If a band deseves to be referenced as „unique“, the US ProgRock phenom Pavlov’s Dog fits the bill. When Pavlov’s Dog signed its recording contract with ABC in ’74 for the unheard figure of $ 650.000,- they were the highest signed newcomer band ever since. Pavlov’s Dog’s 1975 debut album Pampered Menial was voted by Mojo Magazine into the Top 30 of the most important Prog-Rock releases of all times. Pavlov’s Dog toured with bands such as Kraftwerk, Journey,Bob Seger or Nazareth, some of them played support for Pavlov’s Dog. But for a breakthrough as big as the companies expected, David Surkamp’s incredible vocal performance turned out too unique for the US mainstream radio. The band disbanded in 1977.
During a break of nearly 30 years rumors continued to swirl around. Some said David took his own life, others he died after helium inhalation. In 2004 Pavlov’s Dog united for a 30th anniversary concert. The performance was broadcasted by Microsoft. In the light of the worldwide attention Surkamp decided to reform the band. Eclipsedmagazine voted the 2010 comeback album Echo & Boo on rank 13 of the year’s most important releases. 2016 saw the release of the doubleCD/DVD House Broken, the first Pavlov’s Dog live document in both audio & video format.
In 2018 the band performed the iconic debut album entirely on the almost soldout Pampered Menial & Beyond Tour.
headfirstentertainment – Dave Tedder
21 December 2018 Rockville Music