In the latest episode of State of Love & Trust: A Pearl Jam Podcast, Mike McCready shares stories and reflections on the album that marked a turning point in his career.
Mike McCready appeared in the new episode of the must-listen podcast State of Love & Trust: A Pearl Jam Podcast to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Above by Mad Season. During the interview, he talked about the band’s origins, recounting how he met John Baker Saunders in rehab, an encounter that would lead to one of the most significant collaborations of his musical career. Mike revealed that the name Mad Season came from a British expression referring to the time when hallucinogenic mushrooms begin to sprout, a reference that tied into the experimental and psychedelic nature of the band.
He also delved into the recording process of Above, explaining how Lanye Staley’s vocals were recorded separately at night, while the rest of the band rehearsed during the day. This approach, born out of logistical and artistic necessity, contributed to the intimate and introspective feel of the tracks, which stood out for their raw energy and emotional vulnerability, often exploring themes of addiction and pain.
A particularly moving moment in the interview was when Mike shared the story behind the song November Hotel, revealing that the track was inspired by the tail numbers on his father’s F4 Phantom aircraft during his service in Vietnam. This personal detail offered an intriguing insight into how Mike’s family history and past have influenced his approach to music.
During the interview, McCready also reflected on the significance of Above in his development as a songwriter. He highlighted how the collaborative approach within Mad Season was a turning point, boosting his confidence in his songwriting abilities. The recording process, which happened quickly and efficiently due to the strong chemistry among the band members, contrasted with the slower pace of Gigaton by Pearl Jam, which took more time due to logistical challenges and the different personal commitments of each band member.
Mike also discussed how co-writing with Mad Season was a new experience for him. This co-writing process gave McCready an opportunity to explore new musical horizons, and after recording Above, he gained more confidence, which led him to write some of Pearl Jam’s biggest songs.
The interview also included a reflection on Barrett Martin, the drummer of Mad Season, who brought jazz and world music influences into the group. His experimental approach to drumming and deep knowledge of ethnomusicology had a significant impact on the album’s sound. Mike praised Martin’s work, describing him as one of the driving forces behind the creation of the band’s distinctive sound.
One of the most significant aspects of Above was Layne Staley’s lyrical contribution, whose words were often a raw and self-aware reflection of his struggles with addiction. Mike spoke about Layne’s honesty in his songwriting, which made the songs on Above even more powerful and emotionally resonant. He fondly remembered Layne’s kindness and positive spirit despite the challenges he was facing, an aspect that also reflected in the emotional depth of his vocal performances.
Mike also reflected on the deaths of Layne Staley, Mark Lanegan, and Chris Cornell, expressing his sorrow for the loss of these close friends and colleagues. He discussed the stages of grief he experienced after the passing of these iconic figures and how addiction had a devastating impact on their lives. He also spoke about the loss of Chris Cornell, describing it as particularly difficult due to its unexpected nature, but emphasizing how these experiences have influenced Pearl Jam’s music, adding emotional depth to their work.
Throughout the interview, Mike also spoke about his involvement in Temple of the Dog and his collaboration with Chris Cornell and the other members of the band. He discussed how the song Reach Down was one of the most significant tracks on the album and how his experience with Temple of the Dog had a therapeutic impact on him, helping him process his emotions and the pain related to the loss of some of his closest friends.
Finally, Mike reflected on a hypothetical reunion of these musicians, imagining which song they would perform together, and underscored his respect for the Seattle music scene despite the tragedies that have marked it. This discussion highlighted the importance of Mad Season and the other Pearl Jam side projects as spaces for exploration and creative growth, offering new perspectives for the band.
The full video of the interview is available on YouTube, and we highly recommend watching it for all Mad Season and Pearl Jam fans who can discover behind-the-scenes insights and new perspectives on their careers.
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Dead Kennedys, Mark Lanegan, Cat Power, R.E.M.