Thursday, December 20, 2007

Madison Electric made good songs

On a certain message board I recently expressed my overwhelming love for a little lost band by the name of Madison Electric. I would like to say I knew them back when, and I wish I had some stories I could tell about some show they played in a basement that was really cool, but I cant, because I wasn't there. I just recently – maybe three or four months ago – came upon Madison Electric. I was listening to the French compilation tape Pop Machine (put out by Cowly Owl – and an excellent comp, by the way) and the last track was a song called "Another Autumn." I finally got to it, after listening straight through 26 other songs, and when it was over, I started it over, and listened to it again, and then again, and then I eventually just put it on repeat to save myself the trouble. So, the point is – the song had me, I was taken by it, it had me by the heartstrings. Really tightly. So, as you could imagine, I was in love with Madison Electric. I went into research mode and found a small band page off of the fantastic Pop website where I was delighted to find some more stuff – a 7", another compilation track – it was all very wonderful. Of course I loved every song I downloaded, finding a particular fascination with the song "V-Neck" which appeared on the Drive-In Season 7" comp alongside other pop gems from The Cat's Miaow, The Singing Bush, and The Shapiros. As of now, if I had to pick a favorite track, it would probably still be "V-Neck"; when the organ comes in on the chorus, it's just like , yknow? These songs were some of the best pop songs I'd ever heard, I needed more, so much more! But, that was it. Madison Electric recorded six songs and then called it quits. It brings a tear to my eye, but then again, it might be better this way. So, there's my story, looks like I actually had one. Here's the band's story:

Once upon a time, in a land called ann arbor michigan, there was a band called frisby. in october 1994, frisby opened for boyracer and the ropers in kathleen's basement. a few months later, there were some line-up changes and kathleen, jj, and tim joined the band and the name was changed to madison electric (a name that tim had previously used to record some solo 4-track tunes for a split 7"). after practicing for two weeks and hastily writing some new songs, madison electric played their first show on 3 february 1995 in kathleen's basement (the basement on church street was *the* place to be seen after all!) the show was a success and more offers of shows poured in. unfortunately, when a band has seven members with very different schedules and ideas of how a band should be run, things can be a bit tricky- not to mention that ethan was leaving to go study in england for a year. madison electric was in existence from january thru may of 1995 (though their last show was actually in june), played a grand total of five shows, and wrote a whopping six songs. they did however record before their demise and the outcome can be heard on a couple of 7"s that were released on quiddity and drive-in records.

I want to you to listen to these songs. Please listen to them.

[MP3]: Madison Electric :: Another Autumn (Super Highly Rec'd!!!)
[MP3]: Madison Electric :: V-Neck (Enormously Recommended!!!)

If you go HERE, you can grab the Quiddity 7"
The Quiddity 7" is super good, so get it.

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18 Comments:

Anonymous Mikee said...

"V-Neck" was a mixtape staple of mine in the 90's. I still spin that Drive-In comp from time to time. That period was so great for indie pop music. It is truly sad that this group didn't make more music. What a shame. I absolutely love this blog. It makes me dust of the old 7-inch singles and reminisce.

3:31 AM  
Blogger Matt said...

im glad you share in my sadness :(
glad you love the blog, too

12:32 PM  
Anonymous honorbak said...

Thanks for those two awesome songs !
It kinda reminds me of 'Dirty on purpose' (songs like 'light pollution' or 'your summer dress').

3:26 AM  
Anonymous Nur said...

...really nice songs.
Thanx for your Xmas compilation, and YES, a podcast would be awesome.
You would have some italian listeners... ;-)
bye!

11:35 AM  
Blogger Dennis said...

Nice post! After you wrote about them on the anorak forum I already found them myself, plus some more. I should be used to it by now, but it's always amazing how much good pop there is still out there, waiting to be discovered!

4:47 PM  
Blogger Matt said...

thats why indiepop will save the world! :D

2:45 AM  
Blogger mgrooves said...

madison electric rule. that "heavy petal" 7" is one of my all-time favorites.

i recently picked up an extra copy of the drive-in comp with "v-neck" sweater. if you'd be interested, happy to part ways with it -- i couldn't let it sit in the bins, even though i already have it.

1:31 PM  
Blogger Matt said...

oh yes! i would love that! how much do you want for it?? email me at 83in05 @ gmail.com

2:39 PM  
Blogger The Boy and the Cloud said...

i know my math... what's that sixth song then?

x

12:07 PM  
Blogger Todd said...

I'm selling off that Quiddity single to anyone who's interested. In fact, I've been selling off all my last indie pop/rock records on eBay (under jadebadger) for the past couple weeks, cause I've been out of work for a few months now, but I'd rather sell them to you folks, at reasonable prices. I'm fair.

2:11 AM  
Blogger jj said...

aw, now i feel all schmoopy and nostalgic. thanks for reminding me that i have those mp3s up online, and for hosting the others. glad to see there are some people out there who still love those songs.
xojj

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