The Mighty Manatees

American "Dreadneck" band based in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Over its nearly 25 year history the band has been known by many different names, including The Manatees, The Mighty Manatees Medicine Show, and Los Manatees. Between 1985 and 1990, the group was named simply The Manatees, and its first show was on October 31, 1985. At the time, the band was a duo, consisting of Will Hodgson and Ray Adkins, which relied on drum machines and sequencers. During this time, they released two live cassettes and two videos. In 1990, bass player Roy Truax and drummer Myles Rothwell were added to the line-up. The following year, the studio album High Water was released. In 1992, Truax left the band and was replaced by Rothwell's cousin Randy Wagner. In 1993, Adkins left the band and Hodgson effectively took over. The group was renamed The Mighty Manatees, which became a de facto musical cooperative which employed various musicians coming and going. In January 2007, Jim Cavanaugh, previously of Wanderlust, became the drummer. In September 2011 Andrew Geltzer became the keyboard player and Karl Frick switched from Hammond/Wurlitzer to bass, replacing Randy Wagner.