It all started for Walk the Dog after a sleepover 11 years ago.
Guitarist Ed Melee had gone to pick up his daughter, who had spent the night at a friend’s house.
While waiting to pick up his daughter, Melee sat down at the piano and began playing with the keys.
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After being asked by the friend’s father, now fellow guitarist Larry Hardie, if he played, Melee explained that he was a guitarist, a response that elicited an invitation to drummer Garry Shippy’s house.
“Garry was trying to put together a local band after the band he was in was dissolving,” Melee said. “I had been playing with a band where I had to drive an hour to get to rehearsal every week. I was intrigued, so I showed up, just plugged in and it was really a ton of fun.”
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After a few weeks of jamming and whittling down members to six or seven people, Walk the Dog began performing at parties and civic events, which still make up the core of the band’s gigs.
The band’s first non-party gig was at the same place where it will be performing this Friday – McLynn’s Restaurant.
“I was taking my daughter for guitar lessons at Calderone Music School about eight years ago and would go to McLynn’s next door for a beer while she had her lesson,” Melee said. “I noticed the list of bands playing there and one band name in particular, Bored of Ed.
“I said to myself, ‘We have to be better than them.’”
In addition to McLynn’s, Walk the Dog regularly performs at bars around the area, such as Hat City Kitchen in Orange. They have also performed at the Maplewoodstock music and art festival, which is run by Shippy.
Although most of Walk the Dog’s repertoire is covers, Melee said the band doesn’t try to perform the “record version” of songs, instead playing “our version.”
The band also performs a handful of original songs written by Melee, Hardie and vocalist Pam Friedman.
“But we’re not that kind of band,” Melee said. “We’re not 20 and trying to get a record deal.”
He said that they are serious about practicing every week and strive to hone their craft.
“We’re lucky because Walk the Dog does really well,” Melee said. “We’re good, and, as I tell people specifically, ‘We don’t suck.’”
The current members of the band include: Melee, who also plays in an original band called the Trip Dogs, Hardie, Shippy, Friedman, saxophone player Judy Starger and bassist Craig Metrick.
Walk the Dog will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at McLynn’s Restaurant.
