Band Bio

The Hangdog Saints are an Ithaca based band steeped in the tradition of Southern Louisiana/East Coast Texas that combines Blues, Blues Rock, Americana, and Rock and Roll with a touch of Soul sliding you off the edge of tomorrow and taking you to the heart of the Crossroads without leaving the finger Lakes!


Dane hendrix – Vocals & Guitar

Dane was born and raised in Trumansburg, a small town in Upstate New York just north of Ithaca on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. He studied percussion and music theory for 8 years under the direction of Joseph Prevost, the musical director of the local central school system and also studied vocal and vocal stylings under Eve Parkes for 2 years at the Conservatory of Fine Arts, a local visual and performance art school.

Dane has played and recorded with local bands such as Vera Cruz, was a founding member of Razors Edge with Harrison Rumsey of Ire Clad, the John Gibson Band and MADDOG ‘77. Dane honed his guitar style in his late teens by sitting in with numerous local blues/rock bands, most notably Pete Panek, Delta Mike Shaw, and Ted Oberhaus among others.

While growing up, Dane was heavily influenced by his fathers’ love of rock & roll and R&B bands of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s which led to his broad tastes and appreciation of many types of musical styles, including Americana, Blues, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Swing, and multiple Roots Music (OldeTyme, Traditional Country). 


Brian Peters – Drums

Born and raised in the idyllic village of Montour Falls, New York, Brian began playing percussion in 1994 when his housemates took up bass and guitar. While mostly self-taught, Brian honed his skills by playing in numerous local bands including Phreakshow, Waxxed Hippo and the John Gibson Band as well as playing in open jams with various local musicians. Influenced by Mick Fleetwood, Charlie Watts, Artimus Pyle and Stewart Copeland, Brian continues to evolve from a straight rock drummer to incorporate jazz, soul, funk, and roots music into his playing style to give the Hangdog Saints a solid backbone for the music to flow. 

In his spare time, Brian enjoys muscle cars, and collecting vintage baseball cards and autographs as well as being co-owner of Trumansburg Wine and Spirits. 


Neal Massa – Keyboards

Born in Brooklyn NY, multi-instrumentalist Neal Massa moved to Ithaca at the age of 9 and started gigging at the age of 14 at various school dances and parties. He moved to Detroit at the age of 18 to play keyboards with a local band but returned to Ithaca to attend Ithaca College and continued to play in bands while attending school. Neal embarked on a 3-month tour of Morocco and returned moving to Woodstock NY touring constantly until he was planted with family. Known as the “Every Band Man” of the Finger Lakes and constantly gigging, Neal has toured in multiple countries over 3 continents while playing at different times with 13 current Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and countless others who are just short of the hall.

Currently residing in upstate New York and enjoying a lighter workload & semi-retirement, Neal was cr0azy enough to join the Hangdog Saints primarily playing keyboards/piano plus anything else that’s required while also being a very valuable sounding board to the reformed band.