Wild Dogs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Wild Dogs" was a band featuring current Journey drummer Deen Castronovo and Matthew T McCourt (aka Dr Mastermind). The band went through several lineup changes that included at least 2 singers, 2 guitarists and 3 bassists in its history. McCourt has remained the primary songwriter and singer throughout the bands 25 year history. Since 1997, McCourt has tried to reunite the original members but to no avail. He has forged on with new lineups and an incredible 9 more albums, including outtakes, live recordings and new full length albums and videos. McCourt also records and releases CD's by "The Mentors church of el duce" (which features Heathen Scum from the band athe Mentors paying tribute to deceased singer El Duce) a raunchy group who prides themselves on being the number one enemy of the PMRC. McCourts has packaged CD's by his alter ego Dr Mastermind, originally named the Evil Genius, as well as albums under the "fatt matt" moniker which are played in a southern rock/blues/psychedelic metal format. McCourt plays guitar, bass, sings and designs all of the CD artwork for the 27 titles recorded under his many moniker. He also has as an entry in the IMDB as an actor.

McCourt discovered Castronovo when Deen was a mere 16 years old and recorded the Atlantic Records act Malice's first demos which helped get the band signed to Metal Blade Records. Turning down an offer to join Malice, Castronovo teamed up with McCourt and wild Dogs, after some convincing, and recorded their 2nd album for Shrapnel Records entitled "Man's Best Friend". McCourt supplemented his work with Wild Dogs in 1985 after signing a solo deal with Shrapnel, that saw The Wild Dogs continue with the release of "Reign of Terror", with vocalist Michael Furlong and Rick Bartell on bass, replacing Danny Kurth. Also that year McCourt appeared on Mayhem's "Burned Alive" album.

Regrouping in 1989 with McCourt were bassist Kurth and drummer Tom Moller, (as Castronovo had left to join pop king John Waite in Bad English, Wild Dogs toured the west coast appearing with Wrathchild America and apocrypha, another band from the Shrapnel roster, whose guitarist Tony Friedanelli later joined Third Eye Blind. More than a dozen songs were recorded during this period, and compiled on McCourt's own label "usmetal records", to be released as "Out for Blood". Several attempts were made at reuniting the original members but with no luck as Castronovo continued to play and tour with the likes of Hardline, Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Rodgers and, ultimately, joining Journey fulltime. McCourt continued the legacy of Wild Dogs as a trio with guitarist Michael brown, and drummer Pete Laufman and found tours supporting Dio, Dokken, Great white, Armored Saint, Blue Öyster Cult and Thor. 1998-2001 saw another round of failed attempts at reuniting the original members. Cancelled gigs became the norm and tours supporting Skid Row and Blue Öyster Cult were called off due to the commitment Castronovo had to Journey, whose schedule was on call and demanding full attention.

Attempts at replacing Deen were to no avail and, again, Kurth and guitarist Jeff Mark tired of the let downs and called it quits. McCourt, a stubborn Irishman, kept the Wild Dogs flag flying and recruited drummer Bryce van Patten (who, coincidentally, was the first choice for the drummers throne just prior to discovery of Castronovo). Other members of Wild Dogs over the years have included Pete Holmes (Black n Blue, MSG and Malice), Jaime St James (Black n Blue, Warrant), Pete Laufman (Malice), Tom Moller, Larry Sarrat and Loren Bates (Glacier).

McCourt has been busy recording and releasing (and in some cases re-releasing) such CD's as "Out for Blood", "Ring of Blood", "Atomic Thunder", "Down and Dirty", "Live in SF 1982", "Live at The Roseland" and the DVD "One Night Stand", helping to satisfy the needs (and curiosities) of fans who need it hot, fast and hard.

Wild Dogs' new lineup consists of (as of 2007):