Dog Fashion Disco
Avant-garde metal band known for eclectic, genre-blending sound.
Dog Fashion Disco, also called DFD, is an avant-garde and alternative metal band that formed in Rockville, Maryland. The group performed from 1995 until 2007, then split up, and later got back together in October 2013.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
- Genre
- Avant-garde metal
- alternative metal
- progressive metal
- Years active
- 1995–2007, 2013–present (reunions 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013)
- Label
- Outerloop
- Spitfire
- Artemis
- Rotten
- Razor to Wrist
- Also known as
- DFD, Hug the Retard
- Spinoffs
- Polkadot Cadaver
- Current members
- Todd Smith
- Jasan Stepp
- Brian "Wendy" White
- Tim Swanson
- John Ensminger
- Matt Rippetoe
Facts from the source article.
History
Dog Fashion Disco was formed in 1995 by Todd Smith, Greg Combs, and John Ensminger, who all went to high school together. The band originally called themselves Hug the Retard but changed the name before releasing any material, believing it was too offensive and might cost them fans. Their first two releases were self-released and low-budget. The first, Erotic Massage, was funded by a loan co-signed by drummer John Ensminger's father; it took nearly a year of local shows to pay off the portion used for studio time, printing and pressing. It was released independently in 1997. The second self-released album, Experiments in Alchemy, came out in 1998 and featured more heavy metal numbers compared to the ballady feel of many songs on Massage. That same year, DFD signed with Outerloop Records and released The Embryo's in Bloom, whose studio quality was noticeably better than its predecessors. Management by Maryland resident Derek J. Brewer began then and lasted until the band disbanded. In late 1998, Jeff Siegel joined as keyboard player, replacing Sennen Quigley; this lineup stayed intact for over four years. In 2000, DFD played on USA Network's FarmClub, and the exposure led to a signing with Spitfire Records. Their major label debut Anarchists of Good Taste was released in 2001, featuring a track with System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian providing vocals for 'Mushroom Cult'. The band shot their first music video for 'Leper Friend' and embarked on their first UK tour. DFD also toured with Mindless Self Indulgence and Tub Ring through 2002.
Musical style
Dog Fashion Disco pulls from a wild mix of sounds: 1960s psychedelia, jazz, piano recitals, heavy metal, circus music, and vocals. Their lyrics lean into the esoteric and satirical, constantly winking at the occult, drug use, and mutilation. Critics often compare them to California’s genre-bending Mr. Bungle, and the band names Mike Patton, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Clutch, Tool, System of a Down, and Frank Zappa as key influences. Rock Hard noted that from the first track, the band proves it’s not just another nu metal act with odd outfits and bizarre words. Sputnikmusic highlighted how they blend alternative metal, funk, and cabaret, making them hard to categorize. Blabbermouth called them genre-less and proud, mixing accessible hard rock, metal, punk, jazz, and ska. AllMusic described their sound as the musical equivalent of death, with crunching guitars, swirling leads, warped organs, and evil vocals, and classified them as alternative metal. The Baltimore Sun labeled them progressive metal. PopMatters called it a mix of evil circus music and rock, while The PRP put them under avant-garde metal.
Post-disbandment bands
On April 17, 2007, a bulletin on the Dog Fashion Disco MySpace page announced a new project, Polkadot Cadaver, stylistically similar to DFD, featuring Todd Smith, Jasan Stepp and John Ensminger. Their album Purgatory Dance Party was released in November 2007. They released a second album, Sex Offender, on May 10, 2011, and a third, Last Call in Jonestown, on May 14, 2013. In late 2008, Todd Smith and Jasan Stepp teamed with members of Nothingface and Hellyeah to form Knives Out!, which released Black Mass Hysteria on February 14, 2012, and Left in the Lurch on August 19, 2016. In 2010, Smith released his first solo album under the moniker El-Creepo!, followed by Aloha in 2012 and Bellissimo! on January 1, 2016. In 2012, ex-guitarist Greg Combs's new band Celebrity Sex Scandal released their first single 'Ode to Katy Perry', with their full-length debut Derivative released in February 2013 and a second album Integral in 2015. Todd Smith, Matt Rippetoe and Jeff Siegel are members of The Alter Boys since 2005, though Smith has stated that band will not release any new material. Tim Swanson formed the band Ideamen, which released an EP titled Progress in 2007, a full-length debut May You Live in Interesting Times in 2009, and a second album Schemata in 2014. Matt Rippetoe released a solo record, BOINK, in 2007, and formed a side project, Willamette, which released a self-titled debut in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which record labels has Dog Fashion Disco released music on?
Dog Fashion Disco has released music on Outerloop, Spitfire, Artemis, Rotten and Razor to Wrist.
Who are the current members of Dog Fashion Disco?
The current members of Dog Fashion Disco are listed as Todd Smith, Jasan Stepp, Brian "Wendy" White, Tim Swanson, John Ensminger and Matt Rippetoe.
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