The Coolies Present Doug: A Rock Opera and Comic Book
ARTIST: The Coolies
RELEASE: 1988
INTERVIEWEE: Rob Gal
In 1988, Atlanta rock band and musical pranksters The Coolies released Doug, a concept album and comic book. Writing for Trouser Press, editor Ira Robbins called the album "a work of demented genius." But because of its story line, Doug is rightly considered a fundamentally problematic work. "When I think about The Coolies, we were an awesome rock band," says guitarist Rob Gal. Yet in the same breath, he adds a qualifying observation: "But we were cringe-worthy in so many ways." Listeners who chance to hear the relatively rare and obscure album will be sharply divided on the matter, but for some, Doug's inspired musical virtues mitigate the album's offensive premise.