A Chronicle of
The Running Dogs
Nine guys and 15 shows over six and a
half years so far…
In honor of our front man, vocalist extraordinaire
Blair Jones, member 12/09/08 - 06/14/14
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
10/06/09 - 06/14/14 Travis Wagner
08/15/07 - 08/01/08 Rico Spugnardi
03/04/14 - 06/14/14 Stan Pyle
09/27/11 - 06/14/14 Gregg Martin
12/09/08 - 06/14/14 Blair Jones
08/15/07 - 08/13/11 Derek Jaskulski
08/15/07 - 06/14/14 Michael Hillard
08/15/07 - 06/14/14 Ed Collom
02/05/08 - 08/01/12 Ray Braxton
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Gig #15 at Blair's
6/14/2014
Gig #14 at Portsmouth Naval Yard
4/13/2013
Gig #13 at Empire
3/23/2013
Gig #12 at USM
3/21/2012
Gig #11 at Phil's
8/13/2011
Gig #10 at Phil's
8/28/2010
Gig #9 at Bogey's
6/11/2010
Gig #8 at Bogey's
12/5/2009
Gig #7 at Limington Party
8/15/2009
Gig #6 at Blair's
7/4/2009
Gig #5 at Phil's
6/27/2009
Gig #4 at Bogey's
11/15/2008
Gig #3 at Bogey's
10/4/2008
Gig #2 at Phil's 6/28/2008
Gig #1 at Rico's
11/3/2007
The Running Dogs History
Members
Ray Braxton (Vocals, Keyboards, and Bass), 2008 - 2012
Ed Collom (Drums), 2007 - present
Michael Hillard (Lead Guitar), 2007 - present
Derek Jaskulski (Bass), 2007 - 2011
Blair Jones (Vocals and Rhythm Guitar), 2008 - 2014
Gregg Martin (Bass), 2011 - present
Stan Pyle (Vocals and Rhythm Guitar), 2014 - present
Rico Spugnardi (Vocals, Harmonica, and Rhythm Guitar), 2007 - 2008
Travis Wagner (Saxophone), 2009 - present
Origins
Early 2006: Rico joins Ed’s basement band (with Chris and John), contributing vocals and
harmonica.
June 10, 2006: Ed and Michael jam for the first time in Ed’s basement.
September 3, 2006: “Portland Book Club” performs publicly for the first (and only) time at
Rico’s Labor Day party. Michael meets Rico and sits in on guitar.
July 30, 2007: Ed responds to Derek’s Craigslist ad, “Bass looking for 60s power trio type
band.”
August 1, 2007: Derek, Ed, and Michael jam for the first time in Ed’s basement.
The Beginning
August 15, 2007: Derek, Ed, Michael, and Rico rehearse together for the first time in Rico’s
basement.
November 3, 2007: Gig #1 is played in Rico’s basement at his Anti-Brewfest Party. Jason
contributes vocals on Plush.
January 2, 2008: Much to the delight of Rico’s neighbors, the Running Dogs move their
operation to Lincoln Street in South Portland.
February 5, 2008: Three singers audition in response to our Craigslist ad seeking an additional
vocalist. Ray gets the gig!
June 28, 2008: Gig #2 is at Phil’s house party in Saco.
August, 2008: Rico’s girlfriend moves in with him and he (coincidently?) leaves the band.
October 4, 2008: Gig #3 is at Bogey’s Bar and Grill.
November 15, 2008: Gig #4, Michael’s 50th
birthday bash, is also at Bogey’s Bar and Grill.
December 9, 2008: Blair successfully auditions in response to our Craigslist ad seeking an
additional vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
June 27, 2009: Gig #5 is at Phil’s house party in Saco.
July 4, 2009: Gig #6 is Blair’s Fourth of July party.
August 15, 2009: Gig #7 is the Running Dogs’ first paid performance, at a house party in
Limington.
October 6, 2009: Travis rehearses with the Dogs for the first time on “Money” and makes the
band a six-piece.
December 5, 2009: Gig #8 has a Christmas theme at Bogey’s Bar and Grill.
June 11, 2010: Gig #9 is at Bogey’s Bar and Grill.
August 28, 2010: Gig #10 is at Phil’s house party in Saco.
February, 2011: After three and a half years, Derek realizes that the Running Dogs are not a “60s
power trio type band” and leaves to form The Substitutes. Ray takes over on bass.
August 13, 2011: Gig #11 is at Phil’s house party in Saco. Derek is convinced to play once more
with us!
September 27, 2011: Gregg successfully auditions in response to our Craigslist ad seeking a
bassist.
March 21, 2012: Gig #12 is one set at USM’s Woodbury Campus Center.
August, 2012: After three and a half years (this seems to be a trend), Ray leaves the Running
Dogs to focus exclusively on his other band, Late Night Dynamite.
October 30, 2012: Rehearsal held in Aaron’s room and the Dogs leave Room 6 to sublet.
March 23, 2013: Gig #13 is an opening set for The Substitutes at Empire Dine and Dance.
April 13, 2013: Gig #14 is at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
February, 2014: Blair announces that they are moving out of the area in early summer and will
have to leave the band after five and a half years of service.
March 4, 2014: Stan auditions as vocalist and rhythm guitarist after Gregg responds to his
Craigslist ad seeking a band.
June 14, 2014: Gig #15 is Blair’s finale at his house.
November 3, 2007: Gig #1 is played in Rico’s basement at his Anti-Brewfest Party
Jason contributes vocals on Plush
June 28, 2008: Gig #2 is at Phil’s house party in Saco
October 4, 2008: Gig #3 is at Bogey’s Bar and Grill
March 27, 2009 with lead guitarist Steph Paynes of Lez Zeppelin
June 27, 2009: Gig #5 is at Phil’s house party in Saco
July 4, 2009: Gig #6 is Blair’s Fourth of July party
August 15, 2009: Gig #7 is our first paid performance, at a house party in Limington
The Beast
Santa Claus is Coming to Town Rehearsals
December 5, 2009: Gig #8 has a Christmas theme at Bogey’s Bar and Grill
August 28, 2010: Gig #10 is at Phil’s house party in Saco
August 13, 2011: Gig #11 is at Phil’s house party in Saco
March 23, 2013: Gig #13 is an opening set for The Substitutes at Empire Dine and Dance
April 13, 2013: Gig #14 is at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Web Links
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Running-Dogs/101184159252
The Rover 11/3/07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShVovejc8M
F'in Up and Rockin in the Free World 11/3/07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBl7KJbu05c
Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo 11/3/07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7ERvwR5NIM
Plush 11/3/07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLqij3Xr92U
Born to be Wild 6/28/08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNX8n_9TJyk
Jeremy 11/15/08 at Bogey's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PnBTPbyYys
Love Removal Machine 11/15/08 at Bogey's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnGA0dtek0k
Remedy 11/15/08 at Bogey's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNX8n_9TJyk
F'in Up 6/27/09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpnk6faap38
Long Plastic Hallway 6/27/09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHBFwfXT8Fw
Santa Claus is Coming to Town 12/5/09
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1266770265577&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Shotgun 12/5/09
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1266627782015&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Time>Money 12/5/09
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1266627782015&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
That’s what love will make you do 6/11/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1518851487450&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Walkin on Sunshine 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1526893208488&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Can’t You See 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1526182830729&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Shotgun 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1524726114312&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Keep Away and Another Thing Coming 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1526560720176&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
One Step Beyond 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1526275913056&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
Corduroy 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1524667112837&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
That’s what love will make you do 8/28/10
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1523607366344&set=vb.101184159252&type=2&thea
ter
8/31/11 Set 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik8BSS2RWbk
8/31/11 Set 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP0MOcq00TI