In case us chatting to them recently didn’t fulfil your fix of dog-metal related knowledge, Slay Duggee insisted on doing our Headline Act as well. I’m so sorry…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are Slay Duggee – from Essex, Milton Keynes, Essex, Manchester and Essex. Dogs have incredibly sensitive ears and can hear over much further distances than humans.
How did you meet?
At a lamp post outside the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. Ricky Bow Wow created a particularly complex and fragrant scent marking that summoned the rest of the band. Dogs have incredibly sensitive noses and can smell 16 times better than humans.
How long have you been playing as a band?
43.5 years. Or 6 human years. Longer than Metallica if they were dogs anyway. If they were dogs they’d be much better too.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
It’s a combination of our favourite things. Slade (the band), Uggs (the boots) and e (the recreational party biscuits). Interestingly CBeebies built a time machine and created a Slay Duggee origin story animation series called ‘Hey’ Duggee. The narrative is moving slower than Better Call Saul, Duggee hasn’t even learned guitar yet – but stick with it.
What are your influences?
A lot of dog metal you wouldn’t have heard – human ears aren’t physically capable. And human hardcore bands like The Bronx, Gallows, Turnstile, Mr.Tumble, Speed, Cradle of Filth, Mr.Maker, Pantera, Turbonegro and In The Night Garden.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We are currently the only canine metal band. We play hardcore for kids. Kids have an unpolluted musical palette and naturally gravitate to hardcore. Giving kids their first hardcore gig experience at a young age is important to make sure they don’t grow up to be dicks.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Sticks, balls, numbers and circles.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Probably about 30 shows. Bloodstock twice, once with a beard moshy man guest vocalling [This never happened – Mosh], twice, Teddy Rocks, Kendall Calling, and loads of shows at metal venues – including our favourites Craufurd Arms in MK and Radio City Social in Chelmsford.
The show is almost too exciting for human minds. Apart from the expertly performed hardcore metal, and excellent on stage banter, we have circle pits, triangle pits, square pits, and about 30 inflatable sharks. It’s like a whole weekend packed into 60 minutes.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Teddy Wall Street knocked Ricky Bow Wow out cold with his BC Rich Warlock. Black Shuck performed an ad lib jazz dolphin solo at . We sacked Ozzy OzBone (drums) once mid-set and replaced him with a child from the crowd – it didn’t work out well. I think Blippi ed us on stage at , but it might have been a dog dream.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Our drumkit is green and called Bertha. The guitars are spikey. The cymbals are Soultone. Drum STICKS are Pellwood. Our bass is custom by Jim Fleeting Guitars (ooooo la laaaaa! so fancy!) Ricky Bow Wow only rolls in free range fairtrade fox poo.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
On 28th Dec we are teaming up with Lucha Britannia to put on the ultimate alternative Christmas spectacular at Indigo at the O2. It’s called Xmas Slaycation. Expect family friendly hardcore metal and death dying high flying wrestling. Sometimes all at the same time!
Tickets are here and watch the promo video here to get an idea of how awesome this show will be!
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
Probably have a lie down. Maybe some Pedigree Chum. Chew a slipper. Play a load of festivals next summer.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be ing and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
We’d love to Sleep Token. Mainly so we wouldn’t have to move our kit. Just put on our ceremonial robes in between gigs and go back out and act mysterious. Anyone spotted Vessel’s tail yet? Rad Pitt would open for us, because they are the only human band that come close to Slay Duggee’s big dog energy!
Please can you include all of your band’s relevant social media links, bandcamp, spotify, etc.
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If you want to check out more new music, then fire up our Headline Act playlists on Spotify and YouTube!
Slay Duggee: facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify | youtube
