The Mueller’s project initially focused on traditional African percussion and the hammered dulcimer — a stringed soundbox played with padded mallets. But their New York surroundings quickly cut into their sound as the brothers incorporated found items like a gasoline tank and a washing machine drum into their exotic sound.

After two self-released tapes, guitarist/percussionist/vocalist Marlon Cherry joined the band; then didgeridoo player Simon 7 came on board after an impromptu gig in a New York Club to complete Mecca Bodega’s core band.

What seemed like an “interesting” idea in 1991 has spawned four CDs (including the soundtrack for Subway Stories, an HBO Original Movie), performances on National Public Radio and Garrison Keiller’s “Prairie Home Companion,” American and Australian tours, and gigs at the 1992 Lollapalooza Festival and the 1994 Woodstock Festival.

As important as soundtrack and radio work has been to the band, Mecca Bodega still thrives (and relies) on its continuous four-year gig underneath New York City. The Music Under New York Program (M.U.N.Y.) supplies stages in some of New York’s busiest subways stations. It gives entertainers a captive, yet fluid, audience that has proven very valuable to Mecca Bodega. “Because our music is rhythmically based, the ambiance of the subway is fantastic,” says Mueller. “It’s the best way to keep a finger on the pulse of the city.”

The subway also helped Mecca Bodega get the soundtrack job for Subway Stories, a movie featuring short vignettes based on true stories suggested by New York City subway riders. Executive Director Jonathon Demme wanted to use subway musicians for the soundtrack, and after seeing Mecca Bodega perform he was very interested in getting them involved. After several directors showed interest in Mecca Bodega, the band was offered the entire soundtrack.

Mecca Bodega’s sound has been described as everything from world music to new age music. (On their 1996 release, City of Rocks, the band described it as “hypnotic tribal groove exploding on a New York City street beat.”) Although these terms are all appropriate, Mecca Bodega is best seen (and heard) to be believed. On the road, the band expands to as many as seven members, including a bassist, another percussionist, and a sitar player. “When we play live, most of the songs have some structure that all the bands follow, but in between structure is a whole lot of improvisation,” says Mueller. “We like to keep it interesting for the audience and the band.”