The guys of D.O.G.S. will tell you that they're just a grunge band, nothing special, and aren't sure what makes them stand out. They just want to create and bring their own wave of music to the world, with messages that are universal to the human soul. 

But as modesty and self consciousness plagues most of us we often can't see the potential in ourselves. That's where those closest to us, or even complete strangers, come in. Devotion and passion never lie. When the connection has been made, may it be small or massive, it is nevertheless proof the mark has been left. 

While the guys may ponder why anyone would want to swim in their part of the water, they certainly have no shortage of those willing to dive right in. Those daring enough to take the plunge gleefully find that as enticing as the surface of the water was, underneath there's an endless discovery to keep grasping for. 

The amount of potential these two dogs hold is balanced with a perfect blend of character, charisma, and showmanship that's hard to come by. They have an unsurpassed ability to bring out your deepest support. Their simple, honest, and straightforward demeanor knocks open ways of relating to them on any level. No gimmicks. No glitz. No deception. There's no false fanciness about them, just pure exposed human emotion. 

But don't let this bare-bones persona fool you. Through the stripped down performances of this pair, deep down pass the "we're here take it or leave it" on-stage attitude, is an eagerness to care that they resonate through their music. It's hard to ignore and forget the energy that flows from them to their songs. It's this power, this will to keep moving forward, that's too addicting to pass by. 

Although D.O.G.S. are from Japan and cite the grunge movement out of Seattle as a major influence, holding the genre in high regard, it doesn't stop them from delivering. And they do deliver. Raw, straight up and non-stop. 

Where other bands fall short as being some back up filler to their influences these guys prevail. They take in the inspiration and turn out a brilliance that deserves a place right next to their precursors. They rise above discrimination and outshine the cage that would otherwise inhibit them. These guys don't sit back and whine that they deserve recognition. They step up and claim it. It's this drive that makes them just as relevant today as they will be tomorrow. 

D.O.G.S have mass appeal while maintaining their own unique flavor. They merge the current of grunge, alternative, hard rock and even a sprinkling of pop and balladry because they're doing something only they can do. To witness these guys in action is truly an experience to behold. Despite the fact that they are down to earth kind hearted fellows, they explode on stage. 

Koji is certainly one of a kind, owning an inescapable charm and a talent to apply input taken from all kinds of people to his music. One friend introduced Koji as a really nice guy and very talented, as well as being easy on the eyes, but to see him play live is like a watching a man turn into a monster. With a two song limit before the shirt starts flying off he's tearing up the stage with howling vocals, wailing through each song, a mess of long black hair and guitar strings. It is nothing short of intense. 

While Yokota, Koji's comrade in arms, comes from the opposite side of that passion he is no less alluring or exceptional. Instead of prowling the stage he prefers to stand his ground. A calm warrior focusing on his inner spirit while his god-like fingers pull out a stream of thick harmonic riffs that one simply can't comprehend where he brings it from. One moment he'll follow the flow of the driving melodies then will suddenly ignore the rules and change course. Yokota's not there for the praise of the spotlight or the crowd's pleasure; he is solely a man playing from his soul. 

By this fierce strength it's revealed that these guys aren't pretending. They are the real deal and that in itself opens an accessibility that pulls you in even more. You soon realize you've gone so far out into their depth there's no turning back, and you don't want to. 

The only danger of investing yourself into these guys is that they may steal your heart and replace it with their own. 

(c) 2010 Jessica Graeber
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