{"id":461,"date":"2024-10-19T00:14:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-19T00:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/99browndogs.com\/skinacat\/?page_id=461"},"modified":"2025-11-19T08:08:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:08:17","slug":"news-updates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/99browndogs.com\/?page_id=461","title":{"rendered":"News\/Reviews\/Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u2018 Skin a Cat \u2018 review CR Indie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Reviews for \u2018Skin a Cat\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfb6 Recent Reviews of single \u2018Get On With It\u2019<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/allenpetersonreviews.com\/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-deliver-a-hard-truth\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs Deliver a Hard Truth in \u201cGet on With It.\u201d<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

November 15, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs, a strong Americana music group, have given us a needed push with their new song, \u201cGet on With It.\u201d This song, taken from their latest album, Skin a Cat, shows off the group\u2019s strong mix of alt-rock energy, blues feeling, and folk depth. Known for a sound that fans might compare to the soul of Chris Stapleton or the simple, dirty rock of The Black Keys, McKinney has a history of great songwriting, with his music appearing in popular TV shows like Justified and Shameless.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGet on With It\u201d is a clear message wrapped in a strong music coat. This song sounds true and real in a music world that can sometimes feel too smooth. It gives people big advice about life, like a friend who cares enough to tell you the truth, even if it makes you feel bad. The band is great at mixing real-life problems with a strong, moving beat to make a real song against sitting still.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main idea of the song is looking at the hard truth about yourself and getting over feeling sorry for yourself. McKinney does not yell or talk softly; he speaks with the knowing voice of someone who has gone through it, pointing out a problem with a line that fits many people\u2014like drinking too much. This brings the song into a real, everyday moment. The core message then explodes into the chorus: we only get one chance in this life, so we must start doing things now. The song is about finding freedom not by running from issues, but by finally admitting that the only thing stopping you is yourself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.musicnewsmonthly.com\/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-get-on-with-it.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MNM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs have released Skin a Cat, a full-length album that moves through alt blues rock and Americana without ceremony. ‘Skin a Cat’ has it all, biting guitars hard hitting drum work backing up McKinney’s voice that has rich depth to it. Don’t worry, there is plenty of groove to get you moving as well thanks to Brendan’s experience that he gained from many years on the road and time in the studio.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the tracks are already being pitched for TV and film placements, and the album is now available on vinyl for those who want it in hand. One of those tracks is ‘Get On With It’, a blues infused rock track that has everything you could possibly want in a song. The harmonica starts things of before Brendan’s gritty vocals kick in to do what he does best, storytelling.  This track in particular is a prime example of McKinney’s ability to build a scene and character with lyrics.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He drives the message home by slowing things down half way through, there is still a groove there but you can feel the mood shift slightly. Basically saying “you have to sort yourself out”. McKinney has played in Colorado, Nashville, and across Europe so he knows how to make every performance count. ‘Skin a Cat’ and ‘Get On With It’ in particular captures that energy perfectly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the album out, the focus is on reaching new ears. Distribution, marketing, licensing and finding the right partners to carry the music further. For now, though, it\u2019s just a record of a band who have been making their sound for years, and aren\u2019t done yet thankfully.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Weddle, Music News Monthly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/dulaxi.com\/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-get-on-with-it-single-review-a-grit-driven-blues-rock-anthem-of-resilience-and-renewal\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DULAX!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRENDAN MCKINNEY & THE 99 BROWN DOGS \u2013 GET ON WITH IT SINGLE REVIEW: A GRIT-DRIVEN BLUES-ROCK ANTHEM OF RESILIENCE AND RENEWAL<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

DANIEL<\/a>\u00b7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b731 OCTOBER 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs \u2013 Get On With It<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the heart of Eagle Colorado, United States, emerges a voice that carries the weight of roads traveled, nights performed, and stories lived, Brendan McKinney<\/a><\/strong>, the seasoned singer-songwriter and frontman of Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs<\/strong>. A true craftsman of Americana and blues-rock, McKinney\u2019s music transcends borders and eras, echoing the spirit of resilience that defines every artist who has lived by their songs. His journey is not one marked by shortcuts or overnight fame, but by a lifetime of experience, persistence, and devotion to honest storytelling through sound. McKinney\u2019s musical path has cut across Colorado, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Europe, leaving traces of his distinctive tone and soulful energy wherever he\u2019s performed. Whether commanding a stage solo or backed by the raw chemistry of The 99 Brown Dogs, his performances are known for their emotive storytelling, dynamic delivery, and heartfelt sincerity. His artistry carries that lived-in authenticity that only years of crafting and refining can bring, each note, lyric, and phrase shaped by the dust and distance of countless performances.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the stage, McKinney\u2019s<\/strong> work has resonated widely across film and television, earning him placements in acclaimed series such as Trust Me, United States of Tara, Justified, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva, and Shameless. His evocative sound has also made its mark on the big screen with a feature in the film Lean on Pete, reflecting the cinematic scope of his songwriting. With licensing deals in both Los Angeles and the UK, record deals in Nashville and Colorado, and publishing representation through Harlan Howard Songs, McKinney has become a respected figure in both the American and international music scenes. His compositions, celebrated at SXSW, reveal a songwriter who doesn\u2019t just perform, he translates lived experience into melody, crafting music that feels personal yet universally relatable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together with The 99 Brown Dogs, McKinney<\/strong>channels a sound steeped in grit, groove, and genuine emotion. Their music stands at the crossroads of alt-blues rock and Americana, a blend of earthy rhythm, lyrical bite, and the kind of honesty that only comes from playing with heart rather than ambition. It\u2019s this authenticity that has earned McKinney comparisons to artists like Chris Stapleton and The Black Keys, while his work continues to stand apart through its own grounded individuality. With \u201cGet On With It,\u201d<\/strong>released on October 1, 2025<\/strong>, Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs<\/strong> deliver a defiant and soulful anthem that feels like a conversation between heartache and hope. The single captures the band\u2019s essence in its purest form, raw, bluesy, and unapologetically human. It\u2019s a song that hits with grit and swagger, merging smoky harmonica tones, grounded guitar riffs, and McKinney\u2019s soulful, weathered vocals into a sound both classic and contemporary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Described by McKinney<\/strong> himself as \u201cpart kick in the teeth, part pep talk,\u201d the track speaks to the inner struggle of breaking free from the weight of the past. It\u2019s a self-directed message of perseverance, urging both the artist and his listeners to stop making excuses and move forward, to face the present with courage rather than hesitation. Featured on the album Skin a Cat, \u201cGet On With It\u201d exemplifies the band\u2019s signature blend of alt-blues rock energy and Americana storytelling, built on tight instrumentation and unfiltered emotionality. Every note feels lived-in, every lyric drawn from experience. The song\u2019s gritty drive and lyrical conviction make it more than just a blues-rock single, it\u2019s a mantra for anyone learning to push past inertia and reclaim motion. In \u201cGet On With It,\u201d McKinney doesn\u2019t just perform resilience, he embodies it, proving once again why his music resonates so deeply across borders and hearts alike.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The magic of \u201cGet On With It\u201d<\/strong> is not only found in Brendan McKinney\u2019s songwriting and performance but also in the masterful production touch of his longtime friend and collaborator, Erik Horvitz<\/strong>, a Philadelphia native whose name carries weight in the region\u2019s music scene. Their creative relationship stretches back decades, rooted in shared history, artistic trust, and a mutual dedication to authentic sound. McKinney and Horvitz first worked together years ago in Ardmore, Pennsylvania<\/strong>, when Horvitz helped produce one of McKinney\u2019s earliest original projects, a formative experience that would later shape the artist\u2019s career trajectory. That early collaboration planted the seeds of a creative bond built on honesty, experimentation, and a shared love for capturing raw, human emotion through music. Now, years later, their reunion on this project rekindles that same chemistry with a renewed sense of purpose and maturity. Horvitz\u2019s deep understanding of McKinney\u2019s musical identity allows him to draw out the emotional core of every note, enhancing the performance without diluting its authenticity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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His production on \u201cGet On With It\u201d elevates the band\u2019s blues-rock sound, adding warmth, clarity, and dimension while preserving the grit and groove that define McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs. Each instrument breathes under Horvitz\u2019s direction, the harmonica howls with vitality, the guitars shimmer with purpose, and McKinney\u2019s vocals sit right where they belong: front and center, raw and real. Renowned throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding music circles<\/strong>, Horvitz is celebrated for his meticulous ear, technical precision, and uncanny ability to turn organic performances into fully realized, emotionally resonant recordings. On \u201cGet On With It,\u201d he doesn\u2019t just produce, he curates atmosphere, giving the track its analog warmth and live energy, as if the listener were right there in the studio. His intuitive approach allows the song to unfold naturally, balancing power with subtlety and giving each sonic layer room to shine. The result is a production that not only complements McKinney\u2019s<\/strong> artistry but also deepens it, proving once again that when two longtime collaborators reunite with shared passion and purpose, the music speaks louder, and more truthfully, than ever.<\/em>
Fiona Ross, Dulaxi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.loosestrand.com\/features\/brendan-mckinney-the-99-brown-dogs-get-on-with-it<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOOSE STRAND FEATURE | GET ON WITH IT<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Nov 2 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written By Molly Boland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was instantly swept into \u2018Get On With It\u2019s\u2019 groovy beat. The song is an excellent blend of genres, with soul, alternative rock, and bluesy instrumentals throughout. \u2018Get On With It\u2019 is the seventh track on Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs\u2019 latest album titled \u2018Skin a Cat\u2019. Brendan McKinney, the singer\/songwriter of the track, is no stranger to the stage. His solo performances and gigs with The 99 Brown Dogs have delighted audiences in person and on screen. McKinney\u2019s songs have been featured on many TV shows and even a feature film (Lean on Pete).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not surprised this music has made a splash in multiple formats. \u2018Get On With It\u2019 is my first impression of Brendan McKinney & The 99 Brown Dogs and I was thoroughly impressed. The soulful harmonica, cruising rhythm section, and funky guitar riffs each stand out in their own right, but not so much that they don\u2019t compliment each other. McKinney has the perfect voice to carry the song, equal parts smooth and rough around the edges in all the right places. It’s the type of song I would turn up on the radio or jam to with the masses at a concert. The production skills of longtime friend and colleague of McKinney\u2019s, Philadelphia native , Erik Horvitz are a pleasant addition.
McKinney and Horvitz, who collaborated years ago, reunite for this project, bringing a sense of familiarity and renewed creativity to the album.
\u201cErik helped me with one of my very first original projects years back in Ardmore Pennsylvania,\u201d McKinney recalls. \u201cI was heading over to Europe to travel around and perform, and we put together a muti-track recording of my songs. I brought it with me to sell at shows.\u201d Horvitz\u2019s production skills are highly renowned and respected in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. His expertise brings a new dimension to the band\u2019s sound, enhancing each track\u2019s depth and texture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Get On With It\u2019, while a fun song to rock out to, is lyrically a call to action. McKinney\u2019s gritty rock and roll voice urges a friend who is drowning in drink and playing the blame game, to \u201cget up and get on with it\u201d. It\u2019s a tough, but necessary reminder that wallowing in excuses and pointing fingers at other people can\u2019t actually get you where you want to go. Eventually we do indeed have to just get up and get on with it. Fortunately, the challenging message goes down pretty smoothly to such a cool soundtrack. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molly Boland, Loose Strand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfb6 Recent Reviews of single \u2018The Woods<\/strong>\u2019<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfa5 Watch now on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n