The Golden Dogs

Canadian indie rock collective Golden Dogs formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 2000 around the talents of lead vocalist and guitar player Dave Azzaloni; keyboardist, vocalist, and percussionist Jessica Grassia; drummer Taylor Knox; guitarist and vocalist Carlin Nicholson; and bass player Stew Heyduk. They released their debut, Everything in 3 Parts, in 2003 on the Canadian label True North. It was followed by Big Eye Little Eye in 2006, which gained an American release through Yep Roc. After returning home from tour, the band lost both its record label and bassist, and decided to take a break. Azzaloni and Grassia began spending time with their friends Carlin Nicholson and Mike O’Brien (who record as Zeus and have their own studio) and before long started working on new Golden Dogs material. Knox soon rejoined them, and the long-running sessions slowly became an album. Coat of Arms was released in July of 2010 by the new Toronto-based Nevado label. Right around that time the band added new members James Robertson (guitar) and Jay McCarrol (bass) for touring purposes.