soon after, he took a keyboardist position at a Methodist church in St. Petersburg for really big $$$ but the people were even more psycho so that gig went south after about a year or so. J Dog & The Bishop was formed at Clearwater coffeehouse Insomnia in October of 2000. Adam Tidrosky joined J Dog to perform a repertoire of 99% songs by They Might Be Giants in the style of Brooklyn John & John's early duo performances and more recent record store appearances, with only two voices and an electric guitar. Special guest Sam Haber frequently joined the two with keyboard or hand drum. Insomnia's closing in December 2001 triggered a jump to Java Junction in Clearwater. J Dog shortly began hosting open mic every Wednesday and playing originals. J Dog & The Bishop occasionally regroup for short performances and famed anti-rehearsals, where practicing music has been successfully replaced by playing video games, watching movies, listening to music, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer.

Group Members J Dog records in his living room with a Fostex digital recording system and a Dell PC. A more complete rig list is at geocities.com/tccoxman. J Dog runs a one-man band and can't even afford a writer for bios, forcing him to refer to himself in the third person over and over.

Instruments See rig setups at geocities.com/tccoxman

Albums Unleashed v1.0 complete, v2.0 finished soon.

Location Tampa, FL - USA

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