Band Members
Dan Meakin: Guitar/Vocals/Vet
Bill Walker: Percussion/Vocals
Charlie Moreno: Bass/Vocals
Booking info: 797-7387
Bands Website
More Pics
Upcoming Shows
Saturday, September 13 2:00pm
2008 Dog Jog & Barktoberfest
Lunken Dog Park
Saturday, September 20
Dr. Dan's Birthday
Big Ed’s ,Amelia
Saturday, September 27 9:00pm
Putters , Milford
Eastside Vibe Review
What can you say about a band named the “Stray Dogs” without
the obvious reference interference. You could just get it out of the way
and spew a plethora of puns on the page. You could also just get down to
the nitty gritty and dish the dirt on the low down dirty rock n roll. Normally
that’s what we do. However, this band of merry musical mutts needs
a little more introduction.
The band consists of Dr. Dan Meakin (guitar, vocals,vet.), Bill Walker “The
Walkman” (percussion, vocals) and Charlie Moreno (bass, vocals). These
three make up the core three piece. They also often include Andy Wagner “Wags” (guitar,
mandolin and vocals) Wade Owens (guitar, vocals) and Scotty Anderson ( guitar).
First and foremost meet Dr. Dan Meakin. Dr. Dan is the frontman of the band.
He is also a man of such talents I feel he makes the best impression in the
form of a list, without further ado I will list a few of them;
1 He is the chief veterinarian and owner of All Creatures Animal Hospital.
2 He is father of five, husband of one.
3 He climbed Mt. Kiliminjaro ...to the top... recently.
4 He donates his “gig” money to the “Friends of
Noah” animal rescue, a no kill shelter.
5 He prefers vacations in Africa over Aruba.
6 He works enough hours to equal about 8 days
a week.
7 He can get down and wail on the guitar.
8 He loves putting on a good show (almost as
much as he loves puppies, lizards, cats, pigs,
chickens, parrots, dogs, and even rodents).
9 He takes pride in his work, his healing, his family
and his band.
10 He learned 20 Jimmy Buffet songs just so he
could play at Cheeseburger in Paradise. What?
Dr. Dan is a character to be certain. However, what
gives his band character is a collaboration of talents.
The Stray Dog’s members each add their own unique
bloodline to the pack. Now and then a pit bull of a
guitar player Scotty Anderson shows his teeth with
the trio as well as Wade and Wags (cool mandolin!)
We checked out the pack in full form at ABG. Now
usually ABG patrons are packing in to see the band,
but the Anderson Idol contest was underway and I
wondered just how many people would side with the
wanna-be’s over the rock n roll me’s.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the karaoke krooner’s could
not keep the attention of the whole crowd. In fact, many if not most of the
patrons were rockin’ out with the band instead of the karaoke kings.
I know where I’d rather be that’s for sure! Lets see...a crap
rendition of Whitney
Houston or some rockin’ Rolling Stones...an intolerable version of
Janis Joplin (you know the one) or an awesome Jimi Hendricks jam. I think
you get the picture. I have never been a fan of karaoke. People love it,
I don’t know why.
I love the real live stuff, the right in your face gettin’ it out and
gettin’ it on rock n roll. If you do too the next time you see the
Stray Dog Band booked at the local pub stop in and kick back for a while.
The band will keep you entertained and the music will keep your toes tappin’ your
hands clappin’ and your lips from flappin.
You can check them out, see the pics and hear the band at our band page on
eastsidevibe.com. Just click on the home page under “featured bands” or
you can see them at straydogsband.com. They get booked regularly around
the Eastside and play festivals and outdoor venues in the summer. E-mail
us with your comments on the band or to vote for them for our 2007 “best
of” if you dig them the most.
The Stray Dog Band may take their name from a pack of misguided, mangy misfits,
but believe me these guys are right on track. They got the groove, the soul,
the jump, the jive and the wail. The bass is bumpin’ the drums are
thumpin’
the guitar is screaming and Dr. Dan is just singing along smiling. I dig
it.
In fact, I personally enjoyed the band so much I’ll even forgive the
notion that the Cheeseburger in Paradise is even worth playing at. I say...Cheeseburger
in Paradise...leave the cheeseburgers to the Sleepy Hollow Inn and the paradise
to the dashboard lights.
