Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-04-20
Dogs in a Pile | Stroudsberg, PA | April 10, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave and videos by Vinny Vallely
At the Sherman Theater on April 10, 2026, Dogs in a Pile delivered a performance that balanced intention with exploration. Across two sets they delivered an adventurous mix of originals and covers. This talented squad leaned into their strengths without losing a sense of narrative. They also included a tribute to the astronauts aboard the Artemis II. Videographer Vinny Valley created this montage from "Stranger" below, which should provide a taste of all the feels in 4K.
The evening opened with a thoughtful prelude. John Kimock and Jonathan Colman took the stage without Eli Winderman, and performed under Kimock’s name rather than their usual WCK Trio billing. The set had an ambient and atmospheric vibe, drifting into textures that bordered on EDM without fully committing to it. The pacing stayed mellow, yet every transition felt intentional. Subtle builds and dissolves kept the room engaged, and the performance left a strong impression that extended beyond the duo format, prompting curiosity about their full trio configuration.
Dogs in a Pile stepped in with “Earthbound Man” that served as a nod to the Artemis II crew, who had just successfully completed a high profile landing from lunar orbit. The acknowledgment grounded the moment in something larger than the room, giving the opener a sense of shared occasion. Guitarist Jimmy Law shaped the tune with expressive slide guitar, adding a reflective tone that matched the theme. View a clip of this tune by videographer Vinny Vallely.
“Stranger,” from Bloom, followed with a deep pocket groove, as guitarist Brian Murray handled vocals while Law pushed the jam into a sharper blues rock space. Below is another stellar video captured by Vinny Vallely of this tasty tune.
“My Disguise" introduced a more textured palette. Keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan moved between piano and synth with precision and shaped a layered sound while bassist Sam Lucid anchored the low end. The chemistry across the team felt deliberate and controlled. That control carried into “Four More Days" where drummer Joey Babick guided the groove with crisp, steady drumming before the piece gradually built toward a more forceful conclusion.
The centerpiece of the first set arrived with “Dangers of Rah Rah,” stretching past seventeen minutes. Law’s vocal delivery cut through with authority, while his guitar work remained focused. Each member found space within the jam before converging into a unified surge. Kaplan closed the journey with a Latin flavored jam that added a final layer of contrast.
“Space Captain,” originally by Joe Cocker, added to the thematic nod to the Artemis II landing and featured Law on vocals. “Mr. Tooker,” sung by Lucid, brought a playful, old time jazz feel to close the set with this fun tune that is also a tribute to videographer Kieran Tooker.
Set two opened with “Look Johnny II,” a lively restart that gave Murray room to showcase intricate finger-picked lines. Videographer Vinny Vallely contributed the clip below from this upbeat, catchy tune.
Momentum continued into a Dogs original track, “You Didn’t Hear It From Me,” though written by Tom Marshall and Anthony Krizan. Tom Marshall is a well known song writer who has frequently collaborated with Phish, but also lives fairly close the band's home in Asbury Park, NJ. Anthony Krizan is better known as the lead guitarist for the Spin Doctors. The track expanded into another extended excursion, and pushed past seventeen minutes for the second time this evening. It was also the defining moment of the second set.
“Chop Shop,” a Murray and Kaplan composition, highlighted Kaplan’s vocal presence in a version that felt especially polished. The band then debuted “Snake Oil,” a first time cover from The New Tony Williams Lifetime, weaving in progressive rock elements that added a fresh dimension to the night.
“Samba for Sam,” from Distroid, offered a change in tone, beginning with delicate piano phrasing before building into a vibrant rhythmic section driven by Babick. The transition into “Criminal” by Fiona Apple felt natural, with Kaplan delivering a compelling vocal performance. From there, “Let U Go” shifted the mood again into a buoyant feel that gradually transformed into the set’s closer “EDM Song.” This track was brief but impactful, and ended the set with a burst of energy.
The band returned to encore with new tune “The Day the Music Came to Me,” which recently debuted at the Capitol Theatre on February 14, 2026. They were feeling the vibes this evening, and dropped a ten minute “Truck Run” to conclude this raging performance.
Across the full performance, Dogs in a Pile showed a clear command of pacing and dynamics. The boys moved between styles with ease, from jazz influenced passages to heavier rock driven peaks. More importantly, they maintained a sense of cohesion, allowing each section to feel connected rather than fragmented. The night reflected both discipline and imagination, a combination that continued to define their rise.
Dogs are back in action on April 23 in Kalamazoo, MI, followed by performances in Covington, KY (April 24), Peoria, IL (April 25), and St. Louis, MO (April 26). On April 28, they were make an appearance at the Toulouse Theatre as part of Jazz Fest in New Orleans, LA, before heading west to Austin, TX on April 30. They have two more performances in the lone star, Houston on May 1 and Dallas on May 2. They head north to Memphis, TN on May 3, before following the lines going south to San Juan del Cabo, MX for two sure to be memorable performances at Viva El Gonzo May 5-7. Visit their tour page for more details about these dates and more.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Dogs in a Pile
Date: April 10, 2026
Venue: Sherman Theater
Location: Stroudsburg, PA
Set One: Earthbound Man, Stranger, My Disguise, Four More Days, Dangers of Rah Rah, Space Captain[1], Mr. Tooker
Set Two: Look Johnny II, You Didn’t Hear It From Me, Chop Shop, Snake Oil[2], Samba for Sam-> Criminal[3] > Let U Go > EDM Song
Encore: The Day The Music Came To Me, Trunk Rum
Notes:
[1] Joe Cocker
[2] FTP, The New Tony Williams Lifetime
[3] Fiona Apple
Set list via go-set.net
