Dog Fashion Disco
Dog Fashion Disco |
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Dog Fashion Disco was a band that originated out of Rockville, Maryland, from 1996 - 2007.
Biography
Notable for combining many different music styles (70's psychedelic, jazz, piano recital, circus music and vocals, among others) Dog Fashion Disco was primarily considered a metal band. The band's lyrical content is often highly esoteric and satirical, with constant tongue-in-cheek references to the occult, drug use, and mutilation. A major influence on the band's sound was the infamous California genre-defying act, Mr. Bungle.
They are often referred to as DFD and were originally called Hug the Retard, but changed their name to Dog Fashion Disco before releasing any material, as they felt the name Hug The Retard was too politically incorrect and might cost them fans. Since establishing themselves as DFD, the band's sound has essentially remained the same despite the revolving door of various band members throughout the past decade.
Collaborations
Also of note is the fact that they recorded a track with System of a Down frontman, Serj Tankian called "Mushroom Cult" on the album Anarchists of Good Taste. This song is often wrongly attributed to System of a Down, even though Serj Tankian was the only member to perform on the track.
Management
Dog Fashion Disco has been managed by Maryland resident Derek J. Brewer, of Outerloop Records, since 2000. It was with this label that they released the album, The Embryo's in Bloom.[1]
Adultery/The final chapter
They were signed to Rotten Records and completed their sixth studio album, Adultery, early in 2006. It was released on April 4, 2006. The band toured in support for the release of Adultery during the summer of 2006.
On December 5, 2006 Todd Smith sent out a bulletin on MySpace stating that Dog Fashion Disco have called it quits.[2] They performed their final show together at the Sonar Lounge in Baltimore, Maryland on January 13, 2007 to a capacity crowd. Fans came as far away as the United Kingdom for the final show. The band played a marathon 25+ song set, ending with the hit "Albino Rhino" from the 1998, Experiments in Alchemy album (this was a common concert-closer), and played the song "Sweet Insanity" from their newest album, Adultery, for an encore song. Other past band members turned up to show their support for their former musical family such as Sennan Quigley and Mike "Ollie" Oliver.
The event was recorded for an expected DVD release for later this year.[citation needed]
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Dog Fashion Disco taking their final bow in the early morning hours of January 14, 2007. -
The members of Dog Fashion Disco hugging after performing their final song.
Post-Disbandment
Brian White and Jasan Stepp are currently working together on a project named Phantom Communique, with another Baltimore native, Brandon Thomas. They joined the new band in September 2006 and played their first show in Baltimore on November 13, 2006. On Apr 17, 2007, Dog Fashion Disco's myspace posted a bulletin announcing a new project, Polkadot Cadaver, stylistically similar to Dog Fashion Disco. The project features Todd Smith (Vocals, Guitar) and Jasan Stepp (Guitar, Keyboards, Programming). The project's MySpace page has the song "A Wolf In Jesus Skin".
Its not a DFD song but its the closest thing that you are ever going to get again. Todd and I have been putting in quite a bit of time working on material for all of you kiddies. We are excited about the direction of this project and we are looking foward hearing what you think. Click on the banner above to check it out.
— Dog Fashion Disco MySpace Bulletin
Members
Final Lineup
- Todd Smith - Vocals
- Jasan Stepp - Guitars
- Brian "Wendy" White - Bass
- John Ensminger - Drums
- Jeff Siegel - Keyboards
- Matt Rippetoe - Horns
Previous members
- Greg Combs - Guitars
- Sennen Quigley - Guitars, Keyboards
- Mark Ammen - Bass
- Stephen Mears aka "Grand Master Super Eagle Sultan" - Bass
- Mike "Ollie" Oliver - Drums
- Tim Swanson - Keyboards
- Kristen Ensminger - Trumpet
- Geoff Stewart - Saxophone
Discography
Compilations
Dog Fashion Disco has appeared on several compillation albums.
- Sounds from the Trenches Vol II – "Baby Satan"
- Feoh 2004: Summer Dying Fast – "Rat on a Sinking Ship"
- Kerrang! Magazine's The Best of 2001 – "Mushroom Cult"
- The Devil's Music - Volume 3 – "Leper Friend"
- JägerMusic Rarities 2004 – "G. Eye Joe"
- We Reach: The Music of the Melvins – "Anaconda"
DVDs
- DFDVD (June 15 2004)
- DFD-Day (Bonus DVD packaged with The City is Alive Tonight...Live in Baltimore (August 25 2005))