Playing music which harks back to the 70s are today’s BotD, Madstone…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Temple, Texas
How did you meet?
I left California and my old band mates Oct 2017. I brought my drummer with me. By January, we had met Andy Ramos, my oldest friend here in Texas. He excelled quickly on bass and after a few weeks, we played our first gig. By late summer 2018 though, Tommy decided to go back to California. Within a day, I had found James York on drums. He’s one of the best around these parts and I’m very blessed to have met him, both as a friend and a very talented drummer.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Since 2009.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Long story. When I was just out of high school, I joined a band with a guy named Mark Madson. I’m James Stone, so it became Madstone. Many years later, I needed a name for a band we threw together and allI could think of at the time was Madstone. It stuck since.
What are your influences?
All kinds, but mostly southern rock, Allman Brothers, Skynyrd, Outlaws, Molly Hatchet, but also Led Zeppelin, Rush, AC/DC, and other things like Jason Aldean for that outlaw country sound.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
A wide variety of music covering really a lot of genres but it’s all rock of some kind. We have a sound like no other bands but at the same time, it’s a 70s rock sound that you think you’ve heard something like it.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Not really, I try and find things that have happened or things I can relate to and write about something I really have an opinion about or it was a real experience so I can get the feeling of whatever it was across during a live show.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
A bunch of shows. We have a lot of fun. We like to make every show a party. I usually get down in front and play wireless, both guitar and vocals and dance with the crowd. Makes it a blast.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Well, I really can’t describe that here since I don’t know who will be reading this. Let’s just say people get crazy when you add alcohol.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I have a Mesa Mark V with a Mesa 4 speaker tower. I use the pedal that comes with it and a GT100 for effects and it’s pedal. My guitar is still the one I’ve been playing since I bought it in 1978. A Les Paul Artisan, 3 pickup, gold plated (not much left of it), pearl inlaid, solid body, very heavy guitar. Nothing else like it with that kind of action.
What are your plans for 2019?
Play, play, play live as much as possible. This winter, it’s probably time to get back in the studio.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
I’d love to open for the Outlaws or any other touring southern rock band. To open for us, probably a local band around here called Steel Fury.
