I was lucky enough to get hold of a ticket for Sketches supported by Dog is Dead at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. The venue itself is legendary and must for all new music fans, catching all the best new bands supporting or on their debut tours.
While honestly knowing little about the headline act, the main pull came from their support the youthful and exciting Dog is Dead, the creation of five youngsters from Nottingham who have even set up their own label to get their music heard. They certainly offer their own special perception of Indie Pop, employing trumpets and snyth as well as the usual guitar accompaniment. Constantly swapping instruments and pulling out others from nowhere the band is certainly busy while on stage.
The bands real uniqueness lies in their vocal harmonies. While the lead singer voice is undoubtedly of a high standard it offers a new level of brilliance when combined with the rest of the group. Singing vocal harmonies in nearly all of their tracks, with an almost ‘Fleet Foxes’ like sound being created, an incredible almost choir like atmosphere seemed to be produced. One of the band most recent and probably best known songs ‘Young’, an exploration into the trials and trivialities of youth was played about have way through the set much to my delight. Their set ended with ‘Glockenspiel Song’, a particularly brilliant track and the band’s debut release, giving much opportunity for the adoring crowd to join in with the bands chanting and shouting.
Comparing Dog is Dead to other similar bands such as the Rumble Strips or Los Campesinos! I believe is a little misjudged, and the band really deserves some time for some proper appreciation. Tipped for big things this summer, Dog is Dead is a band you should be ashamed of missing.
www.myspace.com/dogisdeadband
