Band Bios
Trevor M.
Lead Guitar, Vocals
Trevor "Muddcat" Melby started playing guitar around the age of 8, fascinated by the wild and exotic leads by the likes of Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, and Slash. By age 12, he began playing with other musicians and eventually began playing with what is today known as "Muddcat Melby". During his time he has played in many original bands such as Modern Side, Goodnight July, Failure Meets Fame, and Swim Down. He also participated in a Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Almost Famous" contest where he was first guitarist picked of an entire cruise ship. During all this, he has brought many juicy, technical, tasty, and crunchy leads to many people's ears. A well versed musician in a group of other well versed musicians.
Debra H
Vocals
Debra, known on stage as “Raine,” steps up to the mic with powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence. Inspired by the storytelling roots of blues, jazz, and country, she built her voice on heartfelt lyrics and emotional delivery.
After performing locally as part of an acoustic duo, Debra found her true passion on stage — belting out songs across genres and owning every moment. In 2026, she officially joined “Muddcat Melby” (her first band) bringing power, soul, and blues-driven grit to classic rock anthems alongside the current Muddcat Melby lineup.
Joe V.
Keyboards, Vocals, Sax
Joe is “West Philadelphia Born and Raised” and has performed and recorded multiple genres throughout his career including rock, pop, metal, and country; both covers and original material.
He started playing live with professional bands in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area in the early 80’s. He has also performed and written music with country bands and artists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the mid 90’s before moving to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where he been for the past 25 years.
Joe has previously played with the bands “The Tone Cats”, “The Look” and filled in with many others. He has also released multiple solo albums available on all streaming services and participated in Season 3 of The Voice in Los Angeles in 2012.
Joe’s major influences are Jeff Lynne (ELO), Billy Joel, The Beatles, Queen, and Elvis Presley.
Jackson E.
Guitar
Jackson grew up listening to classic rock at a young age, melting through CD’s from Van Halen to the Eagles. He was gifted an electric guitar at age 12 and instantly became inspired to learn after hearing Stevie Ray Vaughns’ “Pride and Joy” on the radio. After years spent in guitar stores being mentored by fellow greats, he bought his first guitar at 18 and the rest was history. Since then he has filled in playing with multiple groups and open mics around the Shakopee area including playing the ‘National Anthem’ for high school sporting events.
Throughout his years of playing he has developed into a well rounded guitarist with ability to lay down heavy rhythm tracks and deliver fiery leads over several different musical genres such as Rock, Blues, Country and Jazz. Jackson finally joined his first band ‘Muddcat Melby’ in 2025 and shares the stage with his good friend Trevor to sync in guitar harmonies and rhythm.
Jackson’s main guitar influences include : Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa and Greg Koch
Jim J.
Drums
Jim grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and started playing drums in Junior High School. In 1975, he saw Kiss (his first concert) on their Love Gun tour and life was never the same. Jim joined his first band in high school and still remembers the magical feeling as the band successfully made it all the way through the first song they learned, “Just What I Needed” by The Cars.
Jim has lost track of how many bands he’s played drums or percussion for, but all were memorable chapters in building his musical pedigree and many treasured friendships were made along the way. He has played with numerous professional Twin Cities’ bands prior to joining Muddcat Melby. His major influences include Rush, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, The Police and Foo Fighters.
Dave S.
Bass, Backing Vocals
Dave was born in a mud hut back when things didn't matter that much. At an early age, Dave was able to explore outer space when NASA was looking for a monkey and his mom figured he looked pretty close and she could use the break. Things went in a descending pattern after he took up the kazoo, until a kindly soul took it from him and stomped it repeatedly while pointing at the door. He finally found his calling in the bass after figuring out that you could just wiggle you're fingers around a bit while smiling and people never seemed to notice.....