Mychael Merrill (Melting Euphoria) passes on

[Jerry Kranitz]

[Thanks to Don Falcone for the following]

Drummer Mychael Merrill (born Michael Wayne Merrill on December 29th,
1963) died of cancer on Friday, July 7th, 2006, at the age of 42.

Mychael was a founding member of San Francisco space rock and
psychedelic band Melting Euphoria. He was the drummer for their 1994
self-released debut  “Through The Strands of Time” and their entire CD
catalog on Cleopatra Records. He was also the drummer for all their live
appearances, including opening for Ozric Tentacles at San Francisco’s
legendary Fillmore Theatre.

In 2002, Mychael started Fireclan with two former Melting Euphoria
members. They released “Electric Sunrise, Acoustic Sunset” in 2004.

 From 1999 to 2006, he contributed drums and percussion as an ongoing
crewmember to three CDs by the Spirits Burning space rock collective,
and as a guest on CDs by Weird Biscuit Teatime and Quiet Celebration.

Music was the core of Mychael’s life and his drums not only defined his
personality, but also brightened the lives of young and old for many
years. Mychael’s music and his drum therapy classes in Marin and Sonoma
brought joy and respite to more people than he would ever realize.
Mychael’s many years of teaching preschool in the two counties brought
him the greatest fans ever — the very young and his fellow teachers.

Mychael is survived by his wife Jessica, their son Jace, and his three
stepchildren — Robert, Michael Austin, and Emily. Mychael is also
survived by his grandfather/pop Gene Merrill and his mom Linda
Giacomini, stepbrothers Andrew and Antony, and stepdad Gary Giacomini.