Six tracks of trippy “meditation grooves” blending rhythm, vibe, and raw spirit.
August 15, 2025 marks the official debut of Barking Dog, an all-instrumental trio made up of three heavy hitters: Jack Irons (ex Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam), Anthony LoGerfo (Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, Promise of The Real) and Micah Nelson (Particle Kid, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts).
Their first EP, Elements, just landed on Loosegroove Records, the indie label founded by Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar.
Six tracks of pure “meditation grooves”
Elements is a six-song trip the band calls “meditation grooves” — hypnotic jams built on layered percussion, experimental vibes and cosmic textures. The opener Heat of the Sun comes with a brand-new video that sets the tone for the whole ride.
How it all started
The story of Barking Dog goes back to 2016, when Irons and LoGerfo first crossed paths at the Ohana Festival. That’s when a musical and personal bond started, fueled by their shared love for rhythm, Neil Young, and—true to the band’s name—dogs.
By 2018, the two were swapping drum and percussion tracks—building blocks that would eventually become Elements. LoGerfo laid down the grooves, described by some as “straight-up meditative vibes,” while Irons layered in experimental drums and percussion. Soon after, Micah Nelson jumped in, adding guitar, synths, and bass, giving the trio’s sound a much wider sonic range.
Fast forward to 2023: Irons and LoGerfo finally recorded together in Irons’ home studio to wrap up Elements. Irons threw in some steel drum as a nod to his work on Pearl Jam’s No Code and Yield. Then the tracks went to Nelson, who added even more layers. Adam Hawkins mixed the EP, tying together five years of Barking Dog’s work into one tight musical statement.
Every track on Elements is named after a natural element, reflecting the band’s collaborative vibe, and the cover art was done by Micah Nelson. The band’s name is a shout-out to their dogs—Charms, Plato, and Tsuki—and the record is dedicated to them.
A spiritual take on rhythm
LoGerfo says the band’s concept came from a lesson he picked up from drum guru Efrain Toro: “He told me rhythm, if done right, creates harmony. He said to meditate on the two and the three, because that connects you to earth sounds and visions from nature. That idea pretty much became our North Star.”
Beyond the usual boundaries
With Elements, Barking Dog are carving out their own lane — blending percussion, experimentation, and a spiritual approach to sound. It’s less about traditional rock and more about chasing something universal, where rhythm itself becomes the language.
Elements Track Listing
- Heat Of The Sun
- Broken Water
- Sprouted
- Stream of Consciousness
- Light of White Moon
- Clouds Over Shadows
Elements is out now on copper-colored vinyl and digital formats via Loosegroove Records: https://orcd.co/barkingdogmusic
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Mark Lanegan, R.E.M., Radiohead, Cat Power, Dead Kennedys