Singles Spotlight:
Doghouse Rose –
“It Gets Worse”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

This month at SWT, we’ve advocated for a lot of groups with our Singles Spotlight series. We’ve also had a few artist essays, a couple of reviews, and a premiere or two (maybe there’s one coming tomorrow as well?). Thank you for joining us and supporting our content. There’s always time to check more of it out.

I’m excited to discuss another female-fronted punk group. This time, Toronto’s own Doghouse Rose. In my mind and many other fans and music lovers, the quintet is an underappreciated band deserving of some advocacy on SWT. The band’s press release bio is a well-written summary stating, “Founded by best friends Sarah Beth and Jefferson Sheppard and rounded out by Gregory Laraigne and cousins Jordan and Garrick Zagerman, Doghouse Rose have spent more than a decade building their reputation one show at a time. From festival stages and packed clubs to community halls, dive bars, and even prisons, the Toronto five-piece has toured relentlessly across North America and Europe while sharing stages with Lagwagon, Teenage Bottlerocket, Strung Out, Belvedere, The Planet Smashers, The Creepshow, and countless others. Through it all, they’ve remained fiercely committed to the DIY ethos, chosen-family spirit, and sense of community that have defined the band from day one.” Hell yeah. I’m ready to listen to some of their music. What about you?

But what about their discography?  Doghouse Rose has two studio albums to its credit, The Harder They Fall (2020) and Unlearn (2023), and you should check both out. They’re about to release their third full-length album via Stomp Records on Friday, July 31st. It’s called Born To Break Even. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Scott Komer (Boys Night Out, Silverstein). Sarah Beth performed vocals; Jefferson Sheppard performed on bass; Jordan Zagerman performed on drums; Gregory Laraigne performed on guitar; and Garrick Zagerman also performed on guitar.

In my opinion, one of the best songs on Born To Break Even is “It Gets Worse.” It caught my attention upon first listen. It’s a cathartic song that is a well-written perspective and mindset. A reminder, some may say. The song showcases the whole band, while the lyrics, Sarah’s vocals, and tight-knit musicianship get their own moments to shine. I think the song deserves to be heard by many, so here we are with another entry to the Singles Spotlight series. Another fitting intro for readers to a new band to them. Thanks for supporting SWT and the bands we shed the spotlight upon.

Take a watch and listen to the often red-hued video for the song, “It Gets Worse” from Stomp Records YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Stomp Records and Doghouse Rose)

Take a look at the cover art for Born To Break Even:

The track list for Born To Break Even:

1. Born To Break Even
2. The Order Of The Sun
3. Hollywood
4. It Gets Worse
5. This Thing We Started
6. The Boys
7. Dumpsville
8. Brightside
9. Anthem
10. One More Time

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com