Pavlov's Dog

In the continuing saga of preserving the forgotten classic rock bands of the 70's I offer a couple more that had albums out, but are never played anymore.

Pavlov's Dog

Great name and if their music was as great as their album covers they would be in the hall of fame.  They hailed from St Louis and originally signed to ABC/Dunhill but was traded over to Columbia for Poco as the legend goes.  Blue Oyster Cult producer Sandy Pearlman produced their two albums but the problem was David Surkamp's high octane vocals, which comes across as a blend of Geddy Lee and Tiny Tim.  Bob Dorr from his program played a track of the Pampered Menial album and this song is a perfect excuse why they were not for everybody.  At The Sound Of The Bell (1976) Pearlman and Murry Krugman toned down Surkamp's vocal  but it didn't sell and Columbia dropped them soon afterward.

Nevertheless, David Surkamp has continued to record under the Pavlov's Dog banner and his last album Echo & Boo came out last year. Somewhat more mellow but was is amazing is how Surkamp's vocals haven't changed all the years, it's more controlled and more streamlined.  Echo & Boo just might be the best Pavlov's Dog out there.  And Surkamp can still give Geddy Lee a run for the money with those vocals.