Dogs In A Pile (DIAP) made their Stone Pony Summer Stage debut this past Friday to open the triple-threat summer tour being dubbed the “Pigeons Frasco Dogs Tour”. Andy Frasco graciously switched set times with DIAP to let the Asbury Park locals relish a little longer in the special occasion with their family, friends, and fans.
If there was one mental image that captured the jubilation of May 24, 2024, for the Dogs, it was guitarist Jimmy Law’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawroski (known affectionately as “Big Jim” and “Mama Law”), dancing and embracing each other side stage as the band’s set drew to a close. For them, perhaps a lifetime of dreams was realized as they watched their son and his bandmates ascend to new heights.
Being a part of a “family” that goes from witnessing a band they adore playing smaller indoor clubs to a large outdoor stage is a feeling that needs some getting used to. As much as I was watching the show itself, I felt the need to continuously scan the crowd to see the smiles on many familiar faces. At times, they looked right back at me with a warm and all-knowing head nod. We all knew what this moment meant and to store and cherish it in a bank of many more of these moments to come.
I only use “family” in quotation marks to illustrate that most of us in the Dog Pound are not related by blood, but it almost feels disingenuous to not call each other family. A group of people who support, trust, and love each other. Sounds like family to me!
The authentic familial atmosphere when going to a DIAP show is readily tangible. No further evidence is needed than my own personal experiences. My very first introduction to the Dog Pound was seeing the Dogs open for Twiddle in 2022 at the College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT. I visited the merch table (as most impressed first-timers usually do after a killer show) and was greeted with a large smile and pleasant conversation by none other than Mama Law. I wasn’t aware of who I had spoken to at the time, but came away from the simple interaction feeling valued as a fan.
Naturally, from attending Dogs shows over the past few years and hearing from others in the Dog Pound, many of us have met other family members of the band and even the band members themselves. It’s clear whoever raised these young men imparted the same attitude they exude when meeting anyone: being kind, gracious, and humble.
No strangers to playing multiple sellouts at the legendary indoor Stone Pony stage, the Dogs started their Summer Stage set with a fan favorite, “Can’t Wait for Tonight.” Vocalist/guitarist Brian Murray put extra emphasis on the lyrics: “this day’s been comin’ for a long long time now!” and changed the words to the hometown staple song “Tillie” to: “Summer Stage means time to call your friends. Oh yeah!” A topsy-turvy “Spun” followed with masterful work on the synth by keyboardist and adopted New Jersey son Jeremy Kaplan (Kaplan is originally from Long Island, NY).
“Go Set” came next – which saw an evolution in 2023 from a lyric-less jam vehicle to a whimsical lyric-driven powerhouse of a tune. “Get ready. Get set. Go!” Murray led the beachside crowd in unison. A love letter to his native New York and hometown of Manhasset (yes, another Long Islander turned adopted Jersey guy), the jam features an impossible-to-stand-still danceable bass foundation set by Jersey-born and raised Sam Lucid.
Lucid, displaying his signature headbang and sports team jersey – rocking a fresh Dodgers Ohtani look – had been coming to the Shore to see shows since he was a teenager. Now, he towered over a place where he had stood many times as a fan. He took the mic duties thereafter to celebrate the classic American cocktail “Jack & Coke.” Some of those in the crowd who knew the drill rushed to the concession stands to buy themselves the ice-cold beverage to share a toast with their fellow Dog Pounders. Lucid’s father Jack, integral to DIAP’s origin by providing them a local place to practice their jams during the pandemic, watched on beaming with pride.
“Rinky Dink Rag,” a cut off their debut album Not Your Average Beagle, led into a first-time cover of the Eastern Mediterranean folk song “Misirlou.” The cover contained a mashup of “Jack & Coke” and “Rinky Dink Rag” and was appropriately played as the surf rock version composed by one of the music genre’s pioneers, Dick Dale. The crowd-pleasing “Let U Go” into a cover of “Truckin” – much to the delight of lifelong deadheads Big Jim, Mama Law, and “Big Joe” (drummer Joey Babick’s father) – put a timely anthem to the intense touring life the quintet has led over the years.
They’ve just kept truckin’ on through successes and disappointments, high and low points, tears of joy and sorrow. Led by an incredible base of support from everyone who continues to rally around this special group of individuals. Truly Dogs In A Pile – each member as different as the last – but with a brotherly bond that shines through to bring us joy in the form of artistic creation. There are few things I find cooler in life than the ability to make another individual happy by doing what you love. The Dogs have seemingly always done that.
From backyard parties to Wonder Bar to the House of Independents to playing Sea.Hear.Now Festival to playing the big stage at The Stone Pony. Their friendly demeanor, on- and off-stage disposition, and ability to curate an experience that makes everyone feel welcome continues to spread across the nation. Bit by bit. But for now – a heck of a special evening at home in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Watch the full set from DIAP’s Stone Pony Summer Stage debut here on the band's YouTube channel.
More photos by Ron Adelberg of some special folks (with many more not pictured):
