Dr. Dog is a indie rock group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which formed … Read Full Bio ↴Dr. Dog is a indie rock group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which formed in 1999. The current lineup consists of Scott "Taxi" McMicken (vocals, guitar), Toby "Tables" Leaman (vocals, bass), Zach "Text" Miller (keyboards, guitar), Frank "Thanks" McElroy (guitar) and Eric "Teach" Slick (drums).

"There's a little folk, blues, indie rock, soul, bluegrass--and a whole lot of down-home harmonizing. It conjures images of old friends sitting on a porch swapping instruments and just letting the tape recorder run." - Doug Wallen

Dr. Dog has been creating music in various incarnations for four years now. Beginning with The Psychedelic Swamp, a concept album realized in the damp ruin of a flooded basement with waterlogged guitars and a digital delay pedal, the band has simmered on the back burner of our musical lives for most of its existence but we've recently renewed our resolve to forge ahead and give Dr. Dog the attention we think it deserves.

Although Dr. Dog has as many as 20 honorary "members" who have assisted in various (mostly spiritual) capacities through the years, the core of the band consists of five musicians. Our standard instrumentation includes two guitars, bass, drums, keyboard and three part harmonies. The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Tom Waits, David Bowie and Neil Young are influences, but we would be remiss in not acknowledging our debt to Pavement, Palace Brothers, R. Stevie Moore or Roy Wood.

Currently, the lineup is as such: Toby Leaman on bass and singing, Scott McMicken on woof+mud distortion solo guitar and voice, Frank McElroy on lean clean occasionally tremolo'd guitar, Zach Miller on keyboard(s) and Eric Slick on drums.

We've all done our share of playing. Toby and Scott have played together in a myriad of bands including Raccoon, Unleash the Bastards, and Beard; Andrew played bass in Raccoon and managed the phenomenal The Teeth; Zach has played with Bradford Trojan and Traffic Jam and studied jazz guitar.

Aside from the aforementioned Swamp album - a self-produced, self-recorded low-fi four track recording - we have two other recordings. Toothbrush is a compilation of fourth generation eight-track recordings culled from the past few years. Easy Beat was the first proper record, followed by the 2006 EP Takers and Leavers and two full-length albums, 2006's We All Belong and 2008's Fate. The latest release is called Shame, Shame, and was released April 6th, 2010.

100 Years
Dr. Dog Lyrics

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When I look back on what I done
About 100 years from now
Gonna cry myself to sleep at night
Somebody shows me how
Uh huh

When the sun shines down whats left of me
About 100 years from now

Gonna cut my water with a rebel yell
And claw my way back to town

100 years
100 years

They'll break me
But I'll break them too
Oh and this years for the brakemen
And this one is for you

When sky cracks open and the thunder comes
About 100 years from now
Gonna bury this old yoke and chain
In the cold wet ground

And when I get off at Tennebrook, [unknown] farm
About 100 years from now
I'm gonna marry you out of common sense
And get out from behind this plow

100 years
100 years

They'll break me
But I'll break them too
Oh and this years for the brakemen
And this one is for you

100 years
100 years

They'll break me
But I'll break them too

Oh and this years for the brakemen
And this one is for you

Overall Meaning

The song "100 Years" by Dr. Dog is a nostalgic and contemplative reflection on life and the future. The first verse expresses regret for past actions and a fear of the future, implying a sense of uncertainty about what is to come. The line "gonna cry myself to sleep at night, somebody shows me how" suggests a longing for guidance or comfort in the face of this uncertainty. The second verse invokes rebellion and perseverance, with the singer vowing to break their oppressors and reclaim their place in society. The final verse brings the focus back to personal relationships, with the singer dreaming of a better life with a loved one.

The repetition of the phrase "100 years" throughout the song emphasizes the vast span of time and the legacy that one's actions can leave behind. The reference to "the brakemen" in the chorus is a nod to the hardworking men who maintained the brakes on trains, a dangerous and often thankless job in the early days of rail travel.

Line by Line Meaning

When I look back on what I done
Reflecting on my past actions

About 100 years from now
In the distant future

Gonna cry myself to sleep at night
Regretful and sad about my decisions

Somebody shows me how
Wishing for guidance and support

Uh huh
Confirmation or agreement

When the sun shines down whats left of me
When I am old and nearing death

Gonna cut my water with a rebel yell
Going out with a bang or rebelliously

And claw my way back to town
Trying to hold on to life and return to civilization

They'll break me
The world may defeat me

But I'll break them too
I will also stand my ground and fight my battles

Oh and this years for the brakemen
Honoring and remembering those who work hard and make sacrifices