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Old Puppy
Tiki/Ecclectica/Americana




Band Description
Old Puppy is a quirky, eclectic East Bay group featuring guitar, ukulele, lap-steel, string bass, drums and accordion. All seasoned multi-instrumentalists from bands like Motordude Zydeco, Penelope Houston Band and Dan Hicks, they play it all - tiki, folk, zydeco, hapa haole / Hawiian, golden-age country, oldtime jazz and ragtime.

The band grew out of a duo between Steven Strauss and guitar/accordion/lap steel player Billy Wilson. Joined by prominent San Francisco bluegrass guitarist Kurt Stevensen and women's music pioneer Cynthia Wilson on drums, the quartet jumps from one genre to another, all pinned together by the mix of ukes and steel strings. Old Puppy does great instrumentals, quirky versions of funk hits, and classics "Mack the Knife", "Makin' Whoopee", and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". Strauss, with light coaxing, even pulls out light-opera gems by Gilbert & Sullivan.

Old Puppy make a great option for weddings and events. You can have them play during cocktails, dinner or as a low-volume option for the reception. They provide a nice ambiance to a room without interfering with conversation. They are always on-time, professional and easy to work with.