Pavlov’s Dog, one of progressive rock’s most distinctive and enduring bands, is finally coming to Australia for the very first time in 2025. In this exclusive interview, Paul Cashmere sits down with founding member and vocalist David Surkamp to explore the history, legacy, and future of Pavlov’s Dog ahead of their long-awaited debut Australian tour.
Formed in St. Louis in the early 1970s, Pavlov’s Dog immediately set themselves apart with their unique blend of progressive rock, folk influences, and symphonic flourishes. Anchored by Surkamp’s unmistakable vocals, the band created a sound that was utterly unlike anything else of its time. Their landmark debut Pampered Menial (1975), produced by Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman (Blue Öyster Cult, The Clash), remains a cult classic, with songs like Julia, Late November and Of Once and Future Kings becoming signature tracks. The follow-up, At the Sound of the Bell (1976), featured an impressive list of collaborators including Yes/King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford, Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay, Steely Dan’s Elliott Randall, and sax legend Michael Brecker.
In this interview, Surkamp reflects on the formative years of Pavlov’s Dog, the bold stylistic choices that shaped their sound, and the early audience reactions to a band that stood apart in the progressive rock movement. He also looks back on working with major producers, the legacy of the band’s first two albums, and the enduring power of tracks like Julia.
Paul Cashmere and David Surkamp also dive into the later years of Pavlov’s Dog, Surkamp discusses why new music remains vital for Pavlov’s Dog, how his songwriting has evolved since the 1970s, and the challenge of balancing classic fan favourites with newer material in the band’s setlist.
For Australian fans, 2025 marks a historic moment — Pavlov’s Dog’s first ever tour of Australia. Surkamp talks about why it took so long for the band to make it Down Under and what audiences can expect from a Pavlov’s Dog live show in 2025 — musically, emotionally, and atmospherically.
The interview also touches on the current setlist, which spans the full career of Pavlov’s Dog, from Pampered Menial classics (Song Dance, Natchez Trace, Theme From Subway Sue) through later works such as Fast Gun, Canadian Rain, and Another Blood Moon. Fans can expect a deeply immersive concert experience that celebrates both the band’s history and its present creative spirit.
Pavlov’s Dog 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Fri 17 Oct – Factory Theatre, Sydney
Sun 19 Oct – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Fri 24 Oct – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sun 26 Oct – The Triffid, Brisbane
Watch the full Noise11.com interview to hear David Surkamp tell the story of Pavlov’s Dog in his own words, ahead of this long-awaited Australian tour.
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