Fat Dog Kick Off Shaky Knees 2025 with a Rock Explosion

Shaky Knees’ Saturday started with a rush of new blood. Getting in early meant catching the up-and-comers before they explode, and one of those bands was Fat Dog, a cheeky young outfit from the UK making a noisy claim on American soil.

They’re pure chaos on stage, though it’s chaos that you beg to be included in. Members weaved between each other, clambered onto the barricade to sing with fans, and leaned hard into the theatrics of their songs. During “Bad Dog,” the frontman ditched the stage entirely, mic in hand, screaming shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd. Their guitarist even staged his own “death,” collapsing mid-song as the band kept playing, the music speeding and rising into a piercing flatline before he jumped back up grinning and launched into an air-keys duet with the saxophonist.

Despite being from the UK, the singer leaned into Americana, striding out in a full cowboy getup, button-down, jeans, and ten gallon cowboy hat, which nearly flew off when he dove into the crowd. Somehow a mix of punk and vaudeville. Regardless, it was so fun. 

On top of the theatrics, they’re also great musicians. The saxophonist in particular was a revelation, trippy, unhinged runs that cut through the guitars like a blade. There have been a lot of saxophones at Shaky Knees this year, but Morgan might have been the standout.

Fat Dog made their early slot feel like a headliner. By the end of their set, the crowd looked half-stunned, half-thrilled. Almost shellshocked at the intensity they brought.

Review by: David Saxum; Photo by Roger Ho/Shaky Knees

Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music: