Mad Season: The Musical Biography of an Unforgettable Band

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.