Created outside Newcastle, Texas at Fort Belknap, in 1995 by Jon Blackstock on vocals, T.J. Phillips on bass, and Phillip Stewart on drums, Madcastle was originally a cover/jam band, highly influenced by both Blues and Thrash Metal styles. In 1996 after a couple of lineup changes with guitar personnel, UNT Jazz Performance Major Bill Grubbs joined the band as lead guitarist. The addition of Bill to the lineup established the sound and style that would shape the future of the bands direction. Dale Tyler joined the lineup as rythm guitar, as well as Chauncey Walker on bass, in March of 1997.
No more than one year later the band was forced into hiatus due to uncontrollable issues outside the band. Life happened. Babies were born, people became Marines, and some of the band went on to persue other musical outlets. Through the years that would pass, Madcastle would reunite briefly for the fun of it. The flame was never extinguished.
Life happened once again, this time showing how grim it can be. Jon was rendered paraplegic after being thrown from a truck window as the truck flipped when it hit an embankment. He had fallen asleep at the wheel on the highway, in the middle of nowhere. He took control and crawled with his hands and elbows to the road and eventually managed to wave down help. Madcastle reunited for one night, to headline a benefit concert for the sake of Jon, and everyone agreed that the official rebirth of Madcastle was within reach. Dale relocated from Lubbock across the state to Fort Worth to take over vocal duties with Jon this time on guitar and within days the band was working on brand new material. After months of searching, Robert Bell stepped in to fill the bass position and once again Madcastle was complete and more solid than before.
The bands independently released debut album, Texas Anger, was recorded in 2003 at Indian Trail Recording Studios in Krum, Texas.
Presently, Madcastle's sound and style has evolved as the years have passed and Dale has taken up some backup guitar duties to add another dimension to the already devastatingly crippling machine. The band continues molding itself into its own entity, never forgetting its roots, but aiming for its own identity, seperate from its influences.
Hints of influence from Pepper Keenan, Dimebag Darrel, Kirk Weinstein, Zakk Wylde, and Bill Steer linger in the background of crushing guitar riffs and tastefully executed leads. The voice of Madcastle blends the melodic harmonies reminiscent of Grunge's Layne Staley with the raspy, soulful and absolutely dominating drive of Phil Anselmo's NOLA style. Robert Bell solidifies the sound with sledgehammered sonic booms, bringing out the intensity of psychotic riff after riff. Phillip Stewart glues it all together with insane old school Thrash style double bass, colorful fills, and locks in the hooks with pure groove.
More than just a metal band, Madcastle is a tribute to the musicians who influence them, the styles that move them, and the people who support them. Madcastle is a brotherhood of friends bound together as family, including both the fans and members. Madcastle is a reminder to the members of where they come from and what originally brought them together.
