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The Kerbdog FAQ (V0.1e) (last updated 30/6/97)
Section A : The Band.
1 Who (or what) is Kerbdog?
1.1 The members (current and past.)
1.2 A short history..
1.3 The Irish Music Scene.
Section B : The Music.
2 What do they sound like?
2.1 A description of Kerbdogs music.
2.2 What about A discography?
2.2.1 Discography of singles.
2.2.2 Discography and track by track description of Albums.
2.2.3 Just what cover tunes have they played?
2.3 Where can I find Lyrics/Tabs for their tunes?
2.4 What are their musical Influences?
2.5 Have they any Film credits/collaberations?
Section C : Misc... The stuff that just doesn't fit.
3. So, what else do you know about them?
3.1 Other internet resources?
3.2 how do I contact the band?
Disclaimer
History
1: Q. Who or what is a Kerbdog?
A: Kerbdog are a 3 piece band from Kilkenny, Rep. of Ireland (Eire).
They are part of an increasing Irish musical invasion of the known
world. They have an interesting and original sound, coupled with
enough raw talent to win them the glory they deserve (grovel, bow, scrape).
1.1: Q. Who's in Kerbdog then?
A: That is a twofold answer. Currently it equates to:
Cormac Battle, vocals/guitars
Colin Fennelly, bass
Darragh Butler, drums
They have been touring since 1996 with this line up. Previously
however they had a second guitarist called Billy Dalton, who left
just after the recording of their second album 'On the turn'. The first
official report of his departure was as follows:
"KERBDOG GUITARIST QUITS
Kerbdog guitarist Billy Dalton has left the band. No replacement has been
confirmed.
(January 18th, 1996)"
In a Metal Hammer interview (March 1997 issue) A clue as to just what
happened to Dalton was given,
"[Recording 'on the turn' in America] also saw the painful departure
of Kerbdog guitarist Billy Dalton, a scenario that had been on the
cards for a while, but was exacerbated (ed:???) and finally brought
to a head by the tension of recording..",
Colin Fennely had this to say: "If GGGarth hadn't pointed out what
was going on, then Billy might be still in the band... We're really
nice guys and he was a mate, so we couldn't say 'Are you able to do
this?' I think if he was still with us, he'd be in a mental home by
now. He said himself on the day when he left the band, he got so
nervous before he went on stage, he didn't know what notes to play..
He said in America that if things didn't improve for himself when
we came home, he'd leave, so it wasn't like we just arrived on his
doorstep and said, 'you're fired', or anything."
Darragh added:"We got back and said,'What are you going to do about
that leaving thing?' and he just kind of said 'Yeah.'"
Billy Played Guitar on both the albums, although how much on the second
is anybodies guess as he only gets a credit as 'with'... (ie, The other
the got listed as being Kerbdog, with Billy Dalton (guitars) and Roy Z
(guitars).)
As far as I know Roy Z (credited on 'On the turn' for Guitars) is the
only other person to have played on any Kerbdog releases. My sources
indicate he is a Producer, (and was therefore just a guest artist.)
1.2 Q: Can I have a short history of Kerbdog?
A: Formed sometime in the early 90's, Kerbdog was the product of 4
school friends. Originally called (amoung other things??)
Rollercoaster, they started out as your standard pub covers band,
usually covering songs by the Pixies, Husker Du, The Jam, The Wedding
Present (amoung others). Then taking the name of a BMX team, they
became 'Kerbdog'. During 1992 recorded their breakthrough demo (some
of which made up their debut single - Earthworks), they lived in
London for a year, and toured all over the UK (and parts of the rest
of the world) with bands including Therapy?, Ministry (good choice?)
and Helmet (I think.) In 1993 they recorded their Debut album (self
titled), with vetran seatle producer Jack Endino. In 1996 they
recorded their second album, which was delayed and wasn't released until
over a year later. Slimming to a 3 piece, they are now touring.
1.3 Q: What about the rest of the Irish music scene??
A: Check out, Therapy?, Joyrider, Ash They are a good place to start.
2 Q: What do they sound like?
A: That's hard to define in words. The best description I ever heard
was 'Therapy? meets Helmet' of 'Metal/indie'. Some music journos
insist that they're grungy.. I beg to differ, as a former grunger.
Nirvana was another incorrect parallel.. as if.
As to what style they play, that's tough too. They have been
described as Punk, Punk/Metal, Dodgy Metal (by NME), Indie/Metal,
Hardcore (as in Punk, NYHC/LAHC), and many more.
2.1 Q: A description of Kerbdogs music.
A: That's a very good question. Early Kerbdog (circa their debut album)
is quite heavy. If I had to draw comparisons from my own personal
CD collection, I'd have to say, TAD circa INHALER is about the closest,
but by no means the best comparison. The music is fairly simplistic,
but is dynamic. It has tempo changes and unusual timing measures. In a way
it's kind of metallica-ry, but not so much as to be thrash metal. It's a
new sound. Someone’s going to jump on me here and say 'oh they sound like
XXXX who were around way before them'.. but to me it's original.
On their new album the sound can be best described as a redifinition of
the above. Whilst still keeping with the general dynamics of their old
material, their new songs are by far more catchy and definatly much more
melodic. Commercially this album should do better. The sound is old school
Kerbdog mixed with Therapy? meets Helmet nods towards the Pixies, as well
as other bands too numerous to mention.
2.2 Q: What about A discography?
A: There is no official Kerbdog discography. There is very little
information available about their releases at all. I have
pieced together a discography of their singles, although it may not
be full, or even fully correct. The latest version is available
at:
www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/disco.htm#singles
details of Albums:
www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/disco.htm#albums
other Discography news:
www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/news.htm#disconews
2.2.1 Q: Discography of singles.
====
1993
----
.. Hard to find single 'Earthworks' released.
Tracks .. Earthworks, cleaver and Scram (all demos, and not same as
the ones found on their debut album)..
Earthworks taken from a demo session 12 December '92
Recorded by Simon Vinestock
The other two, taken from their first demo recorded 29/30 June 92
Dublin, Recorded by Pat Dunne and Ronsan
======
1993/4
------
.. Second single 'End of GREEN', b/w 'In a Rut' and 'Kerosene' (cover, big black)
===================
February/March 1994
-------------------
.. Dry Riser b/w 'new day rising' (Husker Du)
+ 'Suspect device' (stiff little fingers) Vertigo VerCX 83.
also
Limited edition 7" clear vinyl featuring
'same with the hammer' (perviously unreleased).. Vertigo
and
Limited edition CD Digipack with 2 unreleased songs, on Vertigo..
===========
summer 1994
-----------
.. Dummy Crusher, CD 1 featuring 'kenedy' (the Wedding Present)
+ 'Debaser' (pixies) Vertigo VerCD 86
and CD 2 had 'this is not a love song' and another track,
and a remixed version of Dummy Crusher (see below..)
12" picture disc featuring 'mr clean' (Paul Weller/Jam)
+ 'Dont Stand in line' Vertigo VerX 86...
There was also a promo version containing:
1.dummy crusher (clean mix)
2.dummy crusher (album mix)
3.dummy crusher (live from concrete)
4.dummy crusher (funk regulators clean mix)
5.this is not a love song
6.debaser
(thanx to Waffle48@aol.com for this info)..
======
1994/5
------
.. 'This is not a love song' .. original soundtrack
to 'bordillo of blood' (Tales from the Crypt movie??)
is a cover of the PIL song.. on Mercury..
====
1996
----
.. JJ's song E.P..
jj's song, Didin't even try, hard to live, gridlock
limited edition (2000) (mercury - Kercd 1 / 578 319 - 2)
==============
September 1996
--------------
.. 'Sally' - 3 part CD single..
Part 1 :- Sally, My acquaintance, Retro Ready (Mercury - Kercd 2 / 578 435-2)
Part 2 :- Sally, Dyed in the wool, spence (Mercury - Kerdd 2 / 578 437-2)
Part 3 :- Sally, Dragging through, The Fear (Mercury - Kercc 2 / 578 437-2)
'Sally' - promo..
Sally (edit), sally (album) (Mercury - Kercdj2)
=======
17/3/97
-------
.. 'Mexican wave' - 3 part CD single..
Part 1 :- Mexican Wave, Sally(live), On the Turn(live) (Mercury Kercd 3 / 574 103-2)
Part 2 :- Mexican Wave, End of Green(live), Secure(live) (Mercury Kercc 3 / 574 103-2)
Part 3 :- Mexican Wave(live), Dry Riser(live), Pledge(live) (Mercury Kerdd 3 / 574 103-2)
2.2.2 Q: Discography and track by track description of Albums.
Kerbdog - Released 1994
Released by Vertigo/phonogram (518 866-2)
produced by : Jack Endino\
Mixed by : Jack Endino/-assisted by Phil ALUT
Recorded at : Wales at Rockfield Studios, Summer 1993
Mixed : Rockfield Studios, Wales (??)
mastered at : ????? (probably mastered by masterdisk)
Tracks:
1.End of Green
2.Dry Riser
3.Dead Anyway
4.Cleaver
5.Earthworks
6.Dummy Crusher
7.The Inseminator
8.Clock
9.Schism
10.Scram
On the Turn - Released 31/3/97 (in UK)
Released by Mercury/fontana (532 999-2)
produced by : GGGarth (aka. Garth Richardson)
Mixed by : Joe Barresi
Recorded at : Sound City studios/A+M studios L.A
Mixed : Rockfield Studios, Wales
Mastered at : Masterdisk, NY
Tracks:
1.Sally
2.JJ's song
3.Didnt even try
4.Mexican Wave
5.Severed
6.Pledge
7.On the Turn
8.Secure
9.Lesser Shelf
10.Pointless
11.Rewind
12.Sorry for the record
Below is a fan interpretation of the tracks
on the 2 albums. Anyone want to add anything?
1.End of Green
This song is about self affirmation. The lyrics are
written as if the speaker is trying to motivate the
subject. It could be a female/male conversation. The
speaker is saying 'Why wait for me? go out and find
someone better, There are more fish in the sea.'
Don't settle for what you're given, go and fight for
your rights, and keep trying until you succeed.
2.Dry Riser
The speaker is guilty of a crime (murder??) and the
song is about the thoughts/reasonings in their head.
It's about them trying to cover their tracks to avoid
getting caught.
3.Dead Anyway
A song about a nightmare. The sort where you wake in
the dead of the night with a start, having just fallen
to your death in a dream...
4.Cleaver
Being drunk/doped up on drugs??
Paranoia, fear..
Maybe about being the target of a gang.. Some
people who want to kill you.
5.Earthworks
This song is either about Joyriding, or about moving
to a new area and trying to fit in (depending on
whether you interpret the first line as 'U-turn' or
'New town'. I personally believe it's the former.
6.Dummy Crusher
Could be to do with the Army or the troubles in Ireland.
The narrator seems to be critical of the establishment
they are knocking (army, police, Irish Political Party)
7.The Inseminator
This song's about a man who shags lots of birds (trans for
Americans.. Screws a lot of girls). The narrator is painting
a bad picture of the man, saying he gives men a bad name, and
that he always makes the same mistakes (Ie, not looking for
a relationship, therefore will be eternally lonely.) Deep.
8.Clock
Mentions death and being nervous... maybe a condemned man??
9.Schism
Paranoia???
10.Scram
Joy riding? Crashing a car?? Deep, lyrically sparse.
1.Sally
A psycho girlfriend. Person who decides they are the one for
you, even if you don't agree. Battle of the sexes. Trying to
break away from the Psycho, but her wits are stronger.
2.JJ's song
Similar idea to 'the inseminator'. A good friend who is just
a user, of both women and the narrator. A guy always in trouble?
JJ could be female?? Maybe a girl version of Inseminator?
Apparently JJ is one of the bands roadies, and there was a big fight
whilst in LA recording the new album including him and the band.
3.Didnt even try
Looking to the future, marriage etc.? Meeting an ex, and remembering
all your plans??
4.Mexican Wave
This song is (probably) a direct note to Billy Dalton. Probably
written (not defiantly though) after he left the band. Could
have had the name changed to Billy after he left??
The lyrics seem to be about the trouble Billy was having with the
band. Cormac seems to be asking him what the matter is, and also
talking about their childhood.
I recently read an interesting interview with Darragh Butler where
he said, "Mexican Wave, is about manic depression..", which seems
to hold up my Billy Dalton theory.
5.Severed
Spooky tale about a busdriver and his/her daily trials with nasty
passengers and Skinheads causing trouble.
Darragh had this to say about the song, “Severed is my favourite
song on the album. It's about this guy who dives the bus in Kilkenny
on the song he drives over a cliff. I think we'll keep that a secret from
the tourist board".
6.Pledge
Living up to potential, and not being influenced by others bad ways.
7.On the Turn
Trying to pull when you're really pissed (trans for Amer. Trying to
get a date with a girl when loaded), or maybe, talking to someone
when really drunk, but being ignored and snubbed by them only to find
out later it was your own reflection all the time.
8.Secure
Lying dying after an accident?? Reactions to the people around you???
9.Lesser Shelf
Thinking about old friends/lovers and dwelling on the feelings.
10.Pointless
Married woman and single(?) friend. Single one is observing how sad
the life her married friend leads is.
11.Rewind
Looking forward, not back??
12.Sorry for the record
Ungratefull spouces??
2.2.3 Q: Just what cover tunes have they played?
A: They played many covers to begin with (being a covers band), but the
only covers to be released were:
BAND TITLE WHERE??
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Big Black Kerosene End of Green Single
Pixies Debaser Dummy Crusher (cd1)
Stiff Little Suspect Device Dry Riser (CD)
Fingers
P.I.L This is not a love song Dummy Crusher (cd2)/Tales from the crypt-
Bordello of Blood Soundtrack.
Wedding Present Kennedy Dummy Crusher (cd1)
Husker Du New Day Rising Dry riser (CD)
The Jam Mr Clean Dummy Crusher (12" single)
???? Dont Stand in line Dummy Crusher (12" single)
2.3 Q: Where can I find Lyrics/Tabs for their tunes?
A: For Tabs, try OLGA (use any search engine and query 'OLGA Tabs guitar')
Unfortunately most OLGA (all I've found so far) only have SCRAM.
An alternative is to check my page:
www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/tab.htm
I have a few, and will be adding some as soon as I get time.
Also try:
http://www.mcs.dundee.ac.uk:8080/~sgarvin/tabs.htm
Where a multitude of tabs are now waiting to be looked at!!
Lyrics are harder. I have some on my page:
www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/tab.htm
At the moment I have :
End of Green
Dry Riser
Scram
Earthworks
Clock
Dead Anyway
The Inseminator
But beware they aren't all complete or even correct. All suggestions are welcome.
For 'on the turn' things are made easier by the inclusion of all the lyrics (in the
CD at least)...
2.4 Q: What are their musical Influences?
A: A friend of mine actually asked Cormac this question when he interviewed him recently
and he go the following answer 'Husker Du, Pixies, Helmet'... You can probably add
Therapy? to that list, and to a lesser extent all the bands which they have covered songs
by.
2.5 Q: Have they any Film credits/collaborations?
A: YES!! Film wise, their cover of PIL's 'This is not a love song' was included on the
soundtrack (and album) of 'Tales from the crypt: Bordello of Blood'. Also 'Dummy
Crusher' was included on the soundtrack of 'Highlander 3: The Sorcerer'
They also re-mixed a House of pain song:
" KILKENNY GUITAR-ABUSERS Kerbdog have been drafted in to remix one of the tracks on
House Of Pain’s upcoming Same As It Ever Was EP.
The guys were given the master of ‘Running Up On Ya’ and told to basically do anything
they wanted with it," explains manager Merc Mercuriadis. "They took ‘em at their word and
more or less ditched everything apart from the vocal track. Possibly I’m biased but with
the guitars and drums added, I think it’s a far better version than the original. I know
the band are dead chuffed because it’s the first time they’ve been asked to do this sort
of thing and it’s turned out so well."
3. Q: So, what else do we know about them?
A: Quite a bit. Here is a direct draft of my 14 exciting (??!??) facts about
Kerbdog, from my page (www.interalpha.net/customer/memsom/fax.htm):
1.Cormac Battle plays his guitar left-handed, but with the strings the right way around for a right hander, so he actually plays everything upside-down.
2.The name Kerbdog was 'borrowed' from a BMX team called the KERBDOGS.
3.They spent a year living in London (late 92-93) honeing their craft.
4.All of the songs on the debut album were written before they were signed!! Says Darragh, "It was written to play in our local, for everyone to go mental to, and that was it.."
5.Kerbdog's fav bands include Husker Du, Helmet and the Pixies..
6.Cormac Battle says that the band they most enjoyed touring with was THERAPY? (in 1994.)
7.They've said "We piss on everything that's out there", and the spooky thing is that they do..
8.Whilst recording 'on the turn' they hung out with many celebs (allegedly) including: Zack de la Rock (RATM) Dave Grohl (the foos) and Madonna(?!?!)
9.Of their debut album magazines at the time said:
"There's no aires or graces with the 'dog. Just a full on appropriation of everything that is good in the musical climate of '94 ~ KKKK ~ Killer Kerrang!"
"An astonishing collection bereft of pretention & destined for the stratosphere ~ XXXXX ~ RAW (rip)"
"Kerbdog are the most fun and ferocious band to come clawing out of Ireland since Therapy? .. ~ Melody Maker" (yeah I'd like to see MM say that now (c*nts))
10.They could well become the new Nirvana comercially, as the same formula is there..Super heavy 1st album makes way for long awaited melodious/poppy 2nd album
ie. Bleach is to 'Kerbdog' as Nevermind is to 'On the turn'
11.They're all still pretty young, in their mid 20's.
12.They formed in sometime during 1992. At first they were called 'Rollercoaster', and were mainly a covers band of late 80's Alt music (eg. Pixies, HuskerDu, Stiff Little Fingers)
13.The current tour is their first major one for years.."In some places we're expecting to play to 10 people and a dog, but so long as Mutley enjoys it, I dont care" - Cormac Battle.
14.Radio 1FM's Simon Mayo likes them.. after getting a promo of Mexican wave from Cormacs brother (Michael???), he made it his Big Single and played it every day for a week.
15.Cormac’s favourite scooby doo character is Thelma (wonder why that is??)
3.1 Q: Other internet resources?
A: Well I used to say ‘none really’ but to say that now would be a lie!!
There are now the following sites:
http://www.interalpha.co.uk/customer/memsom/kerbdog.htm .. my page
http://www.clubi.ie/damian_penston/home/kerbring.htm .. Damians page, head of Webring
http://www.toptown.com/office/arktis/kerbdog/index.html .. Matt (Arktis) Page, site of Kerbdog-List
http://www.mcs.dundee.ac.uk:8080/~sgarvin/tab.html .. A cool Tab directory
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~n4262587/kd.html .. Another page in the working
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/3792/ .. The Kerbdog Tribute Page.
and
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/3918
The Official page (sanctioned by Mercury, although it’s maintained outside of the company.)
You can also try mercury records (they seem to acknowledge existence but not have ANY
info on Kerbdog.. )
http://www.media.philips.com/polygram/mercury/artists.html
http://www.reellife.com/polygram/mercury/artists.html
http://spider.media.philips.com/mercury/artists.html
http://www.mercuryrecords.com/mercury/artists.html
All the above go to the same page (just different URLS????)
3.2 Q: How do I contact the band?
A: Try their Management (Sanctuary Music Management), their manager is called
Merck Mercuriadis, (also Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor??)
They are on Fontana records, a subsiduary of Mercury, which is related to Phonogram.
Their A+R people are: Paul Flanagan, with Sarah Vaughan, Jo Cousins and Lee Cannon.
Other than that your guess is as good as mine :)
.-----------------------------------------------------------------.
| .-----------. |
| |Disclaimer:| |
| '-----------' |
| The author is in no way affiliated with the band, nor does he |
| have any relation ship (monetary or personal) with the band. |
| This FAQ is maintained for the love of it, and not for money, |
| fame, glory, power or any bogus crap like that.. |
| |
| This Faq is all the work of the author and listed contributors. |
| All facts are correct as far as is known, but should any details|
| be proved wrong then no responsibility may be taken by the |
| author or named contributors, as this document is pure fandom |
| and is not to be taken in any other way. |
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
Started 4/4/97
History list
v0.1a -/4/97: First paper draft
v0.1b 4/4/97: Started/typed all info
v0.1c 7/4/97: Added more accurate details about Billy Daltons departure
v0.1d 30/4/97: Added Thelma fact (wow) and got rid of lots of spelling mistakes
and other irritating mistakes too numerous to list..
v0.1e 30/6/97: Took Windows Help file and directly copied it to ascii to update the
version Ascii version. Added some facts. Corrected some bits.
First made into Windows HELP file format 30/4/97
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1997 Matt Emson (memsom@interalpha.co.uk)
Contributors (Thanx):
Waffle48@aol.com
R.A.Stirling@newcastle.ac.uk (Rick Stirling)
All contributions welcome.