FIRE DOG

Artist Information

Biography

FIRE DOG spins a sounds that shakes and stirs, POPs, and explodes! Serving up a playful attack of soul and surf, fresh and electric, the FIRE DOG sound is full of energy and optimism for the 21st Century. Irresistible harmonies, punchy rhythms, tight, howling pop arrangements, FIRE DOG is here to make you dance! With influences from Elvis Costello and John Lennon to The Flaming Lips and The Beach Boys; over the past three years, FIRE DOG has built a dedicated cult-like following.

2012 sees FIRE DOG gearing up for a new album entitled "May These Changes Make Us LIGHT."

t began in the year of the FIRE DOG (2006) according the Eastern Zodiac, when singer and songwriter Mark-O-Polo joined up with longtime musical comrades Brandon Manitoba and Celia. The connections run deep in this three-piece with relationships reaching back nearly fifteen years. The songs that Mark Pagano was writing seemed tailored to his musical friends, so Celia picked up a bass guitar and Brandon dusted off his drums and the three began to hone in on a new sound, fresh and electric. The group wasted no time and put out it’s debut record in the summer of that year featuring 12 original songs.

Uncertain what to do with their new found energy and optimism for making music as band, FIRE DOG decided to partner with LOVE-O-RAMA and let the banner days fly. The collective decided to put together an ambitious tour of the Western United States, playing 32 dates in 14 states, combing independent movies, live-video mixing, fire spinning, and original rocknroll, all with the aim to Spread the LOVE.

In 2007 the FIRE DOG anthem “2004 – May These Changes Make Us LIGHT” was selected to be the center piece for a collaborative winter performance that brought together an amazing and eclectic array of some St. Louis finest performers and artists. The first “May These Changes Make Us LIGHT” was held that winter at the Contemporary Art Museum, and FIRE DOG continued to be inspired.

In 2008 FIRE DOG took on the mission to “spread positive vibrations through songs of truth and intrigue, creating a sound full of energy and optimism for the 21st Century, to make the people DANCE!!” And they continued to hone in on their sound with new songs and the beginnings of a new record. In 2009 FIRE DOG released “Your Heart is a Muscle” on 12” vinyl and CD!!

2010 dogged it out with heart muscles thumping playing over thirty dates on the road in twelve states, reaching out to the Rocky Mountains, the southeast, the southwest, California, and the northeastern sea-board. Not to mention a steady dose of shows in the Midwest.

In 2011 FIRE DOG released a seven inch record called "Wait to Die," a special project that includes special guest appearance by Ellen the Felon and members of Fattback, a tribute to Dave Hagerty !!

In this time FIRE DOG found fans at venues such as the historic Cafe Club Fais-do-do (Hollywood, CA), Nectar Lounge (Seattle, WA), Lestat's (San Diego, CA), Pete’s Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY), Millcreek Tavern (Philadelphia, PA), The All Ways Lounge (New Orleans, LA, The Off Broadway and Blueberry Hill's Duck Room (St. Louis), The Beat Kitchen (Chicago), The Blue Note (Columbia, MO), The Replay Lounge (Lawrence, KS)!!

Instrumentation

FIRE DOG Multi-Media Rock Show .
Mark-O-Polo.: guitar, voice, songs
Celia .: bass and backup
Brandon Manitoba .: drum kit
VJ Evil Che .: live video-mixing

FIRE DOG Rock Show
markOpolo
celia
brandon manitoba

Duo Acousic Show
mark and celia

Solo
mp

Discography

"Hit Your Mark" (LoveOrama Records 2004)
"FIRE DOG" (LoveOrama Records 2006)
"YOUR HEART IS A MUSCLE" (LoveORama Records 2009)
"Wait to Die"(LoveORama Records & Pancake Productions 2011)

Links

• MySpace
• FIRE DOG
• Love O Rama Records
• MySpace

Audio

• Your Heart is a Muscle
  Listen   Download
• TAKE AWAY THE PAIN
  Listen   Download
• Hurricane of New Orleans
  Listen   Download
• Time Bomb
  Listen   Download
• KDHX Local Artist Spotlight (2006)
  Listen   Download
• Hit Your Mark
  Listen   Download
• Airstrike
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Time Bomb
• Airstrike
• Hit Your Mark

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  "With their unique, catchy brand of pop/surf rock, irresistible vocal harmonies and friendly stage p..."With their unique, catchy brand of pop/surf rock, irresistible vocal harmonies and friendly stage persona, FIRE DOG is instantly likeable - the type of band that can make anyone smile and perhaps even start a dance party - anytime, anywhere."-- Andrew Scavatto

• The Album [+ Show ]
  

  "Good music answers new questions with each listen, and this is where FIRE DOG's headman, Mark P... "Good music answers new questions with each listen, and this is where FIRE DOG's headman, Mark Pagano, succeeds on the self-titled 2006 release. The sound is not genre defining but it is his. The songs are written about what he sees, his world, our world, where we live, what WE see. Plus, they’re catchy as hell!
  The beats are heavy, guitars distorted, the melodies are sweet, firmly in the driver seat, a female harmony sitting shotgun with a foot out the window. Stomp your feet and listen. It's rock n' roll!"
  
  Arthur James - Musicwire (London, U.K.) (Oct 3, 2007)
  

• LOVE-O-RAMA Returns [+ Show ]
  

  "One wouldn't blame Mark Pagano (FIRE DOG) if he was a bit tired as of late. The local musician rec..."One wouldn't blame Mark Pagano (FIRE DOG) if he was a bit tired as of late. The local musician recently returned from the Love-O-Rama tour, a multimedia extravaganza that hit fourteen states for thirty-five shows. Featuring himself, his visual-artist brother Mike Pagano, director Rebecca Rivas, and local musician Celia, the show included live video-mixing, music and Rivas' documentary, "At Highest Risk."
  "As a collective, our main goal was to create a network of like-minded creative people, and provide an outlet for independent media and the creative spirit," says Pagano.
  Pagano's band FIRE DOG will be back in town this weekend for two show: On Friday, November 24, the band'll be at Atomic Cowboy for a SCOSAG benefit that starts at 8pm; on Saturday, November 25, FIRE DOG plays the Schlafly Tap Room at 8pm, alongside Celia's Big Rock Band"
  -- Annie Zaleski

• Empowerment Works and Love-O-Rama [+ Show ]
  

  “For all who participated in our Oct. 15th Love-O-Rama Collaboration Celebration, Thank You!! The L...“For all who participated in our Oct. 15th Love-O-Rama Collaboration Celebration, Thank You!!
  The Love O Rama concert (FIRE DOG + Celia's Big Rock Band) and multi-media show kept our crowd buzzing and positively energized on the dance floor all night long.
  "Empowerment Works was honored to partner with this synergistic creative team- raising awareness of critical issues facing humanity, while giving people a local outlet to support local business and enjoy life- so vital to fostering social change!”
  -- Melanie St. James, MPA
  (Los Angeles, CA)

Setlist

Original Songs

.: Revolution Song
.: Like Stars
.: Time Bomb
.: 2004
.: Wait
.: Chame
.: Hit Your Mark
.: Do It Right
.: Scotty on the Run
.: Airstrike
.: Transmitters
.: You Don't Know My Momma
.: Buzz
.: Fisherman
.: Pangaea
.: Disappear
.: Hurricane of New Orleans
.: Take Away the Pain
.: Your Heart is a Muscle
.: Ch-Ch-Ch
.: Trouble
etc...

Sample of Covers

.: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots -Flaming Lips
.: Instant Karma -John Lennon
.: Don't Let Me Down -The Beatles
.: What's So Funny (Peace, Love, & Understanding)
-Elvis Costello
.: Pump it Up -Elvis Costlello
.: I Shall Be Released -Bob Dylan

FIRE DOG usually plays between one and three 40 minute sets of music.

Basic Requirements

Calendar