Local Review: dogtag — demos

dogtag
demos
turning out records
Street: 02.07.2026
dogtag = Merchant Ships + Dead Calm + Reasons

There is an authenticity to a demo that mastered work rarely possesses. The vocals sound closer, the bass isn’t drowning, and every imperfection produces a feeling akin to hearing the music live. There are advantages and disadvantages to unmastered work, both of which can be found within dogtag’s album, demos. Luke Fankhauser, previously part of the band dogtag, has continued to focus on his solo project since the band’s breakup in the spring of this year. dogtag released the demo album through boy scout shortly before it broke up which he fronted and prominently performed in. At the age of 18, Fankhauser has released a solid amount of solo music, including three singles and one demo album.

Fankhauser brings a playfulness into this solo project that is expected when having complete creative control now that he is not working with three other young men. In many of his songs, Fankhauser submits to traditional Midwest emo themes. The inclusion of a familiar yet niche sample, often from a movie, accidental slip-ups while recording that make for a classic spoken-word intro and riffs that change completely about halfway through the song. Midwest emo is known for taking mundane storylines and turning them into emotional expressions of self-contempt and desire of female subjects, two scenarios that so frequently go hand in hand. Luke does a wonderful job harnessing these genre expectations. 

The demographic of Midwest emo bands is predominantly young male artists pining after the manic-pixie-dream-girl who told them to kick rocks four years ago, and they have yet to get over it. Sometimes, this creates a wholehearted, genuine sound that feeds something within this generation that makes us pity those who grew up in a time without the saturated presence of Midwest emo bands. Though in many instances, these artists try so relentlessly to be noticed amongst a rapidly growing genre that they disguise themselves as one another, ultimately becoming interchangeable. 

Subjects of attraction as well as disdain make for wonderful muses, and Fankhauser has certainly tapped into this source. Though Fankhauser’s subjects are original, the stories sound quite familiar. So many Midwest emo songs are an emotionally fueled retelling of a singular occurrence, and while this aligns with the genre, you can’t just stop there. 

It often feels as though artists are becoming too comfortable with the Midwest emo genre. There is such a distinct sound that defines a band as Midwest emo, but sometimes it seems the only thing changing between bands is the artists, and it is important to break that stereotype and reverse the level of conformity found within the genre. Fankhauser has an obvious and possibly tumultuous relationship with God that I think should be further explored as a muse for his music. His art feels more original and charged when he is referring to God and his mother rather than when he is talking about romantic interests and disappointing friendships. 

demos is a methodical journal entry with a strumming pattern, a confessional box within a studio. There is honesty in every single song, but there are times when I think the music could benefit from a thesaurus. I wouldn’t say the boy scout is doing anything new, but he is certainly doing something good. When “dwight” reaches that 2-minute mark, something changes within the artist; the song aligns with itself – and it is beautiful. The story is there, the vocals are charged, the riffs are gorgeous, but sometimes it feels like all these components are holding a grudge against each other that needs to be let up. —Jaia French

Read more local reviews:
Local Review: Mortus — Father of Flesh
Local Review: The Drought, Emmy Gilbert — CHROME

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