Garage Dog Reunites for an Important Cause
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Garage Dog was a popular local band for more than a decade, until the COVID-19 pandemic finally pulled the plug on it.
Old friends still love to make music together, however, so a reunion is planned that will be more than just music.
On July 3 and 4, Garage Dog will play a date at The Mill in Cobourg, that will also be an occasion to celebrate something bigger – the work of two local agencies that have made a difference in untold numbers of lives.
Guitarist, vocalist and original member Dean Smith says the July 3 date is sold out, meaning that the 100 seats on the patio and upstairs terrace containing the diners they would perform for between 6 and 9 p.m, are completely booked. A second date was added on July 4 for 7 to 10 p.m., and seats are going fairly quickly.
Smith played his last Garage Dog date in July 2019 – coincidentally at the Mill, which was a favourite venue of theirs. The band had gigs in January and February 2020, and then COVID hit. After that, members went on to do other things. For example, Mike Woods (guitarist, vocalist and original member), Todd Garrison (vocals), Phil Taylor (drums) and Peter Faragher (guitar) have ended up in one or two other bands apiece, as well as a variety of musical projects.
Woods was booking two of his bands at the Mill, when the conversation came up about whether Garage Dog might be interested in playing again.
“Phone calls went out, we were chatting about it, and thought, ‘Why not make a reunion?’” Smith said.
Other band members include Joe Azarello (bass), Anne Finley (vocals) and Roxie Milne (keyboards and original member), and retired Garage Dogs Matt McCready (bass), Eric Roberts (mandolin and original member) and Mark Rice (guitars, vocals and original member) will be coming up for at least a song each.
“I like to see the band use what gifts or opportunities we have to lift up members of our organizations in our community that are doing valuable work for other people,” Smith said.
“We don’t need to be playing bars all the time. The eight of us in the band – to get us together in one spot is like herding cats, so if we are going to get together, let’s make it more meaningful than us just playing.”
Smith has done work with Cornerstone, so he is familiar with the difference they’re making. And Fare Share added 1,000 new clients last year alone.
“They have become an essential service,” he stated.
“Things are just so nasty and negative and divisive. I felt a compulsion in the band that needs something to lift up our community.”
As a teacher and educational consultant, “a lot of things really came into focus with me and how we look at truth and reconciliation. A lot of what is going on in the public view is very performative, with no real meaning or genuine intent in bringing about change. Bringing that awareness to these events, not just doing a one-off”
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre is an accredited violence-against-women agency working to end gender-based violence throughout Northumberland County. The need for their services and programs (including safe shelter, counselling and prevention) continues to grow. Last year alone they provided these services to more than 3,000 women, children and youth.
Fare Share Food Bank’s 2024 highlights include 31,592 visits from 3,696 individuals, with 65,392 lb. of food rescued and 872,678 lb. of food distributed. It is estimated this works out to a $3.12-million impact on the community. Their regular programs include food delivery, food pick-up, Support Our Seniors, Super Summer Snack Sacks and Emergency Food Bags.
Both agencies have put a lot of information on their website and Facebook page about the gig and the inspiration behind it, the work that is being done by these agencies and the statistics that go with it, as well as important information like Cornerstone’s wish list for donations.
“There’s much more going on with these networks in Northumberland than the majority of people recognize,” Smith said.
Garage Dog alumni are considering making this an annual event – or perhaps, to avoid donor fatigue, two annual events, one for each agency.
But first, there are the two 2025 shows.
A table will be set up inside the pub for Fare Share, with a representative on hand to accept cash and in-kind donations. Patrons can bring along items off the Cornerstone wish list or, if they want to make a Cornerstone donation, they will be directed to their website.
The information is on the agencies’ Facebook pages, and that of the Mill as well.
The accent is on collaboration, Smith said – not just the music but using that platform to make a difference.
He always thought of their playing together as a spiritual thing, a time to leave one’s problems behind.
“If we are having fun onstage, hopefully that translates to the audience – which is why we love to see people dancing. So you can forget about your problems and have a little fun.”
