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They live together in a house JUST LIKE THE MONKEES! Music Journalist Clichés R Us Brilliant! Well, perhaps they don't get up to the 'wacky' adventures of The Monkees but "we were recently threatened to be stabbed for playing one of our songs," says vocalist Craig Macintosh. "'Seaside Towns Can Be Nice But They Can Also be Very Dangerous Places' didn't go down well in a lovely backstreet pub in Cambeltown."
So let us introduce you to Dogs Die In Hot Cars - a 'hot' new 'beat combo' of early 20-somethings who hail from St. Andrews in Fife but now reside in the aforementioned HQ in Glasgow. Craig, our interviewee victim, sings and plays guitar. He is joined by Lee Worrall on bass, Gary Smith on guitar and vocals, Ruth Quigley on keys and vocals, and Laurence Davey on drums. The name Super Furry Animals has been mentioned by some describing their music, while others think they lie more in the whimsical land of '80s indiepop. Craig simply thinks "our music is the sound of life travelling at the rate of sixty seconds per minute." In any case, their 2-track demo caused a stir which eventually led to a single deal with Radiate/Virgin (home of Haven). "Following a gig in Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in January, we signed to Defected Management and a few weeks later secured a single deal with Radiate after a showcase in Laurence’s bedroom," explains Craig.
Indeed, it seems the Dogs haven't felt the need to pander to the London music industry. Craig reckons "our philosophy has always been that the good will out, regardless of the unsigned bands' struggle to be noticed by the industry. Struggle is good and the good will struggle. Now having branched out into the world of public rehearsal rooms, we are preparing for our first UK tour. Despite being threatened with a stabbing, all seems to be going quite nicely for us at the moment. Who knows what the future holds for us? We'll just keep on gigging and writing away and do the thing we know, the best way we can. If other people like it, bonus (argh! - DiS.)."
I'm sorry but I have to ask about the name... "Our name is big." Oh, you don't say. "Is it a warning? What does it mean? Is it a joke? Are we emo? No to the latter and who knows to the rest." Are you going to visit Battersea Park Dog's Home when you're in London? I live quite near, one stop away on the train. You could come round for tea. "Well, we'll do anything for a nice cuppa." Splendid! Would you say a dog was more likely to die in a hot car than, say, a kitten? "Certainly not , but have you ever tried getting a cat in a car in the first place?"
OK, I'll try to get back to more serious matters. We get talking about the 'Glasgow scene', and Craig reckons "there's actually been a fair bit of great music coming out of the Glasgow venues recently which is starting to get noticed. I saw Franz Ferdinand play a few weeks ago at Nice ' N' Sleazy and loved it, they've just signed to Domino I think." Yes they have. So what do you think about the UK media's infatuation with American bands? Does it piss you off? "I think that's fine but what about the bands in the other 191 countries on this globe? It's imperative that there's room for all genres of music. Unfortunately some of the images and fashions that cling to certain styles stop people from thinking that."
Things look good for the Dogs. With their debut single and tour coming up (dates below), surely there is a 'proper' deal on the horizon after the Radiate single? "We're lucky in that we've got other options to follow straight after that but that's all I can say for now," teases Craig, "but if sexy ladies and rich people with houses in Bermuda who love to invest in a sure thing like it, then blow me down, it's gonna be fun."
'I Love You 'Cause I Have To' is released on August 4th on CD and 7".
Tour dates:-
June
17th LONDON - Club Fandango @ The Dublin Castle
July
11th ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE - Witchwood
12th T IN THE PARK - T-Break Stage
18th LIVERPOOL - The Picket
19th BIRMINGHAM - Flapper & Firkin
24th ABERDEEN - The Lemon Tree
25th DUNDEE - Cotton Club
26th PERTH - The Twa Tams
27th INVERNESS - The Raigmore
29th SHEFFIELD - Boardwalk
30th COVENTRY - The Jailhouse
31st LONDON - Club Fandango @ Bull & Gate
August
3rd OXFORD - The Bullingdon Arms
4th SWINDON - The Casbah
6th CHELTENHAM - Fish & Fiddle
7th LEICESTER - Sumo
8th GLASGOW - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
For more information on Dogs Die in Hot Cars, please visit www.dogsdieinhotcars.com or www.radiaterecords.com
