‘Wake Up’ is the next Mad Season song you should listen to. I hear it as a plea to himself to stay clean. It’s emotional and powerful in retrospect…as a kid growing up in Seattle, listening to it and not knowing about his struggles with addiction I just enjoyed the song for its great sound. If I was old enough to get into the shows I would’ve been another of the oblivious fans cheering for a great song from a music hero. Appreciate your sensitive and insightful reactions Maddy.
Layne was one of my absolute favorite vocalists growing up. Him and Chris Cornell for Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave. And they're both gone. And to top it all off, I went through a terrible car accident during a year long break up. And Cornell died was our favorite singer. We rocked out to his jams, and cried and slow danced to his ballads. I don't think I'll ever be the person I was before losing voices like Layne and Chris. Not to mention the Abbot Brothers from Pantera. Kurt Cobain. Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots... Popular music is adjacent to Hollywood. And there's been far too many great musicians that made people actually FEEL something. But the "greats" seem to always die young. Is this a coincidence? (Rhetorical question)
@MaddyReactions, The band "Mad Season" was a supergroup side project consisting of members from "Pearl Jam, AIC & Screaming Trees." The idea of putting the group together came up in conversation 2 members had while they were both in rehab. The band project wasn't formed prior or after their primary bands, yet the time they could get together while on break in-between. Unfortunately the sad part about the whole thing is the entire group all had their own demons & addictions to deal with, not only Layne Staley. 2 of the members faced their demons & lived to see another day & 2 of them didn't. In relation to Layne's addiction & the help he had from family, friends & others around him to kick the habit fell on deaf ears for Layne to get ahold of himself & hear. Although there were plenty of people more than willing to support Layne he isolated himself from everyone altogether at the end of his life here on earth. So much so that Layne had been dead for 2 weeks before they found him which is the saddest part about the whole thing, IMO. The majority of the Grunge musicians in the Seattle music scene back then were on the clock. The only question was who was going to be next to fall out. IDK if you're hip to this but out of the big 5 Grunge/Rock groups back in the day. The only vocalist still standing with us today is Eddie Vetter from Pearl Jam. (Nirvana) Kurt Cobain, (AIC) Layne Stanley, (Soundgarden) Chris Cornell, & (STP) Scott Weiland, had their life's cut short due to drug addiction & that's just the singers. It doesn't count the guitarists, drummers or bass players who lost their lives. Many of Layne's lyrics like this tune here touch on his heroin addiction. One song in particular you should check out even if only for yourself is a tune called "Artificial Red" off the "Mad Season" LP & also did LIVE in the same show this video is from. The crazy thing about the song "Artificial Red" is it was written completely off the top of their heads right on the spot on stage together music & lyrics both. Sorry for the rant just thought I'd give you a bit more insight on the band you're listening too, ya dig? 🤘😉🤘 +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+
Mad Season was a short-lived project that came together in 1994 just after Alice in Chains had released their acoustic EP 'Jar of flies'... AIC was to open for Metallica in the Summer of '94, but they cancelled as singer Layne Staley was struggling w/ he+++n addiction... After another stint in rehab, Layne hooked up w/ Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and bassist John Baker Saunders (who had met in rehab being treated for addictions) w/ Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin... They supported each other to stay clean and worked on their 1 album 'Above' that was released in 1995. This was one of the few shows that they played that year as the album went gold (half million copies sold) in the US. The album cover artwork had drawings designed by Layne himself... After 1996, Layne Staley basically dropped out of sight and declined to work on another Mad Season album... they talked about Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan replacing Layne, but the band ended after bassist John Baker Saunders died from an OD in early 1999.
@@elbob17 Just because u can't even string a proper sentence together doesn't give u the right to trash someone who can write and is a writer. And u know less than nothing because this was not for your benefit cos u can't comprehend constructive dialogue... 😈
I agree, he is so connected to the lyrics in this song its more of a confession in the moment and less of a performance. Hard to choose between appreciating the song and having compassion for his pain. I think like many I can relate to what he is singing and there is some solace in knowing that pain can be transformed into beautiful music.
@robertanderson350, If you're not hip yet check out a tune called "Artificial Red by Mad Season" my friend. That song is especially on point to what you're talking about related to the way Layne comes through to music fans. The crazy thing about "Artificial Red" is that they came up with it off the top of their head's right there on the spot on stage together, both the music & lyrics. +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+ 🤘😉🤘
Mad Season is a side project. Above was released in 95 and later in the same year, Alice in Chains released tripod. Note, in a recent interview, Barrett (Mad Season drummer) made a point of saying that ALL the band members were sober when they produced Above.
As an addict when I watch Layne besides feeling a comfort in connection. I see a person who I know will not and cannot win. But like a martyr he stood and took it in front of all of us. Brutal.
I think you're analysis was DEAD ON about Layne, Life, difference between true people and friends who care about you, and those that are just in it for the noriety don't give a damn or "two shits" (as we used to say in the 80s when I was in high school and during my early college years) about you. Think we all go through that in some shape or form from our childhood through adulthood. You nailed it Maddy. Kudos to you!
That's really sad what happened to Layne Staley. It reminds me of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. But as crazy as the world is right now life goes on. As part of the older generation I'm busy with grandkids and that is a blessing. Just doing my best to be there for the family. I enjoy your channel and so far it's the only one I've ever supported with requests. I've got a couple songs in the Queue right now and I already have more to send in.
I truly appreciate your compassionate response to this track, however I don't think we need to feel negatively about the art or artist. I'm speaking from experience as a visual artist. Most of my artwork comes from a very emotional and many times "dark" place. But I appreciate that others can resonate with it. There is a process unfolding through the arts. He left a gift for us. I've seen so many comments on these songs from people who have mentioned how much AIC or Mad Season helped them through a very rough period in their lives and they made it through utilizing the gift that the artist provided. I can attest to the same. I that sense, we might view him as a kind of martyr. He may not have had the strength to pull through his pain but he's still with us through these recordings. Spirit is simply vibrations. He is still here, helping us in a different form. We can be happy and appreciate what he left for us. He gave something of great value...his sincere, heartfelt artwork.
My pain. Is always self chosen. Every day. I’m alone. And don’t know how to love or be loved. I’m alone. And choose to be. It always will be. And it’s ok. It’s how I choose it to be.
I've been going through a rough time for about a year or more now, but I discovered Mad Season, Mazzy Starr, and other artists I'd never listen to in my younger years in the 90s, though I was a big AIC fan, etc. Weird how life changes you and a once highly energetic guy like me has become sad and reclusive at times. It is what it is, but songs like these help me out.
This was in 1995 so well after AIC(AIC formed in 1987). This was a side project that was created by the guitarist from Pearl Jam Mike McCreedy where he started a band after he checked out of rehab where he met the base player. Mike then called Layne to be the singer, Mike knew Layne because AIC & Pearl Jam used to tour together & became friends. Mike "had hoped that being around sober musicians would push Staley to get himself sober" Unfortunately Mad Season only made 1 album with Layne & Layne wasn't in the best shape & still addicted to heroin & only got worse after. This album came out early 1995, Layne then recored AIC's last album with him later that year. Then in 1996 AIC/Layne recorded the MTV Unplugged concert which was Layne's first concert with AIC in over 2 years & 1 of Layne's last TV appearances.. After the Unplugged AIC/Layne opened for KISS until Layne O'D after a show & that was it for Layne ever touring again. AIC/Layne did record 2 new songs in 1998 for a box set(Get Born Again & Died) & that was it for Layne with AIC. During those 1998 recordings people said Layne was so skinny(80 pounds) & pale & apparently lost alot of his teeth which made him have a lisp which can be heard in some later songs. After 1996 Layne became a recluse for the next 6 years of his life. His Ex Girlfriend died which put Layne in a deep depression & all he did for years was drugs & play video games in his home until 2002 where his body was found 2 weeks after he OD'd. That's how sad & lonely he was at the end of his life where it took 2 weeks for someone to check on him.
Doing good. Thanks for asking. How are you? Mad Season's song entitled "Long Gone Day" off the album ABOVE was an amazing track. Mark Lanegan from Screaming Trees sings with Layne on it and it is nothing short of brilliant.
Layne didn't want his drug use to define him. He also liked making art in various forms and enjoyed photography. Those that knew him said he was a kind soul and was like a gown up kid. He had a freaking amazing, one of a kind voice.
Mad season was last album I believe, or sludge factory may have been.. Facelift was first for sure. Beforehand, he performed in bars and perhaps some other venues, during their "garage days", so to speak. This song was also after he lost his girlfriend to an OD unfortunately. However, The whole album dirt was all about drugs and also kinda glorified drugs in, for instance, Godsmack and Angry Chair. Hence the name "dirt" which is a slang term for heroin. Him, his girlfriend both had an active addiction to heroin. The man had soul though for sure, and range. But it is even sadder in hindsight knowing his story. And nice reaction. I would suspect anybody's introductive reaction to be much the same: Wowed by his soul and range and ability to convey his feelings through his voice. However, I think his music is testament to the idea that there's nothing extravagant or sensational, or glorious about "the lifestyle"
That's what the whole Grunge genre was about, specially when it first started, they were not as focused in commercial success but it was a way to express their emotions in a cool way kinda thing, that was what their artistic side and their inner turmoil produced. We are grateful to have such powerful emotions forever, either in cds or digital versions, to some it's helpful in their own fight against their demons but to others it's just powerful emotional music/art.
It's nice having artists that speak their truth. It truly helps others who are struggling. I'm doing well, therapy helps to get through it all. How are you doing?
I'm not doing well. And you're the only one who has really asked in awhile. I'm struggling with my own addiction and just trying to get through it. These reactions, as depressing as the songs might be, seem to help. But thank you for asking. 😊
Don't feel bad. This song always makes me sad to, but I still love it. I've always seen it as a song about Layne admitting that there was no way out of his addiction and he knew it was killing him. "Down, oh down. Down, oh down. Down, oh down..." Tears every time.
Hey there! I'm in Florida USA! Love this song from a lot of excellent musicians. Collaboration from Pearl Jam,AIC and Soundgarden members,not totally sure about Soundgarden but definitely the first two bands I mentioned. I like the studio version best but nothing wrong with this one either. I found your channel today,one of your Steve Ray Vaughn videos,lol,he's the best right?
He gets out there to entertain people. That’s what he did. That’s what he always wanted to do. Drugs got the best of him. Super sad. But the fans got a show of a lifetime! Just what he was meant to do. Entertain with his beautiful voice always full of emotion. No need for anyone to feel guilty. Songs are always written from pain and happiness. His obviously from pain. Sad that some of the best songs came from addiction.
It's sad to say that most of us at that time knew the lyrics but didn't really put together that he was really going through that at the time. I'm pretty sure it was just a small portion of us that really knew. Not that we could have done anything for him but just that as young as we were to possibly understand the pain some people go through and treat others with more kindness and love, just in case.
Mad Season is kinda a "Super Group" (Alice and Chains and Pearl Jam most notably), which is when members of already established successful bands get together for a project. In regards to the pain and sadness...You are definitely right, it's sad. But happy artists are boring artists. They are interesting people because they are tortured and complex, their personal complexity is tantamount to their depression. They fly close to the sun. Unfortunately if they weren't complex and depressed they wouldn't be rock stars. Or they would be simpleton commercial rock stars that no one respects. I'm not sure what the answers is. And to answer your question, I'm doing well. How are YOU doing?
Since you asked...if I'm going to be honest, this time of year is always difficult for me. I'm managing, but not without struggling. Thank you for asking. How are YOU?
Maddy love your reactions. This is Gary from Detroit USA I’m 72 and love watching young people enjoying classic rock. I was lucky enough to see most everyone throughout the years. I would like to recommend a song I know this isn’t the way to do it but I will give it a try. Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix from Band of Gypsies . Please give it a try.
And Maddy I don’t know if any else answered your question but the young drummer with Led Zeppelin is Jason Bonhomie John Bonhomie’s son the original drummer for Zeppelin
It's hard when everyone knows, but no one steps in or is allowed to step in and help. No doubt watching someone fall to pieces in public is hard to watch.
