18Rabbit is a Northern Virginia area quintet specializing in contagious progressive rock that 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). 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.
18Rabbit as a band became an 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. Ben's departure began a series of lineup changes for the band, starting with his replacement, guitarist Paul Gonzalez (Boston MA) who joined 18Rabbit later that same year.
In June 1999, the band sadly said goodbye to original guitarist and friend Glenn Meizlesh. Glenn, his wife Cindy and their newborn Rose move to Chicago, Illinois. Shortly thereafter still in 1999, the band welcomed to its lineup, lead guitarist Ian Kach (Connecticut).
In 2002, came the departure of Paul Gonzalez, who moved to Tuscon, Arizona. The lineup would change again in September 2003 with the departure of long time drummer Mark Spivey. Known as "MK" to the band and fans alike, his departure left the Rabbits as a three piece. For the next several months, 18Rabbit took time off from playing out and worked specifically on writing new material, the band was excited and pleased to welcome drummer, Scott McLean (Culpeper, VA) to the mix later that Winter, and Scott remained with the band until his departure at the end of the Summer of 2004.
Earlier that year in January 2004, the band added rhythm guitarist Mike Heskett, to its line up (Warrenton, VA), with current drummer Sean McAll (Warrenton, VA) joining the band's compliment in the Spring of 2006.
