Old Man Cactus

Band Members:
Mike Malloy, front man, song writer, and co-founder of Old Man Cactus, has been melding the sounds of painful angst and blues with upbeat folk and free flowing rhythm and melody. Using an approach that may be conveyed as unconventional at times, Malloy's songwriting still captivates your ears and his lyrics are sure to captivate. Also helping his songwriting is his knowledge in Alternative, Folk/Country, and Jazz music. With a new edge to his latest music, Malloy enjoys taking the listener on a journey guaranteed to satisfy the cravings of an audience.

Rob Shaffer plunks on the fat strings of a bass guitar. His humble genius comes from years of loneliness and sorrow. With little to do but wander aimlessly through the woods and burn ants with a magnifying glass, Rob turned to various coping methods. He was given his first guitar at the tender age of 8. After a short infatuation with this new found thrill, he expanded to new and exciting instruments like drums and bass. This trend continued it was common to see Rob passed out among so many strings and picks with a Les Paul still slung about his body, frail and full of wasted youth. Rob really started getting in trouble when he began mixing these evils creating arrangements with a rudimentary computer recording program as his only lifeline. Then Rob hit rock bottom with a four-year stint at the Hartt School for delinquent musicians (where he met Pierce) studying jazz guitar and recording. Rob then took some time to "figure things out." He still holds on to his old habits and has even acquired some new ones including mandolin and Dobro (perhaps pedal steel next, who knows?), but now enjoys them in moderation (okay not really). Rob has decided to give back to the community that helped him through his toughest of times by helping young artists and ensembles make recordings safely in the studio (Turtle Studios, recording engineer), at home (freelance producing), or on the road (Traveling Tracks Remote Recording) with his mobile recording rig. Rob would like to thank Old Man Cactus for allowing him an outlet for his pent up performing energy.

Pierce McKenna, alto and tenor sax player, went to high school school with Mike. Pierce and Mike learned to play together not only through school band, but by further improving their improvisation skills through various jazz ensembles. Receiving many awards throughout high school; among them being selected lead tenor for Mellon Jazz, which opened for Kenny Garrett at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia; Pierce chose to attend the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music where he studied Jazz at the renown Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in 2007. There he studied under World famous musicians...trombonist Steve Davis, Bassist Nat Reeves, and principal bassist for Hartford Symphony Rick Rozie. The highlight of his college career was the lessons from the master Jackie McLean before he passed away his Junior year. While at Hartt he played in the University's Big Band all four years and played with various jazz ensembles. He spends much time and energy now trying to find more resources and paths to make Old Man Cactus a marketable and profitable band. Pierce strongly believes in the group's combined talents.

Frank Dancey has been involved in music all of his life around Lehigh, Pennsylvania. He has been playing the drums for 16 years, involving himself in many different genres of music. He graduated from Palisades High School just outside of Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Through his tenure, Frank has been part of different band ensembles and has been awarded for his excellence in performance. Frank believes that Old Man Cactus is going to make a difference in the world. Music is important, but touching individual lives with great influential music is his priority. Frank has involved himself in all kinds of music from Rock n' Roll to the various genres of Jazz. His most influential teachers were Mike Portney and Neil Pert. Their drumming techniques have driven him to work harder and to create his own different styles of music. Frank feels that this band has talent but most importantly, heart and devotion. He feels that he can incorporate different beats and music structures to Old Man Cactus.

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