Medusa Cyclone is the brainchild of one Keir McDonald. He began his unusual sonic experimentation as part of the electronic-psychedelic Detroit group Viv Akauldren back in the '80s. When the group broke up in 1990, McDonald didn't form a new band right away; he stuck to working on solo home recordings and participated in a few collaborations with filmmaker/songwriter Clem Fortuna. When 1992 rolled around, McDonald started the independent record company Manta Ray Fleet with associate Chris Girard, out of McDonald's basement. The duo first released a 7" on the new label ("Rusted House" b/w "Wonderful Ear Trees"), and played a show here and there. Their next 7" would prove to be their last ("Wristwatch Walk" b/w "Perfect World"), as McDonald decided to work solo under the moniker Medusa Cyclone, while Girard (who was a librarian at one point) decided to do research on UFO mysteries and altered consciousness. McDonald released a total of three Medusa Cyclone singles from 1992-1994, and appeared on a split 7" with Cyclone fanatics Pavement on Third Gear Records in 1995. Medusa Cyclone's 1995 full-length debut (on Third Gear) was essentially a compilation of the Manta Ray Fleet singles with several new songs sprinkled in. Mr. Devil followed in 1998. ~ Greg Prato