Old Dogs, new tricks

Detail: Rockin’ Dogs (Dave Ellison, Scott Harber, Sam Wilson, Cole Smithey)Lori Stalnaker-Bevilacqua continues to enrich our historical understanding of the Rockin’ Dogs with priceless artifacts. Here’s a pre-Jane Bunting photograph of the Dogs — ca. 1982 — when Scott Harber was the bassist.

“I loved this shot from the series,” Lori writes. “I love the fact that you got two lookin’ at the camera and two turned to the side. I don’t think I directed them to that, just spontaneous. Nevertheless, it works!

“That is one good-lookin’ band! ;)”

“I remember the photo, but I don’t remember much about it other than the fact that the red plaid scarf belonged to a girl I was dating,” writes Dave Ellison. “Scott didn’t play with the band for very long. I remember he was planning a long trip somewhere … to another country, I think … so he was more or less filling in for a while.”

Rockin’ Dogs MP3s:

13 thoughts on “Old Dogs, new tricks

  1. Ooh, Matthew, “retraction please.” According to the Urban Dictionary, that term is already taken. And it is SO not what I had in mind. 😉

    “Guy Candy”

    A term to describe what flirting between one male to another male. This can be used in both a positive or negative way.

    Hahaha…

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  2. I really dig the Rockin’ Dogs, although I did not really know much about them till I found this blog, they are a band after my own heart.

    I do think that some day there should be a release of there recorded work, this photo would be a great for the back of a 7″ single, ya know there is still a small collecters market for unheard/obscure late 70’s early 80’s punk bands………….

    If I had the money I would start a label and release this stuff myself, but I don’t and labels are pretty much a labor of love and not alot of money to be made.

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  3. This photo has gotten me thinking again about my own perceptions of the “definitive” lineups of some of my favorite groups, especially those that didn’t distribute records.

    For me, the Rockin’ Dogs have always been Ellison/Wilson/Bunting/Smithey. Historical perspective reveals a much more evolutionary model with a lot of changes and modifications — that’s true for a lot of the bands we’ve considered here, from the Answers to the Wallflowers to Hair Theatre to Personal Conflict.

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  4. really you could do a great comp about San Diego’s early punk scene and when I used the word “punk” I use it very loose, like the great DIY comps
    blood stains across…….

    San Diego needs there own Blood Stains comp or something like it.

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  5. Personally, I’ve already made my own comp with all the songs posted here. (Same day I found the site.) I’ve turned on a fair share of people to the scene. *Rave reviews—you all have some new fans* Does that make me a pirate? Should I be selling them and donate the profits to the reunion “kitty?” 😉

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  6. We should thank Lori for doing such a good job taking photos of the band!

    Lori… actually a few months back, there was a thread (I cant find it now… this was before you found us here) about people you’d want to thank for helping out your band… so I used the opportunity to thank you for putting up with us practicing and hanging out at your home all the time.

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  7. Dylan, that SD comp is a great idea. On vinyl of course. The Injections’ “Prison Walls” is on one of the “Bloodstains” comps. I used to have that 45, but it disappeared at one of our parties (me and Mike’s apartment at 35th and Meade). But I still have the Xterminators’ 45 and Executives’ EP.

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  8. So many long lost treasures still await disclosure! I can’t wait to see all the goodies. And hering all the tracks as a compilation will be a riot!

    I’m not very familiar with the Rockin Dogs, but I know that David Ellison is one mean guitar player!

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