From Them, Through Us, To You
Nathan Leone- vocals
Matthew Leone- bass
Mateo Camargo- guitar
Daniel Torelli- drums
It's the eve of 2007's most prominent alternative rock outing and
Madina Lake has just pulled up to the backstage entrance for dress
rehearsal. Normally the launch of a road trip isn't so formal for the
Chicago-based band, but then again, this is the Projekt Revolution Tour
featuring Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, HIM,
Placebo and a cavalcade of other diverse acts across two stages in some
of America's largest sheds. Just a short year ago, the foursome was
literally playing to a dozen people a night in everywhere from dingy
clubs to pizza parlors to basement parties. But given its tireless work
ethic, insanely engaging live show and ambitious new album From Them,
Through Us, To You (Roadrunner), Madina Lake has literally built its
fan base from the ground up.
"We're elated even though there's been an enormous amount of
pressure over the past year," says a candid Matthew Leone, the band's
bassist who insists on all out honesty no matter what the topic. "The
stress is nothing compared to the jubilation we feel about this tour
and setting up our new single 'Here I Stand.' Now that it's all finally
here, we're seriously ready to go more than ever before."
Despite the new record being done in the summer of 2006, Madina
Lake made the somewhat unconventional request to its record label to
tour for a year before putting the full-length project out. An EP
filled the void temporarily and helped build the fanfare on U.S. tours
with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Halifax, plus overwhelmingly successful
dates in the U.K. with Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim For and Gym Class
Heroes.
"Being from Chicago has absolutely grounded us because it's a place
that's got balls and taught us to work our asses off," continues
Matthew. "We didn't want to be an overnight thing, but rather build a
rock solid foundation that would actually last beyond a fickle
listening public. Those nights of playing to ten people helped us hone
our live show, convey our personalities and come across honestly that
when we were able to play bigger shows, all of those elements were
already in place. We've had our eye on the prize- - focusing and
meditating the whole time on those goals- - and everything's been taken
to the next level."
A case in point comes from the disc's lead single "House of Cards,"
which helped acquaint the band with modern and alternative rock radio,
followed by the aforementioned "Here I Stand," which is currently
taking MTV2 and Fuse spin lists by storm. The tune is yet another
example of members' emotional exposition (specifically about rising
above life's most challenging circumstances), all of which are taken
directly from the players' personal lives.
"The record is really reflective of our personalities, which on the
surface is a bunch of partying, but deep down is a group of guys who've
survived some really difficult times," Matthew reveals. "There are some
really haunting and dark trips, but we have an unbreakable spirit."
Take for instance the real life trauma of Matthew (a philosophical
dreamer but self-proclaimed funny guy) and his brother Nathan (who's
much more practical and realistic though lighthearted in conversation).
During the guys' early teen years, their mother unexpectedly died in a
car accident, turning the family's world upside down within seconds.
"It was such an uncomfortable time, especially because at that age
no one really understands death and mourning," confides Matthew. "It
was a serious emotional revolution that had us dealing with loss and
loving our family instead of worrying about being popular. That was
without question what shaped us with the artist mentality."
The "melodical genius" Mateo adds a slight edge of A.D.D. and loads
of humor into the landscape, while Daniel's a deep thinker,
self-disciplined health nut and vegetarian. But no matter what traits
make everyone stand out as individuals, when the four unite under the
moniker of Madina Lake, there's an unshakable chemistry and cohesion.
Outside of the record, those unbreakable bonds are apparent on the
concert stage, tied around back-breaking rhythms (and speaker jumping
stunts), anthemic choruses and spellbinding showmanship. And thanks to
that year of refinement on the road, the guys are now finding fans of
all genre associations singing each and every word back to them on both
solo headlining shows and opening slots on esteemed bills like Projekt
Revolution.
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