Song of the Day: The Baptist Generals - Dog That Bit You

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Dog That Bit You” by The Baptist Generals from the 2013 album Jackleg Devotional to the Heart on Sub Pop.

The Baptist Generals - Dog That Bit You (MP3)

Although they began playing on Denton's Fry Street back in 1998 for little more than fun and beer money, The Baptist Generals began picking up steam locally, and eventually, nationally. Spearheaded by singer/songwriter Chris Flemmons and, until 2007, drummer Steve Hill, the Texas group eventually signEd with Sub Pop for their 2003 debut, No Silver/No Gold. However, fans of their rugged, worn folk would then have to wait. Arriving a decade after their debut, Jackleg Devitonal to the Heart was, by all accounts, a laborious record to make. Although he spent a large amount of his time working on 35 Denton, a music festival located in his hometown, Flemmons had been writing songs in the meantime, and his bandmates (slowly) convinced him to put those to tape. The end result was Jackleg, which finds Flemmons sounding as vitally ragged as ever despite the album's delayed arrival. Wailing like a feverish Neil Young, Flemmons is front and center on today's featured song, "Dog That Bit You." Acoustic guitars strum while an electric guitarist fills in the gaps with sharp leads before a "na-na-na" melody in the chorus reveals the song's pop sensibilities. "After this bad accident, I wanna follow your scent/but you won’t answer my call," pines Flemmons. His performance here is convicting, and it's the overall ragged tone of "Dog That Bit You" that makes it a song that's equally unnerving and romantic.

The Baptist Generals will play their next Seattle show as part of Sub Pop's Silver Jubilee on July 13th. Get more info about that free show here and keep up with the band on their website and Facebook. Watch the band's video for "Fly Candy Harvest" below.