THE DOGS, rocker division, LIVE 2.2.13 with SHOCK

THE DOGS just headlined The Redwood Bar, downtown L.A. 2/2/13 in preparation for their Feb.2013 tour of Japan. Clambering onstage as well as backstage were a passel of pals from L.A.'s nascent punk scene of the mid-1970s and beyond.  

Above two photos, Paul L'Esperance of SHOCK joins singer/guitarist Loren Molinare, bassist Mary Kay and drummer Tony Matteucci for a singalong of The Dogs' classic '70s EP single cover of "Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl" (which along with "Slash Your Face" and "Fed Up" was deemed by SPIN magazine one of the Top Ten Punk Singles of all time. Yes, they're that good.)
 
Former Dog Danny DeMuff crooned as well, seen below onstage 
and in my 1988 studio portrait.  

  THE DOGS remain ideal clients: they were informed I couldn't photograph their show at all unless I had a driver, an equipment roadie to lug my gear, and reserved table next to the stage. They delivered on all three (thanks Apache!) so that I could deliver as well. In one photo below, they express surprise at my hoisting my heavy camera at all.

What was the problem, those unaware of my cyborg issues inquire? Onetime only explanation, since I believe in factors, not excuses. Recent major bone breakage, elbow + knee; major surgery and permanent interior metals to correct; major, long term physical therapy to regain usage. It feels as if someone is sawing through my arm pretty much all the time while I limp along. There's always a whole conga line of pain anyway that the new sawyer of my arm joined in on so I thought why not just go for it at the gig. Some vestigial arrogance also sought while temporarily disabled, to take superior photos to all other photographers there with their full faculties intact.

SHOCK remained chums with THE DOGS ever since the days of Radio Free Hollywood (Dogs, Motels, Pop. See LINK for RFH's innovations.) Band member flying in from all parts of the U.S. spawned one gala punk reunion.

PHOTO OPS:

Below, back on the street after the gig, L-R: Loren Molinare, his brother-in-law writer Mike Hudson (also lead singer of The Pagans,) rock 'n'roll couturier Evita Corby, Joel Richardson of Blackstar Amplifiers (Korg)

 

Left, Loren, Willie 

Basse and Mary

 Right, Evita, Lauren Wong

Interconnected: Above, Krista Wood (once wed to ex-Dogs' drummer Ron Wood and jam singer at the last Dogs' gig of the 1980s;) Tom Morris, drummer of Little Caesar, Loren Dog's other band; Dave Wise II (Little Caesar tech;) Apache, guitarist with Tony Dog's other band 3Hab [truncated variant of Ahab/Rehab] and ex-guitarist of Little Caesar.)  
          

Below, Tom, Tony and Apache