MADDISON

MADDISON are a five piece Indie band from Manchester, England comprising of DAMIEN MADDISON (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica), JEREMY SIMS (lead guitar), RICK MILLS (bass guitar), CHRIS DOOLEY (keyboards) and MIKEY WIDDALL (drums).

History

The band was formed in the late nineties to complement singer/songwriter Damien Maddison. At the time Damien was becoming well established on the music scene in the North of England performing with the likes of John Bramwell (I am Kloot), Intastella, Louise Goffin (daughter of the legendary Gerry Goffin and Carole King), Bryan Glancy, Mark Burgess (The Chameleons, Sun and the Moon) and 'Guitar George' Borowski. As a result of appearing at the Northern Songwriter of the Year Awards he came to the attention of Roag Best (brother of The Beatles original drummer, Pete Best) who secured him a nine month residency at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool.

He also began to achieve important radio airplay around this time, recording several radio sessions for the BBC, Tony Michaelides' show on Manchester radio station Key 103 and Pete Mitchell's radio show (BBC Radio 2, Virgin Radio). Damien also gained exposure by appearing with artists from genres other than the music world, most notably the comedians and actors Steve Coogan, John Thomson and Caroline Aherne. Building on this local success, Damien started to receive national exposure as a solo artist, embarking on two major UK tours with 60s icon Donovan. As a result of this he then landed further UK tours with Ronnie Spector & The Ronettes (which, on the final night of the tour saw several members of Ronnie's band deputising as Damien's backing band, including the noted New York session guitarist Jim Satten, and both Mick Seeley and Rusty Cloud from Southside Johnny's Asbury Jukes), Wishbone Ash, Medicine Head and The Stylistics.

Damien's material naturally leant itself to be taken and performed in the context of a group. The remaining band members had all worked together previously, in the bands 63 Trees and Weekend With Adam, and were initially drafted in to provide additional instrumental backing to some of Damien's early acoustic demo recordings. The musicians found that they worked well together in the recording studio and as a result of this MADDISON was formed.

As well as taking Damien's original material, recording and performing it, MADDISON continue to combine various influences to come up with melodic, thoughtful, guitar based tunes.

From August 2005 MADDISON have started to play live more extensively. Tour dates have seen them headlining at Manchester Academy on three separate occasions (where they have been supported by the likes of the impressive Rambo & Leroy and Purlin), The Borderline in London and a support slot with ex-Gene members Steve Mason and Matt James' new outfit, Palace Fires.

MADDISON have so far released two albums; the eponymous 'Maddison' in 2003 and 'Looking at the Clouds' in 2005. In 2007 the band released the EP 'Slide'. This EP instantly attracted a considerable amount of radio airplay, most notably in the US, with WUIC in Chicago picking up on it as did various West Coast stations such as K-Beach in Long Beach, KRLY in Los Angeles and KCSF in San Francisco. On the East Coast WMFO in Boston, HGR in New Jersey and WRCT in Pittsburgh all featured the EP on their playlists. The EP gained exposure in Canada too, with CKLN in Toronto, CITR in Vancouver and CFUR FM in Prince Edward featuring songs from the EP. The volume of airplay that the 'Slide' EP received in the US and Canada led to the band's profile being raised considerably in North America. This resulted in the band being approached by a Los Angeles based film company with a request to use two of MADDISON's songs on the soundtrack to a feature film due to begin production in Los Angeles and on location in Nebraska, called 'Veronica'.

Here in the UK 'Slide' has been playlisted on Radio 2 xs, BRFM, All FM, Manchester Radio Online and XFM.

2008 has seen the band kept busy with live shows, radio interviews and the recording of several live acoustic sessions for Caroline Rennie's drivetime show on AllFM, Paul Ripley's evening show on Manchester Radio Online and Clint Boon's drivetime show on XFM.

MADDISON are currently recording songs for their new EP which is scheduled for release in late 2008, with a new album to follow in 2009.

Music Press

Damien's songwriting skills and vocal style continue to earn plaudits from various quarters of the music press and media including:

"A rare songwriting talent" BBC Radio

"Maddison's voice is simply superb: tremulous, with a soaring, distinctively nasal, husky American drawl" City Life Magazine

"An accomplished artist whose pedigree speaks for itself" Manchester Evening News

"Incredibly catchy stuff this - taking the melodic nous of Oasis and marrying it to a rockier, blues-driven backing. Damien Maddison's vocals really stand out; raw and raspy without any metal-ish histrionics, he recalls Stevie Ray Vaughan at his crackling best. If they've got a few more instant hooks to match this, Maddison could conquer American rock airwaves with ease." Channel 4 Television's Planet Sound review of 'Slide'

"A fascinatingly distinctive voice" City Life Magazine

"Classic rock with double edged harmony and a mighty sly grin. Maddison’s tracks are fully-loaded, indie-pop classics influenced by The Pixies, Dylan and Stone Roses, the latter being a very obvious maker in ‘Rainbow’ with a background saturated in gleaming sunshine. ’Hold Back The Rain’ showcases Damien’s “Neil Finn”-toned vocals in a cheerful, happy anthemic piece." WeAreManchester Magazine

"One of the best CDs I've heard in ages" Clint Boon of XFM (and the Inspiral Carpets) on 'Slide' EP

Discography

Maddison (2003)

Looking At The Clouds (2005)

Slide EP (2007)

External Links

[http://www.maddisonuk.com MADDISON Official Website]

[http://www.myspace.com/maddisonuk MADDISON Official MySpace]

[http://www.wearemanchester.co.uk/?cat=6 WeAreManchester Magazine article]

[http://www.teletext.co.uk/entertainment/planet-sound/demos/8928ab3d7da1e5dad522d7c358caebd1/bMADDISONb+bSlide+710b.aspx Channel 4 Television's Planet Sound review of 'Slide' EP]