The Presidents #87

Happy New Year !!

2011 was pretty amazing over all.  We released “World War III” internationally and began our 3rd touring cycle.  Europe/UK was incredible as always and we’ve only just started on the US which we will continue in a few weeks with Hawthorne Heights.  Just before that though we get to visit Tokyo and just after we finally get to go back to Australia for Soundwave 2012.

We’ve waited a long time for this year.  We’re expecting a verdict in Matthew’s case as well as a complete re-launching of WWIII.  Madina’s planning a 2nd single as we speak and we’re working on a Madina DVD as well as the official release of  The Madina Lake Trilogy.  All of which can be found athttp://www.madinalake.com.

You’ll hear a lot more about all of that in the next couple weeks but now it’s time I share with you a more personal story.  A dream really..   you see I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and decided that I absolutely must score a goal in a hockey game. now I know what your thinking.. and youre right..I’ve never played hockey.  I’ve never really even been ice skating and i really have no business doing either.    But alas, once a dream pops in my mind..  i can’t just ignore it.  Believe me I tried.  but this one just kept nagging me and nagging me.

with a few phone calls I tried to wiggle my way onto a couple men’s team but nobody took me seriously.  until that is …  I met michael.  Michael and has a rich history in the arts and ways of hockey.  see, michael understands the necessity of quenching a desire to put on some ice skates and shoulder pads, pull a giant jersey over your head, grab a stick and hit the ice.  He knows the burning sensation of handling a puck, spinning a few opponents and launching it into the netting of a gorgeous red iron hockey goal.  michael, in essence, understands me. Not only does michael understand me..  he also plays on a real hockey team called the Hayanissport Presidents.

after a few drinks I managed to convince michael i was worthy of a shot.  All I asked was 2 minutes of his time…  well 2 minutes of their time,  2 minutes of ice time… as a President.

much to my delight, michael accepted.  2 days later, at approx. 11pm I was standing outside my apartment building in full pads, skates, stick and the glorious green President’s jersey…  #87…  I was on my way.

We pulled up to Johnnys Icehouse on Madison (where the Blackhawks practice) and rolled into the locker room.  Just like my dream, there were all the lockers in a neat row, pads, sticks and skates strewn about.  the sweet smell of zamboni fuel and BenGay, the sounds of sports tape ripping and Man talk popping off everywhere..  i’d arrived.

Now keep in mind..  I told Michael that I’ve never actually skated but not to worry, I was a natural athlete.  He decided not to tell anyone on the team anything about me..  but that I was a ringer – and a much needed extra substitute…

what you’re about to see is all real..  and unfortunately only a fraction of the damage I did. and even though I was asked to leave after the 2nd period…  was threatened bodily harm by players on my own team.. suffered minor contusions of the chin and elbows..  it was MY dream..  and NOBODY can take it away from me..    enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1deHIK7ntps

As part of our feature artist special on MADINA LAKE, we’re super pumped to confirm the band will meet with one lucky fan and a friend at each and every stop on the Soundwave Tour (Festivals only)

To enter:
It’s as simple as 1-2

STEP 1
All participants are to make a Madina Lake post on the wall of the 3Wise Records Facebook Page.  See the minimum requirements outlined in the instructions offered further down this note You can find the 3Wise Records Page here http://www.facebook.com/3WiseRecords

STEP 2
Spread your post around and have your friends give the post a “like”

READ MORE »

Another French interview! Read the original here and the (Google) translated one here.

To mark the (long awaited) return Madina Lake in France (an album “World War III,” newly released and from a European tour for three dates in France) we had the opportunity and great pleasure to meet the adorable Matthew Leone, bassist and survivor. Yes, If you have not heard of his tragic of his recovery in 2010 Matthew tried to help a young woman who was being beaten by her husband in the street. He was left for dead on the sidewalk. After 5 days in a coma between life and death and a long recovery period, this trial may have contributed to make him the person he is today.

To say that Madina Lake have had a tough year is a massive understatement. 2010 saw the band lose their label, management and any means of recording a third album. Then things went from bad to horrendous, when bassist Matthew Leone was victim to a horrific assault, with doctors predicting that his recovery might take up to four years, if at all. However, it was with an outpouring of love and support from fans worldwide, they somehow survived, turning to Pledge Music for help in recording their latest record ‘World War III’.

With Matthew’s recovery miraculously taking only a year and a half, the full band returned to the road in support of their third effort, and DIY caught up with drummer Dan Torelli, to find out how everything’s been going.

How’re you today?
I’m good, thank you!

And how far are you into the tour: you’ve been in Europe for a while before heading here?

Yeah, we’ve done three German dates, a Holland date, two in Brussels and now we’re here. Then, we did Portsmouth, and last night was Brighton. They were awesome – never been to Brighton before which was really cool! Then Portsmouth was great, with the Wedgewood Rooms, but today is always the one we really look forward to. London’s always amazing, and normally, London’s at the end of the tour so havng it the third day in is kinda weird.

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The Music Press is happy to say that Madina Lake are back and firing on all cylinders. The Chicago 4 piece have made it through hell and back after the summer of 2010 when bass player Matthew Leone was almost killed after intervening in a domestic violence incident involving a man beating his wife. Delivering one of the most important albums of their career so far ‘World War III’ was produced by guitarist Mateo Camargo and also features the track ‘Imagineer’ which was written and produced by both Madina Lake and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. The Music Press managed to grab a quick chat with Matthew and Dan in order to find out how they’ve been getting on.

Watch the interview here.

We spoke to Matthew and Dan from Madina Lake about the past few years, and their new album World War III, which is out now. (apologies about the poor video quality on this one).

See the photos here.

As part of our feature artist special on MADINA LAKE, we’re super pumped to confirm the band will meet with one lucky fan and a friend at each and every stop on the Soundwave Tour (Festivals only)

To enter:
It’s as simple as 1-2

STEP 1
All participants are to make a Madina Lake post on the wall of the 3Wise Records Facebook Page.  See the minimum requirements outlined in the instructions offered further down this note You can find the 3Wise Records Page here http://www.facebook.com/3WiseRecords

STEP 2
Spread your post around and have your friends give the post a “like”

READ MORE »