Special Sunday Matinee Show w/ Underdog, Living Laser, The Mistaken

Chemistry is everything. Mixing different elements together can make something explosive happen or, on the other hand, nothing at all. The band UNDERDOG was an example of such an experiment, with a lifespan shorter than expected, but with powerful after effects that still linger on.

The two key, constant elements of Underdog during its span of four years were Richie Birkenhead (vocals) and Russ "Wheeler" Iglay (bass) who decided to form a band while talking at CBGB in 1985. The band, named True Blue for about a week, soon became UNDERDOG. These two NYHC matinee regulars and longtime skateboarders, Richie and Russ, were indeed at opposite ends of the spectrum in temperament and circles they ran in. Case in point: Richie did time with Youth of Today and Russ with Murphy's Law.

UNDERDOG was also one of the first punk bands with deep roots in skateboarding, and skating still remains a focal point in the life of the band.

Richie, while fronting UNDERDOG, raised the bar in NYHC during those years, in a scene filled with aggro, straight-up hardcore bands that concentrated more on athletic, than vocal prowess and melody on stage. He prowled the stage, commandeered the crowd and could switch from a guttural scream to the voice of a choir boy in a split second.

Russ, well known for his Andy Capp, drink up, devil may care, knuckle-up persona equaled Richie in the stage presence department, swinging off ceiling pipes and taunting the crowd all while keeping the rhythm section tightly pumping with kid brother Dean Joseph (Iglay, stolen from Jersey Shore pranksters Good Humor), who replaced original drummer Gregg very early on and remained a permanent member.

UNDERDOG became a hugely popular musical hybrid capable of playing shows with any other band while winning new followers along the way. Their "fuck with our friends and you fuck with us" attitude wasn't just a bullshit theme for a song,like lots of other bands. These guys practiced what they preached. The band's attitude on stage encouraged everyone in the crowd to let loose and go nuts without fear of getting sucker punched or bullied by anyone. And they did.


Hardcore punk from Poughkeepsie, ex-Robots And Empire.


featuring Andy from Supertouch & Absolution and Matt from Bold)