the band was formed as a 10 piece "typical white, music school jazz band" by michael league in denton, texas, during his first year at the university of north texas, in 2004, “because i was so bad,” he recalled, “i didn’t place into any of the school ensembles. so snarky puppy was my way of getting to play.” the group has grown into an international super-band made up of "...a wide-ranging assemblage of musicians known affectionately as "'the fam"." in the 15 years since its founding, about 50 players have performed in "the fam" on guitar, bass, keyboards, woodwinds, brass, strings, drums, and percussion, but six of the 10 members on the first studio album "the only constant" remain on the regular roster. many past and present band members were students at the university of north texas.