The chaotic rabble known as Fat Dog emerged from the heart of South East London during the 2020 lockdowns. They have swiftly become a force to be reckoned with in the UK’s music scene conjuring up of the sort of frenzied and wild live shows not seen in the capital for years and now the creators of WOOF., a brilliant and mind-bending debut album.
Frontman and squadron leader Joe Love decided to turn lockdown demos into real life music and form a group. In Chris Hughes (keyboards/synths), Ben Harris (bass), Johnny Hutchinson (drums) and Morgan Wallace (keyboards/ saxophone), Love found like-minded mavericks to help bring the dream home.
The sound Fat Dog make, Love says, is screaming-into-a-pillow music. “I wanted to make something ridiculous because I was so bored,” he declares. It’s a thrilling blend of electro-punk, rock’n’roll snarling, techno soundscapes, industrial-pop and rave euphoria, music for letting go to. “A lot of music at the moment is very cerebral and people won’t dance to it,” says Hughes. “Our music is the polar opposite of thinking music. It’s music you feel in your body more than your brain, especially given this band came at a time when people couldn’t move as freely as they wished. After being pent up for so long, people were excited to let loose.”
Before even releasing their debut single, Fat Dog’s live performances had already become the stuff of legend. Their shows are a whirlwind of energy, with frontman Joe Love’s hypnotic stage presence leading the charge.
In 2023, the band signed with Domino Recording Company and released their debut single, “King of the Slugs,” a seven-minute odyssey that perfectly encapsulates their unique fusion of punk intensity and techno rhythms. This was followed by their debut album, “WOOF.,” in September 2024, solidifying their reputation as innovators unafraid to push musical boundaries. The album is a visit into the mind of Joe Love – and according to him be thankful you have only been granted a temporary pass.
Be prepared to revel in the Fat Dog’s high-octane energy and surrender to the communal spirit of the kennel.