We previously featured Mad Painter for their evocative and dynamic track, Rock And Roll Samurai, so when we heard that the talented band was back with Empty Bottles, we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Drawing us in with a cerebral synth, a brief drum riff and a dimensional guitar soundscape, Mad Painter open Empty Bottles with the eye-opening, situational prose, “Empty bottles on the table, empty bottles on the floor, you’d get up if were able, to drag yourself right out the door…”
The opus expands with a power-pop meets classic-rock adjacency, to take us on a thought-provoking and somewhat cathartic journey. Speaking on the metaphorical message of the song, the band confess, “It’s the party atmosphere, so prevalent in the first half of the 1970s, with bands like Sweet, Slade, Mud and Mott the Hoople being all the rage back then, but so sorely lacking today. We wanted to preserve and convey it. But the lyrics tell a bittersweet tale; if you listen closely, you’ll know it’s about the isolation and the lockdowns of 2020.”
We appreciate the open nature of the lyricism, and how this is brought to life with a vibrant and optimistic sonic design, tapping into a conscious frequency with the message of the song itself. The philosophical creators continue, “People [were] scared of each other, standing closely [was] deemed a threat. Sound familiar? It wasn’t that long ago. But this song delivers hope to all those who want to persevere in the face of adversity – you will succeed in the end. Maybe it’s about us in equal measure as it is about our audience.”
Elaborating on the 2022 live debut of Empty Bottles, the band say, “The song was written in early 2022 and premiered live at the Winter Tanglefest. The crowd went nuts, it was a heartening moment. We always seem to make a bigger impression once we venture outside of the Greater Boston area. Then we did it live on the Wave Radio in Littleton, in November 2022. The live version is also up on YouTube. During that radio show, they were asking us some bizarre questions, Howard Stern style, having nothing to do with our music. But it was giggles and chuckles all around, so it worked.”
Mad Painter cite their influences as “1970s rock’n’roll, from garage and proto-punk to early heavy metal and psychedelic rock, plus British glam rock from the 70s”, which absolutely manifests with Empty Bottles, although it is certain that Mad Painter are designing a universe unto their own.
The band features Alex Gitlin showcasing his skills on keyboards while also taking on the role of lead vocalist, contributing melodic and powerful elements to the band’s unique sound, whilst Al Nahabedian, the guitarist, brings a rich and vibrant tone, providing both rhythm and lead elements that drive the band’s energetic style. Kenne Highland, on bass guitar, adds depth and groove with his solid bass lines, creating a strong foundation. Al Hendry, the drummer, delivers dynamic and precise rhythms that keep the band in perfect sync, adding intensity and complexity. The backing vocals of Julie Gee and Sharon Crumrine enrich the music with beautiful and harmonious layers.
We have added Empty Bottles to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of the band, immerse ourselves in their cinematic universe, and anticipate future releases from Mad Painter!