“It’s fucking Fat Dog, baby” - it has been 8 months since their sprawling debut single “King of the Slugs” was released. The sentiment remains strong as the first words of Fat Dog’s debut album "WOOF." are bellowed out by frontman and squadron leader Joe Love.
One of the most exciting breakthrough bands of the past few years, conjurers of the sort of frenzied and wild live shows not seen in the capital for years, and with only two tracks out thus far (the menacing “All the Same” was unleashed in January), Fat Dog are now the creators of "WOOF.", a brilliant and mind-bending record, due for release on September 6th via Domino.
Today, Fat Dog shares their new song “Running”, a slice of unhinged, hook-heavy twisted trance. The video, directed by Stephen Agnew, hints to Ken Russell, Ingmar Bergman and MANDY whilst revealing the true origins of the cult of Fat Dog and their real leader.
When the chaotic south London rabble known as Fat Dog formed, they made two rules: they were going to be a healthy band who looked after themselves and there would be no saxophone presence in their music. Two simple edicts to live by, and two things long-since broken by the Brixton five-piece. “Yeah, it’s all gone out the window,” says Love.
Life is too short to stick to any plans you made in the unsettling, strait-jacketed times of 2021 anyway. That was when Fat Dog came together, Love deciding to form a group and take the demos he had been making at home as a way to keep himself sane during lockdown out into the world. In Chris Hughes (keyboards/synths), Ben Harris (bass), Johnny Hutchinson (drums) and Morgan Wallace (keyboards and, umm, saxophone), Love found like-minded mavericks to help bring the dream home. “A lot of music at the moment is very cerebral and people won’t dance to it,” says Hughes. “Our music is the polar opposite of thinking music.”
The sound Fat Dog makes, is screaming-into-a-pillow music. “I wanted to make something ridiculous because I was so bored,” Love declares. It’s a thrilling blend of electro-punk, rock’n’roll snarling, techno soundscapes, industrial-pop and rave euphoria, music for letting go to. Produced by Joe Love, James Ford and Jimmy Robertson, "WOOF." passes by in a flash. Influences include Bicep, I.R.O.K., Kamasi Washington and the Russian experimental EDM group Little Big.
Fat Dog Live
08-10 | Nijmegen, NL | Doornroosje
09-10 | Groningen, NL | Vera
10-10 | Brussels, BE | Botanique
11-10 | Amsterdam, NL | Skatecafe
12-10 | Tilburg, NL | Here's The Thing Festival
17-10/18-10 | Biddinghuizen, NL | Lowlands Festival
17-10/18-10 | Hasselt, BE | Pukkelpop Festival
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