My radio and television
Say that you're better if you're thin.
But in the end, it's my decision
I'd really hate it if I looked like them.
- 'Fatman' (1985)

Possibly the only band ever to celebrate both demonic guitar playing and being dangerously overweight, Mammoth were a short-lived but much-celebrated offshoot of the 1980s UK progressive rock scene.

The History

After the acrimonious split of Gillan in 1982, the charismatic bearded John McCoy (bass guitar; 19 stone) recruited session musicians 'Tubby' Vinnie Reed (drums; 22 stone), 'Big' Mac Baker (guitars; 24 stone) and Nicky Moore (vocals; 20 stone and 5'6") for his solo project. Initially christened 'Dinosaur', they changed their names after complaints from a similarly titled California blues outfit.

Changing their name to 'Mammoth', the band toured with Whitesnake and Marillion and were generally well-received by fans, although a near-disastrous incident in Leeds meant that the band had to request a specially reinforced stage at all future gigs, due to the concentrated pressure of some 1200 pounds¹, plus jumping-up-and-down allowance.

After a few years of touring without hitting the big-time in the manner of their prog-rock contemporaries, the band decided to call it a day, and moved onto other solo projects. John McCoy became an independent producer, Mac Baker fronted blues rockers 'More n'More', and Nicky Moore found the Nicky Moore Blues Corporation.

Extra-curricular

Perhaps the best opportunity to see the band today is in the 1988 film Just Ask For Diamond², where the entire band play henchmen of the Fat Man (Michael Robbins).

The Album

Produced almost retrospectively in 1987 (the band had since ceased touring), this eponymous title received a limited edition release on American indie label, Jive. As the band's nostalgic popularity increased, the few records that were released became collector's items - vinyl copies of the album trading hands for as much as £60.

Recruiting the much-renowned Bernie Tormé as session guitarist, John McCoy and Engineer Simon Hanhart developed a deeply textured sound that was criticised by many fans of their live shows as being over-produced. Nevertheless, the album produced several tracks of note, not least the anthemic 'Fatman' and the Blue Oyster Cult-esque 'Dark Star'. Overall, the album was an excellent showcase for Mac Baker's surprisingly nimble fingers and Nicky Moore's soaring vocals.

Mammoth may not have played a huge part in rock history, but the same can be said for a thousand other bands. Nevertheless, by having enormous talent and energy on stage, for being fat and proud of it, and for initiating some of the scariest mosh pits in history, they are remembered by a dedicated core of fans.