Art by Micah Nelson

Instrumental trio and brothers in rhythm, drummers Jack Irons (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Anthony LoGerfo (Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, Promise of The Real), along with multi-instrumentalist Micah Nelson (Particle Kid, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts), known as Barking Dog, have released their debut EP, Elements via Loosegroove Records. Delivered alongside the six-song set of music is the official music video for the collection’s opener track, “Heat Of The Sun.” Watch below.

According to the band’s official press release, their shared connection derived from an affinity for mutual collaborator, Neil Young, a knack for rhythm, and a love of dogs. More than coincidence, Irons and LoGerfo met in 2016 at the Ohana Festival, initially fueling their bond over music and life. The pair kept in touch and, by 2018, began trading drum and percussion tracks, building the foundation for what would become bits off Elements. 

The combined result is a series of “meditative grooves” harnessed to LoGerfo’s rhythmic base, with support from Irons’ experimental back beats, and Nelson’s guitar, synth, and bass signatures. The EP was initially conceived at Irons’ home studio, alongside LoGerfo, before passing the tracks to Nelson. For Irons’ work on the collection, he added a steel drum, as a nod toward his contributions to Pearl Jam’s No Code and Yield albums. 

“At the time I was studying with drum guru Efrain Toro, who taught me that rhythm, if done correctly, creates harmony,” says LoGerfo. “He told me to meditate on the two and three, which would create a universal connection to earth sounds and visions from nature. That became the guiding principle behind the project.”

Mixed by Adam Hawkins, Elements presents five years of instrumental back and forth, striking the final sonic result of the amalgamated trio. Each track was named and inspired by the natural world, evoking titles like “Broken Water,” “Sprouted,” “Light of White Moon,” and more, while aiming to channel elements of inspiration into rock-heavy instrumentals. 

“Anthony came up with some very cool grooves. It was easy to find myself fitting in and doing some experimental sounds to create a bed under what he’d sent me. Later in the project we played together at my studio and that was really nice,” says Irons. 

“Micah really brought the project home with his sense of experimentation. Finally, the title came about as I live in a highly populated dog neighborhood with my dog being a loud meet-and-greeter. I was sitting there listening to him bark away and it became pretty obvious to throw it in the mix as we all have a great love of our pups. We’re all so happy with its outcome,” he concludes. 

The band’s name honors their dogs: Charms, Plato, and Tsuki, and therefore, the record is dedicated to them. Micah Nelson created cover art.

Listen to the entire EP below. Watch the official music video for “Heat Of The Sun” above. 

Elements​:​

1. Heat Of The Sun

2. Broken Water

3. Sprouted

4. Stream of Consciousness

5. Light of White Moon

6. Clouds Over Shadows