Horizon is golden for former Vic student

Toronto indie act The Golden Dogs have been churning out energetic pop rock songs since 2001. Widely known throughout the city for their exuberant live performances, the group has undergone several line up changes over the course of its history. Drummer Taylor Knox, a former Vic student, sheds some light on how he came to be a part of the band's current incarnation. "I went to a party in 2004 during the first week of school at the Cat's Eye and the Golden Dogs were playing there. It was a great show so I bought their albums, started to go to their shows all the time and eventually began talking to the band. One day Dave (Azzolini, vocalist/guitarist) from the band randomly called me and asked if I wanted to be their bassist. It turned out we had a mutual acquaintance, this guy I'd recorded with once a few years ago who had remembered me and gave Dave my number when the Golden Dogs were searching for a bassist."

He spent six months as bassist, but when the original drummer left the group, Knox filled that position.

"I made the switch to drums in 2005 when we were about to go into the studio to work on what was going to be their second album and my first time recording with them," he explains.

The Golden Dogs have since toured extensively in Canada and the United States. Behind the success of that album, Big Eye Little Eye. Knox reveals that work on the group's third album is nearly complete.

"We just got the masters for the new album back a week ago so we're hoping to have it released early in the New Year. We're also planning a show in Toronto before the end of 2009," says Knox.

In between tours, Knox keeps busy with his own material and has recorded a solo album titled Looming under the moniker Taylor Knox and the Ishmaels.

"I recorded the album last summer and was unemployed at the time, so I had all day to sit in my basement studio writing lyrics and putting the songs together. I played most of the instruments on the album but whoever was coming by my place on a Friday night would contribute some handclaps and harmonies. I also had friends and my roommates help out with guitar, bass and synth parts as well."

The lyrics were inspired by the first chapter of Moby Dick, hence the project's Ishmaels tag. Knox cites Melville's Great American Novel as one of his favourites.

The Ishmaels have played only two shows in their short history, but after positive responses from friends, Knox is preparing for another performance at the Rivoli on November 12th. The band is slotted to open for fellow Toronto indie rockers Zeus and will feature Sloan's Andrew Scott on drums.

During Sloan's performance at this summer's Virgin Festival, Knox filled in on drums for injured band member Chris Murphy. Since Taylor Knox and the Ishmaels lacked a permanent drummer, Scott stepped into the role to return the favour. He's a perfect fit since Looming was clearly influenced by Sloan.

The show is shaping up to be a must-see for fans of hook laden power pop and Toronto's indie rock scene.