Wild Dogs

Lore & Background

In mid-1981, Jeff Mark, Mick Zane, Pete Holmes and Matt McCourt teamed up in Portland as the Ravers, promoting McCourt's release of 'I Was a Teenage Rock 'n' Roller' on Matchbox Records. Guitarist Mark, drummer Holmes, vocalist McCourt and bassist Danny Kurth were asked to record songs for a recording class at Recording Associates. The first session produced 'Fugitive of the Law', which also featured local guitarist Kip Doran. The second session produced 'We Got the Power', 'Runnin Away', and 'Tonight We Rock'. The third session proved to be the turning point: drummer Pete Holmes was lured away by Black 'n Blue and was replaced by Deen Castronovo. That session yielded several songs, including one included on a local FM radio station compilation album, Born to Rock.

McCourt saw a one-time news segment on MTV about Shrapnel Records president Mike Varney, who was searching for unsung guitar heroes. McCourt sent Varney a demo of their recording sessions. Varney offered an appearance on his compilation series. The band originally named themselves DMZ, but changed it to Wild Dogs after being inspired by two old hound dogs that the band passed daily on the stairwell at their practice studio. After the release of US Metal Vol 2, Varney suggested Wild Dogs produce a full album. Pete Holmes left to join Black n Blue, and McCourt recruited 16-year-old drummer Deen Castronovo. The first album was released, and the band had its first gig on August 20, 1982 in San Francisco at The Stone, with Culprit and Varney's band Cinema, leading to another MTV news segment.

Reader's Guide

Wild Dogs are significant as pioneers of heavy metal in the Pacific Northwest, gaining local and regional recognition in the 1980s before achieving international recognition after their second album. Their legacy includes six studio albums, three live albums, and one DVD, with Matt McCourt keeping the band active for over 30 years through local shows, international festivals, and continued CD reproduction and interviews. The band's early association with Shrapnel Records and their appearance on the US Metal Vol 2 compilation helped launch their career. Their live shows, featuring McCourt's use of spiked baseball bats and blow up dolls, and drummer Deen Castronovo's twirling and stick juggling, earned them a wild, bad boy reputation. Despite numerous line-up changes and failed reunion attempts, most recently in July 2010, McCourt has maintained the band's presence in the metal scene.

Did You Know?

• The band originally named themselves DMZ before changing to Wild Dogs, inspired by two old hound dogs they passed daily on the stairwell at their practice studio.
• Drummer Deen Castronovo was only 16 years old when McCourt recruited him to replace Pete Holmes.
• Matt McCourt is the only original member of the band, though he was replaced by Michael Furlong on the *Reign of Terror* album.