The Mummble Ducks

The Mummble Ducks are an alt. country rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada Formed in 1992 by songwriter/guitarist Andrew Walker, drummer Justin Renwick and bassist Jeff Quick, the band went through a number of guitar players until finding Duncan Swain, ex of Pogo Rodeo. After cutting their teeth in Newmarket area clubs, they became a regular fixture on Toronto's Queen Street scene, including the Spadina Hotel, and The Horseshoe Tavern. In 1995, the band became the first signing in over eighteen years to historic Rodeo Records, a pioneering music Label in Canada circa 1956. Their eponymous debut EP was released on Rodeo that year, and spawned two singles on College Radio and in Europe. In 1996 a second EP was released on Rodeo to College and Euro Radio, "Sub Shop" featuring singles "Harness The Wind" and "North Channel Blues". It was recorded at The Studio At Puck's Farm, owned and operated by Frazier Mohawk (aka Barry Friedman - Buffalo Springfield), and at Studio 306 in Toronto. The band continued on at 306 to work with legendary engineer /producer Terry Brown (Donovan, Klaatu, Rush, Blue Rodeo) - for their first album release. In 1997, the band's first album, "North of the Ridges" was released, and Quick was replaced by bassist Don Bull, formerly of Taxi Chain. The band moved forward, fueled by a nomination for best new Artist in RPM's Big Country Music Awards and the heavy rotation of "Harness The Wind" on Canadian Country Radio. A video soon followed, directed by Warren P. Sonoda. It was placed in heavy rotation at CMT and was featured on Much Music. As the band's sound had largely been defined by Walker and Quick's vocal harmonies, 1998 saw the addition of reggae influenced keyboardist Jason Wilson of Tabbaruk to supply backing vocals. The single "Simpler Things" was released to Radio, and once again the supporting Sonoda directed video received strong airplay on CMT Canada. The band played a number of festivals and clubs throughout the year to support. By 1999 both Wilson and Bull had left, and they were replaced by Phil Bosley on bass and Dan Rusic on keys, plus former Pogo Rodeo vocalist / guitarist / luthier Dr. Tom Gibson. The band had revised their sound somewhat by now, employing a bigger band to suit Walker's songwriting direction. The Ducks went back to Puck's Farm studio and the Tragically Hip's Bathouse to work with engineer Jeff McMurrich (Bruce Cockburn, Danko Jones) and Randall Prescott (The Family Brown). The band also continued to tour, culminating in a Frosh week show at Wellesley College, Boston, MA.. These sessions resulted in two albums, one of which launched the solo career of Andrew Walker; "Floating Shift" as well as "Westering" by the Ducks (unreleased)