Wooly Mammoth

Washington D.C.'s Wooly Mammoth was formed in the year 2000 by vocalist/guitarist Zac Eller (formerly of hardcore act Bluetip), who together with lead guitarist Jason Stevens, bassist Aaron Claxton and drummer Phil Adler, fell into step with the region's rich tradition for underground doom and stoner metal. Local live shows soon drew the attention of Virginia-based Underdogma Records, which released the band's four-song Ten Ton Baby EP in 2001, and shipped the band out on the road nationwide, culminating in a performance at the 2002 Emissions of the Monolith Festival. Stevens' subsequent departure was taken in stride, as Wooly Mammoth simply chose to continue as a three-piece, and after befriending local engineer and Hidden Hand bassist Bruce Falkinburg, the trio (newly altered by the arrival of bassist Kyle Connoly) recorded two songs for inclusion on a split EP with Hidden Hand named Night Letters — released in 2004 by Meteor City.