REVIEW // MADDOG EP Release Party & Review
MADDOG (@maddogofficialfanclub), affectionately known as “MADDOG GODDAM” to friends, consists of Caleb Hickman and Max Randall as the core members, but also includes rotating members including Masahiko Kono on the trumpet, Luke Lotardo on drums, and Shaheen Malick on cello.
On April 22, the band held an album release party hosted by Ava Pearl (@childofvenusandmars) in the Paper Mill office spaces in Bushwick, a nondescript building with very New York City-esque renovations inside, including many exposed brick walls. The show was originally planned to be on top of a roof in Williamsburg, but due to the impending rain was changed to the office space the day before the show. That didn’t seem to deter the crowd though, as almost 100 people crammed into the space to hear local bands. Upon entering the building, a greeter stands with directions and a program with Maddog’s logo on the front and drawings and information by Ava on the inside.
The office had, to the best efforts of the event planners, been turned into a space filled with fairy lights, projectors, tapestries, and instruments. A sofa in the back and a few chairs on the sides of the room provided a place to sit, but when bands were not playing, most people sat on the floor in circles, coloring programs, singing, and getting to know one another. The crowd consists of mostly college students, all turning out in their best outfits for the EP release “happening.”
The band took up about half of the space, but the crowd still used the space they had to dance to openers Fox Frazier, Sunbear, and Max Randall. Many of the openers were also a part of other bands, or at least friends with members, and this kept for a rotating cast of people jamming throughout the night. The audience especially loved Perry Ladouceur, aka Fox Frazier, whose acoustic songs like “Gemini (Me Oh My)” and “Bridge” received loud applause at the end. Sunbear was another highlight of the night, with Sabrina Bondar on vocals and lead guitar stunning the audience with her dreamy voice reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers.
Two hours after the openers started, drag queens Marie Miluv and Shay Noëlle provided a wonderful performance which brought up the energy of the room. Dancing to high-energy pop songs, the two queens captivated the audience, who cheered at every high kick and split performed.
Finally, Maddog takes the stage, and the audience begins to party. The band’s set consists mostly of songs the members have written, and they don’t hesitate to jam it out either as the crowd cheers and soaks in the show. Halfway through Maddog’s set, the rain really begins to come down. It's been raining off and on for a while, but as the band begins their fourth song, lightning flashes outside the window and thunder adds ambiance to the office space-turned-party space.
“I thought the show was pretty interesting,” said August, 19. “My favorite band that was there was Maddog… [the room] was just very hot and sweaty and small at points. But you could go out of the room if you wanted, go to the hallway and get a breath of fresh air. But I think if I went next time I would bring more water.”
“I did like their music,” said Jack, also 19. “I was excited to see [them] once I did that deep dive [on Instagram].” Despite it being a little small in the room, August, Jack, and most other attendees had a great time at the show.
“I would love to go again,” said Jack. “Especially if it was on a rooftop.”
Maddog’s EP, ‘Maddog 1’ was released the next day and consists of two songs: “Garden of Earthly Delights” and “Cool Blues.” The two songs are beautifully made and emotional. The “Garden of Earthly Delights” starts off with an Andrew Bird-like string section, moving into lyrics and a melody that seems to fit into Miracle Musical’s “Dream Sweet in Sea Major” that sounds like it’s sung by Elliot Smith or Alex G. The neo-psychedelic song is filled with dreamy backing vocals and piano and leads the listener into a bridge of ambient brass that contrasts with the lively sound of the song before. “Garden of Earthly Delights” ends with an acapella section that ties the whole song together.
“Cool Blues” channels The Beach Boys’ “Smiley Smile” album with lively piano at the beginning that turns into a sultry, almost ghoulish voice that winds around the song like a haze. The psychedelic-like Orville Peck voice carries the listener through lyrics that are almost haunting while the piano, at times, almost resembles what could be described as a haunting saloon. The guitar solo at the end embodies David Gilmour-era Pink Floyd and the song ends on a fadeout that perfectly ends the album.
The album definitely evokes the psychedelic vibe that the album release paid homage to; channeling the happenings and acid tests of the 60s. The songs on it sound straight out of the beginnings of the psychedelia movement, and anticipation already awaits for more.
Words: Skyler Martin
