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The MadHats

New Album Just Released!

About Me

Music's mad scientist, Keller Williams, calls The MadHats "fantastic".
The MadHats have quickly become one of the premier live bands in the Midwest. Their high energy performances and deranged musical arrangements make them a one of a kind musical spectacle. The MadHat’s three piece lineup consists of Justin Olson on guitar and vocals, Mike Brennan on bass guitar, and Chris Tetreault on the drums.
The MadHat’s music offers an original sound in a mess of current pop music forms and stylings. Satirical lyrics blend with progressive compositions, while musicianship takes center stage. Constant rhythmic and dynamic changes and mixing of odd and even time signatures characterize The MadHat's sound. A "Hat’s" fan describes them as being a “smoothie blended on high…,” alluding to their mixing of a variety of musical forms. The MadHats are a totally improvisational experiment, and their music is an intoxicating, psychedelic marmalade with a hard blues/rock bite to it. A music critic for "The Rapid City Journal" describes The MadHat's music as an, "outrageous and totally unpredictable ride, rooted in a range of musical styles, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Pink Floyd to Modest Mouse." "[The MadHats] turn music on its head. And with the band’s booming popularity, a new album in the works and a music video on the way, it looks like upside-down is the way to be." Even music's own mad scientist, Keller Williams, quoted The MadHats as being "incredible."
The MadHat's first full-length album, 'Songs for the Common MANiac,' was released in 2006 by the independent label, Aberdeen Originals. The band then released a live/animated music video for the single "Get On." The album has seen great reviews, radio play, and distribution with giants such as Itunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, and Amazon. In 2007, came The Hat's sophomore project, 'Flight of the Jabberwock.' The MadHats are building a fanbase in the trenches by continually providing intense and mesmerizing live performances all over the Midwest. Keep your eyes on The MadHats as their career and endeavors continue to shake the world of music!
Get On Music Video

Add to My Profile | More Videos

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/6/2005
Band Website: themadhats.com
Band Members: Justin Olson, Mike Brennan, Chris Tetreault

Influences: Primus, Ween, Tool, Yes, 311, Frank Zappa, Modest Mouse, Pink Floyd, Cake, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Rush, Perfect Circle, Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Jethro Tull, Mason Jennings, Morphine, Drums and Tuba, Flaming Lips, Mr. Bungle, etc...

Click here to buy Flight of the Jabberwock

Click here to buy Songs for the Common MANiac

Click here to view The MadHats' Press Kit
Sounds Like: The MadHats were selected as one of the "Best of 2006" by DropHit.net and one of the best bands in the Black Hills by the "Rapid City Journal."
MadHat's music has seen countless airplay on the following radio stations and podcasts: Sirius Stars, The Creepy Sleepy Podcast, 89.1 The Buzz, 95.1 KSKY, City Vibe Radio UK, 87.7 Radio Tircoed, The Schwagcast, Soundtrip Podcast, Matchbox Radio 24, Radio Freakout, Hotel Coffee Podcast, Styrofoam Radio, Bad Dawg Radio, Antecubital Liposuction Podcast, Skye Radio, and many more!
The MadHats album, 'Songs for the Common MANiac,' is distributed through these great retailers: Itunes, emusic.com, cdbaby.com, amazon.com, musicgremlin.com, Borders Bookstores, Made in South Dakota Stores, aberdeenrecording.com, passalong.com, music.yahoo.com, rhapsody.com, music.aol.com, and local retailers like Black Hills Guitar, Global Market, and Spearfish Chophouse.

Record Label: Aberdeen Originals
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Lyrics for the entire Flight of the Jabberwock album!

The MadHats  -  Flight of the Jabberwock March of the Sheep: Starched pants, black tieCommon man in a corporate disguiseGot his eyes on the prizeSix figures and an enviable wife Fool, fat ki...
Posted by The MadHats on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:39:00 PST

New Album Just Released!

The MadHat's second full-length album, 'Flight of the Jabberwock' has just been released!  Right now you can purchase the CD directly from the band or from local retailers like Global Market, Spe...
Posted by The MadHats on Sun, 04 Nov 2007 02:06:00 PST

New album may be released by Halloween!

I know, I know. We've promised a release date so many times nobody will believe us. We'll see what happens. The artwork and mastering are all in place. Cross your fingers.
Posted by The MadHats on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:37:00 PST

Baby MadHat!

Congratulations to Justin and his wife Kim on the birth of their new baby girl, Jazlyn.
Posted by The MadHats on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:32:00 PST

New album is finished being mastered!

The MadHats new album, 'Flight of the Jabberwock' is finally through the mastering stage!  Thanks for everyone's patience and anticipation on this new project.  Hopefully the rest of the rel...
Posted by The MadHats on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:47:00 PST

The MadHats need your help and vote!

The MadHats have entered their music video for "Get On" into the Music Nation video contest. Now they need your vote to get them into the next round. Top prize is a recording deal with Epic Records!&n...
Posted by The MadHats on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:22:00 PST

Preview of the new album!

We've uploaded a sound clip from the new album to our MySpace page.  Preview part of the song, "Soul Criminal," from the upcoming MadHat's album, 'Flight of the Jabberwock.'  The new record ...
Posted by The MadHats on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:09:00 PST

The MadHats album now available on Itunes!

Finally, you can fill your Ipod with The MadHats from Itunes music store.  Let's see some downloads and reviews posted! 
Posted by The MadHats on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:02:00 PST

Download MadHat Mp3's @ musicgremlin.com!

'Songs for the Common MANiac' is now available for download purchase at http://www.musicgremlin.com.  Tell your friends and fill your iPod.  Thanks for supporting The MadHats!...
Posted by The MadHats on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 08:00:00 PST

The MadHats return to the studio!

The MadHats are returning to the studio in October to begin work on their second full-length album.  The album will be released through the band's record company, Aberdeen Originals. &n...
Posted by The MadHats on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 03:33:00 PST