Dogkennel Hill was formed in 1997 by Guitarist Guy Bailey and Singer Songwriter Tim Bewlay. Tim and Guy had known each other since school years but only first played together in the mid nineties with Guy's internationally successful Band, The Quireboys.
Two other members from that Quireboys line up, Drummer Simon Hanson and Pianist Chris Johnstone, together with ex Lords of the New Church Bassist, Dave Tregunna, and Andy Wain on Pedal Steel, completed the line up.

Guy and Tim spent most of the next 18 months in Tim's Studio, writing and recording the first album (Sweethearts of the Rodeo). With a nod of acknowledgement, in both title and style, to The Flying Burritto Brothers, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, was finally released in the UK at the end of 1999 through the small indie label Cargo.

It contained 11 original songs and included 3 live takes. Tim and Guy wrote the majority of the songs although Chris also contributed.

"I don't think anybody really expected or understood where we were going with that record. We were trying to get away from the big production Rock thing, and produce something with a much more organic feel." Said Tim. "Contrary to popular belief 'Guitar Rock' wasn't anydody's driving force, particularly Guy. At the time we were listening to a lot of the Burrito's stuff and Dylan's Desire, so the basic game plan was to get in a Pedal Steel, use more acoustics, and self produce in our own studio. We spent a long time just writing and demoing material. We must have written around 30 songs in total."

Towards the end of the album, Andy realised that he wouldn't be able to commit to the live show, and at about this time Simon had met Violinist Sarah Denton, and invited her to a rehearsal.

The effect was immediately impressive, and Sarah replaced Andy. Her parts were added to most of the tracks, but much of Andy's work was kept as well. The album now really had become an amalgam of Burritos and Dylan.

"Looking back, I think we were a bit nervous about the reaction the album would get, and so it was never really touted that much."

Live dates were mainly confined to the UK and fairly low key. Chris Johnstone was replaced by Keith Weir for the live Band, but by now Guy had become reluctant to tour.

The album was politely received in the UK, but acclaimed in the US. Unfortunately at the time it was only available on import, and sales were largely disappointing.

Tim felt that the timing and planning of the whole project was pretty haphazard. "Maybe we shouldn't have gone so deliberately down the independent route. We spent too long just getting the record out and lost the momentum. I pretty much had to finish it off myself."

Guy, although pleased with the results, was disappointed with the response, and became reluctant to enter the fray again for a while. In 2002 Tim had decided to relocate to France, and Simon had started to tour with successful UK electronic band Death in Vegas.

By 2003 Tim had decided to start on a new project. Guy was still hesitant to commit, and so faced with more delays, Tim decided to ask DD, his old mate from euro-art band And Also the Trees to join. Stylistically darker and lyrically deeper, the second album (All the King's Horses)proved a difficult second baby.

In trying to create a stable line up, Mike Steed and Martin Inman were recruited on Keys and Bass respectively. Andy Wain, Sarah Denton and Simon Hanson, although not involved in the live set up, all contributed.

A guest appearance was also made by Derek Holt from Seventies band Climax Blues Band on String Bass, and distinctive falsetto backing vocals were performed by London based Singer Songwriter Peter Renaudon.

At this time Tim was spending a lot of time in France, and so the recording process became logistically difficult. The bulk, though as before, was recorded in the same studio. "I had a very clear production idea, and wrote it all pretty quickly, but it took a while to get the vibe I was looking for."

"At the time I was listening much more to things like Nick Cave, cult New Yorkers Firewater and even Alabama 3, and I'd always been into early Bowie, and felt that musically we could get more of those twists in." (A Firewater cover was included)

"Minz and DD were very instrumental in achieving that sound, both practically and intellectually, although I feel the whole band definitely put their own individual stamp on the record." Said Tim

The premise this time, was to create a soundtrack, as much as an album, and early reviews have indeed borne this out.

Featuring 12 tracks of what can be best described as Country Goth Blues, Dogkennel Hill's 'All the King's Horses' was finally released in December 2005.

Following Tim's permanent relocation to France, he has now cemented a permanent touring line up featuring both French and UK based musicians. Minz remains on board with the addition of guitarist Chris Bowler, drummer Mickael Bourdois and keyboard player Cedric Bouvier