The Black Swamp Arts Festival has a history of opening Friday’s Main
Stage with a local band. While Shaggus may not fit that billing
perfectly, members of the Port Clinton-based rock quintet have a long
history of performing in and around Bowling Green.
From current Shaggus lead guitarist (and BG resident) Tony Papa, to
the long-running local band “MU” that featured Papa, current Shaggus
front man Dalton Brand and current drummer David Ott in the 1990s, the
band has indirectly logged many hours in local bars, clubs and venues
throughout the past two decades.
“The members of Shaggus have been together in this form, under this
name, for over a year and a half, but all of the members of this band
have been playing together in different projects since 1991,” Brand
said in a recent telephone interview. “It is kind of an amalgamation
of the same faces we have been starring at over the years.”
Joining Brand, Papa and Ott are drummer and guitarist Bill Stadler
and bassist Brian O’Neal. Although the faces of Shaggus may have grown
a bit older over the past 18 years, the music has also matured and
grown stronger each year.
With a focus on vocal acuity, funky rhythms and strong original
music, Shaggus takes a chemist’s approach to rock and roll, melding
elements of classic rock, blues, soul and Americana into an energetic
and exciting live show.
“We tend to play a lot in the soul and funky regions,” Brand said.
“We play pretty structured music, but we always leave a little room in
the middle to stretch out and explore some new musical areas. We don’t
consider ourselves a full-blown jam band, but we tickle that region
sometimes.”
Brand mentioned that 2009 will be Shaggus BSAF debut, a well deserved
slot for a group of musicians that continues to represent the strong
musical talent in Northwest Ohio.
“Even though only a couple of us went to school there, we consider
(Bowling Green) our hometown college,” Brand said. “We always enjoy
playing back there and people are always extremely receptive.”

The Black Swamp Arts Festival has a history of opening Friday’s Main
Stage with a local band. While Shaggus may not fit that billing
perfectly, members of the Port Clinton-based rock quintet have a long
history of performing in and around Bowling Green.
From current Shaggus lead guitarist (and BG resident) Tony Papa, to
the long-running local band “MU” that featured Papa, current Shaggus
front man Dalton Brand and current drummer David Ott in the 1990s, the
band has indirectly logged many hours in local bars, clubs and venues
throughout the past two decades.
“The members of Shaggus have been together in this form, under this
name, for over a year and a half, but all of the members of this band
have been playing together in different projects since 1991,” Brand
said in a recent telephone interview. “It is kind of an amalgamation
of the same faces we have been starring at over the years.”
Joining Brand, Papa and Ott are drummer and guitarist Bill Stadler
and bassist Brian O’Neal. Although the faces of Shaggus may have grown
a bit older over the past 18 years, the music has also matured and
grown stronger each year.
With a focus on vocal acuity, funky rhythms and strong original
music, Shaggus takes a chemist’s approach to rock and roll, melding
elements of classic rock, blues, soul and Americana into an energetic
and exciting live show.
“We tend to play a lot in the soul and funky regions,” Brand said.
“We play pretty structured music, but we always leave a little room in
the middle to stretch out and explore some new musical areas. We don’t
consider ourselves a full-blown jam band, but we tickle that region
sometimes.”
Brand mentioned that 2009 will be Shaggus BSAF debut, a well deserved
slot for a group of musicians that continues to represent the strong
musical talent in Northwest Ohio.
“Even though only a couple of us went to school there, we consider
(Bowling Green) our hometown college,” Brand said. “We always enjoy
playing back there and people are always extremely receptive.”