What started in 1998 as an excuse to get out of the house and jam with friends soon became an excuse to pack Katy’s Kapers with a growing fan base. The audiences then were treated to a broad range of covers, including the Clash, Cheap Trick and Johnny Cash. Under the influence of the masters it wasn’t long before the individual members felt the muse and decided to birth their own songs. Go Dog Go’s brood is to be released on June 21, 2003 at Columbia Street West under the guise of Long Story Short.

The band sticks with what it does best: playing straightforward rock music with few overdubs and limited studio enhancements. The result is a very live feel, revealing the energy of their performances. Fittingly, Go Dog Go start their album with the bright, enthusiastic “Better Than Me” which careens along cheerily on fast guitars and a solid rhythm section. “Get Your Own Girlfriend” has a slight 80s rock vibe with a bit of the modern sound thrown in. The great melody and humorous lyrics make this one ripe for radio pickin’s! Dueling vocal parts divided into the left and right stereo field, jangly guitars, and an urgent melody that gets into your head through sheer repetition will make “Optimistic Masterpiece” quite memorable. Sounding like an homage to Jettingham, “All That Lonely” is more modern in feel with fuzzy guitars and vocal effects for a bit of nice variety.

Vocalist/Guitarist Chris Dodds handles the harmonica in the upbeat, rollicking country rock of “I’m Not Gonna Let You Break My Heart.” Crunchy guitars add a harder edge to “Better Sorry Than Safe,” a song which allows for guitarist Matt Kelley to lay down a melodic guitar solo, while acoustic guitars are added for the sweet ballad “The Neverending Ballad of You”. The intro to “Bad Side of Town” sounds like the band is about to break into a rocked-up version of “Yesterday,” but the impressive drumming of Mark Winters and distorted vocals soon take the song in the direction of controlled chaos. Bassist Eric Federspiel does an impressive job of holding “Fact or Fiction” to the fire while the catchy chorus reminds me of a Jackie Fly tune whose name forever escapes me. The final track, “Route Sixty Kicks,” benefits from a touch of organ to its energetic pace sure to make your feet move uncontrollably.

Recorded at Ozone Recording Co, Soundmill Recording, and Monastic Chambers, the 17 tracks span a whopping 62 minutes! The artwork is as impressive as the sound production with photographs galore and professional design. Such attention to detail on all aspects of the project shows the care that has gone into making Long Story Short the best album it can be. For more information, go to www.godoggoband.com.