Chinese Treasure

The Mammals are a modern folk-rock band based in Hudson Valley, NY, USA. The current band members are Michael Merenda Jr., Chris Merenda, Ruth Ungar, Jacob Silver and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger. Tao is the grandson of Pete Seeger and Ruth is the daughter of fiddler and singer Jay Ungar and Lyn Hardy, folk singer and well known luthier.

The Mammals were formed in 2001 by Mike, Tao, Ruth and Alicia Jo Rabins. Other band members have been Pierce Woodward, Dan Rose and Ken Mauri. The Mammals often include guests in their live shows, such as Rosie Newton; Pete Siegel; Tao's sister, Penny Blossom Seeger; and Pete Seeger. Aoife O'Donovan performs backing vocals on their CDs.

Band Members

Chris and Michael Merenda are brothers. Chris, the younger brother, is the Mammals' percussionist. In addition to drums, he plays more creative percussion instruments including the hammer and saw. He occasionally plays the ukelele. Chris is in another band by the name of Chewy.

Mike is the band's main songwriter and plays vocals, guitar, banjo, ukelele and percussion. His songs are often on the topics of war, the environment, government upheaval, and presidental catastrophe. Mike's song The Bush Boys has caused The Mammals to be censored at some festival venues. His songs often tell stories drawing on personal events, such as the songs Haircut Money and 69 Pleasant Street. He has three solo albums, Trapped in the Valley (2000), Election Day (2004) and Quiver (2006).

Nicaraugian born Tao Rodriguez-Seeger plays vocals, guitar, banjo, and harmonica, comes from a long line of famous musicians and activists. Tao sings both Spanish and American favorites such as Chan Chan by Compay Segundo and John Henry.

Jacob Silver, who plays electric and upright bass, is also in the bands Wild Band of Snee and Throwing Stars.

Ruth Ungar performs on vocals, fiddle, and ukelele. She is a songwriter for the Mammals, and her songs center on themes of fair trade and the environment. In addition to the Mammals, she performs in Sometimes Why, an all female group with a celtic sea faring sound, and the group Wayfaring Strangers. She has released a solo album, Jukebox (2002), and Her song "Four Blue Walls", inspired by the play Danny and the Deep Blue Sea was featured on an album by Canadian band The Duhks.

Ruth and Mike perform together as the duo group FloraFauna.

Musical Style

The Mammals play a style heavily influenced by traditional Appalachian folk music and their own motto is "Trad is Rad".

Performances

Every year the Mammals tour the USA on their "Western Migration Tour", visiting cities on the West coast and in the midwest and southern US. The Mammals also tour Canada and celebrated New Year 2006 in Australia. During the summer months they play at many folk festivals.

In 2005 they toured with Arlo Guthrie for Alice's Restaurant 40th Anniversary Masacree Tour.

They often play with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason as part of the Family Band and have graced the stage with Pete Seeger.

The Mammals frequently pair up with the Duhks to form Platypus.

Discography

They have released four albums, and one EP. The most recent two albums have been released on Signature Sounds:

• Born Live (2001)
• Evolver (2002)
• Migration (EP)(2004)
• Rock That Babe (2004)
• Departure (2006)

External links

• http://www.themammals.net
• Chewy, Chris Merenda's other band
• Mike Merenda's personal page
• Jacob Silver's personal page
• Ruth Ungar's personal page