San Diego Reader

Russell Castillo: Drums | Sean O'Donnell: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Danny Montoya: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Rob Hann: Bass guitar | Billy Nichols: Drums | Josh Kemble: Vocals

Genre: Metal | Hardcore, Punk

Sound description: Hardcore punk.

RIYL: NOFX, Lagwagon, Incubus

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Related Links

• Dogwood website

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1993

Ex-Band Members: Scott Bergen, Bass guitar Josh Hagquist, Bass guitar Dan Ardis, Drums Joe Sidoti, Drums Jayce Molina, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) Bill Driscoll, Bass guitar Eddie Spangler, Guitar (electric) Sean Beaty, Bass guitar

Current Status: Playing and recording.

Influences: NOFX, Bad Religion, Lagwagon, Josephus and the Memphis Maniacs

Background:

In 1993, Josh Kemble united with Jayce Molina on guitar, Josh Hagquist (of the Beautiful Mistake) on bass, and Billy Nichols on drums to form the band Half-Off. After a few shows, the band decided to find a better name, and a relative suggested Dogwood in reference to the legend of the dogwood cross.

By 1996, Dogwood had been signed by the now-defunct Rescue Records label, which was also the home for such bands as P.O.D. and No Innocent Victim. While on Rescue, Dogwood released two studio records, Good Ol' Daze and Through Thick and Thin.

Dogwood and Rescue Records parted ways, and then in 1998 the band self-released an eponymous album. This was later re-released without the track "Never Die" as This Is Not a New Album on Facedown Records.

The band caught the eye of Tooth & Nail Records, the largest independent Christian-market record label. In 1999, More Than Conquerors was released, followed by Building a Better Me in 2001, Matt Aragon in 2002, and Seismic in 2003. In 2004, Tooth & Nail released a Dogwood greatest hits album titled Reverse, Then Forward Again.

Dogwood is currently unsigned and their tour schedule is light, primarily due to the fact that both Josh Kemble and Danny Montoya have recently become fathers. Josh and drummer Russell Castillo (who recently returned) are the only original members still with the band. According to their Myspace page, they are currently signed to Roadside Records.

Discography