Who Let The Love Dogs Out?

Photo by Ron Pownall

The Love Dogs are a dynasty. Together for nearly 30 years, the group’s as tight as family and blends humor and spontaneity to create an unforgettable, energetic live show. Frontman Eddie Scheer tells us the group’s #1 job is to make sure everyone in the room is having fun, and it shows. We’re thrilled to have The Love Dogs back at atac on Saturday night, May 20, and in advance, had a chat with Eddie.

atac: Eddie Scheer, who are you?

Eddie Scheer: Eddie Scheer, leader and lead vocalist for The Love Dogs.

atac: Where is Eddie Scheer, leader and lead vocalist for The Love Dogs, from?

ES: I grew up in Connecticut and started playing drums at age 9. I have no musicians in my family, but we always had records playing in the house. I got hooked on AM radio as a kid, and started my first band at age 14.

atac: What was playing on the radio?

ES: AM radio when I was a kid was a “top 40” format that spanned every genre of popular music. In an hour of listening you could hear rock ’n’ roll like the Stones, deep soul music like Al Green or Percey Sledge, country greats like Willie or Dolly, “contemporary” stuff like Barbara Streisand or Sinatra, novelty records like Weird Al… the variety was endless and it made me appreciate all types of music. In the 70’s when FM really came to prominence, ALL the rules were off!

atac: What was your band like at 14? Any other pre-Love Dogs bands?

ES: I had a band in high school called Tantara, which was pretty much a rock and soul cover band. It was my first experience as a vocalist. I’m still in touch with a couple of the guys; we started playing gigs at 14!

My most memorable experience pre-Love Dogs was playing drums for the great New Orleans R&B singer Johnny Adams. I was fortunate to tour with him for about 3 years, and play in Europe, as well as the main stage at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. That was a big influence on founding The Dogs.

atac: What is off-stage Eddie getting up to?

ES: Love to cook and fix stuff around the house. I just love to eat, so cooking is fun for me. I’m no technical expert, just kinda flying by the seat of my pants. My wife and I cook together a lot, especially on holidays. It’s some nice shared time.

atac: When cooking or just hanging out—what are some top, all time fav records?

Help from The Beatles. I love all Beatles records, but this is my favorite. There’s Tower of Power - What a band! The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Recordings, too. Ray Charles could sing the phone book and make you cry. I saw The Ray Charles Big Band open for Gladys Knight & the Pips when I was 13. Changed my life. Gladys was great too!

atac: Where was that show; how’d you end up there at 13?

ES: My dad was a big Gladys Knight & the Pips fan, and I was a budding musician at the time, so he took my mom and I to see them at the Oakdale Musical Theater in Wallingford, CT. It was one of these places like the South Shore Music Circus with a big tent and a revolving stage. The opening act was Ray Charles and his big band with The Raelettes. Needless to say, I was blown away, both by Ray’s singing and by the sound of that 20 piece band. And with the revolving stage I could get a good look at every player in the group and really appreciate how they worked together. Unforgettable.

atac: Having observed that show, and so many others over the years, do you have any advice for artists just getting up for the first time? 

ES: Just get out there and do it as much as you can. There's no substitute for experience. It will teach you everything about yourself, your audience, your material. Even the crappiest gig is a learning experience.

atac: What's the crappiest gig?

ES: Too many to pick one. Music is almost always fun. Getting stiffed…not so much.

atac: Let’s end with some notes on things to check out. Who are some artists from around MetroWest you love, and what are some great discoveries from touring?

ES: Check out Sonya Raye & Ryan Taylor, Danielle Miraglia, Toni Lynn Washington, and Jim Morgan. On the road, stop at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, FL—a super cool outdoor venue with great seafood. The Double Door in Charlotte, NC (was, RIP) a real deal Blues and Soul club we love, and Moondog’s in Pittsburgh, PA…a down and dirty, old school dive bar!

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Catch The Love Dogs, live at atac on Saturday May 20. Tickets are moving, but you can still grab yourself a pair (or two—bring some friends!) here.