Comitting Adultery at a Dog Fashioned Disco (Musique)
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Dog Fashion Disco, R.I.P.!
Has anyone ever asked you what the weirdest band name you've ever heard was? For a long time I thought Dog Fashion Disco was the most unlikely name of all. Although Oingo Boingo comes in at a close second.
Dog Fashion Disco has been far more versatile over the years than any band I've known (and trust me, I've listened to hundreds!). To describe their sound would take years, because it literally has spanned several iterations. It's hard to acurately describe their music because it takes elements from many genres, but at the end of the day many call it "alternative metal." More particularly, the album we'll be walking through today was termed "movie metal" by Dog Fashion Disco it's self.
Adultery, their last album they put out was their penultimate release; they decided that it was time to part ways with some members so people can do other things with their lives. But don't worry, Polkadot Cadaver was born from the ashes of Dog Fashion Disco and includes some of the original cast.
However, if I can make you a believer in this band there would be only one selection I'd have to make...and then again, that would be Adultery. Before I get into the album in question, check out their cover of Grease!
This is Just ONE Thing they do Well
Adultery
Adultery is the mother of all concept albums, both lyrically and stylistically. There is not a genre missed (maybe rap, but hey, there's plenty of that going around already) on this album, and it rivals Tub Ring's latest release even after three years. From 80s synth, to rockin' surf, to pure metal, then to jazz (complete with horns!) and back again.
I have found vids for most of the tracks, so sit back and relax and walk through this movie in audio form with me.
Throughout its thirteen tracks you are told a story. It begins with "Chapter One," The Uninvited Guest. This is a haunting piano dirge that asks and answers.
"Who got into your soul?
Who's that voice in your head?
Who put that look in your eyes?
The uninvited guest."
And then, without a skipped beat, drums boom in as it launches into Chapter Two, "The Sacrifice of Miss Rose Covington." The lyrics are dark, twisted, and seem to tell a tale of our main character witnessing the incineration of Miss Rose, presumably by accident. But a gateway has been open, and our main character is about to get really evil. The song it's self has about two or three tempo changes and nearly all of the singer's vocal ability is used.
Chapter Three, "Silent Film" then begins with horns and a driving beat. This is where I believe the story really begins to pick up, because after witnessing the death of Miss Rose the main character is now no stranger to killing. In fact, he's found a new hobby.
Chapter II, The Sacrifice of Miss Rose Covingon
Chapter III, Silent Film
One may wonder how someone can do these things...kill for the sake of pleasure. And it's a hard business, the people who have become serial killers are generally all a bit whacko. And thus, Chapter Four, "Sweet Insanity," shows the character splitting and forming a whole new personality.
"I'm out of my body and swimming through you, a nightmarish dream like a maze."
You see, this newly born killer is no longer in control of his desires. He's watching himself from a far as his dirty deeds are done.
Chapter IV, Sweet Insanity
Chapter Five, "Desert Grave" is basically an old school Country and Western song, wherein the main character is speaking to his fallen victim and making a grave to hide the evidence.
Nearly every time I play this, people want to swear to me it's a Johnny Cash song.
"Burying the sins of man in an eternal grave of sand, vultures circle in the sky and you my dear are the reason why."
Chapter V, Desert Grave
Moonlight City Drive is the next chapter, and it's merely our main character taking a cruise through the streets. Perhaps in Las Vegas, who knows.
He picks up a lady of the night and they go to a motel for a quick bang. But it's the kind of bang the prostitute wasn't really into.
"What's a little sin under the covers, cold stiff body to be discovered?!"
The next piece is purely..well, just a way to glue the story together. Someone is on to our crazy pal and that someone is a Private Eye. It sounds like a cheesy porno, and this is because after the PI says his spiel we go back to the motel, seconds before the pro is murdered.
"Another case, another bottle of booze...life is no longer a mystery to me."
Chapter VI, Moonlight City Drive
Chapter eight is The Darkest Days, and it's probably one of my favorite songs on the album. It spans again a whole list of vocalizations and vibrations.
"And it comes as no surprise, all hope will someday die. Lost in a slow kiss goodbye, as we sink like stones in the river!"
Below is yet again someone playing Guitar Hero--and you'll see just how complex their music truly is.
Chapter VIII, The Darkest Days
Chapter Nine, "Dead Virgins Don't Sing" is one of their more odd pieces. The sound scape is difficult to explain, but there's a reason I think as to why this is. You see, we're now listening to the thoughts of our killer. He is wrestling with his demons, and one true personality is about to show it's self for the worst.
"This is indeed a threat, I will not tolerate anything but your complete and utter devotion to me."
The next chapter, "The Hitchhiker" it's self is bluesy, jazzy, with an undercurrent of metal. By now the main character is widely known to the public, they just don't know yet who it is.
"Midnite stranger, come take a walk with me and all my misery."
Chapter X, The Hitchhiker
In "100 Suicides" the main character seems to be trying to control himself again. He wants to kill his demons, to stop his deadly disgusting impulses.
"All night and everyday, in a galaxy far far away! Reborn, unable to die, I've committed one hundred suicides!"
It's my next favorite track, especially the jazz break that sounds like something out of the fifties.
Chapter XI, One Hundred Suicides
Adultery is the last track to really be a song on the album. This is where our main character finally realizes the horrible things he has done and he's calling the police to turn himself in. It's a really interesting track, sounds rather disco-like. It's one of their most catchier tunes.
"Dial tone ringing in, connect and on. I'm on the hotline and talking now, so shut your mouth."
Chapter XII. Adultery
Four and a half Stars!
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Adultery
Price: $7.93
List Price: $14.98 |
Fini
The last track, "For Mature Audiences Only" is a montage of sound. It doesn't quite have lyrics, but if you listen closely what you're hearing is the confession of the killer. It wraps up the story, and begs to be listened to a few times.
This album has been one of my absolute favorites of all time. And I hope you've heard and read why.
Dog Fashioned Links
- Dog Fashion Disco on MySpace Music
Still a playground for the group after their split, this has been updated with new information and tracks as the members work on their new projects. - Polkadot Cadaver on MySpace Music
The new band's page. Hear some of their music for free, you'll enjoy it...and may not believe it comes from the progeny of Dog Fashion Disco!
Other Media You May Enjoy...
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Dog Fashion Disco - DFDVD 2
Their farewell concert in their home port of Baltimore.
Price: $14.64
List Price: $20.98 |
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Beating a Dead Horse to Death...Again
A collection of oddities; a re-recorded version of a past EP, some live songs, a cover, and Polkadot Cadaver songs that are so different they are nothing like they ended up being.
Price: $7.81
List Price: $12.98 |
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Purgatory Dance Party
Polkadot Cadver consists of the same singer, guitarist, and keyboardist. This album again spans many genres, and they have largely broken away from the hardcore to trade their sound in for synthpop, acoustic, and so much more. You can't call them metal most of the time.
Price: $9.24
List Price: $14.98 |
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Megatronic Space Broadcaster Transceiver
Thanks for walking through this movie with me, Candie V. Glad I can help show people why I liked this album. =D
There's so many great bands with so many great sounds, I just tend to listen to many of them that throw in the kitchen sink.
They are no longer, but Polkadot Cadaver picks up where DFD left off.
Great hub....I was really scared of these guys until I saw they had myspace!
Haha, what band doesn't? ;)
Did you know I totally rock on the triangle? Know a band that needs a triangle player?
Yup, alienUplink. Call the G|M hotline and throw out a triangle tune. ;)
That sounds like some funky music, although not in the same vein, I like Korn and I listen to them whilst drawing and thinking about stories and stuff.
But now that I've heard them I'm almost certain I've heard them before....
I'm absolutely garbage on Guitar Hero, I much prefer Resident Evil 4 and 5 so I could shoot some chainsaw wielding zombie wannabes!!
Brilliant "bait and switch" with the hub title drawing me in expecting one thing but the hub itself delivering quite another ... and another... and another. I can def see why you like this band. Very creative, very clever, very ... unusual.
I saw Oingo Boingo open for Pretenders in Boston in 1980 "something." I always loved that band name, too.
Thanks, Ixxy, for expanding my horizons as well! MM
waynet: I love KoRn...but I don't listen to them as often as I should, I suppose. I will say, though, KoRn has some very complicated songs, and as DFD is "metal" they share some commonalities in many ways.
I can't play Resident Evil, it freaks me out too much. =P
I am actually pretty good at Guitar Hero, even though most musicians aren't. It probably stems from the fact alienUplink is a new breed of band, growing in legion everyday, where I interact with any instrument by the click of a mouse.
Mighty Mom: Dood, I love Oingo Boingo..Danny Elfmann, forever! =D
I'm glad this hub worked..I was taking a gamble, but I think the majority of what we like can be explained to strangers if we try hard enough tactics to do it. I'm happy you're not angry with my clever titles. ;) And I'm even MORE happy that I've helped you expand your horizons. =)
In the future I will be covering other bands...but if I don't have enough rich media to share, I don't think I can make it work like I've dpne here.
Thanks for the comments, guys!
I think Polkadot Cadaver takes the cake on crazy names LOL
Love the Grease video! The beginning was too funny, and the cover was awesome!! :)
I love the way they can switch things up from song to song. Hard and edgy one minute, country twang the next. I also like the way they were able to tell a story with the album. Very nice.
Adultery was my fave. Thanks, never would have heard it otherwise :)
You're welcome Janetta. =)
Adultery is my favorite almost too...
"Knee deep in the hot wax, my bloody valentine.."
















Candie V says:
7 months ago
These groups just do not include Kingston in their "On Tour" schedule. sigh.. Oh, and I like Guitar Hero, tho I totally suck at it. Thank you for broadening my musical library! Now back to Perry Como... NOT!