Street Dogs
The National, Richmond, VA
Live Review and Interview with Mike McColgan
By Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz Wash DC/Richmond)
band pix by Bryan Sheffield
live shots by Jillian
LIVE REVIEW:
The Street Dogs are not a band about making jaw-dropping cash, nor do they sit back and rely on their laurels. So don’t expect fluff songs of empty fantasies and random recalls. Their street-punk folk-induced lyrics are riddled with the same measure of intensity, as the songs themselves. Mike McColgan’s embossed lead vocals contain an exhaustive rawness that balances evenly—without left feeling cheated or over stimulated.
Cut to the chase. It is fitting that the Street Dogs’ live set opens with the lights dim, and the version of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘National Anthem’ blaring across the empty stage. With that infamous ending in one long guitar note—the band walks on stage in rank and file.
Mike is in a jersey jacket and cap, and stands on the edge of the stage immediately encouraging the audience to dance as the rest of the Dogs pluck through the first song, ‘In Defense of Dorchester.’ Mike had everyone’s attention. Suddenly, as I sit on the side of the stage, with each hit of the guitar chords, they appeared almost jarring to my ears. It was then that something had shifted. I can best describe this as if someone had adjusted my personal focus lens within. Everything around me appeared hyper-sharpened in clarity. No, this occurred without mood-altering substances.
It was then that it all came to me and finally made sense--
Flashback to 10 months ago, last July, I hit a stroke of bad luck. Not prepared for a two-day notice of a lay-off from my job, I was left with no severance, no savings, no health insurance, a 4-day eviction notice; flat broke, and not a solid place to live. On top of that, I experienced first hand the desensitized and lagged social bureaucracy of unemployment, and the inefficient state food stamp system.
Now, 10 months later, sitting on the side of the stage, I realized that I am officially tapped out. Feeling as if I have had nothing to show for busting my ass for 20+ years, I experienced an unfamiliar sinking feeling…a feeling of no value. Needless to say it wasn’t a nice feeling. Truthfully, however, I know I am not the only one. I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as ‘protection’ for me, and for those considered as middle class. Most of us, in reality, are forced to give that 110% on their job, and in return are simply expendable and quickly replaced. Admittingly, I do carry a quiet sense of personal shame and despair. There are times that I still want to cry foul in frustration.
As I stood watching the band crank out chords in the middle of this first song, I have drawn the conclusion that The Street Dogs stand for that frustrated voice I personally could not express in my daily struggle (and I’m the writer!) Oddly, it wasn’t until after my interview with Mike and during the live show that my feelings of frustration have welled-up to the surface. Obviously, the message that this band has uniquely holds very important messages to me and about our times. Being aware and educated about politics, the economy, the war, and basic-life necessities is a valuable life lesson that the Street Dogs embed in their lyrics. With the popular consensus actively brewing in the undercurrent, people have become discouraged and bitter about living conditions here in the states. Most believe it will take strength in numbers to be heard on Capitol Hill—if someone who is powerful enough to change the Administration to make way for better conditions for those who need a leg up. Funnily, I am usually not this political, but on that particular night, The Street Dog’s message was front and center.
Still in the suspended hyperactivity, I recognized the first clean-‘Clash’ chords in, ‘Back To The World,’ and it’s meaning—about going home to a safer place. Awfully catchy, the lyrics are for memorizing verbatim, and the crowd is boppin’ to Mark & Tobe’s back-ups through the chords and drums. A nice set up. Tobe sporting a fedora, and Mike is rearin’ with fire in his belly.
Familiar with their songs, I was glad they played, ‘Drink Tonight,’ which seemed to induce instant romping, embodying an instinctual circle pit. Along with speeding-snarly chords and Mike’s fast-as-shit lyrics rattling off in tune, a split-tempo into a sludge-slower beat has Mark Hollar blackening the vocal emphasis on the bridge. The entire band collectively picks up the momentum and tempo and hurls it into the crowd, ending in a crash stop. Word of advice: listen to this song live.
Introducing a new song, ‘Mean Fist,’ off of their new CD, “State of Grace,” out in July, their energy is surprisingly transferred with a fresh approach. Rebuttled lyrics splattered along bass and triplicate beats between verses are balanced and melded together with beefy urgency.
Shifting gears, Tobe strums a folk-tinged tune on his White Sparrow guitar and Marcus on his Alvirez guitar, adding a solemn opening to, ‘Katie Bar The Door.’ However, just as the crowd started to nestle into the somber tones, ‘Final Transmission,’ hijacks the vibe with consistent driving guitar revolutions and yet another well put together song.
‘Tobe’s Got A Drinking Problem,’ begins like a folk song with Tobe’s harmonica opening, yet in mid-section, rips into a barrage of faltering chords. The chords were hit so hard that Johnny’s watch drops to the floor yet he continues to slap those strings. Mike, in nostalgic ‘Bono-stance’, belts out the remaining verse. It is not trite. Instead, it is interpreted as a spontaneous reaction to project that extra push of intensity to the audience.
‘Not Without A Purpose,’ and ‘Decency Police,’ was by far more concreted summations of their style—catchy driving rhythm strung along equally catchy tunes. There are shouted-by-audience lyrics and fist pumpin’, while Mike kicks the microphone stand over--all on beat, then jumps into the audience pulling the microphone wire with him. Following behind is Tobe and Mark with their guitars all immersing themselves with the crowd. Ending the encore performance with the new song, ‘Free,’ a raw yet exemplified piece, Mike ends it with abusing his microphone with a slam to the floor. A really great set.
MIKE MCCOLGAN INTERVIEW
Street Dog’s mantra:
With the working class
By the working class
For the working class
Each song is jam-packed annexing on personal and identifiable portraitures of experience. It’s no wonder—not only with the background as an EMT and firefighter, Mike earned the literal stripes in Desert Storm. This only lyrically legitimizes true testimony, and not with just angry-filled in-your-face punk rock songs.
There is no complaining and whining here, and certainly no role of ‘window dressing’ as musicians. Instead, collectively, the band peels away thick layers, exposing vulnerability that gives solace to their songs. Don’t get me wrong—individually these guys are capable of standing on your fucking throat; however, respectably, those who dwell the streets of Boston know this is also the law of the street and that sometimes we have to dig deep within in order to earn our stripes.
Here’s my interview with Mike McColgan:
Jillian: First of all, thanks for meeting with me and the taking time out to chat especially since I missed the impromptu show at the NYC Unity Fest last July.
1. Jillian: I cannot decide if it’s the energy in your songs, the catchiness of the tunes, or the passion that derives from within that is the framework of the band. Mike, you served in the Gulf War/Desert Storm [deep respect here], and amazingly, the messages you write about is instilled in the band. Do you think this has anything to do with your experiences of growing up in the middle class and not being handed privileges, and facing life issues of adversity that is the glue?
Yes, we are the working class, so of course, we will write what our experiences are—definitely no entitlement—it’s about salt-of-the-earth lifestyle. We can only write what we know, and what the world around us is like and what are exposed to. I think this keeps the band cohesive and remains true to our roots.
2. Jillian: Do you think you would ever enlist again to serve in the military?
No, not now. Luckily I can even be called back up since serving in 1998. I really don’t have a lot of faith in the Administration these days.
3. Jillian: Do you think this is the same glue that links from the band to the audience?
Yes, our audience is everyone in middle America – where kids live for the next show and also find the same common denominator in their friends. They all relate to the struggle, and having to work hard just to pay the bills. We are the same.
4. Jillian: I will say I am envious that Boston has built such a mecca for great punk rock, and it is coincidental that I’ve covered a few—The Freeze, The Scars and Far From Finished, among others. It reminds me back when I was growing up around a gang of kids who stuck together in the neighborhood—that there was this unspoken acceptance. Do you think the Boston scene is like one big sand box of grown up punks and because you all do carry the same principals and background, the scene has flourished and maintained?
Yes, there was a time where there was a lack of unity. Here in America, the gap is so wide. We realized there were many that felt the same way we did. We’ve all become tolerant of one another. We all strive to bring our best to the table and we all write what moves us.
5. Jillian: I love asking this question—for some reason if the band was the end tomorrow, what professions would you like to pursue?
Probably behind the scenes producing music—staying in it. I can’t see me doing anything else, not at the moment. I always want to stay in the music.
6. Jillian: I get this feeling that your writing is not limited to politics, war, and drinking. Punk rock is about breaking P. C. barriers—are there any subjects you would like to tackle that haven’t been expressed?
With this new CD release, ‘State of Grace,’ there is more of a universal raw appeal. Expanding subjects such as gun violence…or with the song, ‘State of Grace,’ (after the CD)…is about manifest destiny. In this CD there is less ideology, more emphasis on a perspective of immunity and goodwill. ‘Into The Valley,’ is less political, and ‘Free’ is definitely more organic which is also a rendition song from The Skids.
7. Jillian: On the “Fading American Dream,” CD, there are deeper/darker lyrics. If you had one important message you could pass on to the younger generation, what would it be?
Take it back. It’s so easy these days in the fast pace of things to “check out” on issues. People more fortunate need to get involved in community programs such as Unicef…Red Cross…the Peace Corp…to advocate for better conditions. Those are just a few.
8. Jillian: Is there any particular show that is memorable perhaps with sparked enthusiasm that stands out? What show and why?
Yes. The Groezrock Fest last year in Belgium. There was 5,000 people, and the response was enormous! [Spanning his hands in front of him]. Also the yearly Boston ritual, “Wreck The Halls.” It sold out with 13,00—amazing!
9. Jillian: What are the future plans of the band for 2008?
First turning out the new CD, ‘State Of Grace,’ out July 8th—and it will be available through Hellkat Records and www.interpunk.com. Secondly, The Warped Tour which starts June 1st in Massachusetts. Also back to writing more music and regular work in between.
True songs told by old souls, the band’s messages although painful, are willingly digestible. For me, the messages from a lyrical stand point hold a weighted significance. I know now that personally I have to heave up my battered psyche and continue despite injustices—regardless if they are bullshit or not—and to either stand alone and fight, or fall through the cracks. The Street Dogs have arrived at the right place, at the right time.