Virginia’s premiere unsigned rock act; MADRONE combine intricate riffs, earth shaking drums, driving bass, and impassioned vocals to form a sound unlike any other.
“It’s so much heavier when there’s a beautiful melody involved” so says Madrone lead singer and guitarist John “JD” Sutphin. And such is the case within the sound of Madrone, based in southwest Virginia.
In the 5 years the band has existed; Madrone has created an enveloping, inviting and massively intriguing sound. Mixing elements of hardcore, psychedelic and modern alternative rock within Madrone you find breakdowns as heavy as Lamb of God, multilayered guitars reminiscent of Pink Floyd and stadium-sized, fluid choruses.
But with Madrone there is more than music, there’s a story.
Sutphin calls music “my birth right” and he’s not kidding. His grandfather, Jim Freeman was a music leader within the country and bluegrass scene of the 1960’s and 70’s. He toured the country, recorded several albums, appearing on dozens of radio and television stations and even taught college level music theory.
Tragically his life was cut short on the 4th of July 1974, eleven years before John was born. His prized 1961 Martin guitar was locked away the day he died only to be opened 24 years later when John’s grandmother presented it to him as a gift as he had just begun playing guitar.
It was within a week of receiving the guitar Sutphin wrote his first song. And since then every Madrone song has come from Sutphin’s “holy grail” instrument.
Joseph Coleman, drummer and percussionist for Madrone; met John when he was only 15 years old yet was already a veteran of the budding music scene. “I heard John play in other bands but I knew something was missing… me” Coleman says such in a direct way you instantly see that he speaks how he plays and performs; with honesty and an unbridled passion for his craft.
A professionally trained percussionist and accomplished drum teacher, Coleman was on the hunt to find a band that true to his “metal roots” but didn’t want to be in another cookie cutter hardcore band. “John and I have that Metallica Hetfield/Ulrich connection…with him doing the guitars and vocals we’re able to write so much so quickly, to the point that practice sessions have to be recorded so we don’t forget anything!”
Blaine Davis, bassist and the third and final piece of the puzzle came to the band in a way true to his own personality and certainly his playing, spontaneous. “The band had a show on a Friday for 1500 people and their bass player wasn’t going to be able to do it, I came to their rehearsal space the Tuesday before and that Friday we ended up playing to over 2000 kids and we haven’t looked back since.” An amazing multi-instrumentalist Blaine excels (to the point of making John nervous) on guitar as well as piano and his first instrument, drums. “I think my connection to the drums really helps Joey and I lock into a groove together, it’s almost an unspoken thing drummers have with each other.”
These are just a few of the stories within Madrone, yet there are countless more within the songs of this band on the brink of something spectacular. Madrone invites you to take a ride with a band ready to captivate your mind and welcome you to find your own story within their music.
Madrone has performed with Major Label/Grammy Winning and Platinum selling groups such as STAIND, THREE DOORS DOWN, SHINEDOWN, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, HINDER, HOOBASTANK, CHEVELLE, AIRBOURNE, DROWNING POOL, HALESTORM, BLACK STONE CHERRY and many amazing indie and unsigned artists.
