18RABBIT | eighteen rabbit
Back before the Shallowz ever existed there was this band called 18RABBIT.
Eighteen Rabbit (18Rabbit) was a Northern Virginia quintet specializing in contagious progressive rock. This indie-rock band is somewhat familiar to the ear, yet surprisingly new and different. The band's name is derived from the English translation of the 13th King of the ancient Mayan city of Copan. 18Rabbit was considered by his people as the Mayan's last great patron of the arts. The band was originally formed in the fall of 1992 by bassist/guitarist Nathan Martz (originally from Dickinson ND) and vocalist Marc Dixon (Manassas VA) in Washington DC. Baltimore native Glenn Meizlesh added his guitar a few months later and the trio began writing material and playing open mics in DC Metro area bars under the name "Pope Willi. For more information email: madixon2@gmail.com or eighteenrabbit92@gmail.com.
Images of eighteen rabbit band members from the original on the top to various additions over the years.
18Rabbit as a band became a performing entity with the addition of original drummer Scott Kauffman (Laurel MD), in 1993. Drummer Mark Spivey (Suffolk VA) joined the band a year later in 1994. The band became a 5-piece for the first time with the addition of Ben Shin (South Carolina) who left the band in 1997 to attend Columbia Law School. Replacing Shin was guitarist Paul Gonzalez (Boston MA). In June 1999, 18Rabbit sadly said goodbye to longtime guitarist and friend Glenn Meizlesh. Glenn, his wife Cindy and their newborn Rose move their whole kit & kaboodle to Chicago, Illinois. Shortly thereafter still in 1999, the band welcomed a new member to the lineup, Connecticut guitarist Ian Kach.
2002 saw the departure of Paul Gonzalez, who moved with his wife to Tuscon, Arizona, and in September 2003 the lineup, would change again with the departure of long time drummer Mark Spivey. Known as "MK" to the band and fans alike, his departure left the Rabbits at three. Couple months later after some time off and new song writing, the band was excited and pleased to welcome drummer, Scott McLean (Culpeper, VA). In January 2004, guitarist Mike Heskett (Warrenton, VA) was added to what would become the band’s last core line up. March of 2010, saw the departure of original member and bass player Nathan Martz, who pack up his family and moved to Stuttgart, Germany for work. While writing and performing music was a passion for all members of the band, it never paid their bills, everyone always had a day job.
Over the next eight years the band’s line up would fluctuate a bit with new members added such as bass player, Erik Summer, drummer Sean McAll, and keyboardist Mike Smith would make guest appearances or join for short intervals. In 2011, the band name was officially retired and the era of the The Shallowz began.
Eighteen Rabbit (18rabbit Releases)
"New Breed of Other" was the band's first full-length album with Nathan Martz - bass, Marc Dixon - lead & background vocals, Glenn Meizlesh - lead guitar, Ben Shin - rhythm guitar & background vocals, and Mark Spivey on drums. The tracks were recorded and mixed in November of 1995 at Walton’s Recording Studio in Burke, Virginia and after a few mid-Atlantic winter blizzards slightly delayed the project the CD was finally released in February 1996. The October 2020, digital release was remastered by Canada’s Zac Tiessen of ZT Music Studio.
You can hear or download the album online wherever you normally purchase or listen to music such as: Apple Music & iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, HearNow, Deezer, etc.
"Ghost of Envy," Eighteen Rabbit’s second full-length album was a 10-song independent release, labored in the Indie rock tradition. With the assistance of Mike Griffith of Bias Recording Studio, who recorded, mixed and produced the album along with the band, this record was melded together on a shoe-string budget with Grammy aspirations. The original CD was mastered by Charlie Pilzer of Airshow Mastering, Inc., and originally released in 2003. The September 2020, digital release was remastered by Canada’s Zac Tiessen of ZT Music Studio. The band comprised: Ian Kach - lead guitar, Marc Dixon - vocals, Nathan Martz - bass, Paul Gonzalez - rhythm guitar, and Mark Spivey on drums.
