The Cavedogs

The Cavedogs emerged from Boston in 1987, when guitarist Todd Spahr, bassist Brian Stevens, and drummer Mark Rivers united and issued a single on a local imprint. A cassette-only album that the band put out itself arrived in 1989, after which Restless Records signed them and issued an EP in 1990. The trio then moved to Enigma Records, Restless’s parent company, for the full-length Joy Rides for Shut-Ins, which appeared later that year. Capitol Records, holding a distribution pact with Enigma, subsequently assumed the contract and placed the group on a major label. Their follow-up, Soul Martini, arrived with Michael Beinhorn in the producer’s chair and displayed a noticeably smoother sound, yet the incisive melodies and witty compositions that had defined Joy Rides for Shut-Ins remained prominent. Although both records drew strong critical notices, commercial stations largely ignored the band, so sales stayed confined to their local audience; the Cavedogs disbanded in 1993. Todd Spahr later started the Gravy, Mark Stevens joined Poundcake, and Brian Stevens issued a solo album. The original lineup reconvened in 2001 for several concerts and put out a collection of unreleased tracks and radio sessions.