Dogz on Parole ***New Interview***

Dogz on Parole are an awesome punk band out of Houston. They have an awesome live set and have shared the stage with some great bands. They also have an awesome EP available online as a free download, download now! I said now! I got the band to tell their story...

Introduce yourself…
Rocker Jonez - Lead Vocals / Rythym Guitar
Juice - Lead Guitar / Background Vocals
Tifferz - Bass / Background Vocals
Mister Insane - Drums (the world is a better place when I don't sing)

How did the band start?
Rocker met Tifferz awhile back in the studio where we have
our rehearsal room. There was a bird in the building and
they were trying to get it out of the building before it
wound up dieing. This was before Tifferz was doing anything
professional with the roller derby. Fast forward 3 years and
they ran into each other again and Rocker commented about the
stars on her helmet saying he thought they were cool. Tifferz
thought he was hitting on her. Rocker asked if she was still
playing bass and told her he needed a bass player for this project
he was trying to get together. He gave Tifferz his phone number
but it took Tifferz 3 days before she called cause she thought
Rocker was hitting on her instead. She came to jam and the room
was totally empty except for a guitar and amp. Rocker played a
riff and she followed along and the rest is history.
Rocker met Juice while they were both doing valet parking at a
venue.
After a few years and different member changes, the drummer that was
in the band at the time was hit by a train in downtown houston while
the band was hanging out, he was killed instantly. After the train passed
by Mister Insane was just standing there on the corner and was asked to join
the band cause he looked like a drummer.
However, it was revealed later that Mister Insane really just posted a
Craigslist ad saying:
Hard Hitting 80's Metal Drummer Available / Forming Band (Crosby, Texas)
I've been a drummer for 28 years. Been in many bands, recorded and played
many shows on the east coast. My last show was in 1993. I am looking for
a band who needs a responsible, dedicated, drug and alcohol free drummer.
I will be 40 in June but still rock. Used to playing 5-6 hours non-stop
on the kit.
You can hear some my playing from back in 1988 and 1993 here: http://www.bandmix.com/cmpastore/
Looking to join a band who wants to perform their own songs, record and gig.
Maybe get signed to an indie label that still recognizes talent and good music
if they still exist! I am NOT looking for a cover-band, my end goal is all
original songs.
Or, I will be forming my own band. So I'll need a rhythm guitarist,
ead guitarist, bass guitarist and a kick-ass singer. Male or Female,
doesn't matter to me. Just be serious, dedicated and issue free.
I am originally from New York City, moved to Texas in 2007. I really don't care
for music that is popular today other than Country. So I am sticking with what
I love to play. Metal from the 70's / 80's and early 90's. The sound in vain of
Poison, BulletBoys, Cinderella, Britny Fox, Pretty Boy Floyd, Van Halen etc.
Turns out, we are still around and rocking. Still putting out CDs and still
have fans who like this music. I've been away from the business too long
Enough said!

How did you come up with the name?
Rocker was driving in the Heights with his wife in Houston and he saw a pack
of like 10 dogs crossing the street near a cop doing some report while they
were sitting at a red light. Rocker was thinking wow look at the dogs just
doing whatever they want with no rules, with no care in the world and it just
came out when he said to his wife look it's Dogz on Parole.

Who would you say are your influences?
We have many influences that are all over the map in music genres and many of them
wouldn't normally fit into the music that comes out when we get together. Maybe it's
like some secret recipe or secret sauce. It all blends together and creates something
that normally wouldn't be without the diversity.

What is the punk scene like in Houston?
There is a small punk scene here in Houston. It's kind of hard to get shows.
If you aren't rap or some trendy hipster band take it elsewhere. We are trying
to change all that. Rap and Country are king here, and we all know Rap rhymes with cRap!

Describe the song writing process...
No crazy process here, someone comes up with a guitar riff, someone ads to it. As they say
shit happens! If we think it's cool it eventually forms a full song. Many times a song is
worked on as incomplete during our practice sessions. Rarely does someone come in with a whole
song done from beginning to end when it is presented to the rest of the band. Many times the
songs go on forever until we figure it out and put the right ending on it.

What have you released?
We leaked 4 songs out from our first recording session which aren't completely mixed.
We through it together as an E.P, name your price online and also offered it for free.
At shows we sell the E.P for $3 on disc.
In March we have a full length debut CD coming out called "Confinement" with 10 or 11 songs on it.
It's the first 4 songs plus the rest we recently finished recording. Only difference is it will
be fully mixed and complete. There may be a bonus track on it only on the CD, we haven't figured
out if that is final yet so that's why its 10 or 11.
Digitally it will be for sale on iTunes, Zune, CDBaby, AmazonMP3, EMusic etc. However, the bonus
track will not be available online. You'll have to by a physical CD to get it either on our web site or at a show.

Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
L.A Guns, Wednesday 13, The Hates, Monkeysoop, Green Jelly

Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
Size doesn't matter too much, just as long there is a really good
sound system where they mic everything and a good crowd. We feed
off of the energy and power of a great crowd. We like to entertain,
not just stand still playing our instruments like some grundge band.
Ya'll paid money to come see us, if we did that you might as well
just stay home and listen to the CD instead!

Have you toured?
Rocker has toured back in the day in other bands. Tifferz
did a small tour in the Green Jelly Franchise. Most of my
show experience was local in New Jersey and New York in the
80s, early 90s.

Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
I wouldn't say any favorite, basically we believe in helping other bands out
and that also draws us closer to certain bands who like to do the same. Do onto
other as you would like done unto you. We are tired of it all being treated like
we are all each others competition.

Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
Rudyard's British Pub in Houston, Texas where our CD release party is being held at.

What do you see is the future of Dogz on Parole?
2012 will be the year of the Dogz. We will be playing shows extensively to promoting
our debute CD coming out in March. Not sure if we will ever "sign" to a record label.
Right now the best plan for us is to finance and distribute our own cd, merch and do
everything on our own. Technology has caught up and put the power into the hands of bands
themselves. I think record labels are dieing off and that allows us to keep the money we make
and put it back into the band to entertain the fans even more in the future instead of giving 90%
of sales to a record label.

How can people contact the band?
http://DogzOnParole.com
http://Facebook.com/DogzOnParole.com
Twitter: @DogzOnParole
RockerJonez@DogzOnParole.com
Juice@DogzOnParole.com
Tifferz@DogzOnParole.com
MisterInsane@DogzOnParole.com
Booking@DogzOnParole.com