Dogwood is a Christian punk band hailing from San Diego. Their music is often compared to that of The Offspring, and they list NOFX, Bad Religion and Lagwagon as musical influences.
In 1993, Josh Kemble united with Jayce Molina on guitar, Josh Hagquist on bass, and Billy Nichols on drums to form the band Half-Off. After a few shows, the band decided to find a better name, and a relative suggested "Dogwood" in reference to the legend of the dogwood cross.
By 1996, Dogwood had been signed by the now-defunct Rescue Records label, which was also the home for such bands as P.O.D. and No Innocent Victim. While on Rescue, Dogwood released two studio records, Good Ol' Daze and Through Thick And Thin.
Dogwood and Rescue Records parted ways, and then in 1998 the band self-released an eponymous album. This was later re-released without the track " Never Die" as This Is Not A New Album on Facedown Records.
The band caught the eye of Tooth & Nail Records, the largest independent Christian-market record label. In 1999, More Than Conqerors was released, followed by Building A Better Me in 2001, Matt Aragon in 2002, and Seismic in 2003. In 2004, Tooth & Nail released a Dogwood greatest hits album titled Reverse, Then Forward Again.
Dogwood is currently unsigned, and their tour schedule is light due to the birth of Josh Kemble's new child. Josh is also the only original member still with the band.
Sources: Dogwood's Band page The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
