Dog Fashion Disco
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| Dog Fashion Disco | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Rockville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Avant-garde metal |
| Years active | 1996–2007 |
| Label(s) | Rotten Artemis Spitfire Outerloop |
| Associated acts | The Alter Boys Phantom Communique Polkadot Cadaver Ideamen |
| Website | www.dogfashiondisco.com |
| Members | |
| Todd Smith Jasan Stepp Brian "Wendy" White Jeff Siegel John Ensminger Matt Rippetoe |
|
| Former members | |
| Sennen Quigley Tim Swanson Greg Combs Mark Ammen Stephen Mears aka "Grand Master Super Eagle Sultan" John Ensminger Mike "Ollie" Oliver D. Holocaust Geoff Stewart Kristen Ensminger |
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Dog Fashion Disco was an experimental band that originated out of Rockville, Maryland, from 1996–2007.
Contents |
[edit] 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 an avant-garde 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 California genre-defying act, Mr. Bungle.[citation needed]
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 offensive and might cost them fans.[citation needed] 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.
[edit] 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.[citation needed]
[edit] 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]
[edit] 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 show was opened by the band Oddzar[3].
The event was recorded for an expected DVD release for later this year.[citation needed]
 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. |
Singer, Todd Smith, is sometimes known by an alias; Mr. Smiff. Though this isn't far from his real name, he finds it humorous and rather enjoyable.
[edit] Post-Disbandment
On April 17, 2007, Dog Fashion Disco's MySpace posted a bulletin announcing a new project, Polkadot Cadaver, which is stylistically similar to Dog Fashion Disco. The project features Todd Smith, Jasan Stepp and John Ensminger. The project's MySpace page has four songs and an album (Purgatory Dance Party) which was released on the week of November 17, 2007 for pre-orders and a street date of November 27, 2007
Its not a DFD song but it's 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 forward hearing what you think. Click on the banner above to check it out.
—Jasan Stepp on "A Wolf in Jesus Skin", via a Dog Fashion Disco MySpace Bulletin
Brian White is currently involved in a project named Phantom Communique, with another Baltimore native, Brandon Thomas. He joined the new band in September 2006 and the band played their first show in Baltimore on November 13, 2006. Todd Smith, Matt Rippetoe and Jeff Siegel are members of The Alter Boys since 2005, but it is unknown whether they will release another album. Tim Swanson has returned to his older band, Ideamen.
All four bands are advertised on the Dog Fashion Disco MySpace page and in bulletins.
[edit] Members
[edit] Final Lineup
- Todd Smith - vocals
- Jasan Stepp - guitars
- Brian "Wendy" White - bass guitar
- John Ensminger - drums
- Jeff Siegel - keyboards
- Matt Rippetoe - horns
[edit] Previous members
- Greg Combs - guitars
- Sennen Quigley - guitars, keyboards
- Mark Ammen - bass guitar
- Stephen Mears aka "Grand Master Super Eagle Sultan" - bass guitar
- Mike "Ollie" Oliver - drums
- Tim Swanson - keyboards
- Kristen Ensminger - trumpet
- Geoff Stewart - saxophone
- Jason Stevens - guitar
[edit] Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | US sales |
| 1997 | Erotic Massage | Self-released | |
| 1998 | Experiments in Alchemy | Self-released | |
| 2000 | The Embryo's in Bloom | Outerloop Records | |
| March 6, 2001 | Anarchists of Good Taste | Spitfire Records | |
| September 3, 2001 | Mutilated Genitals (EP) | Spitfire Records | |
| May 6, 2003 | Committed to a Bright Future | Spitfire Records | |
| June 2004 | Day of the Dead | Self-released | |
| January 25, 2005 | The City is Alive Tonight...Live in Baltimore | Artemis Records | |
| April 4, 2006 | Adultery | Rotten Records |
[edit] 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"
[edit] DVDs
- DFDVD (June 15, 2004)
- DFD-Day (Bonus DVD packaged with The City is Alive Tonight...Live in Baltimore (August 25, 2005))
