Same Dogs, New Tricks: Interview with Couch Dog

If there is one thing to say about Couch Dog, it's that they know how to commit to the bit. Whether it's crafting an entire phone booth for the release of Dialtone, staging a boxing match in the middle of the FTY x Shabang Battle of the Bands mosh pit, making sandwiches mid-song, or dressing up as Breaking Bad characters and handing out faux candy drugs — Couch Dog knows how to put on a killer and unforgettable show.

"Everyone in the band is so creative, especially in our brainstorming sessions. It's never hard to find a new idea because everyone always has like 15 — granted, 10 of them are dog shit — but we have at least 5 good ones. We keep getting lucky." — Pablo Acosta (Guitar)

Pablo Acosta (Guitar)

Max Ferrer (Guitar and Vocals)

Tasha Lee (Bass)

Josh Cheruvelil (Drums)

Each member of Couch Dog is a seasoned veteran: Tasha came up through orchestra, Josh through marching band, Max through music production, and Pablo through a slight Gorillaz obsession. It all eventually manifested into their first show — a craft fair set featuring a cover of Doja Cat's "Say So."

The name "Couch Dog" came from considerable deliberation:

"There was a little booklet of names… Jetpack Dracula… Fish Bucket… Temperature Tolerant… Little Spoon… Milk Shark… We had booked our first show and didn't have a name yet, so we just needed something. Someone said Couch Frog once, and then somehow we landed on Couch Dog."

Photo by Andy Sherar

They run with the big dogs — opening for indie legends like The Frights, Dayglow, and Sad Park, and gracing the Shabang Music Festival's stage every year since 2022, playing alongside names like Men I Trust, Thundercat, TV Girl, and Peach Pit.

One particularly memorable backstage moment came before their set opening for The Frights and Sad Park at the Fremont Theater in SLO:

"We were in the green room with these hemp drinks. The label said '100% THC free,' but Pablo had his thumb over the word 'free' and thought it said '100% THC.'" — Couch Dog

"I started freaking out — I'd drank an entire can and thought I was going to be nonfunctional during our set. We had to go on in 15 minutes and I'm thinking, 'I'm fucked.' So I start pulling trig in the bathroom trying to get it out of my system." — Pablo

"That soda had 0% THC in it. Poor Mikey from The Frights came to check on us because he was concerned Pablo was up to something sussy." — Couch Dog

"I ended up playing a great show because I was so high on adrenaline." — Pablo

Photo by Nathan Ross

Photo by Andy Sherar

If you're in Couch Dog's doghouse, you best be prepared for them to throw you a bone.

"One thing that's important to us with our live performances is that we stress quality over quantity — and we try to make sure that every show, we do something that'll make it memorable." — Tasha Lee

Couch Dog holds a firm fondness for their alma mater's house show circuit in San Luis Obispo, stressing the importance of the DIY scene in creating an accessible, all-ages environment — despite the overzealous SLO Police Department's best efforts to bark up the wrong tree.

"I would rather play a house show that sounds like shit if it means everyone is just sweating on top of me and screaming, having a good time. There is a kind of adrenaline that comes from everyone being in the moment. It's incredibly humbling." — Max Ferrer

Photo by Annabelle Fagans

As for their songwriting process, it's evolving fast. Their first album was heavily written by Max — with the band writing their own parts — resulting in a breathing time capsule of their college years. Now, it's a more collaborative effort, with a more experimental approach: synthesizers, varied arrangements, and more voices at the table.

"I would come to practice with the bones — 'I got these chords and these lyrics' — then everyone would write their parts and we'd jam on it for a couple months until it got solidified into something we liked. But with the new stuff, we're experimenting a lot more. Tasha and Pablo are taking the reins, doing some writing of their own — writing some really incredible shit. And Josh? Josh is our chef. We'll show him a reference and he does that times five, just so much better than what we showed him." — Max

Photo by Andy Sherar

Photo by SludgePlunger

Photo by DropDShawty

Photo by Lukas Austin

Something that stood out to me about Couch Dog — besides their profound fascination with all things Twin Peaks — is the level of camaraderie and love they have for each other.

"We spent a lot of time together. We're really tight as friends and we're really lucky to have that. I think that's a big important part — without the friendship, you can't do it. Communication is key."

Photo by Jade Hoey

Couch Dog is here to stay, continuing to be a howling success with over 15K monthly Spotify listeners and a new album on the way. Keep your ears peeled.

In this dog-eat-dog world, Couch Dog has two things to say:

1: "There needs to be a push to make people more aware that you can teach yourself how to play an instrument — the internet is such a powerful thing. Get people involved in the scene. Create a safe space and a strong community that uplifts people without scaring them away.

Be a homie, bro. Be a homie. We were so lucky to have so many kind people give us a chance — without them, we'd be nothing." — Couch Dog

2: "Breakfast or Spider-Man?" — Also Couch Dog