Dave founded the group in late 1995 with the musical intention of mixing the heavy rhythmic groove of groups like The Meters and Sly & The Family Stone, with the group improvisation of bands such as the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers. His first band, Hoppergrass, made an immediate impact on the Baton Rouge music scene in the early/mid '90's by sharing the bill with such notables as Widespread Panic, George Porter, Merl Saunders, The Aquarium Rescue Unit and The Samples, to name a few. As the primary songwriter in the group, Dave’s influences can be heard in his writing- from the organic instrumental grooves of the Meters, to the sharp wit and social commentary of Bob Dylan and the rhythmic wordplay of Dr. John. He freely mixes elements of New Orleans style funk, rhythm and blues and second line, southern rock, and folk to create a very New Orleans version of roots rock. He is also a free-lance writer who has done features on Cyril Neville and George Porter, among others.

"We rockin' the river and shakin' the lake."