Madball
Encyclopedia
Madball is a New York
-based hardcore
band that originated in the late 1980s, as a side-project of Agnostic Front
(where Agnostic Front's front man Roger Miret
would let his younger brother, Freddy "Madball" Cricien
take the microphone on lead vocals during Agnostic Front shows).
's members. Madball consisted of Agnostic Front's vocalist Roger Miret
on bass, Vinnie Stigma on guitar, Will Shepler on drums, and vocalist Freddy Cricien
, Roger Miret's younger brother. Madball's first few gigs consisted of 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, would join the band. By then, they recorded and released the EP Droppin' Many Suckers
for Wreckage Records. One year later Roger Miret left the band, and was replaced by bass player Hoya Roc — 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.
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, Hoya, and new drummer John Lafata, the band recorded Look My Way, which was released in early 1998. Hold It Down followed two years later. The band briefly broke up from early 2001 until late 2002. The line-up of Freddy Cricien, Hoya Roc, Mitts (ex-Skarhead), and Rigg Ross (ex-Hatebreed
) 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 and H2O
, 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 Europe
an release of their new studio album, Empire
, produced by Erik Rutan
. Jay Weinberg
, son of E Street Band
and Max Weinberg 7 drummer Max Weinberg
, joined Madball for the album and for touring.
Madball then dismissed Weinberg in September 2010, citing personality conflicts. Weinberg said that he had already quit the group by that time, due to lifestyle issues. They are currently touring with Born From Pain's drummer Igor Wouters.
Former members
Compilations and soundtracks contributions
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band that originated in the late 1980s, as a side-project of Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
(where Agnostic Front's front man Roger Miret
Roger Miret
Roger Miret is the vocalist for New York Hardcore outfit Agnostic Front as well as the street punk group Roger Miret and the Disasters....
would let his younger brother, Freddy "Madball" Cricien
Freddy Cricien
Freddy Cricien [also known as Freddy Madball] is an American Emcee and vocalist for the hardcore band Madball as well as one of the vocalists for Hazen Street....
take the microphone on lead vocals during Agnostic Front shows).
History
Madball was founded in 1988 and featured most of Agnostic FrontAgnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
's members. Madball consisted of Agnostic Front's vocalist Roger Miret
Roger Miret
Roger Miret is the vocalist for New York Hardcore outfit Agnostic Front as well as the street punk group Roger Miret and the Disasters....
on bass, Vinnie Stigma on guitar, Will Shepler on drums, and vocalist Freddy Cricien
Freddy Cricien
Freddy Cricien [also known as Freddy Madball] is an American Emcee and vocalist for the hardcore band Madball as well as one of the vocalists for Hazen Street....
, Roger Miret's younger brother. Madball's first few gigs consisted of 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, would join the band. By then, they recorded and released the EP Droppin' Many Suckers
Droppin' Many Suckers
Droppin' Many Suckers is the debut full length release from New York band Madball.-Track listing:...
for Wreckage Records. One year later Roger Miret left the band, and was replaced by bass player Hoya Roc — 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
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
in 1994 and released a pair of full-lengths; Set It Off
Set It Off (Madball album)
Set It Off is the second full length album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. The outro at the end of "The World Is Mine" is from the movie White Heat.-Track listing:...
in 1994 and Demonstrating My Style
Demonstrating My Style
Demonstrating My Style is an album by New York hardcore band Madball. In 2007, it was rereleased by Roadrunner Records as a double album also containing Look My Way.-Track listing:...
in 1996. Touring steadily, the band built a sizable fan base outside their hometown.
1995 saw the band participating in the N.Y.H.C. Documentary
N.Y.H.C. (film)
N.Y.H.C. is a documentary film directed by Frank Pavich about the mid-90s New York hardcore scene.The documentary was acquired for distribution by HALO 8 Entertainment in December 2007. On March 25, 2008, Halo-8 released a two disc Special Edition for the documentary's first time on DVD...
. 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, Hoya, and new drummer John Lafata, the band recorded Look My Way, which was released in early 1998. Hold It Down followed two years later. The band briefly broke up from early 2001 until late 2002. The line-up of Freddy Cricien, Hoya Roc, Mitts (ex-Skarhead), and Rigg Ross (ex-Hatebreed
Hatebreed
- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
) began touring and recording at the end of 2002. Since then, Madball has come out with: Best of Madball
Best Of Madball
Best of Madball is a greatest hits compilation album by New York band Madball. The CD contains two previously unreleased tracks.-Track listing:...
in 2003, N.Y.H.C. EP (EP) in 2004, Legacy in 2005, and Infiltrate The System
Infiltrate the System
Infiltrate The System is an album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. It was released on August 21, 2007 through Ferret in the US and through I Scream Records in Europe.-Track listing:Produced by Zeuss and Madball....
in 2007. In 2009, Rigg Ross left to join Skarhead and was replaced by Ben Dussault.
Along with bands such as Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
, Vietnom, Bulldoze, Resistance and H2O
H2O (American band)
-Prologue:Prior to the formation of H2O, in the early-mid-1980s, Todd Morse and Rusty Pistachio were part of the speed punk band "Roadside Petz". This band featured Wayne Williams on drums...
, they comprise a part of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's DMS Crew. Vocalist Cricien and bass player Hoya are also in the band Hazen Street
Hazen Street
Hazen Street is a supergroup that formed in early 2004.The band features Freddy Cricien and Hoya of New York hardcore band Madball; Toby Morse of hardcore band H2O; David Kennedy of post-hardcore band Box Car Racer, hardcore punk band Over My Dead Body, and later neo-progressive rock band Angels &...
, along with members of H2O
H2O (American band)
-Prologue:Prior to the formation of H2O, in the early-mid-1980s, Todd Morse and Rusty Pistachio were part of the speed punk band "Roadside Petz". This band featured Wayne Williams on drums...
and Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
.
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
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
for the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an release of their new studio album, Empire
Empire (Madball album)
Empire is an album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. Recorded in Florida during the Summer 2010 and entirely produced by Erik Rutan, it was released on October 10, 2010.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Freddy Cricien - vocals* Mitts - guitar...
, produced by Erik Rutan
Erik Rutan
Erik Rutan is an American heavy metal musician from New Jersey. He currently leads Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar and has also spent time with Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse...
. Jay Weinberg
Jay Weinberg
Jay Weinberg is an American drummer and the son of drummer Max Weinberg. He has played with the punk band The Reveling and toured in 2009 as a drummer with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, substituting for his father. During 2010, he was briefly the drummer for Madball...
, son of E Street Band
E Street Band
The E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
and Max Weinberg 7 drummer Max Weinberg
Max Weinberg
Max Weinberg is an American drummer and television personality, most widely known as the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and as the bandleader for Conan O'Brien on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.Weinberg grew up in suburban New Jersey...
, joined Madball for the album and for touring.
Madball then dismissed Weinberg in September 2010, citing personality conflicts. Weinberg said that he had already quit the group by that time, due to lifestyle issues. They are currently touring with Born From Pain's drummer Igor Wouters.
Members
Current members- Freddy CricienFreddy CricienFreddy Cricien [also known as Freddy Madball] is an American Emcee and vocalist for the hardcore band Madball as well as one of the vocalists for Hazen Street....
- vocals (since 1988) - Hoya Roc - bass (since 1993)
- Mitts - guitar (since 2002)
- Igor Wouters - drums (since 2010)
Former members
- Mackie Jayson - drums (ex-Cro-MagsCro-MagsCro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
, ex-Bad BrainsBad BrainsBad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
) - Rigg Ross - drums (SkarheadSkarheadSkarhead is a hardcore punk band from New York City. The band is a side project from lead singer Lord Ezec aka Danny Diablo of Crown of Thornz, and includes members of Madball and Subzero. It is considered the originators of thugcore music, a subgenre of hardcore punk "full of relentless breakdowns...
) - Vinnie Stigma - guitar (Agnostic FrontAgnostic FrontAgnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
) - Roger MiretRoger MiretRoger Miret is the vocalist for New York Hardcore outfit Agnostic Front as well as the street punk group Roger Miret and the Disasters....
– bass (Agnostic FrontAgnostic FrontAgnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
) - Travis Downey - Guitar (No WarningNo WarningNo Warning may refer to:* No Warning , a Canadian punk band** No Warning , the band's debut album* No Warning, a 1991 album by British musician Dave Wakeling* No Warning , a web series...
, HatebreedHatebreed- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
, GWARGWARGwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, Bulldoze) - Matt Henderson - guitar (Blind Approach, Agnostic FrontAgnostic FrontAgnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
) - Will Shepler - drums (Agnostic FrontAgnostic FrontAgnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
) - John Lafata - drums (Mind Over Matter, Neglect, Sheer TerrorSheer TerrorSheer Terror was an American hardcore punk band from New York City. The band was one of the first to combine elements of heavy metal with a hardcore punk base, pioneering a heavier style of hardcore that would become popular in the following decades. Formed in late 1984, the band, stayed together...
, currently in Deathcycle) - Walter Ryan - drums (PossessedPossessed (band)Possessed is an American death metal band, originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre...
), Powerhouse - Ben Dussault - drums (ex-Throwdown)
- Jay WeinbergJay WeinbergJay Weinberg is an American drummer and the son of drummer Max Weinberg. He has played with the punk band The Reveling and toured in 2009 as a drummer with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, substituting for his father. During 2010, he was briefly the drummer for Madball...
- drums
Discography
Studio albums and EPs- 1989: Ball of Destruction 7" EP (reissued with 14 extra tracks in 1996)
- 1992: Droppin' Many SuckersDroppin' Many SuckersDroppin' Many Suckers is the debut full length release from New York band Madball.-Track listing:...
- 1994: Set It OffSet It Off (Madball album)Set It Off is the second full length album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. The outro at the end of "The World Is Mine" is from the movie White Heat.-Track listing:...
- 1996: Demonstrating My StyleDemonstrating My StyleDemonstrating My Style is an album by New York hardcore band Madball. In 2007, it was rereleased by Roadrunner Records as a double album also containing Look My Way.-Track listing:...
- 1998: Look My Way
- 2000: Hold It Down
- 2004: N.Y.H.C. EP
- 2005: Legacy
- 2007: Infiltrate the SystemInfiltrate the SystemInfiltrate The System is an album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. It was released on August 21, 2007 through Ferret in the US and through I Scream Records in Europe.-Track listing:Produced by Zeuss and Madball....
- 2010: EmpireEmpire (Madball album)Empire is an album by New York hardcore punk band Madball. Recorded in Florida during the Summer 2010 and entirely produced by Erik Rutan, it was released on October 10, 2010.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Freddy Cricien - vocals* Mitts - guitar...
Compilations and soundtracks contributions
- 1996: N.Y.H.C. Documentary Soundtrack
- 2000: Worldwide Tribute To The Real Oi: Vol. 1 - ´Violence In Our Minds´ [The Last Resort Cover]
- 2003: Best of MadballBest Of MadballBest of Madball is a greatest hits compilation album by New York band Madball. The CD contains two previously unreleased tracks.-Track listing:...
- Compilation of greatest hits