The Doctors Fox performance at the Lizard Lounge on June 19th showcased the band’s extraordinary talent as they played tracks from their debut album, Plural Non-Possessive, their as-yet-titled sophomore album and a sampling of soul covers with guest vocalist and Soul City alum Dave Hanft. From the opener “Dunga of my Dreams,” a playful back and forth between Americana and jazz, the band fluidly shifted from one influence to another without losing their hallmark feel. David Ladon’s playful vocals weave with melodic guitars and violin, soulful bass and gritty drums.
Ladon has a solid vocal range and excellent control. His lyrics, while socio-politically bent, never lose their sense of fun, from “Beached Whale” which features Ladon singing in the persona of said mammal to “Don Juan,” a song about a player who gets played that tackles the subject with playful Schadenfreude rather than heavy-handed morality and caution. Ryan Aylward’s violin lends an unexpected layer to the music, sometimes melding with Daniel Harris’s and Jon Dashkoff’s dynamic guitars and sometimes playing complimentary tones against guitars or bass, as in the ska and jazz-inspired “Olympic Sculpture Park.” Josh Kiggans’ drumming is near flawless, striking an expert balance between percussive grit and sharp, clean accentuation in every song.
Dave Hanft’s guest vocals with the band showcased the fusion of two talented musical forces. His voice on Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and Sam & Dave’s “Hold On” was strong, emotional and raw without being affected or sloppy. Likewise, the cover songs allowed the Doctors Fox to show their skills, with Harris, Dashkoff and Aylward filling in horn sections with creative arrangements of guitars and violin while Ladon’s bass and Kiggans’ drums drove the infectious grooves that bound the musical camps. Catch their next local show at Church on July 23rd.
–Meghan Guidry
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