Day in the life of a Dog
Interview conducted on May 3, 2019
by Dan Locke
Formed in 2011, DOG BLESS YOU is an alternative rock band from the French Riviera.
DBY’s music draws its inspiration from Seattle rock, along with punk energy, rather heavy guitars and addictive melodies, in the vein of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam…
Lyrics talk about the themes of life, between satire and desillusion, irony and realism, lucidity and revolt.
How did you get your name?
The name of the band comes from a song, Queens of Dogtown, written a few years ago and now included in our new album.
It’s a pun on the expression “God bless you”, relating to the iconoclast spirit of the band.
How often do fan find it hard to locate your Facebook page because there is another page called Dog Bless You which is a site about Dogs?
When you search DBY music or DBY band, you’ll find us. And this association is not very known in European countries.
Define Transgeneration rock?
It’s a music that associates and synthesizes different musical trends, consistent with the guideline and the creative inspiration of the band.
You are a band from the French Riviera. Who draws your sound from the sounds of Seattle rock. Are we talking about pre-90s, 90s or post 90s Seattle sound?
We’ve grown with the sound of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, later Foo Fighters or Audioslave. It’s the soundtrack of our childhood.
Besides the Seattle sound have any other band influence you?
Yes, of course! We can mention Pain of Salvation, Megadeth, Guns n’ Roses, AC/DC… There are so many influences at the root of our work.
How is your crowdfunding going? And why did you picked Indiegogo?
It’s just the beginning but we hope it will be doing fine. Indiegogo has been recommended by our press agent.
You are from France. Let me ask you about some other bands from your area and you just give me a quick statement about the band.
Eiffel Good sound, tuneful singing, poetic and impactful lyrics. Their name comes from the song “Alec Eiffel” by the Pixies, another band we are fond of.
Shaka Ponk Good energy, amazing shows, but they have plagiarized Refused ( New noise) in their song “Killing Hallelujah”, disappointing…
Gojira An ecologist band! Some green metal from France. We love their song “L’Enfant Sauvage” and the eponymous album as well. A bit like us, it’s a committed band which expresses inner feelings on the subjects they hold most dear.
Mass Hysteria Nu metal, another committed band with deep and dark lyrics, along with (paradoxically) positive energy and an incisive wit.
Blackrain We’re not found of glam rock. However, their video clips are very creative.
Noir Desir Prominently in the soundtrack of our teenage! A tidal, primal, pure singing, full of contradictory emotions, a very powerful French rock and inspired lyrics.
The Liminanas Some nice atmospheres through a 70’s rock and a road trip style.
Jean-Luc Ponty Qualitative, musically speaking, but a lack of singing frame. So, a little boring… but it’s a question of preference.
JoJo No comment…
Colbie Caillat Well done folk songs, but a little far from our music universe
Madeleine Peyroux I love this classic jazz sound tainted with melancholia
Zooey Deschanel My girls like very much, but I don’t…
Lio A French artist with quite a personality
Charo?
In 2017 you were selected for the “Hard Rock Rising Tour” and played in front of a famous jury. Who was that jury?
Philippe Gandilhon (creative director, Columbia France)
Nicolas Drouault (marketing director, FENDER)
Alain Gozzo (marketing director, Mogar)
Benoît Fillette (editor in chief, Guitar Part)
Thierry Demougin (editor in chief, Keyboards Recording)
Have you ever been to Seattle?
No, but I’d like to in a few years
Any plans for a tour?
We are managing our tour dates for 2020 in Europe.
What do you think about Brexit? Will it help or hurt you while you tour?
European Union doesn’t do the job, talking about economic unity, and is more preoccupied by the tomatoes size than living together in good conditions.
So I think people can have some bad feelings about that and want to escape this system. We ‘re not worried by the idea of touring in GB.
How is it to tour Europe?
We don’t know yet, but it’s great to discover new countries, different publics and people ways of life.
Do you write your music in English or French?
In English.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
On David Letterman show!
Anything in closing for your fans?
Thanks for your support, your presence, your encouragement, there’s no achievement without you. And we hope to pursue the trend that started.
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