Mad Season Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Alternative rock Blues rock Hard rock Grunge Post-grunge Alternative metal supergroup

Members

Select a Mad Season band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Mike McCready

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Pearl Jam Temple of the Dog M.A.C.C. $10,000 Gold Chain The Rockfords Gossman Project Levee Walkers

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Layne Staley

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Alice in Chains Alice Mudgarden Diamond Lie Alice n’ Chains Class of '99 Sleze

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Mark Lanegan

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Queens of the Stone Age The Desert Sessions Screaming Trees The Gutter Twins Mark Lanegan Band The Twilight Singers

Needs more gear

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John Baker Saunders

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Walkabouts

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Barrett Martin

Roles:

Drummer Composer

Groups:

The Desert Sessions Screaming Trees Skin Yard Tuatara Levee Walkers Walking Papers Endino's Earthworm Barrett Martin Group

No gear added

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Skerik

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

The Dead Kenny G's Tuatara Heather Duby & Elemental Les Claypool's Fancy Band The Clinton Administration Sound Cipher Khu.éex' Black Frames Ponga The Golden Road Beta Popes Critters Buggin Crack Sabbath Skerik & The Keefus Trio DRKWAV Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet Skerik’s Bandalabra Les Claypool's Bastard Jazz The Les Claypool Frog Brigade Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade Garage A Trois

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About

Mad Season is an American rock supergroup renowned for their unique blend of rock, alternative rock, blues rock, hard rock, grunge, post-grunge, and alternative metal. Emerging from Seattle's vibrant music scene in 1994, the band was composed of Layne Staley (vocals) from Alice in Chains, Mike McCready (guitar) from Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin (drums) from Screaming Trees, and John Baker Saunders (bass). The group was born out of a shared journey through recovery and a powerful chemistry discovered during their initial jam sessions. Despite their brief existence, Mad Season's music left a lasting impact, capturing the rawness and introspection of the era.

How to Sound Like Mad Season

Mad Season's sound is characterized by its raw, emotive guitar work and hauntingly introspective lyrics, producing a sonic landscape that oscillates between aggressive and melancholic. The guitar tones are often gritty and saturated, achieved with instruments like the Gibson 1959 Les Paul Electric Guitar, paired with the robust drive of a Marshall JCM800 2203. This combination creates a dense, earthy sound that complements Staley's haunting vocal delivery. The rhythm section, anchored by the deep, resonant tones of a Fender Jazz Bass, provides a solid yet fluid foundation, allowing the music to explore both bluesy depths and grunge-laden peaks. The interplay of these elements crafts a soundscape that is both intense and deeply reflective, capturing the essence of Mad Season's distinct musical identity.

Discography

Above

1995

Get the Mad Season Sound

Want to sound like Mad Season? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.