By Anthony J. Machcinski
While many musicians today have chased the money by creating music under the rap and pop genres, it’s always refreshing when a young band goes against the trend.
Taking the history of rock into account, Madison 22 is a fresh new sound that has taken the local scene by storm.
“We all love totally different music, so it’s just really odd,” explains bass player Luke Miller.
When asked how they could be classified in a music genre, the group had one answer.
“We have no idea,” they said in sync.
“Rock is a very broad term,” said guitarist and lead singer Tyler Anderson. “If you listen to our music, one song will be in one direction, and the next song you won’t even think is from the same band.”
Before even listening to Madison 22, a simple read of their favorite groups will show how they have accepted everything that has come before them.
“The Libertines, Nirvana, and Wu Tang Clan,” listed Miller.
“Metallica and Dave Matthews Band,” said Anderson.
“Manchester Orchestra and M.G.M.T., “ explained the band’s third member, Aislinn Sroczynski.
Madison 22 started when Anderson and Miller were 8th graders at Lincoln School in Kearny. The band performed under a different name and with a different drummer. After the drummer lost interest, the two picked up Sroczynski.
While she is two years younger than the other two members and is almost hidden behind her drum set, Sroczynski’s play cannot be overshadowed, as she makes the audience feel her presence.
She does not overshadow the other members, however. The band showed its confidence at Kearny Irish as it performed spectacular renditions of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and Cream’s “White Room.” Not only were these renditions true to the original, the band was able to put its own touch on them.
Madison 22 capped the show by playing several original songs. One song that blew the crowd away was “Brother,” a heavy but bluesy number that had members of the crowd dancing to the beat.
While the group has not had a problem entertaining their audiences, they have had one issue that has held them back: getting to the gigs.
“We’re very local,” explained Anderson. “We just got our (driver’s) licenses so we’re able to expand now because we can get to all of these places.”
This inability to travel has not discouraged them, however. They embrace it.
“We want people in our own town to know us first, then expand,” said Anderson.
While they understand how hard it is to make it in the business, they realize the example set before them by other bands from the area.
“I think it’s kind of cool thinking about bands nearby like My Chemical Romance,” explained Anderson. “There were kids that sat in our classrooms who now play for millions of people, and it feels really good.”
“It’s cool to represent our town and to show off that we are good,” said Sroczynski.
Madison 22 has made up for a lack of experience in the business with the help of Sroczynski’s father, Steve, who is the lead singer of the band Ripped.
“It’s pretty cool,” Aislinn said when asked about performing with her father. “He always helps me out and he does a lot for us.”
The band is in the process of creating songs and will produce an album once they feel they have 10-13 songs they consider “awesome.”
