Inside Dogs In A Pile’s Electrifying Performance At Capitol Theater

The indie, jamband on the rise, Dogs in a Pile, concluded their winter tour with a watershed moment at the legendary Capitol Theater on Valentine’s Day. This was their first time headlining at this venue, and they were surrounded by the sounds of Bushwick’s Dead, who kicked off the event on the side stage at Garcia’s. The Sam Grisman Project warmed up the main stage before Dogs lifted off with two fire sets. Then, Brooklyn’s Boojum concluded the event, leaving Valentine’s Day vibes radiating from the venue.

A Closer Look at Dogs

Dogs in a Pile is a 5-piece indie jamband based out of Asbury Park, a staple in the art and music scene at the Jersey Shore. The genesis of the band started when guitarist Jimmy Law and drummer Joey Babick played together in their youth, and the band really came together in 2019, when the two linked up with Berklee College of Music students/grads Sam Lucid (drums), Jeremy Kaplan (keys), and Brian Murray (guitar). Dogs is known for high-energy live shows and improvisational skill; they have built an ever-expanding Northeast following, including super fans known as the “Dog Pound.”

Cap Show Review

The Capitol Show vibe was electric, and it was clear that they were going to end their tour with a bang, setting the tone for their robust Spring Tour on the horizon. They clearly felt the moment, embraced the legendary room, and their light show was next level. Simply stated, Jimmy Law rips on the guitar, and Brian Murray’s guitar and vocals create an incredibly dynamic between Law and himself. I was blown away by Jeremy Kaplan’s diverse range of sounds on the keys and powerful solos. The bass and drums are both total vibes, holding it all together. What a complete project.

The show opened with “Ugly Song,” a solid set opener to catch a vibe. The grooves were deep throughout the seven-song first set in “Dangers of Rah Rah,” into “The Bag,” then into “My Disguise.” The “Chop Shop” set closer lifted spirits to close the first set and had the Cap jumping.

The second set started strong, paying homage to the Dead with a “Good Lovin” opener. The set featured jam-heavy, deep grooves and psychedelic lighting that clearly resonated with both existing and future fans. Some of the second set highlights included “Tillie,” “Spun,” and, for the first time, played “The Day the Music Came to Me” live to close the set. The encore featured a high-octane Hendrix cover, “Fire,” blowing the roof of their Cap debut.

Dogs released their third studio album, ‘Distroid’, in November 2025, featuring a mix of live fan-favorites and brand-new material. The band will embark on a robust Spring Tour starting in late March. All tour dates can be found here.