STREET DOGS play Hi-Fi Rockfest Sep. 26
Street Dogs hit the stage at Hi-Fi Rockfest at the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Sep. 26, playing alongside some of the pioneers of punk rock.
“The name Street Dogs came from the actual lifestyle of growing up in the middle class community, it’s how we grew up on the street corners,” singer Mike McColgan said.
Forming a punk band in Boston with such a thriving scene of musicians that were being taught at Berklee School of Music and the Boston Conservatory by virtuosos could be seen as challenging.
“As far as punk rock is concerned, a lot of people who are involved in it are self taught,” McColgan said. “It’s almost the way of the genre, we’re a small-knit community.”
At times playing punk rock hasn’t always been easy.
“There have been times in my life where my family was skeptical of what I was doing,” McColgan said. “In the end, I have to answer to myself. What moves me and makes me feel good is music.”
McColgan’s advice to musicians who are looking to pursue a career in punk rock is “to be mentally tough and prepared for setbacks and spending time away from home.”
McColgan also has an idea of his ultimate festival lineup.
“I would like to see The Clash, The Ramones, AC/DC, The Who, Iron Maiden, Rancid, Operation Ivy, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Green Day. That would be the perfect festival line-up.”