Powermad
Encyclopedia
Powermad has been called "An innovative and often forgotten speed metal band...who infused progressive metal styles and European styles into abstract American speed metal." The band's intricate riff formulations were heavily influenced by thrash metal
acts like Metallica
and Testament
, but vocalist Joel Dubay's mixture of singing and high screams was more reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson
(Iron Maiden
) or Eric A. Knudtsen (Flotsam and Jetsam
).
. They subsequently signed to Reprise Records
and released The Madness Begins EP in 1988, a release distributed mainly via a promotional ad featured in some of the most popular metal magazines of the era. Readers were able to clip this ad and mail it off for a free copy of the EP. A video for the song "Terminator" was aired on MTV at this time.
Their first and only full length album to date, Absolute Power, was released in 1989. Other than a US tour opening for Overkill
, a video featured on MTV of their single "Nice Dreams" and a strange cameo appearance in the David Lynch
film Wild At Heart
(where they go from playing their own music to Elvis Presley
's with Nicolas Cage
singing), Powermad never really achieved notable commercial success. Their albums, however, were critically acclaimed and are considered collector's items today by fans of thrash and speed metal music.
Powermad has resumed touring as of 2007 and are working on a new full-length CD to be released.
On February 9, 2008 the band updated their blog on MySpace with a link to download The Madness Begins... and Absolute Power as unprotected mp3's.
On June 23, 2011 Powermad updated their official website with a new design, and an announcement. A new song called Souls Descending has been released on their website, and it has been made available for download (music video, ogg and mp3) and on YouTube. In the same update it is announced that Dirk Verbeuren
is now playing drums in Powermad.
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
acts like Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, but vocalist Joel Dubay's mixture of singing and high screams was more reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
(Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
) or Eric A. Knudtsen (Flotsam and Jetsam
Flotsam and Jetsam (band)
Flotsam and Jetsam is a thrash metal band that formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1982.-1981-1986: The beginning:The band's original name was "Paradox" founded by Drummer Kelly David-Smith and two other guitarists, until 1982 when bassist Jason Newsted joined. Jason had come to Phoenix with his band...
).
History
Powermad formed in 1984 in Minneapolis and released an EP on Combat RecordsCombat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
. They subsequently signed to Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
and released The Madness Begins EP in 1988, a release distributed mainly via a promotional ad featured in some of the most popular metal magazines of the era. Readers were able to clip this ad and mail it off for a free copy of the EP. A video for the song "Terminator" was aired on MTV at this time.
Their first and only full length album to date, Absolute Power, was released in 1989. Other than a US tour opening for Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
, a video featured on MTV of their single "Nice Dreams" and a strange cameo appearance in the David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
film Wild At Heart
Wild at Heart
Wild at Heart: The Story of Sailor and Lula is a 1990 pulp, "neo-noir" novel by Barry Gifford which was adapted to film in 1990.The novel begins the adventures of two sex-driven, star crossed protagonists on the road, Sailor and Lula...
(where they go from playing their own music to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's with Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
singing), Powermad never really achieved notable commercial success. Their albums, however, were critically acclaimed and are considered collector's items today by fans of thrash and speed metal music.
Powermad has resumed touring as of 2007 and are working on a new full-length CD to be released.
On February 9, 2008 the band updated their blog on MySpace with a link to download The Madness Begins... and Absolute Power as unprotected mp3's.
On June 23, 2011 Powermad updated their official website with a new design, and an announcement. A new song called Souls Descending has been released on their website, and it has been made available for download (music video, ogg and mp3) and on YouTube. In the same update it is announced that Dirk Verbeuren
Dirk Verbeuren
Dirk Verbeuren is a heavy metal drummer for Swedish melodic death metal band, Soilwork, French melodic death metal band, Scarve , French melodic death metal band, Phaze I, Dutch death-thrash metal band, Anatomy of I, and American thrash metal band, Powermad...
is now playing drums in Powermad.
Current members
- Joel DuBay - vocals & guitar (1984-)
- Todd Haug - guitar (1984-)
- Jeff Litke - bass (1984-)
- Dirk VerbeurenDirk VerbeurenDirk Verbeuren is a heavy metal drummer for Swedish melodic death metal band, Soilwork, French melodic death metal band, Scarve , French melodic death metal band, Phaze I, Dutch death-thrash metal band, Anatomy of I, and American thrash metal band, Powermad...
- drums (2011-)
Former members
- Bill HillBill HillWilliam Cicero Hill was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in the National League from 1896-1899.-External links:...
- guitar (1984–1987) - Adrian Liberty - drums (1984–1990)
- John MacalusoJohn MacalusoJohn Macaluso is an American drummer born in 1968, who has played for Ark, TNT, Yngwie J. Malmsteen among others. Born in Commack, New York, John started playing drums at age 11. Now having recorded on 32 records and playing on multiple world tours, John continues to write and record music,...
- drums (John Macaluso played drums on the album Absolute Power, with the exception of Failsafe)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Powermad | Combat Records | EP, Released as part of the Combat Boot Camp series that put bands' demos on vinyl |
| 1988 | The Madness Begins... | Reprise Records | EP, Recorded and mixed at Paisley Park Studios |
| 1989 | Absolute Power | Reprise Records | Full-length album |
| 1999 | Combat Boot Camp | Century Media Records | Compilation CD split with demos from Have Mercy and Napalm |
Other
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Wild At Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | Polydor / Umgd | Song: Slaughterhouse |