Madina Lake
From Them, Through Us, To You
By Andy Argyrakis

It’s the eve of 2007’s most prominent alternative rock outing and Madina Lake has just pulled up to the backstage entrance for dress rehearsal. Normally the launch of a road trip isn’t so formal for the Chicago-based band, but then again, this is the Projekt Revolution Tour featuring Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, HIM, Placebo and a cavalcade of other diverse acts across two stages in some of America’s largest sheds. Just a short year ago, the foursome was literally playing to a dozen people a night in everywhere from dingy clubs to pizza parlors to basement parties, but given its tireless work ethic, insanely engaging live show and ambitious new album From Them, Through Us, To You (Roadrunner), Madina Lake has literally built its fan base from the ground up.

“We’re elated even though there’s been an enormous amount of pressure over the past year,” says a candid Matthew Leone, the band’s bassist who insists on all out honesty no matter what the topic. “The stress is nothing compared to the jubilation we feel about this tour and setting up our new single ‘Here I Stand.’ Now that it’s all finally here, we’re seriously ready to go more than ever before.”

Despite the new record being done in the summer of 2006, Madina Lake made the somewhat unconventional request to its record label to tour for a year before putting the full-length project out. An EP filled the void temporarily and helped build the fanfare on U.S. tours with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Halifax and 10 Years, plus overwhelmingly successful dates in the U.K. with Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim For and Gym Class Heroes.

“Being from Chicago has absolutely grounded us because it’s a place that’s got balls and taught us to work our asses off,” continues Matthew. “We didn’t want to be an overnight thing, but rather build a rock solid foundation that would actually last beyond a fickle listening public. Those nights of playing to ten people helped us hone our live show, convey our personalities and come across honestly that when we were able to play bigger shows, all of those elements were already in place. We’ve had our eye on the prize- focusing and meditating the whole time on those goals- and everything’s been taken to the next level.”

A case in point comes from the disc’s lead single “House of Cards,” which helped acquaint the band with modern and alternative rock radio, followed by the aforementioned “Here I Stand,” which is currently taking MTV2 and Fuse spin lists by storm. The tune is yet another example of members’ emotional exposition (specifically about rising above life’s most challenging circumstances), all of which are taken directly from the players’ personal lives.

“The record is really reflective of our personalities, which on the surface is a bunch of partying, but deep down is a group of guys who’ve survived some really difficult times,” Matthew reveals. “There are some really haunting and dark trips, but we have an unbreakable spirit.”

Take for instance the real life trauma of Matthew (a philosophical dreamer but self-proclaimed funny guy) and his brother Nathan (who’s much more practical and realistic though lighthearted in conversation). During the guys’ early teen years, their mother unexpectedly died in a car accident, turning the family’s world upside down within seconds.

“It was such an uncomfortable time, especially because at that age no one really understands death and mourning,” confides Matthew. “It was a serious emotional revolution that had us dealing with loss and loving our family instead of worrying about being popular. That was without question what shaped us with the artist mentality.”

The “melodical genius” Mateo adds a slight edge of ADD and loads of humor into the landscape, while Daniel’s a deep thinker, self-disciplined health nut and vegetarian. But no matter what traits make everyone stand out as individuals, when the four unite under the moniker of Madina Lake, there’s an unshakable chemistry and cohesion.

Outside of the record, those unbreakable bonds are apparent on the concert stage, tied around back breaking rhythms (and speaker jumping stunts), anthemic choruses and spellbinding showmanship. And thanks to that year of refinement on the road, the guys are now finding fans of all genre associations singing each and every word back to them on both solo headlining shows and opening slots on esteemed bills like Projekt Revolution.

“We don’t care what scene it falls into or following trends because we’re here to break down boundaries,” Matthew confirms. “None of this stuff is made up and the concert experience is really incredible- just like an all out celebration.”

Beyond the current tour and fall European outing with Envy on the Coast, Halifax and My American Heart, Matthew and company are also exploring additional creative and philosophical sides. The guys are currently finalizing plans to release a novel sharing the story behind the fictional town of Madina Lake and its variety of inhabitants.

“Besides being our band name, we created a place called Madina Lake, which is basically set in 1950s America,” explains Matthew of a subject that can also be traced within the lyrics and linear notes of From Them, Through Us, To You. “It’s a microcosm of American pop culture in an isolated world surrounded by mountains. The town started with its ideals in order that gradually eroded over time to the point where money, wealth and fame are most important to them. The main plot revolves around the town socialite going missing and the reactions that go hand and hand with the celebrity mindset.”

As intriguing as the plot is on paper, the guys are the exact opposite of puffed up superstars in real life. Instead they refuse to refer to their audience as “fans,” re-branding them as “friends,” while sticking around until each and every attendee has left the building.

“During the show itself, we’re always setting off confetti cannons and balloons, Nathan’s always jumping in the crowd and we always make it as close and intimate as we can,” muses Matthew. “When kids sing back to us, it’s proof we did the right thing and that the words from our hearts are connecting with people. After we get cleaned up after the show, we’re hanging with the audience and getting to know them because we actually care- it’s much more about them than it is about any of us.”

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