That Dog Plays 1st East Coast Show in 15 Years in NYC

Anna Waronker and That Dog made its long-awaited return to New York Thursday night, and the quirky, catchy indie-pop tunes. Despite a few glitches (forgetting which musician is to start off a song, beginning a tune with a capo that isn't supposed to be on the guitar, etc.), the band sounded fresh and in sync.

The harmonies of Waronker and sisters Petra and Rachel Haden—always one of my favorites aspects of the band—were solid throughout, and kept up with the varied vocal pyrotechnics of the band's songs. (To get an idea of the things Petra Haden can do with her voice, check out her a cappella cover album, "Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out.")

That Dog: Rachel Haden, Anna Waronker, Tony Maxwell, and Petra Haden.

At the sold-out first show of its two-night stand at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, That Dog didn't reveal any new songs (as far as I know), but played a variety of tunes from its three albums, "That Dog," "Totally Crushed Out!," and "Retreat from the Sun." (In what will be great news for fans of the band, it seems that new That Dog songs may be in the works.)

The audience, which shouted out requests throughout the show, got to hear favorites such as "Old Timer," "Zodiac," "Lip Gloss," "He's Kissing Christian," "Gagged and Tied," and "Long Island." The encore included "Minneapolis," "Hawthorne," and "This Boy."


Above: That Dog performs "He's Kissing Christian" at Thursday's show. Video by Mark Martucci, via Fruitless Pursuits. 

As I mentioned before, That Dog's first NYC show in a decade and a half coincided with the birthday of Steven McDonald, Waronker's husband and member of Redd Kross, which is releasing its first new album in many years. Waronker often looked up to the balcony during Thursday's show, where McDonald and their son were watching.

Read a Village Voice interview with Anna Waronker.


Above: That Dog performs "Never Say Never" Thursday night. Video by MrNYC.

Happy Birthday, Steven McDonald! Download New Redd Kross Tune; See That Dog in NYC

I'm guessing it's a very happy birthday today for Redd Kross founder (and current OFF! member) Steven McDonald. After a stint working as an A&R rep for Warner Brothers, McDonald is back with Redd Kross, which is set to release its first album in 15 years. "Researching the Blues"will be released August 7th on Merge (with whom the band signed earlier this month).

You can listen to and download the title track below or at SoundCloud, and see the tracklist at Consequence of Sound.

Cover of the first Redd Kross album in 15 years.

[Note: Off! plays at Bowery Ballroom on May 29th; tickets available here.]

Besides Steven McDonald, the current incarnation of Redd Kross features the "classic Neurotica" lineup including Steven's brother Jeff, Roy McDonald (also a member of The Muffs), and Robert Hecker. The band was scheduled to play two dates in the Midwest earlier this month; more Redd Kross tour dates will no doubt be added as the release date for "Researching the Blues"nears.

  Redd Kross - Researching the Blues by MergeRecords

Redd Kross isn't the only McDonald family band that's back in the public eye. That Dog, the '90s indie-pop band fronted by Steven's wife Anna Waronker, is playing out again and performs the first show of its two-night run at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. The show is sold out, but there are tickets for sale on StubHub, some for around $4 each. Tickets for Friday's show are still available through the box office.

Fred Armisen of "SNL" opens tonight for That Dog; tomorrow Kurt Braunohler and Baron Vaughn do the honors.

I've been listening to That Dog recently in preparation for tonight's show and it's been a great reminder of how many great, catchy tunes the band recorded. I haven't heard anything about them recording new material, but am looking forward to seeing them nonetheless, especially since I never caught them live during their heyday.

NY Area Concerts On Sale: Radiohead, That Dog, Edward Sharpe, & More

Some big shows in the NYC area are going on sale Friday and Saturday, so here's a heads-up on a few of them, with links to tickets. The biggest event is Radiohead's return to the metro region with two concerts at Newark's Prudential Center, May 31st and June 1st. These are the first shows the band will play at The Pru, as well as the only New York area shows scheduled on this leg of their tour.

Indie rock favorites That Dog return for a concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

At the other end of the spectrum (in terms of commercial success, anyway) is the first East concert in more than 15 years by the much-loved 1990s indie rock band, That Dog. There's no words on whether the band will be mounting a full tour, but after doing at least a couple of reunion shows in L.A. last year, they're playing at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 25th. Comedian Fred Armisen of "Saturday Night Live" opens.

The members of That Dog have an impressive musical pedigree: frontwoman Anna Waronker is the daughter of record producer Lenny Waronker (and is married to Steve McDonald of Redd Kross); sisters Rachel and Petra Haden are daughters of famed bass player Charlie Haden.

• That Dog at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Thurs., May 24th. With Fred Armisen. On sale: Fri., March 9th, 12 Noon.
• Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros at Roseland Ballroom, Tues., May 8th. On sale: Fri., March 9th, 12 Noon.
• Zappa Plays Zappa at NYCB Theatre at Westbury, NY, Sat., June 30th (Dweezil Zappa and others playing the music of Frank Zappa). On sale: Fri., March 9th, 10 a.m.
• Radiohead at Prudential Center, May 31st and June 1st; with special guest Caribou. On sale: Sat., March 10th, 10 a.m.

For all those trying to get Radiohead tickets, let's hope that Ticketmaster is more prepared for the onslaught than it was for Springsteen tickets when they went on sale.