When the Docs are playing, the sheer energy coming from the stage will pull you in, and the aura they create in the room will keep you riveted. Pulling from a wide range of influences and diverse backgrounds, they evoke the full range of emotion in their audiences with a raw, passionate sound that fuses the soft, harmonious tones of traditional Southern music and the aggressive energy of progressive rock. This is a tight-but-loose four-piece band that stretches and pushes the boundaries of current rock and roll.

But The Docs didn’t start out as a high energy, in-your-face modern rock band. Each member brought his musical influences and professional background to the mix. Early on singer Jerod Justice drew his first influence from singers such as Elvis and George Strait, and got his feet wet singing in an acoustic duo with guitarist Jeff Dolman, who grew up playing classical violin. In college, Jeff began to explore fiddling and picked up guitar, with Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante among his major influences.

After a few acoustic shows, Jerod and Jeff met Ryan and Dalton, childhood friends and long-time band mates. Although they were younger, they had been playing seriously for quite a while and were really into bands like Nirvana and The Used. Since seventh grade, they had played in a succession of punk and hard rock bands, and developed the chemistry that only happens when you grow up together musically. As a quartet, they booked their first shows without knowing what songs they would play, but once they began to practice, they clicked instantly. Ryan and Dalton brought their sharpened edge to the melodic country blues-based sound Jerod and Jeff had been exploring. With a cover song list that went from Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ted Nugent, they began playing around south/central Texas, folding their raw original songs into shows as their sound developed.

After a year of growth and constant gigging, 2011 brought a name change and a whole lot of new material, as various elements came together to form their musical identity. The Docs released their first, self-produced, demo, which is featured here. They played alongside bands such as Black Pistol Fire, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Whiskey Myers, and The Features throughout Austin, Houston, and College Station. They gigged and promoted their demo relentlessly, and finally came to the attention of Chris “Frenchie” Smith producer of JET, Los Lonely Boys, Explosions in the Sky, and The Dandy Warhols. With Frenchie at the helm, they set out to capture the unique blend of raw energy and heartfelt soul they bring to every song and every show.

In the fall of 2012, The Docs will be releasing their first EP. There is little doubt that this will be the first of many recordings, and an auspicious debut for this explosive and unique band. For four people who love nothing more than making music, the future looks to be an exciting ride.
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