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It's October. Time for apple picking, scary hayrides, pumpkin carving, Bush Gardens' Howl-o-Scream (at least down in my area), and a new band! This month, I am proud to give you Madina Lake, a great band out of Chicago.

Madina Lake has what I call a classic rock sound, which I find hard to describe. It is just something I know when I hear it. I guess it is like if you see an electro-rock/alternative band live, and right before the band goes on, their synthesizer dies. That un-manipulated music. That's Madina Lake. They are a guitar driven band, with some rockin' vocals and amazing lyrics. Their major label debut, From Us to You, had some great tracks, including Now or Never, One Last Kiss, and House of Cards.

Now, I don't have the same connection to Madina Lake as Caity. Sadly, I have never lived in an area with such great undiscovered talent (suburban-yuppie New Jersey and coastal Virgina are not big on local music scenes. Though the local alternative station down here plays Lights and Manchester Orchestra, so I think I can give it a pass.) However, I did get to listen to them for the first time at Bamboozle in 2007. Supreme awsomeness. I got that feeling that you only get when you're listening to great music that has been untouched by mass music media (seriously, it can be worse than the normal mass media. Think about the overplaying of Lady Gaga on every radio station, TV morning talk show, MTV, VH1, etc. Yeah, that bad.) You feel like you're in on some sort of secret music club. It's totally awesome.

A year later, I got to see them again with the Sound Faction crew in Toronto at Warped Tour. They played during the worst Canadian national disaster that year (rain...that felt like...pain.) While the skies opened up, Madina Lake rocked their hearts out. They were not going to let a little thing like sideways rain and hail keep them from giving one of the best performances of that festival.

So, if you're in the mood for some great rock, check out Madina Lake. They have a new CD out, Attics to Eden, which is just as awesome as their major label debut. The band is currently on tour in Germany and the UK, but are coming back to the US later this month (October 29th in Vermont is the first date,) for a short tour of the East Coast and Midwest before American Thanksgiving. Check out a show, if you can. If you don't, you won't get any good Halloween candy. Only raisins.

Doctah J's Madina Lake Must Listens:
House of cards
Never Take Us Alive
Welcome to Oblivion
Now or Never

Oh Madina Lake... oh my hometown homeboys! I first saw Madina Lake back in Chicago when they were playing small small little shows. My friends and I actually wandered into our first Madina Lake show by accident, having lost our way and wandered into a bar for directions. Instead of directions we got a few beers and checked out the totally sick show going on! We fell instantly in love with their high-paced shows and catchy melodies and lyrics and whenever we saw a show posted for them in Chicago, you bet we were there, rocking out!

It was some time later that my friend Rachel, my sister-in-law Krissy, Doc, Dick and I attended Bamboozle and saw their name on the roster (I'm not gonna lie, my heart kinda burst with pride for 'em)! We stopped by their signing tent before their show and said hello, and I gave them a strict warning. "We're all from Chicago... you best kill it and represent up there, or I'ma come after you." Well kill it they did, and represent they sure as hell did.

A few years later our staff all attended Warped Tour in Toronto. Madina Lake was a definite stop on our busy schedule that day, and even though the heavens opened up and poured torrential rains on us (seriously... that ish HURT. Heavy rain and hurricane force winds, we were welted with raindrops by the end) we stayed and rocked the hell out with the very few dedicated people who stayed in the rain. Now, I don't know if you, dear reader, have ever rocked the hell out to one of your favourite bands in the rain... but if you haven't, I freakin' recommend it.

The guys in the band are total sugarfaces and the best part about Madina Lake is without a doubt their passion and dedication. It doesn't matter if there are 10 people or 1000 people at their show, they will rock out just the same and put on the absolute best show they possibly can for you, and you WILL enjoy it.

P.S.: Stop by the interviews section and check out Jen's interview with Dan and Nathan!

Oh Madina Lake, how I adore thee. When I read that Doc had picked Madina Lake I got really excited. I hold such a big place in my music loving heart for these guys. Like many bands, Madina has been there for me when all I wanted was to escape. And I very much appreciate that!

I first heard Madina Lake when a couple friends and I hit up the Toronto stop of the Projekt Revolution tour back in 2007. They were hand picked by Linkin Park to play that tour and I can see why. They were the first band to play that day, almost right as we got in. They were on the little revolution stage with little to no audience (yet) but they in no way let the lack of a crowd slow them down. I remember rocking out and being totally hooked after the very first song.

My second encounter with Madina Lake was the first time I met our lovely Caity and Doctah J. It was Warped Tour 08 and when we all realized we all knew and loved Madina Lake, it made rocking out in a torrential downpour (#1 weather disaster in Canada for 2008!) to their set that much more amazing! It was honestly some of the most fun I’ve had at a show! The guys put on a phenomenal show and never give less than 100%. And that is something you can not help but respect in full.

I got a chance to talk with Dan and Nathan…and sorta with Matthew and Mateo too (the interview was with Nathan and Dan, but Matthew and Mateo were there and joined in at times!) in January and it was by far one of the most fun and genuine interviews I have ever been a part of. This is one band that truly respects and loves all their fans. (I also ran into Nathan at Warped this year and he remembered me. Exact interview and everything!)

I highly recommend giving Madina Lake a listen. You will not be disappointed. If you get a chance to see them live, for heavens sake do not pass that up! Like I said, they give it their all and it’s definitely worth the experience. So go! Dance, Mosh and say ‘hi’ to them for me!