DOGCOLLAR share debut single ‘Family Affair’
The Welsh band announce themselves with their first release.
Photo: DOGCOLLAR
Family Affair is the debut single by upcoming Welsh indie band DOGCOLLAR. Not much is known about DOGCOLLAR and it speaks to their confidence that they are assured enough to let their music do the talking for the time being. The song blitzes in at three and a half minutes, but it feels much shorter as its frenetic pace and intensity keep it propelling ever forwards.
The band is proudly DIY and self-produced Family Affair, as well as handling all of the mixing and mastering duties themselves. The track is punchy to the extreme and is relentless in its approach. There is plenty of space in the arrangement until there isn’t. The chorus explodes into screeching guitars and ferocious drums.
If the mobster references are supposed to mirror the violence of the music, then DOGCOLLAR clearly know what they are doing. In fact, to really hammer their point home, their Instagram posts even feature shots from the iconic mobster drama The Sopranos. It’s not hard to imagine this song soundtracking one of those gritty mobster dramas or documentaries.
Family Affair is certainly reminiscent of a lot of grungy indie bands like Fontaines D.C. and Dry Cleaning in its drum and bass-heavy driving arrangement. However, it also reminds me of Gilla Band in its commitment to visceral noise and chaos. Going forward, it would be great to hear the band leaning into this chaotic side of their sound even more. Whilst the guitars and drums explode through the speakers, it would take things up another notch to hear a truly unhinged vocal performance alongside them.
DOGCOLLAR’s name being stylised in all capitals is more than just an attempt to stand out, it is a reflection of the music they are serving up. It is bold, brash and unforgiving. If this is where they are starting, then we’re all going to be paying attention to where they are going.
Family Affair is out now. Stay up-to-date with the band on Instagram.
