Bios

Melody Price – Lead Vocalist

Melody's talents began developing at the age of 4 by singing gospel music on family radio and television programs on the east coast. A rigorous performing schedule, combined with classical piano study led her to her first published song in 1973. Since then, Melody has been actively performing in night clubs and concerts throughout California, opening for such artists as Huey Lewis , Billy Idol, Johnny Winter and more, as well as as appearing on several albums and doing free-lance studio work. She has created and fronted many bands from country, blues and jazz, to rock, and back again.

Rod Smith – Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Rod's keyboard work gives the Maniacs a great soloing vehicle and provides the required backgrounds and song structures. As well as being an accomplished player Rod writes and arranges all the Maniacs' original pieces. His grounding in music theory is the basis for all of the Maniac songs.

Jon Chewning – Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals

Jon was born at a very early age. He dabbled in piano, violin, trumpet and guitar, along with singing in choirs before acquiring his first bass at age 20, thereby satisfying a latent urge to hold down the low end. He was assigned to Alaska by the USAF and began jamming in blues clubs and garages there. After honing his blues chops, he hooked up with several bands and played clubs around Anchorage and the outlying areas. After moving to Sacramento in '96, he answered a 'bassist wanted' ad and subsequently became the Stark Rhythm Maniacs new bassist. Now he's just the old bassist. Jon pulls double duty, laying down lead and background vocals as well as a few bad puns. He occasionally torments his band mates by counting to four in binary. His favorite beer is the one he's holding.

Jay Gedeon – Lead / Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals

Born in Cleveland, raised in Texas, this guitarist grew up with a steady diet of music. Jay picked up his first guitar at age ten and as a teenager played in various venues throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before moving to Austin. Since relocating to northern California he has played with local bands, Paradise Blues, Over The Edge and Rocky & The Revelletts. He became a certified Maniac in 2003.
A true gearhead; his heart is in his music and equally in the vintage gear he uses. Jay plays a Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Gibson 335 and uses Fender blackface or Victoria tweed amps.

Mike Kahn – Drums / Percussion, Lead & Backing Vocals

Mike started playing the drums at the tender age of 11 and now he's......anyway it's been a long time! After taking early lessons with Dave Garibaldi (before Tower of Power) he played in bands through high school & college. Laid the sticks down professionally after having a family and started up again about 8 years ago when his son formed a jazz band. Hooked up with a Marin Co. band called Prism and joined the Maniacs about 3 1/2 years ago where he found a home providing that solid back beat. Mike has a good grounding in jazz and the blues and can play just about any style. Mike also provides lead vocals on a few songs as well as backing vocals. Mike plays Pearl Masters Studio and Tempus acoustic drums - Paiste hats, crashes, and a great old Sabian hand-hammered ride cymbal.