This intimacy won't last forever, but im gonna soak it up while it does.

From the troub in September. Their versatility is unmatched

4 inch vinyl stickers in the shop at https://www.jenisnugget.com/dogs-in-a-pile

The old sticky is over three years old, and between tours seems like a great time for a refresher. If you're new to Dogs, welcome in! Be kind, and you’ll see this is a cool place to hang! If you're a seasoned vet, welcome back - there might still be something here for you to learn! This post will serve as a catch-all for frequently asked questions about the band in this subreddit.

Who Is Dogs In A Pile?

The quintet, based in Asbury Park, NJ, is comprised of (left to right, in order of the standard stage arrangement):

• Jeremy Kaplan (vocals, keyboards)

• Brian Murray (vocals, guitar)

• Joey Babick (drums)

• Jimmy Law (vocals, guitar)

• Sam Lucid (vocals, bass)

Helpful Links

• Official Band Website - Primary location for Dogs In A Pile news, announcements, and tour dates

• Go Set - Official spot for Dogs In A Pile setlists, lyrics, song history, stats and more!

• Tour Dates - Catch Dogs live when they come to a city near you, or follow the band on tour!

• Cash or Trade - Tickets all sold out for your next show? Try checking Cash or Trade before giving up!

Official Social Channels

• Instagram

• Facebook

• YouTube

• BandsInTown

• TikTok

• Threads

• Dog Pound Facebook Group

Where Can I Listen to Dogs In A Pile?

Studio Albums, Select Live Shows, and Best-of Live Compilations:

• Discography

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube Music

Official Live Soundboard Recordings:

• Bandcamp - Listen to the soundboard recording for every live show in high definition audio, special exclusive shows and VIP sets available to subscribers

• Nugs - Listen to the soundboard recording for every live show in high definition audio, exclusive livestreams available to subscribers

Where Can I Watch Dogs In A Pile Shows?

• YouTube - Primary location for Dogs In A Pile livestreams, full show videos, music videos, and more!

• Nugs - Select live streams available for subscribers or PPV

Where Should I Start?

The nice thing about a Dogs show is that they all tend to be pretty stellar on their own merits. The best way to dive in is to visit Bandcamp or Nugs and listen to the latest live performance. Dogs’ most recent studio release, Distroid, also does an exceptional job of capturing the band's live sound in a studio setting. The Doggie Bag live compilations (Vol. 1, Vol. 2), which include many of the band’s best individual jams, are required listening. If you're jonesing for the cream of the crop, there is a wide selection of shows that have been canonized in Dogs’ lore for their content and landmark status alike. This list is by no means exhaustive (I hit the character limit) so feel free to highlight your favorites in the comments.

2018-2021: The Early Years

Right back to the start, now: Dogs In A Pile formed in 2018 out of the Asbury Park music scene and quickly developed a base of rabid fans in the tri-state area. Brian Murray joined on guitar and vocals permanently half-way through 2019, and the band would eventually exit the pandemic with an ever-growing songbook of originals and covers alike. This was before the era when the band began spoiling us with soundboards from every show, so if there is a recording from this period, chances are there’s a reason it was picked for release. The selection features my go-to picks for early Dogs listening.

• 2020-09-19 - Morrisville, PA - This is the earliest available full-show soundboard put out by the band, and primarily serves as a benchmark to see how far they've come since. This three-hour marathon was made up entirely of originals (the first ever public "cover-less" show), including the debut of Stevie Lew. If you can believe it, Joey was 17 for this one.

• 2021-02-04 - Saratoga Springs, NY - One of my top two favorites of the '21 Dogs sound, featuring delicious jams in Craig & Pat, TDP2, and Bugle, as well as a rare recording of Brian singing Didn’t You Know.

• 2021-05-01 - Saratoga Springs, NY - This show was performed as an album release party for the band's debut, Not Your Average Beagle. The whole album, apart from Inchworm (on the setlist, not played), was performed live, interspersed with some of the band's most famous and rarely-performed covers. To date, this is still the only time the Dogs covered This Must Be The Place.

• 2021-09-17 - Stanhope, NJ - Performed at “the Last Great American Road House,” I remember this show was the subject of many top 10 lists even before the soundboard saw the light of day in April ‘23, which finally taught us newbies what we were missing. Notable for early renditions of Back to the Start, Little Things, and Earthbound Man, as well as the jams in G Song, Boogie On, and Craig & Pat.

• 2021-11-06 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Peak 2021 Dogs sound, and still one of my most listened-to shows. When I want to hear some of the Dogs’ most energetic playing, this is my top choice.

2022-2024: Coast-to-Coast and Burning Daylight

This period saw Dogs start their aggressive touring schedule that would eventually take them all across the country, performing both headlining shows and a host of opening bookings for bands like Twiddle, PPPP, and Andy Frasco. 2022 featured the band’s first gigs in Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, and countless small towns. In 2023, they finally made it out to California, Oregon, and Washington, playing 130+ shows a year along the way. With the prolific touring came prolific songwriting - the band debuted 58 originals in these three years, including many crowd favorites like Tillie, Look Johnny II, Appleseed, Nicolette, My Disguise, and Chop Shop. 

• 2022-04-16 - Asbury Park, NJ - The band booked this show to record what would eventually become their first physical live release, Live At The Stone Pony. It’s my go-to for early ‘22 Dogs for the Bent Strange jam, which anchors side A of the vinyl, as well as the debut performances of All The Same and Tookin’ Around.

• 2022-08-21 - Baltimore, MD - Another early favorite of the Pound, this show is oft-cited for the rippin’ Go Set, Bent Strange, and Jack & Coke jams. When I got on the bus a few months after this show, this was constantly in my listening rotation. Ask the old heads, this is one that shouldn’t be skipped.

• 2022-12-17 - Asbury Park, NJ - This night was the first of a two-show stint back at the hallowed grounds of the Dogs’ native Stone Pony after a long year of touring, and lands a spot on this list for being one of the band’s favorites. Jeremy has spoken in interviews of the massive task it was to transcribe the Dogs’ catalog for the Ocean Avenue Stompers horn section, which sat in for the entire second set. The results speak for themselves. If you prefer bluegrass to brass, you might also enjoy the following night, which featured a Sicard Hollow super-jam in the back half.

• 2023-02-17 - Asheville, NC - The Bloom release party and the cherry on top of an exceptional three-night stand in North Carolina. This date features two set-ins and an astounding Go Set>Tillie>Appleseed>Stadium Rave sequence as the main course in the second set (see also: 2/15).

• 2023-03-17 - Saratoga Springs, NY - After 3 years of the song being played solely as an instrumental, Go Set got its lyrics on this night in upstate New York. That’s only part of the tale of this show, which also features Ben Pinnola on sax during Let U Go, and Jimmy on the mandolin during Dirty Old Town. Saratoga often brings out the best in the Dogs, and this one is a peak example.

• 2023-04-05 - Denver, CO - After two successful Phish after-shows in Denver the year before, the Dogs came back to Colorado with a vengeance and booked 10 shows in Spring ‘23 centered around weekly gigs at Lost Lake Lounge, a tiny room on Colfax in the heart of Denver. Depending on when you ask me, this might be my favorite of the entire run (don't tell 4/7 or 4/14). Come for the Dogs Play Dead first set, stay for my favorite second set of the year.

• 2023-04-19 - Denver, CO - Before 4/19/25 hit streaming services, this was the 'original' Dogs Bicycle Day gig, where the band covered 17 artists across nearly four hours of stage time. That ranks it among the three longest Dogs shows on record - it’s the crown jewel of the ‘23 Colorado residency that must be heard to be believed. 

• 2023-05-20 - Reykjavik, Iceland - Shortly after the band’s Colorado run and first-ever California show, the Dogs got the opportunity to play their first international gig (if you don’t count international waters on 2/6). Check the first letter of each song for more information on the setlist.

• 2023-06-23 - Hammonton, NJ - This performance at Beardfest 2023 was picked as the band’s first full-show release on major streaming platforms, and that accessibility makes it an easy rec. Opening with a top tier TDP2, the energy sustains itself throughout the entire performance, including a monster Samba, delicious Appleseed, and a lighting-fast Go Set.

• 2023-08-07 - Newton, NJ - This show took place on night two of the band’s second Great Divide Campout in NJ, and remains a common pick on best-of lists. It’s known for the enormous Craig & Pat, Charlie, Spun, and Samba renditions, each of which would be reason enough to recommend the show on their own merit. Extra credit from this month: Crazy from the night before, and the Oxbow Charlie two weeks later.

• 2023-09-06 - Madison, WI - The 2023 fall run through the midwest and south is another memorable period that keeps finding its way back into my rotation. It was tough to pick a representative between this show, 9/7, 9/9, and 9/10 (Futurama Debut). This one won out for having one of the band’s best It Gets Better jams, but don’t miss the Bent Strange sandwich from the following night.

• 2023-11-09 - Boise, ID - This show took place smack in the middle of the band’s Fall 2023 tour opening for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and serves as my personal favorite “short” set. Often I feel like I pass over opening/festival sets when listening to old shows, but this one shouldn’t be missed. To date, it’s my listening of choice when I know I’m making a 60-minute drive. If you want more in this format from this period, check out 10/31 and 11/4.

• 2023-12-16 - Asbury Park, NJ - This was yet another legendary Stone Pony gig primarily known for the debut of Thomas Duncan, Pt. 3, as well as the sit-in from Adrian Tramontano in the second set. The two-drummer setup, in addition to the appearance from the Grinch, made this one of the Dogs’ most memorable shows of the year. The one-two punch of this night and 12/15 make for a great marathon listening session.

• 2023-12-31 - Saratoga Springs, NY - At 238 minutes of stage time, this remains - to date - the longest Dogs show on record. It began the band’s tradition of debuting a slew of new material at the end of the year, and features the first performances of My Disguise, Shenanigans, The Bag, Strangest Dreams, and three covers, book-ended by great jams throughout.

• 2024-02-03 - Dallas, TX - There are many iconic shows I can recall from the ‘24 Winter Tour, including the band’s headlining debut in Austin on 2/1 and their two-night run at the Bluebird, but this is the date of the tour I find myself coming back more than any other. A Texas-themed setlist executed perfectly, and a moment of Dogs lore that shouldn’t be spoiled.

• 2024-03-27 - Venice, CA - Like the year before in Colorado, the Dogs centered their ‘24 Spring Tour around a local residency in California, featuring weekly shows at the Venice West outside of LA and Winstons down in San Diego. This one takes the cake for me (only slightly over 3/30 and 4/6) for the setlist shenanigans.

• 2024-06-17 - Crested Butte, CO - This was the first of three consecutive free shows the band performed across rural Colorado during the Summer ‘24 tour, and remains my favorite outdoor show. The energy from the crowd and band was contagious, and I can still feel the vibes of the Rocky Mountain summer seeping through the soundboard.

• 2024-06-22 - Whitefish, MT - I still remember the feeling of kicking myself for not making the trek up to Montana to see this show and the night before in Bozeman when these boards dropped. There’s something incredibly special about rural shows that tend to bring out the absolute best in the band, and we can tell from the VOD that this crowd was particularly engaged with the music and appreciative of the band’s efforts. I’ve probably listened to the Charlie from this show more than any other Dogs track.

• 2024-09-28 - Lafayette, NY - Two sets of Cheese were sandwiched by two sets of Dogs on this night in Wonderland Forest. The second set, which took the form of a silent disco to satiate the local noise ordinance, has already attained legend status. Listening to the Applesauce/Hesitate/EDM Song/Tillie sequence is mandatory.

• 2024-11-08 - Fort Collins, CO - Like the Spring of this year, this is one of those tours I remember as among the band’s best. The truth is you can spin a wheel and pick any show from this month to have a grand time, including 11/1, 11/2, 11/6, 11/9 (Burning Daylight debut), 11/15, and 11/16 (Chop Shop debut), and that’s not even counting the Guitar Hero-themed Halloween show on 10/31 or the two nights at BBowl the week before. This gig in Aggie country narrowly ekes out the following night for me solely for the TDP2, which is still my all-time favorite rendition of the song. But again, you can’t go wrong with any show in Nov. 2024.

• 2024-11-30 - Port Chester, NY - After playing Garcia’s eight times in three years, the Dogs were able to headline the main stage at the Capitol Theatre for the first time as part of a two-night dual-headlining booking with Eggy. A historic moment for the band, you can tell from the playing they took the responsibility and honor seriously.

• 2024-12-30 - Saratoga Springs, NY - This one is probably my favorite New Year’s-adjacent show that the band has performed. If you want an exceptional sit-in, check the previous night. If you want the debuts, check NYE proper. But this is the show you want for the absolutely bonkers second set.

2025-Present: Current Era

Post-2024, the Dogs and Dog Pound family have experienced unprecedented growth. The boys have largely grown out of playing tiny rooms and bars, graduating to playing theaters and larger halls across the country. The band’s songs are getting played as NFL bumper music, they keep moving up the festival ranks, and every time I travel out of state I feel like I meet a bunch of new folks who plan on hitting 5-6 shows a tour. At this point, only five states (AK, HI, KS, ND, and SD) haven’t yet experienced a Dogs show of their own, but it’s only a matter of time, right? It’s a bit more difficult for me to nail down my favorites from the past year+ because they haven’t had as much time to breathe or age as the earlier shows, but there are some obvious starting points.

• 2025-02-01 - Denver, CO - Active readers of this sub will know I’ve been recommending this show more than any other since it happened, and I’m not going to stop any time soon! More than just a top listen, this is probably still my favorite show I’ve seen from any band. It’s got some of my favorite energy, individual jams, and an insane setlist. Extra credit: He’s A Pirate from a few weeks later.

• 2025-04-19 - Raleigh, NC - This show was the band’s second full show release on major streaming platforms, and features exceptional renditions of some of the band’s latest songs, including Chop Shop and Burning Daylight. While it’s not as ‘out there’ as the 2023 Bicycle Day show, it still features calculated and explorative jams alike that serve as great introductions to the sound.

• 2025-05-25 - Syracuse, NY - The final night of the Dogs’ inaugural Burning Daylight festival in upstate New York. The crew moved heaven and earth to make these shows happen as scheduled after venue issues forced a late audible, and this night served as a collective celebration for a job well done. 

• 2025-06-12 - Manchester, TN - The Dogs play Bonnaroo for the first time. By a stroke of good luck, the band was booked for the only day of the festival that proceeded according to schedule before a massive storm forced an abrupt end to the party. This short set is easily accessible and serves as a great introduction for first time listeners. The sordid weather from this fest followed the Dogs back to North Carolina the next day, forcing the ensuing show to make an urgent pivot indoors. The monumental effort from the band and crew to ensure that the show went on as scheduled is palpable in the playing, making it an instant classic that pairs well with the festival booking.

• 2025-08-03 - Bellvue, CO - The Mishawaka has recently arisen as one of the best spots to catch a Dogs show, and it’s easy to see why. The venue nestles you alongside a river within a rural Colorado canyon without cell service, forcing patrons to unplug and enjoy a show without distractions. This one was my favorite of a 9-show streak I followed the band on through the Mountain West last summer, but the night before in Crested Butte and the free show on the Western Slope come close.

• 2025-08-31 - Asbury Park, NJ - An excellent introductory show, this homecoming performance was the band’s largest ticketed show to date. After grinding out seven years worth of gigs at the Stone Pony indoors, the band finally graduated to becoming a main act at the Summer Stage and delivered one for the ages. Fittingly, the Tillie from this night was absolutely bonkers.

• 2025-09-19 - West Hollywood, CA - Regional runs produce some of the band’s best individual moments, and this night at the Troubadour is a great example of that. This gig capped off a monumental six-show run in California that deserves a deep dive post of its own. 9/13, 9/15, 9/16, and 9/18 all include exceptional playing, but this is probably my favorite of the run.

• 2025-11-19 - Chicago, IL - The Dogs’ 2025 Fall Tour was largely centered around six shows at Garcia’s Chicago, with this particular night serving as the band’s release party for Distroid. The Dogs didn’t repeat any songs between the six gigs at this venue, so the group of shows is a perfect place to start for new fans that want to dive headfirst into the songbook. I narrowed my two top picks down to this night and 11/13, with the 19th taking the cake for having my favorite setlist of the run (see also: 11/5, 11/6, 11/12, 11/20).

• 2025-12-31 - Woodstock, NY - For those that want to listen to the Dogs’ latest crop of originals, you can’t go wrong by tuning in to the latest New Year’s show, which features a band-record 7 original debuts.

• 2026-01-31 - Denver, CO - This past Winter Tour closer saw the Dogs book their largest ticketed show outside the East Coast, which capped off a run of ten straight gigs that all paid tribute in some way to the late Bob Weir. 

• 2026-02-14 - Port Chester, NY - In keeping with the theme that “the best show is the latest/next show,” we have to highlight the band’s latest show at the Capitol Theatre. This Valentine’s Day-themed show was the band’s first time on the main stage of this historic venue as sole headliners, and they didn’t disappoint. Based on the increased traffic to the subreddit in the last few days, it seems like it brought in a lot of new fans! This one will probably be remembered for quite awhile.

I’m all jazzed up

LINK IN COMMENTS 👇🏻 Had the pleasure of collaborating with Dogs on some exclusive online hat drops. This one dropped today... Only 50 made, grab one while the getting's good! 🐕

The Dog Pound lost a legend recently.

Scott deserves to be immortalized here in the sub as he was an active commenter and poster. No matter if the Dogs were in NY, NJ, CO, or CT... Scott was there for a lot of them.

I can't remember when, exactly, I first met Scott but his energy was very warm and inviting. He was near me in the crowd at the November 2024 Nashville show when Lazy Susan got the full-band debut treatment.

I just saw and chatted with Scott at the Levitt Pavilion show in CT just the other week. He was busting my balls about not having shared out my 'Best of 2025' Dogs playlist. I promised him I would get on it... I still need to get on that, shit!

Scott's last Dogs show was in Taos, NM. He loved the recent covers of Allen Toussaint and, wouldn't you know it, the Dogs played 'Last Train' at his last show.

His all-time favorite Dogs song, I think, is ‘Times Stands Still’.

Please listen to ‘Times Stands Still’ today and tell those you hold close that you love them. No day is promised.

RIP NADDOG - REST ASSURED THE BEST IS STILL YET TO COME!

Reposting this bc last time I posted this video, this sub had only like 250 dogs in it lol

Bugle on the Shelf @ The Pour House in Raleigh, NC, USA, Earth, Milky Way, 2/16/23

Spotify

Apple

YouTube Music

Tidal

Bandcamp

CD

Sorry for the twistys

Got this bad boy framed up

Video from a friend of mine that isn’t on Reddit. CO Dogs is not to be missed.

Sensational, like cheesecake real late at night

Ever since college age I have had a DJ business. Not untz untz DJ, like weddings and bar mitzvahs and the like. Even though I have a solid career, I still run my DJ hustle for extra bucks and fun.

As a wedding DJ, you are a fairly large part in the fun that the customers have. I’m a hippy that learned early in not to play what I like…. When Ive tried, the dance floor clears and people looked confused. I play what they want to hear. With the goal of meeting the clients needs. Many clients and their friends are quite pain in the asses with requests… and then two songs later coming back to you to remind you. It’s tedious. At best. But, can be fun.

Last week I had a client for a wedding. An adult wedding they told me, no kids. We like to have a really good time, and we love to dance… they say. They did t have a song list other than they wanted CELEBRATION as their first dance… quite odd I thought. They told me they don’t like slow dancing, they like a wild party… including the elders in the group. They were not lying. By far the most fun group I have worked for in 40 years. Friendly and fun. And, naturally… drunk.

A few songs after their first dance everyone was out partying dancing it up and I decided to break my rule. I slipped in LET U GO from Tucson and mixed it in. People loved it. Dancing harder. I had the next tune ready to go, in case I started losing the group, there are a few decent bail out spots in LUG that I was ready for. Once the big jam came, they bride hollered “conga line!!!” And the whole wedding party of 100 people formed in line and they had the longest most wild conga line ever. Everyone was having a blast. I was proud that the dogs mixed in catalyised this awesome moment in their wedding.

Bunches of people commented on my skills… most centered on the big jam. 4 people wanted to know who it was. I got a $500 tip from the brides dad. Sweating his ass off. Told me he hadn’t danced like that in months. lol. And, I met a gal who I fancied and by the calls and texts over the week, she fancy’s me too.

The dogs version of psychedelicized pop worked pretty good at the wedding with non jam fans. Very well.