Background
Mancell was born on November 13, 1969 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mancell was born on November 13, 1969 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
He attended Sarah Lawrence College.
Based in Los Angeles, Mancell is affiliated with Soundtrack Music Associates. He is most famous for his work on the Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter series of video games. As a child, Mancell learned to play the piano, drums and guitar and was a "rabid record geek".
The exposure of playing music in different types of bands (such as punk rock, jazz, marching bands, and orchestras), combined with fandom in many genres, led Mancell to pursue a composing career.
He was encouraged by his college professors to move to Los Angeles to write music for film and television Mancell has developed a successful career writing musical scores for film and television
Mancell"s music has been used for the animated television shows Gary the Rat (starring Kelsey Grammer), Shorty McShorts" Shorts (starring Wilmer Valderrama), and Clifford the Big Red Dog (starring John Ritter), which has earned him two Emmy nominations. Mancell is known for his music in video games including Sony"s Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter series, and other titles such as Johnny Mnemonic: The Interactive Action Movie and Interstate "82.
The Millionaires – punk rock/garage band (1995–1996) Uluteka – acid jazz/lounge band (1996) Mutato Muzika – music production company (1992–2004) The Dining Room Secretariat – power popular/mod/soul (1999) The Wipeouters – surf/electronic (2001) The Moon Upstairs – psychedelic rock (2006–2010) Exploding Flowers – popular/post-punk/power popular (2010–present) Mancell"s influences include electronic artists such as Mouse on Mars, A Guy Called Gerald, Aphex Twin, Juan Atkins, Richard Kirk and Kraftwerk, as well as progressive rock band Pink Floyd.
He has cited their "interesting rhythmic elements" and said that "melodically they"re simple but kind of leftfield too".
Mancell has been a member of the following bands and musical groups outside of his solo composing career:.