CMW 2007: The Golden Dogs

Hometown: Toronto, ON
Official Website: http://www.thegoldendogs.com
Members:
Dave Azzolini (lead vocals, guitar)
Jessica Grassia (keys, percussion, vocals)
Taylor Knox (drums)
Neil Quin (guitar, vocals)
Stew Heyduk (bass)

So, you're about to play the big industry event that is Canadian Music Week. What's the most shameless thing you've ever done to promote your band?
Dave Azzolini: I don't remember. I remember we had this question for last year's CMW and I don't remember what we said then.

hat's the hardest part about being an up-and-coming band?
I guess touring Canada and being a small band. Catching each other's colds, catching the flu and circulating it until it turns into a lung infection. This tour has been all about the flu and bronchitis.

Describe your best and worst gigs ever.
I told a story with the driving-to-Vancouver thing a lot, about almost dying and then playing in Vancouver. But I guess that's still a good story. Near death experiences have a way of doing that stuff.

Worst gig: We just got into Regina, loaded all of our stuff into the bar and then the bar manager said, "We don't book gigs on Saturdays." We showed him the contract and he said, "Well, we don't book gigs on Saturdays." Taylor was so sick that we probably couldn't have played the show anyway, but we'd already loaded all of our gear into the bar.

How important is it for your band members to "circulate and flirt" with the audience before or after the show?
Not at all.

Especially not in your state of health, I'm guessing.
It's more important to get rest and drink a lot of liquids.

Have you ever stolen from someone else's rider? If so, who was it and what did you take?
A banana from Bloc Party.

Just one banana?
And maybe some orange juice. They weren't going to eat a banana anyway. They're English, they don't eat vegetables. They just eat fish and chips.

Have you ever been graded before according to ChartAttack.com's Rock 'n' Roll Report Cards?
I believe we have, yeah.

How did the grade make you feel?
Chart's always given us great reviews and stuff and the support's been really good. At the same time, I think we've earned it. We usually play good shows at these festivals for some reason.

I notice your grades have been going up.
It's definitely a good feeling. We're hoping for that 100 one day. I think White Cowbell got 99 once. We're shooting for the 99-100. Let's see. If we still have bronchitis on this gig, we might get 75 or something.

Have you done anything new or interesting this week?
We're on tour so everything's pretty much check into the hotel, go to the gig, soundcheck, play. It's pretty much the same old routine thing. We played at the Canmore Hotel for the first time and that was kind of interesting. It was just a really fun gig, I suppose.

The Golden Dogs play the Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday, March 10 @ midnight as part of the annual Chart/Horseshoe/Canadian Music Week showcase.