Kerbdog

Kerbdog

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1991 in Kilkenny, Ireland
Defunct	1998 (initial disbandment)
Fate	Reunited sporadically since 2005
Headquarters	Kilkenny , Ireland
Products	Music albums, live performances

Kerbdog was an alternative metal group originating from Kilkenny, Ireland, established in 1991. Following the release of two albums under Mercury Records, they dissolved in 1998. Since 2005, the band has reunited sporadically for live performances. In 2012, they recorded a live album titled Congregation, which was issued in October 2014.

Formation (1991–1992)

Initially called Rollercoaster, Kerbdog came together in 1991 with members Cormac Battle (vocals/guitar), Colin Fennelly (bass), and Darragh Butler (drums), all attending St Kieran's College. Prioritizing their musical ambitions over academics, they began by playing covers from bands such as Sonic Youth and Spacemen 3. After spending a year in London without attracting notable media attention, they returned to their hometown of Kilkenny.

In early 1992, Billy Dalton joined as a second guitarist, introducing influences from heavy metal groups like Metallica and Slayer, which complemented Battle’s affinity for underground music scenes. That same year, the band adopted the name Kerbdog.

Debut album (1993–1994)

At the start of 1993, Kerbdog secured a deal with Mercury Records’ subsidiary label Vertigo and recorded their eponymous debut album at Rockfield Studios in Wales with producer Jack Endino. Simultaneously, they arranged an extensive UK club tour, including a winter support role for The Almighty, promoted by their second single, "End of Green."

Throughout 1994, the band continued touring, supporting acts like Therapy?, and released their well-received debut album along with singles "Dry Riser" and "Dummy Crusher."

Second album and split (1995–1998)

In July 1995, Kerbdog traveled to Los Angeles to begin work on their sophomore album. Produced by GGGarth, On the Turn was rehearsed at Full Blast Studios before being recorded over several months at Sound City Studios and A&M Studios.

Shortly after returning home, Billy Dalton departed from the group. In early 1996, following Mercury Music Group’s acquisition by Polygram, Kerbdog transitioned to Fontana Records, a sister label within PolyGram. They released the limited-edition EP "JJ's Song" in July 1996 and followed up with the single "Sally" in September.

After multiple postponements, On the Turn was finally launched in the UK in March 1997, preceded by the single "Mexican Wave". The album experienced poor sales, resulting in the band being dropped and their back catalogue removed that same year. In May 1997, Kerbdog recorded a six-track demo at Sun Studios in Dublin to attract new label interest. An unnamed record company—believed to be DreamWorks Records, a Geffen subsidiary—expressed interest in expanding into the U.S. market and acquiring rights to On The Turn from Mercury; however, Mercury declined their offer. Without U.S. promotion for the album, no signing materialized.

"There were two labels that wanted to sign us at the time... They wanted the album and had Mercury sold that album we would have kept functioning as a band and moved straight to the States... I think it was about a hundred grand Sterling put on the table for the album [in 1997] but I presume the record label [Mercury], maybe wrote it off..."
Darragh Butler – Irishdrummers.com, 2012

Following several months without a contract, Kerbdog disbanded late in 1997, performing final shows at the Krazy Horse in Cork over Christmas and at Dublin’s Mean Fiddler on 7 March 1998.

Wilt (1998–2003)

In 1998, Cormac and Darragh teamed up with new bassist Mick Murphy to create the band Wilt. Their inaugural performance took place at The Funnel in Dublin on 26 March 1998. Rock Sound magazine likened them to Ireland's counterpart of Hüsker Dü and Weezer. After issuing two albums, Bastinado and My Medicine, Wilt dissolved in 2003.

Reformation (2005–2008, 2011–present)

After Wilt's dissolution, Kerbdog reunited in 2005, delivering 13 concerts across Ireland, including two sold-out nights at Dublin's Temple Bar Music Centre and an appearance at the Oxegen festival. They maintained sporadic performances in Kilkenny and Dublin through 2007. In August 2008, the band played at London's Camden Barfly as part of the Kerrang "Week of Rock" and also appeared at Kilkenny's "Pumpalooza" charity event. At this latter show, Dalton returned to perform seven songs, marking the first time since 1995 that the band played as a four-piece.

A tribute compilation titled Pledge: A Tribute to Kerbdog was released on 8 March 2010 by Derby-based Stressed Sumo Records.

Kerbdog appeared at the Temple House Festival in Sligo on 11 June 2011 and performed a New Year's Eve concert at Kilkenny's Set Theater, where Wilt briefly reunited on stage. On 7 April 2012, they held a one-off UK show in Bristol alongside Souls (the new band featuring Butler and Dalton), commemorating the 15th anniversary of On the Turn. This event was the first of three gigs recorded by Dave Draper for a forthcoming live album. Additional recordings from Dublin and London performances culminated in the release of Congregation on 10 October 2014 as a combined CD/DVD set.

On 16 June 2014, guitarist Billy Dalton rejoined Kerbdog after an absence of 18 years. Prior to appearing at Sonisphere, the band entered a studio in Evesham to record "Soaking Wet," a track originally demoed in 1997 and later renamed "Electricity." This session represented their first studio recording since the 1990s. The song "Electricity" was featured on the live album along with a limited edition 7" vinyl that included it plus a live rendition of "Pointless." A Pledge campaign launched on 23 June 2014 aimed to finance and promote these releases, successfully reaching its target by 6 October. On that same day, Kerbdog recorded a studio session for Dublin's Today FM, which aired later in the year. A UK tour supporting the live album took place in November.

During a 2015 interview, Dalton revealed intentions to produce an EP containing three new tracks that were ready for recording.

Discography

Studio albums

• Kerbdog (1994) (UK #97)
• On the Turn (1997) (UK #64)

Live albums

• Live at Concrete (US promo – 1994)
• Congregation (2014)

Singles

• "Earthworks" (demo – 1993)
• "End of Green" (1993)
• "Dry Riser" (1994) (UK No. 60)
• "Dummy Crusher" (1994) (UK No. 37)
• "JJ's Song" (1996)
• "Sally" (1996) (UK No. 69)
• "Mexican Wave" (1997) (UK No. 49)
• "Electricity" (2014)

Soundtrack appearances

• "Dummy Crusher" – Highlander III: The Sorcerer soundtrack (1994)
• "This Is Not a Love Song" – Bordello of Blood soundtrack (1996)

External links

• Semi-official Kerbdog site