Album Review: Ferocious Dog – Ferocious Dog (10th Anniversary Edition)

My first ever introduction into the Ferocious Dog world was when they supported The Levellers and since then I have been an avid fan ever since, so the opportunity to review the re-release of their debut album was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially when it comes packaged with a recording of a gig they did in Leeds where they were supported by an orchestral ensemble.

The album opens with ‘The Glass’ and from that moment on it is a whirling storm of upbeat and barn storming folk rock which will have any listener tapping away in no time. The whole album keeps true to its roots and is only embellished with a modern day sound from the modern production whilst still maintaining the rawness and likeable attitude which is now synonymous as a true Ferocious Dog attribute.  As the album progresses it is hard not to sit back and reminisce on just why Ferocious Dog have now become a staple in the English punk and folk rock repertoire, gathering momentum as they steamroller their way through the years to the confident and reliable headline act they have now become, hell, they have even landed themselves on one of the biggest festival bills of the year, the momentous Germanic Wacken Open Air. 

Consisting of the much loved 15 tracks, this album darts by in what seems like an instant, each track holding their own as they did back in the day and personal highlights such as ‘Too Late’, ‘Hell Hounds’ and ‘Freethinker’ sound as fresh and as relevant as they did when they were first released into the environment a good decade ago. 

Now, couple that sublime and career defining release with a release which showcases a different side to the band while still managing to preserve their own identity and you are surely onto a winner, and they have well and truly hit the jackpot with this effort. The orchestra and strings add a fresh and vibrant side to the anthems while the delicate and fresh female vocals add a decadent and mesmerising angle to the support they give the rockier and raw vocals we are so used to. 

The interaction between all on stage is enchanting and absorbing, captivating to well and truly say the least. The alternate vision and portrayal that is brought to each and every track is enthralling and the construction behind the façades is mesmeric and hypnotic in the very least. Each track is dispensed with obvious ease yet carries a beauty which is furnished with a palpable appetite and hunger for all to see. 

This release is well and truly a dream for anyone with even a remote passing interest in Ferocious Dog, let alone those who are already well versed in this measured chaotic world. For those uninitiated souls, this is one to add to your wish list, playlist or any other damn list you want to add it onto because, rest assured, you will not be disappointed one iota.  

On 31^st  March Ferocious Dog release a deluxe remastered version of their self-titled album on Graphite Records. Mixed and mastered by Al Scott the album will be available as a double CD; the second CD will include a number of live tracks from the bands O2 Academy Leeds show from 2022. 

To coincide with the release Ferocious Dog will play a unique show with a full orchestra at the Barbican in York on Saturday 1^st  April;  the two hour set will include the band playing the entire debut album.

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their self titled debut album, Ferocious Dog unveiled a brand new video – ‘Too Late 2022’, an updated version of live favourite ‘Too Late’ from the album.

Watch the video here: 

“I wrote this song many years ago for someone I was close to at the time. It was her childhood story” explains Dan Booth.

“It’s great that we could put a new twist on it. It’s far more relevant now to how we sound live and I love that the legendary Al Scott decided to mix and master the song.” 

Also, on 5^th May Ferocious Dog release ‘Live At Rock City’ CD on Graphite Records. ‘Live At Rock City’ was recorded in April 2022 on The Hope tour and features the band performing songs 29 songs.

Thought provoking and politically charged lyrics, seamlessly combining with dynamic and eclectic music – Ferocious Dog seem to have the knack of evolving their sound enough to pique your interest, without losing any of the sound or attitude that made you fall in love with them in the first place.

To preorder / pre stream Ferocious Dog (Remastered)and Live At Rock City go to: https://linktr.ee/FerociousDog

There are number of tickets for the Barbican gig that can be purchased as a bundle with the re-released debut album.

Following this special show on 30^th April, the band host their Dogfest Festival in April, with further headline shows and festival appearances including the Rebellion and Beautiful Days festivals plus Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany.

Disc 1 – Ferocious Dog (Remastered) track listing.

01 The Glass.

02 Lee’s Tune.

03 On The Rocks.

04 Too Late.

05 Freeborn John.

06 Hell Hounds.

07 Quiet Paddy.

08 Lyla.

09 Criminal Justice.

10 Pocket Of Madness.

11 Blind Leading The Blind.

12 Freethinker.

13 Mairis Wedding Pt II

14 Paddy On The Railway.

15 Verse For Lee.

Disc 2 – Live At Leeds Orchestral track listing.

01 Landscape Artist.

02 A& B.

03 Class War.

04 Mairis Wedding Pt 3

05 Yellow Feather.

06 1914.

07 Justice For ’96.

08 The Demon.

09 Broken Soldier.

10 Lacey-Lee.

11 Criminal Justice.

12 Blind Leading The Blind.

13 Too Late (2022)

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Ferocious Dog 2023 tour dates:

April 

Fri 1^st Barbican  York 

Sat 22^ndDogfest  Boston

Fri 28^th Old Fire Station  Carlisle

Sat 29^th Northern Kin Festival  Durham 

Sun 30^th Teddy Rocks Festival  Dorset 

May 

Sat  6^th Labadoux Festival  Ingelmunster Belgium

Thu 11^th Queen’s Hall  Nuneaton

Fri 12^th Tunes in The Dunes  Cornwall 

Sat  13^th O2 Academy  Leicester 

June

Fri 2^nd The Georgian Theatre Stockton-on-tees

Sat 3r^d North West Calling  Manchester

Fri 9^th Here For The Music Bideford 

Fri  16^th Sign Of The Times Church End 

Sat  17^th Docks Academy  Grimsby 

FrI 30^th Victoria Hall Settle

July 

Sat  1^st Victoria Hall Settle

Sun 2^nd Victoria Hall Settle

Sat  8^th Ely Folk Festival 

Sat 15^th Jurassic Fields Dorset

Fri 21^st The Devils Arse Castleton

Sat 22^ndBeautiful Day Out  Leeds 

August

Wed 2^nd Wacken Open Air Festival  Germany 

Sat 5^th Rebellion Festival  Blackpool 

Fri 11^th Lakefest  Ledbury

Thu 17^th The Drill Lincoln

Fri 18^th Guildhall  Gloucester

Sat 19^th Beautiful Days  Ottery Saint Mary

Fri 25^th Solfest  Cumbria

September  

Fri 1^st Lindisfarne Festival Blyth 

Sun 3^rd Acapela Studio  Cardiff 

Thu 21^st Club 85 Hitchin

Fri 22^nd The 1865 Southampton

Sat  23^rd Roadmender  Northampton

Sat 29^th Robin 2 Bilston

Sat 30^th The Waterfront  Norwich 

October 

Fri  6^th Oran Mor Glasgow

Sat 7^th La Belle Angele  Edinburgh

Thu 12^th Esquires Bedford

Fri 13^th Boiler Shop Newcastle Upon Tyne

Sat 14^th The Birdwell Venue Barnsley 

* Ferocious Dog 3 piece

Tickets available from: https://www.ferociousdog.co.uk/events

Ferocious Dog’s current live line up :

Ken Bonsall – Lead singer & acoustic guitar.

Sam Wood – Multi-instrumentalist.

Kyle Peters – Guitar

Nick Wragg- Bass

Luke Grainger- Drums

Jamie Burley – Violin