Band To Watch: Blank Dogs
Blank Dogs are actually singular: It's the insanely prolific one-man Brooklyn-based band of Mr. Blank Dog. We don't know too much about the biography of the guy behind the bedroom new-wave pop/punk and he's usually covering his face with masks or bedspreads, but that's fine. The aura of anonymity allows you to focus on the sounds -- and, really, he might be releasing a ton of things, but there's definitely a higher jam to crap ratio. It's like Joy Division vocal lines with the Cure's synth and guitar melodies filtered through ancient submerged keyboards and eroded recording equipment. And that voice? All the feedback in the world can't hide his knack for melody. Blank Dogs have been making plenty of rumbles in the noisier and more secretive outposts of the underground (half his discography's sold out), but Troubleman Unlimited's just repressed his very recommended full-length On Two Sides (on yellow vinyl in an edition of 500) and In The Red's releasing a 20-song double LP (or single CD) Under And Under in January. It's all new material. He's also playing his first shows this month in NYC, so if you want to take a peek, you can. All this to say: Seems like Blank Dogs is on his way out of the basement. Listen:
Blank Dogs - "Crystal Ladies" (MP3)
Blank Dogs - "Ants" (MP3)
Both tracks come from the aforementioned On Two Sides: "Ants," its fuzzed-out hook, is the opener. And, for a pace chance, "Crystal Ladies" definitely takes on a Daydream Nation vibe within the crunch. If you'd like some visuals to go with the listening sessions, here's the excellent "Leaving The Light On" and "Scenes From A New Town." As far are more new material, the Danish label 4:2:2 just this week released the "Setting Fire To Your House" b/w "I Was Counting" 7" in an edition of 500, but it's already sold out. You can hear the A-side, which will show up on the In The Red album, at the label's MySpace. It's also up at Blank Dogs' MySpace, where you can also catch "L Machine," another great song from forthcoming the In The Red release (which, as you might have guessed, is much anticipated in these parts). More upcoming releases, from the mouth of Mr. BD: "Soon to be released on cassette via the Fuck It Tapes label is a compilation of most tracks from the first year of releases entitled Year One. This includes the two 12" EP's and the first four 7" EPs. This will be released on CD and LP by Sacred Bones with different artwork."
This is a lot to absorb, yes. The man possesses a large discography of 7"s, cassettes, limited-edition whatever, and the like. For your convenience, and hopefully your undying loyalty, he has most of it available as a free download (with a "donate" button) over at his blog. If you do make use of it, please do donate. Finally, this should be great:
09/20 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands #
09/21 - New York, NY @ DCTV (formerly known as the Tank) $
# w/ Crystal Stilts and the Intelligence
$ w/ Eat Skull, Psychedelic Horseshit, Little Claw, and the Intelligence
Posted at 11:51 AM by stereogum in Band To Watch, MP3
Tags: Blank Dogs
"Blank Dogs," not "Blanks Dogs." Right?
Score = 2
Yup. It's unclear what that extra "s" was doing there. Fixed.
Score = 0
Great. Amatuer hour on Garageband and it's a band I should watch--Watch do absolutely nothing.
Score = -2
well, here's another "artist" getting attention from Stereogum for being brave enough to put out absolute shit. Come on guys...it takes more than being brooklyn-based and combining half-ass lo-fi electro beats with talent-less guitar playing to be good music. please stop trying too hard to be cool.
Score = -1
Um, this is great stuff and it sounds like nothing else.
What are you idiots complaining about?
Score = 6
This is some exciting stuff, similar to post-punk 80's bands but also LoFi.
Score = 2
Yes very similar to post punk 80's I like it..
Score = 0
When I read all the negative comments about this band I was immediately determined to love them. After listening to the mp3's I can concur that this band is shit.
=w=
healthryder.blogspot.com
Score = 1
This sounds like one of those bands that befriends you on myspace, "Hey when you get a chance, check out our new tunes and tell us what you think!" Really bad is what I think. And why did you post the same song twice under two different names?!? C'mon Stereogum.
Score = -2
I seriously doubt a band who's anonymous is messaging people to listen.
This stuff is melodic and interesting,
Definately not for Weezer fans. No shock that a guy who uses a Weezer logo to sign off doesn't like it.
This reminds me how people who actually bother to leave comments usually have the worst taste in music.
Score = 3
"Crystal Ladies" is amazing.
Can't wait to hear more.
Score = 1
to Collin M: your comment is funny...I guess being that you left a comment, we can all assume your taste in music sucks.
to Hula Hoop: let's not stoop to name-calling. an ice ream truck running over an epileptic moose probably sounds like "nothing else" but that doesn't mean it's something people would enjoy or promote.
I understand I'm a bit late on responding to this but I haven't stopped by in a lil while to check out what "to watch"...i think I'll join Slothrop and watch this dude do nothing. ;-)
No offense, S-gum...
Score = 4
blank dogs is great music.. if u like his work u should also check out nice face and nt who seemingly follow a similar anono-lofi aesthetic
Score = -2
Yellow Mice Fever by Blank Dogs is an unbeatable track...stuck in my head for weeeeks
Score = -2
you shit talkers must have shit not only in your mouth, but in your ears as well. Blank Dogs rules, sorry his tunes made you feel musically inadequate.....and talentless.
Score = 0
HE SOUNDS LIKE THE RADIOHEAD
Score = -1
=w= / heathryder.blogspot at 3:44am
Please, you know you just get angry and confused without your Ani Difranco and Soundgarden records. Why do this to yourself?
Score = 0
there is a better band to watch. the Yelling. myspace.com/theyelling
They are unsigned and are putting out much better tunage than Blank Dogs. Dig it.
Score = -2
"aura of anonymity allows you to focus on the sounds"- that makes sense...looking like a burn victim that got attacked by sweaters definitely draws attention AWAY from you. Please don't fall for that insecure bulllshit.
But aside form that- I got to give his music a good listen...only to find out it blows. You should touch up on your knowledge of music terminology before you start calling things "melodic." This is proof that the scene these days is being consumed by far more posers that think wearing the right scarves and jeans put you more in touch with music. Boo. Blank Dogface should try programming a real beat himself (instead of using the preset click tracks on his drum machine) and consider guitar/voice/keyboard lessons. Good timing of the word "crystal" in a title though, nice to see someone not using it in their band name this month.
Oh and to erreur at 09/11/08 6:30 PM: This is a blog. People that dislike your roomate's music will state so, that's how it works.
p.s. I don't like Weezer. Do I win something?
Score = 1
this shit blows
Score = 0
Blank Dogs = Blank music...
http://therecommender.net
Score = -3
This really is terrible.
Score = -3
three words...
Book Of Kills
Score = 0
Why is the new music shit?
Score = -3
Blank Dogs is excellent. Some people are mental midgets.
Score = 2
Please see ARIEL PINK.
Score = 0
Well, I played my blank dogs 45s at my garage & punk nights in denver ever since their first one ended up in my hands.
People may say the music sucks, but this is the kind of band folks always come to the turntables and take the time to ask about.
I always think of Sun City Girls without the international-ethnic exploration. And I like Ariel Pink, but don't get why I should SEE them. Is it supposed to be some kind of snub? I think I'd like to be mixed in with AP through comparison. Of course, a listener could bitch about the cheap sound manipulations but I think that's the point. It reminds me of the best of cassette culture actually.
Score = 2
I am wondering how is that person in the picture breathing..
Score = 2