“Think Howlin' Wolf on LSD reading a metaphysics tract by some French existentialist!"
—Bruce Madden describing one of the new songs from Talking With The Angels

Bluesy Meltdowns By Esoteric Rocker
Bruce Madden's original music is a combination of raw, primitive sounds influenced by blues, rock and the odd UFO passing by overhead. That signature sound is all over his 2004 release: Talking With The Angels.

From Chicago to Cape Cod!
Bruce has played on the main stage of the Chicago House of Blues, Chicago's Metro Theatre, Detroit's Magic Stick and numerous clubs and concert venues around the US.

He has jammed with or opened concerts for: B.B. King, Link Wray, Johnny Winter, James Cotton, Robin Trower, Tommy Castro, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, among others.

Warm Liquid Distortion
The songs on the new recording Talking With The Angels feature Bruce singing in a raw, wild voice on songs like Christian Deformed Blues or Ain’t Nothin’ But… He slips into a more mellow voice on songs like Heart and the album’s title cut.

He uses Danelectro, vintage Silvertone, and Fender guitars preferring the tube amp sound over solid state. The electric, electric slide or acoustic guitars he plays, lay down rhythm for intense harmonica workouts that reflect his love for the blues harp greats. While he loves their sound, he’s not attempting to carbon copy their style.

At other times though, Bruce’s harp playing launches into psychedelic space and beyond. The song UFO Louisiana that closes out Talking With The Angels comes to mind. Bruce doesn't play by the rules. He describes his overall sound as a warm, liquid distortion.

Talking With The Angels
The new 2004 release: Talking With The Angels collects 15 Madden originals, ranging from hard-edged blues to rock.

Bruce comments on a couple of songs from the new recording:

"There are some pretty crazed blues songs on Talking With The Angels. The maximum volume, raunchy slide guitar that melts down into chaos on Christian Deformed Blues is a kind of hybrid of the old street preacher blues except the tables are turned here.

"On Coffin Bone, I'm using an old RCA Victor mic from the 1940s, blowin' through a small Fender amp to overdrive the tone. Think Howlin' Wolf on LSD reading a metaphsyical tract by some French existentialist!" Go here to listen to some of the new music

Zombie Without A Home
Referring to his first solo album, released in mid 2002, Zombie Without A Home, Bruce said, "This group of songs was a cathartic experience for me. It's kind of a dark collection. I needed to burn off some energy from dying love and the only way that feels really good to me is to create music and words that fit together. The whole process is a trip."

Bruce's lyrics <check 'em out here> are personal comments on love, love lost and the world at large. Esoteric at times; visceral all the time.