We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charlie Sub a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Charlie, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The formation of our indie rock band Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs is among the most meaningful things I have ever done. Not only is it the embodiment of a lifetime dream of mine, but each performance is a tribute to a family legacy and the indomitable spirit of 1970s rock.
I am the proud product of an immigrant family who came to New York. They landed in the Bronx to escape the Holocaust in Europe and were driven to make their own way as entrepreneurs. My father, Paul Sub, operated his own club “Coventry” where legendary bands like the New York Dolls, KISS, the Ramones and Blondie performed early in their careers. I practically grew up in that club, surrounded by all that amazing music and the do-or-die attitude of true artists. It was unavoidable that I eventually learned to make my own music. But life got in the way and I moved out West and worked in real estate for a while. I was quite successful at it. But it really didn’t feed my soul the way music does.
When I returned to the city, I decided to honor my father’s legacy and ventured into nightlife. It was then I decided to pick up my guitar again and start an indie band that celebrates rock and roll.
Charlie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Even after venturing in real estate, I never really abandoned my roots in music and nightlife. On hindsight, it does seem destined that no matter what I would find myself returning to it. Of course, it didn’t happen overnight because it’s not just recreating the past. It was hard work composing original material that was new yet still embodies the spirit of 1970s rock and roll. Developing a distinct sound and forming Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs with brilliant musicians and artists who not only shared my passion but brought their own vibe to the table were not easy tasks. Now, it’s amazing to share the stage with Pat Branch on bass, Rich Brotman on keyboard, James Wormworth on drums, Kevin Hunter on lead guitar, and Alisa Killz on harmony vocals to celebrate rock as an unfiltered and immersive live experience.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
On a surface level, I would say whenever we perform, our most immediate goal is to bring joy to an audience. But on a deeper and more personal level, we want to do our small part in bringing people together, in preserving this important part of our collective culture and hopefully spreading this sense of community.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is feeling the audience respond to the music – just seeing them on their feet, moving along to the rhythm and the beat and the guitar riffs. The smiles on their faces as you become aware of the visceral effect they are experiencing is a joy to behold. Then feeling that wave of love they exude back to us onstage? That’s such a moment you can’t even describe. And, if somewhere along the way, there’s someone in the audience, maybe too young to have been around when this kind of music dominated pop culture, they can still respond to it in a meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sounddogsnyc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesounddogs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesounddogs/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@charliesubsounddogs2448
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ytZu6npre6A2iqODZ9tP5?si=bSalAbKfQ5e1YREQ-w3Urw&nd=1&dlsi=953c8959c5874b12
Image Credits
Esme Smith and Drew Reynolds