Carlton Melton

Carlton Melton

Carlton Melton is an improvisational psychedelic rock group from Mendocino County, United States. The band forms in 2008 and remains active. Its core members are Andy DuVall, John Steuernagel, Clinton Golden, Brian McDougall and Rich Millman.

Origins and approach

The group forms on the Mendocino County coastline in Northern California in July 2008, after years of discussion about playing live, loud, improvised, experimental instrumental psychedelic music in a geodesic dome. The dome is rebuilt before the project comes to fruition, and the group records music live inside it using analog and digital sources and carefully placed omni-directional microphones. Its performances and recordings are based on improvisation, with no fixed expectation of what will be played at any given time.

Recordings and releases

The first result of the project’s initial session is a self-released CD-R called Live In Point Arena. The band then records another session in March 2009, which provides material for the album Pass It On..., released on its own label, Mid-To-Late Records. A further recording session takes place at the end of June 2009, supplying new material for later releases and bonus tracks for a planned CD edition of Pass It On... on Agitated Records in the UK.

Line-up and performance

Different line-ups are used in the studio and live. One documented recording line-up includes Andy Duvall on guitar and drums, Brian McDougall on drums, Rich Millman on guitar and synthesizers, and John Steuernagel on bass guitar, with Andreas contributing drums on the track “Full Moon Ridge”. A live line-up also includes Clint Golden on bass and drums, alongside Andy Duvall and Rich Millman.