Madina Lake is a band that is too nice for rock and roll. They will never be mega stars, never be the next great thing and never will they be rock royalty. That is the saddest but most true thing you can say about these guys from Chicago.
Nathan and Mathew Leone the twin brothers who front this band have been through literal hell and back and come out smiling and with no angst. Bassist Mathew Leone nearly was killed helping a woman in a fight with her husband left for dead in the middle of the road. Numerous brain surgeries and miracles later he is back up on stage- no regrets no "shoulda haves'.
Below is their new video for "Across 5 Oceans" a classic Madina Lake tune that is smack dab stuck in the time period when Matt took that hit. It's as if the band hit pause until he recovered and when he did- they just hit play again. No change in sound or vibe or attitude but time- time moved on and what was once a dynamic unique sound is one of repetition and monotony. I love the song. I love the song because I love Madina Lake. I love the way they treat their fans and how they have treated me an Mary Magpie on the numerous times we have met. I am so thrilled that they have a new product to offer and I am proud of them for never giving up and making ever other band with adversity look like wimpy ass babies. Madina Lake are unscathed.
So watching Nathan and girl friend frolic, break up and move on is a-ok. I have nothing bad to say about it because for every cheesy cheese factor of this video there is a live concert segment that literally makes me smile. These guys are so fantastic live, so ridiculously fantastic.
This reminds me of the first time we met the band. Mary Magpie was 11 years old. She informed them that she used their song "Now or Never" for one of her dance auditions they said how wonderful that was, how flattered they were and to 'never give up'. Words they obviously live by. They aren't kids anymore, but they are still a band who shouldn't give up.