Madball

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Madball

| image = Madball - Reload Festival 2018 03.jpg

| image_upright = 1.2

| caption = Madball in 2018

| origin = New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

Hardcore punk
{{nowrap|tough guy hardcore}}

}}

| years_active = 1988−2001, 2002−present

| label = Good Fight, Ferret, Wreck-Age, Roadrunner, Epitaph, I Scream, Thorp, Nuclear Blast

| spinoff_of = Agnostic Front

| website = {{URL|http://madballhc.com/}}

| current_members = Freddy Cricien
Mike Justian
Mike Gurnari
Brendan Porray

| past_members = Vinnie Stigma
Rob Rosario
Will Shepler
John Lafata
Darren Morgenthaler
Rigg Ross
Roger Miret
Matt Henderson
Walter Ryan
Ben Dussault
Mackie Jayson
Igor Wouters
Jay Weinberg
Brian "Mitts" Daniels
Jorge "Hoya Roc" Guerra

}}

Madball is an American New York hardcore band. Originated in the late 1980s as a side project of Agnostic Front,{{cite book|title=The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Guinness Publishing|date=1995|edition=Second|isbn=0-85112-656-1|page=210}} the band developed after Agnostic Front's vocalist Roger Miret would let his younger half-brother Freddy Cricien take the microphone and perform lead vocals during Agnostic Front shows. Following Agnostic Front's 1992 disbandment, Madball became the members' main project and many became a part of the band who were never in Agnostic Front. They have released nine studio albums and four EPs.

History

Madball was founded in 1988 and featured most of Agnostic Front's members. Madball consisted of Agnostic Front's vocalist Roger Miret on bass, Vinnie Stigma on guitar, Will Shepler on drums, and then 12-year-old vocalist Freddy Cricien, Miret's younger half-brother. Madball's first few performances consisted of previously unused Agnostic Front songs. Madball's first release was the Ball of Destruction EP in 1989. After years of playing regional shows in and around the New York area, a second guitarist, Matt Henderson, joined the band. By then, they recorded and released the EP, Droppin' Many Suckers, for Wreck-Age Records. One year later, Miret left the band and was replaced on bass by Jorge "Hoya Roc" Guerra — a good friend of Freddy Cricien — who was looking for a new band as his band, Dmize, was breaking up. The new incarnation of the band was signed by Roadrunner Records in 1994 and released a pair of full-lengths; Set It Off in 1994 and Demonstrating My Style in 1996. Touring steadily, the band built a sizable fan base outside their hometown.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Madball/bio.aspx |title=Madball biography |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}}

1995 saw the band participating in the N.Y.H.C. documentary. Extensive interviews were conducted with Freddy as well as a performance on July 29, 1995, at the now-defunct "Coney Island High". Freddy's brother, Roger, broke several vertebrae in his back at that show, requiring him to be in traction for the better part of a year.

Consisting of Cricien, Henderson, Guerra, and new drummer John Lafata (former drummer in Neglect), the band recorded Look My Way, which was released in early 1998. Hold It Down followed two years later. The band announced their dissolution in 2001 but decided to reform in late 2002 with a new line-up featuring Brian "Mitts" Daniels and Rigg Ross. They began touring and recording at the end of 2002. Since then, Madball has come out with: Best of Madball in 2003, N.Y.H.C. EP (EP) in 2004, Legacy in 2005, and Infiltrate The System in 2007. In 2009, Rigg Ross left to join Skarhead and was replaced by Ben Dussault.

Along with bands such as Agnostic Front, Vietnom, Bulldoze, Resistance, H₂O and Boston/New York Hip-hop group Special Teamz (Slaine, Ed O.G., Jaysaun, DJ Jayceeoh), they comprise a part of New York's DMS Crew. Vocalist Cricien and bass player Hoya are also in the band Hazen Street, along with members of H₂O and Cro-Mags.

In 2010, after the departure of the Ferret Records owners from the label, Madball followed them to their new and present label Good Fight Music. In February 2010 Madball signed a deal with Nuclear Blast for the European release of their new studio album, Empire, produced by Erik Rutan.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=135727|title=Madball signs European deal with Nuclear Blast Records|date=February 25, 2010|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=February 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606065039/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=135727|archive-date=June 6, 2011}} Jay Weinberg, son of E Street Band and Max Weinberg 7 drummer Max Weinberg, joined Madball for the album and for touring.{{cite news | url=http://www.theprp.com/2010/06/25/news/madball-recruit-new-drummer/ | title=Madball Recruit New Drummer | website=ThePRP.com | date=June 25, 2010 | access-date=June 25, 2010}}

Madball then dismissed Weinberg in September 2010, citing personality conflicts.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=8906362&blogId=539319126|title=PRESS RELEASE: MADBALL RELEASES DRUMMER JAY WEINBERG|date=September 21, 2010|publisher=Myspace|access-date=September 21, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207065936/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view|archive-date=February 7, 2009}} Weinberg said that he had already quit the group by that time, due to lifestyle issues.{{cite press release | url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=147874 | title=Ex-Madball Drummer Jay Weinberg Says He Quit The Band | date=October 18, 2010 | publisher=Blabbermouth.net | access-date=October 18, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022140111/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=147874 | archive-date=October 22, 2010 }} Born From Pain drummer Igor Wouters replaced Weinberg for live performances.

On March 10, 2014, the band began recording its eighth studio album, Hardcore Lives, which was released in June of that year.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/madball-begins-recording-new-album/ |title=Madball Begins Recording New Album |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=March 10, 2014 |access-date=June 5, 2017}}

In October 2017, Brian "Mitts" Daniels had exited Madball.{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/news/29025/Madball-and-guitarist-Mitts-part-ways |title=Madball and guitarist 'Mitts' part ways |website=Lambgoat.com |date=October 18, 2017 |access-date=October 18, 2017}} Madball released their ninth studio album, For the Cause, on June 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/madball-to-release-for-the-cause-album-in-june/|title=MADBALL To Release 'For The Cause' Album In June|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=April 11, 2018}}

In January 2019, Madball announced that their touring guitarist, Mike Gurnari, would become an official member.

In August 2023, Jorge "Hoya Roc" Guerra announced his intention to leave the band. Guerra cited the band's decrease in activity and the resulting financial hardship as his reasons for leaving. He made it known that he would remain with the band through their two upcoming European tours.{{cite web | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/39811/madball-bassist-jorge-hoya-guerra-will-step-away-from-the-band-after-european-tours/ | title=Madball bassist Jorge "Hoya" Guerra will step away from the band after European tours }}

Musical style and influences

Madball are a hardcore punk band.{{cite web |last1=Blackie |first1=Andrew |title=MADBALL: INFILTRATE THE SYSTEM |url=https://www.popmatters.com/madball-infiltrate-the-system-2496205566.html |website=PopMatters |access-date=28 May 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Stephen |title=Madball, live in London |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/madball-live-in-london |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=28 May 2024}} The band's music put an emphasis on a metal-influenced groove, breakdowns and use of lyrics based on street life, as opposed to the speed of punk rock and the riffing of crossover thrash which were dominate in the genre when they began.{{cite web |title=Here are the 10 most influential bands of hardcore |url=https://www.altpress.com/best-hardcore-bands-of-all-time/ |website=Alternative Press |access-date=28 May 2024}} This difference led to them helping to define the sound hardcore would take on in the 1990s, as well as the beatdown hardcore genre.{{cite web |last1=Enis |first1=Eli |title=10 ESSENTIAL NEW YORK HARDCORE ALBUMS |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/10-essential-new-york-hardcore-albums#madball-set-it |website=Revolver |access-date=28 May 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madball-mn0000192338|title=Madball | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 19, 2021}} They have also been categorised as tough guy hardcore.{{cite web |url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/madball/Content?oid=2495583 |title=Madball |last=Levi |first=Josh |work=River Front Times |date=August 4, 2011 |access-date=November 12, 2017}}{{cite web |last1=BREIHAN |first1=TOM |title=The Month In Hardcore: May 2021 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2147692/the-month-in-hardcore-may-2021/columns/let-the-roundup-begin/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=10 October 2024}}

They have cited influences including Sick of It All, Agnostic Front, the Bad Brains,{{cite web |title=INTERVIEW WITH FREDDY CRICIEN OF MADBALL |url=https://www.magazine.awayfromlife.com/interview-with-freddy-cricien-of-madball/ |access-date=28 May 2024}} Cro-Mags,{{cite web |title=MADBALL: 'Today's Music Is So Much Heavier And Darker Than It's Ever Been' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/madball-today-s-music-is-so-much-heavier-and-darker-than-it-s-ever-been |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=28 May 2024}} Killing Time, Breakdown,{{cite web |last1=SUAREZ |first1=GARY |title=MATT HENDERSON: THE METALSUCKS INTERVIEW |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/06/07/matt-henderson-the-metalsucks-interview/ |access-date=28 May 2024}} Discharge,{{cite web |title=DISCHARGE - new album "End Of Days" out now! |url=https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/discharge-new-album-end-of-days-out-now-4296593 |access-date=28 May 2024}} hip hop music{{cite web |last1=Southall |first1=Max |title=INTERVIEW: Freddy Cricien – Madball |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/interview-freddy-cricien-madball/ |access-date=28 May 2024}} and funk music.{{cite web |last1=Macomber |first1=Shawn |title=The Power & the Glory: Madball Drummer Mike Justian Continues to Blaze a Brutal & Revolutionary Trail Through Extreme Music |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/06/13/madball-mike-justian-legend/ |website=Decibel |access-date=28 May 2024}}

Band members

Madball With Full Force 2018 05.jpg|Freddy Cricien

Madball With Full Force 2018 07.jpg|Jorge Guerra

Madball With Full Force 2018 02.jpg|Mike Justian

Madball With Full Force 2018 14.jpg|Dominik Stammen

;Current members

Freddy Cricien – lead vocals {{small|(1988–2001, 2002–present)}}
Mike Justian – drums {{small|(2011–present)}}
Mike Gurnari – guitars, backing vocals {{small|(2018–present)}}
Brendan Porray – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2023–present)}}

;Live musicians

Walter Ryan – drums {{small|(1996–1998)}}
Mackie Jayson – drums {{small|(2008–2009)}}
Ben Dussault – drums {{small|(2009)}}
Igor Wouters – drums {{small|(2010–2011)}}
Dominik Stammen – guitars {{small|(2018)}}
Pete Goerlitz – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2023)}}

;Former members

Roger Miret – bass {{small|(1988–1993)}}
Vinnie Stigma – guitars {{small|(1988–1997)}}
Will Shepler – drums {{small|(1988–1997)}} (one-off performance in 2023)
Matt Henderson – guitars {{small|(1992–2000, session 2018)}} (one-off performance in 2023)
Jorge "Hoya Roc" Guerra – bass, backing vocals {{small|(1993–2001, 2002–2023)}}
John Lafata – drums {{small|(1997–2000, 2001–2002)}}
Rob Rosario – guitars {{small|(2000–2001)}}
Darren Morgenthaler – drums {{small|(2000–2001)}}
Brian "Mitts" Daniels – guitars {{small|(2001–2017)}}
Rigg Ross – drums {{small|(2002–2008)}}
Jay Weinberg – drums {{small|(2010)}}

=Timeline=

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:130 bottom:60 top:0 right:20

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1988 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1988

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1988

Colors =

id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals

id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:album value:black legend:Studio_album

id:lines1 value:gray(0.5) legend:EP

LineData =

layer:back

at:07/11/1989 color:lines1

at:11/01/1992 color:lines1

at:07/26/1994 color:album

at:06/18/1996 color:album

at:06/09/1998 color:album

at:06/20/2000 color:album

at:01/27/2004 color:lines1

at:08/01/2005 color:album

at:08/21/2007 color:album

at:10/10/2010 color:album

at:06/12/2012 color:lines1

at:06/27/2014 color:album

at:06/15/2018 color:album

BarData =

bar:Cricien text:"Freddy Cricien"

bar:Stigma text:"Vinnie Stigma"

bar:Henderson text:"Matt Henderson"

bar:Rosario text:"Rob Rosario"

bar:Daniels text:"Brian Daniels"

bar:Gurnari text:"Mike Gurnari"

bar:Miret text:"Roger Miret"

bar:Guerra text:"Jorge Guerra"

bar:Porray text:"Brendan Porray"

bar:Shepler text:"Will Shepler"

bar:Lafata text:"John Lafata"

bar:Morgenthaler text:"Darren Morgenthaler"

bar:Ross text:"Rigg Ross"

bar:Max text:"Jay Weinberg"

bar:Justian text:"Mike Justian"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Cricien from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/2002 color:vocals

bar:Cricien from:10/01/2002 till:end color:vocals

bar:Stigma from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1997 color:guitar

bar:Henderson from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/2000 color:guitar

bar:Rosario from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2001 color:guitar

bar:Daniels from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2002 color:guitar

bar:Daniels from:10/01/2002 till:10/18/2017 color:guitar

bar:Henderson from:10/18/2017 till:09/18/2018 color:guitar

bar:Gurnari from:09/18/2018 till:end color:guitar

bar:Gurnari from:09/18/2018 till:end color:bvocals width:3

bar:Miret from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1993 color:bass

bar:Guerra from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/2002 color:bass

bar:Guerra from:10/01/2002 till:08/09/2023 color:bass

bar:Guerra from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/2002 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Guerra from:10/01/2002 till:08/09/2023 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Porray from:08/09/2023 till:end color:bass

bar:Porray from:08/09/2023 till:end color:bvocals width:3

bar:Shepler from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1997 color:drums

bar:Morgenthaler from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2001 color:drums

bar:Lafata from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/2000 color:drums

bar:Lafata from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2002 color:drums

bar:Ross from:10/01/2002 till:03/01/2009 color:drums

bar:Max from:03/01/2009 till:05/01/2011 color:drums

bar:Justian from:05/01/2011 till:end color:drums

}}

Discography

Studio albums

Set It Off (1994)
Demonstrating My Style (1996)
Look My Way (1998)
Hold It Down (2000)
Legacy (2005)
Infiltrate the System (2007)
Empire (2010)
Hardcore Lives (2014)
For the Cause (2018)

EPs

Ball of Destruction (1989)
Droppin' Many Suckers (1992)
N.Y.H.C. EP (2004)
Rebellion (2012)

; Compilations

The Best of Madball (2003)

References

External links

{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100515080141/http://madballhc.com/ Official website]}}
[https://myspace.com/madball Madball] on Myspace
[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p44933|pure_url=yes}} Madball] at AllMusic

Category:Epitaph Records artists

Category:Hardcore punk groups from New York (state)

Category:Musical groups established in 1988

Category:Musical quartets from New York (state)

Category:Nuclear Blast artists

Category:Ferret Music artists

Category:1988 establishments in New York City