The Happy Dog is a sound zoo. Live shows can take on an improvisational spirit that may swing between any of their influences ranging from the Talking Heads to Bob Marley to the Beatles to the Dead. The sound is amplified by more modern influences such as Radiohead, Animal Collective, T.V. on the Radio and Miley Cirus. The Philadelphia based band plays in places of beauty be it physical or social throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and New Jersey. All management, recording, production, and touring is done through a network of friends or in house. No artificial ingredients or perservatives!

Salsa Shark is a four-piece funk, jam band based in Philadelphia, PA; while the term "jam band" may be generic, a wide swath of its implicit wide scope can be found in Salsa Shark's music. From the technical prog of Umphrey's McGee to the quirky funk of Phish to the tie-dye psychedelia of the Grateful Dead to the dancefloor grooves of The Disco Biscuits, Salsa Shark covers it all.

Emerging from the demise of previous bands, Salsa Shark's first performance was anticipated as the coming together of "local powerhouse players" and did not fail to disappoint. A series of successful performances in the Philly area and beyond have established Salsa Shark as a musical force to be reckoned with.

From the beginning, a series of synergies have come together to create Salsa Shark's unique vibe. Bert Weaver's sophisticated harmonic language and penchant for experimentation meld with Curt Zimpfer's funky chord work and explorational ragin' leads to form a guitar duo that was simply meant to be, name rhymes notwithstanding. Whether they're trading licks, creating textures, or soaring in harmony, the guitar army is always commanding & conquering.

On the bottom end of things, Mykk Hoffman and Devin Cavagnaro have a rapport that goes beyond the typical background rhythm section, although they are more than capable of locking in a groove; Mykk uses his keen ear to jump between roaming scalar lines and tight ostinato, while Devin's innate sense of feel drives him to almost telepathically follow what goes on front of him and contribute transitions that add a unique compositional element to Salsa Shark's jams.

Audiences never fail to have fun at a Salsa Shark performance. Songs move from funky to dance-hall to steady hard rock to chill to Latin flavors and back again, giving crowds the opportunity to dance, relax, nod their heads, and everything in between; Mykk has been known to dance with the crowd during "Abyss" and a stinky-funky cover of The String Cheese Incident's "Jellyfish." The fun doesn't stop if the music stops, however. Curt's friendly frontman demeanor creates a personal bond between band and audience, while Mykk fills idle moments (gear troubles, etc.) with amusing tidbits such as the Jeopardy theme song.

Salsa Shark is proggy, funky, groovy, heavy, light… The sky is the limit!

Some call him "The Outlaw." Others JJ. Either way he knows what to play!