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Blue Dogs part of ‘dying breed’ BY ADAM BEAM THE GAMECOCK Bobby Houck, lead singer of the Charleston-based Southern rock band Blue bogs, attended Davidson college to get an education. What he got was a band name. “It was like a frat drink,” Houck said. “Blue Dog punch, one of those trash-can varieties.” Now, after more than a decade of playing to local crowds along the East Coast, the Blue Dogs will come to Jillian’s on Saturday after the Carol ina-Clemson game as a national act, having finished several tours throughout the Western United States. “It’s kind of our passion,” bass player Hank Futch said. “It’s what we want to do; we believe in it.” The Blue Dogs are part of what Houck calls a “dying breed” that mixes rock, country and folk. “We’re writing more and more pop songs as we go along, but we don’t sound quite as polished as Matchbox 20,” Houck said. “I like to put us in a category of Train or Counting Crows or something like that. I think, in that sense, we’re not country; we’re certainly not a bluegrass band, but it’s sort of like this big mix. It used to be kind of cool to do that.” For years, Houck and Futch played together throughout the Southeast, slowly but surely picking up a following. With the addition of Greg Walker on drums, the Blue Dogs got that added sense of rhythm that defines who they are today. Becoming a full-time touring act in 1996, the Blue Dogs performed more than 400 shows from 1997 to 1998. They were the sole opening act for Hootie and the Blowfish for their CD release concert in Columbia in April of 1996. Their newest project, Letters from Round O, was produced by David Walker, whose resume includes projects for Counting Crows and Sparklehorse. Also, the band will release a live CD next week to be sold at www.bluedogs.com and on the road. The recording is from a concert performed at the Florence Little Theatre in Florence, S.C. “It’s a community theater 'where Bob (Houck) and I grew up,” Futch said. “It’s a place where I played in high school growing up, played in some musicals there. It’s been kind of the hub of the cultural scene in Florence, and we just did a show there with ah of our friends and family, and what came out of it was something we thought worth pressing.” The band plans to embark on another Western tour soon. “We just hope to let everyone know, including our fans and the industry, that we mean business,” Futch said. “We aren’t just toying around playing in our backyard all the time; we really want to get out and influence as many people as we can.” Futch said the band is “in this for the long haul” and hopes to play to even bigger audiences in the future. Blue Dogs Saturday, Nov. 17 9-:30 p.m. Jillian’s $7 779-7789 “We hope to, of course, turn some heads in the industry and try and take it to the next level, whatever that is,” he said. “We’re ready for whatever the music industry holds for us.” The Blue Dogs, especially Houck, are all proud Gamecock fans. Houck went to USC’s graduate school for a year before finishing at Virginia, but has been going to USC games for as long as he can remember. “I grew up in Florence; this is my 30th year going to Carolina games, sitting in the same seat for years,” he said. “I’m pretty much a Gamecock. I just can’t wait.” Southern rock band Blue Dogs will bring its unique mix of rock, country and folk to Jlllian’s on Saturday. PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Friday Nov. 16 TIGERBURN 2001: Carolina Productions presents the annual Tigerburn at the State Fairgrounds. The event .! will include a pep rally concluding with the ritual burning of the tiger. Free parking, admission. 6 p.m. Friday. State Fairgrounds. FIVE WAY FRIDAY: This will be the first show in Columbia for the band’s new guitarist, Rivers Pearce. Pavlov’s, 2000 Greene St. BAYANIHAN PHILIPPINE NATIONAL DANCE .COMPANY: Established 43 years ago, this company will bring the diversity of Filipino culture to the Roger Center. $27 adult; $20 student. 8 p.m. Roger Center. CUTTHROATS 9, DIECAST, ENABLE KAIN: Uncle Doctor’s, 1734 Mobile Ave. F-13 CD RELEASE PARTY, SUCK, SKULLBABY:New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. MAYWATER RUM, THE HUMAN CONDITION, SIMPLE AS THAT: The Elbow Room, 812 Harden St. Sunday Nov. 18 BOOK SIGNING: Or. Walter Edgar will sign copies of his newest novel, Partisans & Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution. 4 p.m. South Carolina State Museum lobby, 301 Gervais St. PIEBALD, ELEMENT 101, FAIRWEATHER, RECOVER: Indie emo rockers Piebald will perform. The Elbow Room, 812 Harden St. California-based ska-punk veterans Voodoo Glow Skulls will perform with Pulley, Inspector 12 and The Spitvalves. The Elbpw Room, 812 Harden St. VOODOO GLOWSKULLS Stelle Group Representing Columbia as a roots rock band that dispels the common cliches associated with Southern rock is The Stelle Group. The trio will perform with Marychasers, Johnny Rotten Cash and the White Trash All-Stars. Saturday, Nov. 17. 11 p.m. New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. Pezeray’sHAMMER t' i IE I Hailing from Spartanburg, this I I melodic trio makes rock music I for songwriters and musicians alike, but can still get a room full " * of fans jumping. Friday, Nov. 16. 10:30 p.m. $8. 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