Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

A Conversation with Funky Jazz Fusion Quartet Good Dog

Band Plays Canyons March 21

Story by David Brewer

In less than a year, the members of Virginia-based jam-friendly quartet Good Dog have gelled as a musical unit and taken their show on the road. Having already recorded a three-song demo that shines a light on the group’s danceable, keyboard-driven grooves, the band is poised to please potential legions of groove-loving fans throughout the Southeast.

Good Dog guitarist and vocalist Adrian Ciucci corresponded with High Country Press via email to discuss the band’s roots, sonic influences and the road ahead. On Friday, March 21, Good Dog will make their High Country debut at Canyons in Blowing Rock. To hear tracks by the band, click to www.myspace.com/gooddogband.

HCP: When did you guys first get together and start making music?

GD: Joey Ciucci (keyboards) and Justin Beach (drums) met while attending Virginia Tech, and have played together in various groups for several years. Joey and I are cousins so naturally we have known each other as people for a while, but didn't even play together at all until I was 17. I met Justin through Joey. Zach Hudgins (bass) and I met through a rock group when we were 15 years old and have kept in musical touch ever since.

Joey and Justin graduated from Virginia Tech last spring. I attended the University of Montana for two years studying guitar performance and moved back to Richmond in August of 2007 with the intention of playing with this group. The four of us got together finally in August and September of 2007.

HCP: Have you and your cousin been playing together for several years or is Good Dog your first time in a band together?

GD: When I was younger, Joey would let me sit in with his other bands. By the time we started making music together, I already had plans to move to Montana, which put a hold on things. Good Dog is the first group we have been in together.

HCP: What is it about funky jazz fusion that excites you? What do you bring to the table to try and make a sound all your own?

GD: Good Dog plays the music that Good Dog writes. We all have our strengths and weaknesses in doing so. After the collaboration is finished, the end result is usually a very unique sounding piece of music. Some is funky, some rock and roll and some is more melancholy—all original. In doing just that, we create something that sounds unique simply by the virtue that we all put our hearts and minds behind the process.

HCP: Who are some of your musical heroes that inform your sound and individual performance styles?

GD: We all come from different ends of the musical world. When I met Zach, he was into Flea and the [Red Hot] Chili Peppers. That turned into a love for funk and jazz and players such as Victor Wooten, Michael Mandrin, Tower of Power, James Brown, Ron Carter and Miles Davis.

Joey loves John Medeski, Brad Meldau and Daniel Clarke of the Modern Groove Syndicate. Justin is the product of growing up listening to [Grateful Dead drummers] Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman play together and blending that into one drum set.

Jimmy Page got me into rock n roll; Trey Anastasio made me start to create my own sound; Derek Trucks made me want to cry; Leo Kottke makes me wonder about things; John Coltrane and Miles Davis make me wish I was a horn player.

HCP: How does your live show compare to your demo recordings? Is there ample jamming or do you keep the tunes close to their original length?

GD: Our demo is great for what it is. We recorded those first three tracks very early on. In fact, that session was the second time that all four of us had been in the same room. I love that demo; however it is no longer a proper complete representation of what we do.

We have developed and grown quite a bit since then. A Good Dog show is always a little up for grabs and never completely planned. Bold spontaneity can lead to beautiful and unpredicted moments.

HCP: What are the band’s immediate goals? Do you want to concentrate on touring or recording?

GD: Good Dog has an exciting future ahead. Recording, touring and traveling are all goals. We will return to the studio at the end of the March and a new release will follow shortly after.

Everyone in Good Dog writes music, so studio time will seemingly always be interesting and progressive. The heart of the band lies in its live shows. A love of playing and performing will keep Good Dog on the road for a long time. We are constantly traveling, rehearsing, and constantly booking and always trying to keep busy.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday, March 21
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Canyons
Cost: FREE!