Finishing out ‘The Corporate Pudding’ Tour, Dogpark brought their tension-filled melodic rock formula to Brooklyn Bowl (Philadelphia, PA) on December 18th. Opening for Dogpark, Kids That Fly,a four-piece band that initially formed at the University of Connecticut, blended alternative rock with pop and synth elements. Members consist of Nick Smeriglio (lead vocals/guitar), Blake Henry (guitar/synth), Braden Fradino (bass/vocals), and Adam Machado (touring drummer). Their breakout track, “Kiss Her You Fool,” blends nostalgic 2000’s pop with a modern rock twist. Kids That Fly had fantastic chemistry, with an undeniable stage presence and a heavy guitar sound that complemented Dogpark’s set. Their set is one you wish were longer than the allotted 45-minute ‘opener’.
Originally a cover band, New York City’s Dogpark is an alternative rock band influenced by ’90s indie rock and heavy guitar riffs. Comprised of Eamon Moore (lead vocals), Chris Conte (drums), Declan Harris (lead guitar), and Billy Apostolou (guitar/bass), Dogpark has gained attention on social media, which can be attributed to their recent rise in popularity. Popular singles such as “Now It’s Over” (2024) and “I Don’t Mind” (2025) feature sounds similar to those of iconic alternative rock bands such as The Smiths, R.E.M., and The Strokes. Thematically, Dogpark’s lyrics explore failed romances, lessons learned from mistakes, and social commentary from the perspective of 20-something-year-olds.
Because they started as a cover band, the band’s discography and original pallette is somewhat limited. Breaking in Brooklyn (2024) is a five-track EP that features ‘Breaking in Brooklyn’and ‘Now It’s Over’ that established their role in the indie-rock realm. Heavy with guitar riffs that fit nicely with Moore’s raspy voice, but it is also powerful. Their second studio album, Until The Tunnel Vision Melts (2025), features a similar, more polished sound from the band, with songs such as ‘Dreamwalker’ and ‘Caviar’. Since the release of Until The Tunnel Melts, other singles have been released, such as ‘75$72’, ‘September’, and ‘Far Away from You’, showing a promising look into Dogpark’s future as a rock band.
As for their show in Philadelphia, Dogpark delivered an impressive set spanning their discography. Their live sound is no match for their recorded music. Though Moore had a relatively quiet stage presence, his voice was completely mesmerizing and challenging to take your eyes off. With Harris’s ability to absolutely rip the electric guitar and Apostolou’s addition on rhythm guitar, the duo delivered a pure rock sound that is rare to come by. Seemingly escaping into their own world, Harris and Apostolou would riff together any chance they got. Mid-set, Moore started talking to the crowd, reflecting on how the last time Dogpark performed at Kung-Fu Necktie, a local dive bar, and preaching his gratitude for their rising popularity. In addition to covering songs by Jeff Buckley and Dijon, Dogpark played an array of newer singles mentioned above, as well as older songs from Breaking In Brooklyn (2024) like ‘Dive Bar Named Nirvana’ and ‘Make It Happen’. Dogpark put on a rock show for the ages, and their recent rise in popularity is completely deserving.
