The Raindogs Explained

The Raindogs were a band formed in Boston, United States, around 1985 after several members had disbanded the rock band The Schemers. They combined Celtic and American music to form their own hybrid of rock and roll. Based in Boston, the band was made up of Mark Cutler, Emerson Torrey, members of recently disbanded New Orleans band Red Rockers Darren Hill and Jim Reilly (also of Ireland’s “Stiff Little Fingers"), and Johnny Cunningham, formerly of Silly Wizard.[1] The Rhode Island–based Schemers had previously won the Providence Rock Hunt and the Boston Rock Rumble band competitions, and their single, Remember was widely played on Providence, Rhode Island FM radio stations.[2]

The Raindogs toured throughout the United States with Warren Zevon, Don Henley, and Bob Dylan and were noted for their incendiary live performances.[3]

Discography

The group released two albums on Atco Records:[3]

Personnel

List of band members:[4]

Johnny Cunningham died in 2003.[5] Mark Cutler has several solo CDs on independent labels, and performs solo and with his bands The Schemers, Men of Great Courage and Forever Young, (Neil Young tribute project).[6] Darren Hill has a management company called Ten Pin Management and in 2011, he opened an antique/memorabilia store, POP Emporium, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island where he lives. The store later moved to Providence and sometimes hosts shows.[7] [8] Jim Reilly lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Emerson Torrey owns a recording studio and performs with Mark Cutler.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Mike Boehm. Raindogs Blend Gaelic, Cajun, Rock: The Boston-based band will appear Friday at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Los Angeles Times. March 22, 1990.
  2. Web site: Upcoming Tastes of Rhode Island to Feature a Larger Number of Major Musical Acts from Area. Newport Harbor.
  3. News: Mike Boehm. Johnny Cunningham, 47: Fiddler Helped Revive Celtic Music, Explored Rock 'n' Roll. Los Angeles Times. December 20, 2003.
  4. Book: Joel Whitburn. Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008. 2008. Record Research. 978-0-89820-174-1. 206–.
  5. News: Johnny Cunningham. The Telegraph. December 19, 2003.
  6. Web site: Butch McCarthy. Musician Spotlight: Mark Cutler. New Bedford Guide. February 23, 2011.
  7. Web site: Paul Westerberg. Paul Westerberg.
  8. Web site: Robert Plain. New EG Store An 'Emporium Of Popular Culture'. East Greenwich Patch. March 31, 2011.