Last summer, rock ‘n’ roll six-piece Dr. Dog made a return to its Philadelphia home studio to record its seventh album, Be The Void (Anti-). In MAGNET #85 (order a copy here), we talked to the group’s founding members, co-songwriters and vocalists Scott McMicken (guitar) and Toby Leaman (bass), about that journey, and what it takes to bring a band with a formidable label deal and a professional touring setup back to its DIY roots. One thing that has remained consistent in Dr. Dog’s music across its evolving career is a juxtaposition of existential, occasionally desperate lyrical concerns with exuberant pop songs. Dr. Dog keyboardist Zach Miller will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new Q&A with McMicken and Leaman.
Miller: We go through a lot of seltzer in my house; I think I probably drink more of it than the plain stuff. I love it straight up, but it’s really easy to make a soda or a killer ginger ale, too. I don’t drink quite as much in the winter, but on a hot summer day nothing beats the heat like an ice-cold seltzer. I bought a soda siphon a couple years ago, but I need another part for it before I can start charging my own. I’m looking forward to that.
