Mad Season

Mad Season was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1994. It was a supergroup that featured members of three of the most iconic bands from the 90s: Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Screaming Trees. The band consisted of Layne Staley on Vocals, Mike McCready on Guitar, Barrett Martin on Drums, and John Baker Saunders on Bass. Mad Season’s music is best described as a fusion of alternative rock and blues and has been praised for its hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melodies. We’re here today to take a deep dive into the musical biography of one of the most unforgettable bands of the 90s.

Mad Season’s beginnings can be traced back to late 1994 when Layne Staley, the lead singer of Alice in Chains, and Barrett Martin, the drummer of Screaming Trees, first met. The two immediately hit it off and started jamming together. Soon, they were joined by Mike McCready, lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, and John Baker Saunders, bassist for The Walkabouts. From these early jam sessions, the idea of forming a band was born and Mad Season was born.

After recording a demo, the band was signed to Columbia Records in 1994. The band then entered the studio to record their debut album, Above, which was released in 1995. The album was a commercial success and has since been praised as one of the best albums of the 90s. The album featured songs that dealt with addiction, depression, and the human condition. The songs were introspective and hauntingly beautiful with Layne Staley’s vocals and lyrics being the highlight.

Some of the standout tracks from Above include River of Deceit which features a beautiful arrangement of the sitar, I Don’t Know Anything which showcases Mike McCready’s virtuoso guitar playing, and Wake Up which features Chris Cornell on backing vocals. The single River of Deceit was a commercial success and remains one of the band’s most popular songs.

Despite the success of Above, the band’s recording sessions were plagued by substance abuse and interpersonal conflict. In 1997, the band released their second and final album, Disinformation. The album featured a more experimental sound, with the band incorporating elements of electronica and jazz into their music. The album was not as commercially successful as Above, but it has since been praised by critics and fans alike.

Some of the standout tracks from Disinformation include Lifeless Dead which features a haunting saxophone solo, X-Ray Mind which features electronic beats and a guest appearance by Kim Thayil of Soundgarden, and Artificial Red which features Barrett Martin’s percussion work.

Mad Season may have only released two albums in their brief career, but they left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of the 90s. Their music was haunting, introspective, and beautiful. It was a fusion of alternative rock and blues but with a unique and distinctive sound. Layne Staley’s vocals and lyrics were the driving force behind the band and remain one of the defining features of their music.

In the years following the band’s dissolution, members of Mad Season continued to make music and collaborate with other artists. In 2013, the surviving members of the band reunited for a one-off show to celebrate the re-release of Above. The show featured guest vocalists such as Mark Lanegan and Jeff Angell, and was a testament to the enduring legacy of Mad Season.

In the years following the band’s dissolution, members of Mad Season continued to make music and collaborate with other artists. In 2013, the surviving members of the band reunited for a one-off show to celebrate the re-release of Above. The show featured guest vocalists such as Mark Lanegan and Jeff Angell, and was a testament to the enduring legacy of Mad Season.

Today, Mad Season’s music continues to inspire and impact new generations of music listeners. If you haven’t heard Above or Disinformation yet, I highly recommend that you give them a listen. Mad Season may have been short-lived, but their music will live on for many years to come.

Have you ever been a fan of Mad Season? Do you know their music? To become a true lover of any artist, it's important to understand if they are just an average musician or something truly special. As is the case with many critically acclaimed music artists, one must be willing to take the good with the bad when it comes to Mad Season. From spectacular originals to controversial covers and passionate performances, there can be both critical acclaim and criticism associated with this rock-art act from Seattle. With that being said, let’s dive into the ins-and-outs of this intriguing band by taking time explore both something critic and positive about them here today!

As a music lover, it's always fascinating to delve into the history and discography of exceptional bands, and Mad Season is no exception. Known for their intricate sound, captivating lyrics, and raw intensity, Mad Season is a band that can take listeners on an emotional and evocative journey. While they are critically acclaimed by many, they are also a band that has received their fair share of criticism. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Mad Season, examining both the good and the bad, so that you can get a full grasp of what this band is all about.

Mad Season was formed in Seattle in 1994 by members of various well-known bands such as Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Screaming Trees. One of their most beloved hits, River of Deceit, showcases their unique sound that combines melancholy and aggression. They also released a critically acclaimed album called Above in 1995, which became a fan favorite for many. Their style of music was unique, and fans appreciated the raw intensity of their sound.

However, one of the downsides of Mad Season is that they have been criticized for their controversial covers of classic songs such as I Don't Know Anything by Seattle rocker Mark Lanegan. Many music critics saw these covers as a cheap way for the band to garner attention, and it tarnished their reputation in some circles. Nevertheless, these covers are not the only thing that defines Mad Season, and their original works are quite exceptional.

Mad Season was also criticized for their inconsistent and sometimes lackluster live performances. While the band was known for their passionate and intense music on their albums, at times, they failed to deliver to that same fervor when performing live. This caused some fans to become disillusioned and disappointed with the band. However, many still praise the few stellar performances that Mad Season put on during their career.

One of the things that make Mad Season unique is that they were unafraid to tackle heavy topics such as drug addiction, loneliness, and despair in their music. They never shied away from the darkness and instead embraced it, creating some of the most haunting and beautiful music in the grunge era. For example, their song Wake Up is a powerful and emotional song that brings the listener on an intense journey of self-discovery.

In the end, Mad Season is a band that elicits a strong reaction from their fans. For some, they are the epitome of grunge music and are lauded for their raw intensity and captivating sound. For others, they are a band that cannot quite escape the shadow of their more successful band members or their few controversial covers. Regardless of where you stand, there is no denying that Mad Season made an impact on the music industry during their time. They pushed boundaries and tackled heavy topics that many other bands were afraid to explore. Their music still resonates with many today, which is a testament to their enduring legacy. So, the next time you're listening to music, give Mad Season a try and see where their unique sound takes you.