Stoking the Dogs
Kathleen Howes ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Contributor
My anticipation grew as I walked the post blizzard streets from Cambridge to Fenway. A large sign danced with colors of blues and magenta. House of Blues, here I am – for the first time. My hands numbed by the ten degree January night, reached for the ticket, but my eyes couldn’t help but peek in past the security guards. My impatience was provoked. Provoked not only by excitement for seeing indie rock band Dr. Dog and opener Chadwick Stokes playing live, but also by the ambience of the venue itself.
At 7 pm. on the dot, the room lulled into an attentive hush as four warm yellow spot lights shined on one man and his guitar. His thick beard cast out from his sunken beanie. From the marquee outside, I knew it was native Bostonian, Chadwick Stokes. But I didn’t know his face, and I didn’t know his music. He started off his unforgettable performance with an unexpectedly simple first strum on his acoustic guitar, followed by the rasp of his organic voice. I knew immediately it would be the kind of music that tells a story.
From the heartfelt ballad, “Pine Needle Tea” to the more upbeat, “Mr. Larkin,” Stokes’ large fan base moves and sways to his captivating melodies. His lyrics are heavily influenced by current social and political issues – and that’s part of his appeal. His music has meaning. They tell stories, and his stories are important ones.
“White color crime pays, just look at the bylines.”
The musician’s message and passion is clear. He’s for the little guy, the underdog. He pushes people like you and me and makes us feel like we are the only ones with the power to make a difference. He raps in one of his songs, “Our lives Our Time,” about intolerance, discrimination, and the fact that corporations are more powerful than the government, but even our government buys votes.
My hips were swaying and I wanted to dance, but something else came over me while listening to Stokes’ words – I wanted to say something, too. I wanted to find out if the hipster collegiate in the pea coat next to me felt like I did. That “it’s our lives, our fight.” I noticed the couple in front of me talking. Stokes had us all thinking. He had us actually listen to the lyrics and respond not just with dance, but with heart and mind as well. Stokes was in the perfect venue inside a liberal college town. I did wonder, however, while tapping my foot to his progressive lyrics, how his music would translate well in my home state college of UGA. But something in me told me he’d do just fine. He wasn’t confrontational. He was welcoming. He had made a large entertainment hall feel like he had invited you into his living room. Chad is a family man. The pink water bottle he drank from on stage is his daughter’s, and under his wool pants he wore his wife’s black leggings. He was highly relatable, and by the time he left the stage, I felt like I knew him.
I also knew who was coming up next: Dr. Dog.
The six-member indie rock band appeared on the stage. All dressed uniquely from one another, yet unified by their shoes – the swing era dress shoe – the oxford. They are hipster funk’s response to The Beatles. Lead vocalist, Scott McMicken, pulled off high wasted capris, suspenders and a pair of super cool sunglasses, a fashion statement sharpened by the oversized pink flamingo overhead.
Lehman’s guitar and McMicken’s base stirred my heart to pump an extra beat of blood through my veins. While Stokes, had my mind working, Dr. Dog, brought it back to my soul. My toes wiggled. My shoulders shimmied. Ahh, to be awakened by the first song of their set list, Heart it Races. A smile spread across my face. This band was definitely sweeping me off my feet. I couldn’t help but smile and nod my head to the beat. Before tonight, I had only listened to Dr. Dog digitally. This was different. Dr. Dog live was a new experience. Astonishingly engaging.
The house was now full. I looked around and beanies proclaiming allegiance to “Dr. Dog” are scattered across the room like a pod of dolphins. This band is loved and its following is smart, attentive. I hadn’t even noticed the crowd formed behind me stuck like glue to one another. There was not one inch of space to breathe. It was a packed house, but who cared?
Dr. Dog had it figured out. The show was tight and it moved. Vocalist and lead guitarist, Toby Lehman, threw his microphone stand down, and entered the audience singing amongst his adoring fans.
He flew off the stage and into the audience. At this point, closing the show with crowd surfing didn’t seem to be enough for this packed House. “Encore!” the audience shouted. And Dr. Dog continued to play.
My first night in The House of Blues will definitely not be my last. The level of musical talent and brainpower lived up to the high standard this historic venue sets. It was a night for understanding the world a little better, feeling music a little more and connecting to a few thousand people sharing the same experience. I can’t think of a better way to warm my blood on a freezing Boston night – except maybe to buy a Dr. Dog beanie, and become one of the dolphins myself, which I did.
Check out Emertainment Monthly’s interview with Chadwick Stokes here.