Southern rock from churning from the swamp lands
of Syracuse, NY.
Formed in 1983, MAD JACK quickly distinguished itself from the
competition by playing classic covers and choice originals, and
delivering them in a gutsy, no-nonsense style.
In 1984,
MAD JACK
released its debut album �Straight Up,� which featured a blistering
cover of
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL�S �Fortunate Son,� as well as the
self-penned guitar anthem �Hangin� Tree.� By 1985,
MAD JACK
was playing to packed houses and sharing the stage with national
recording artists
MOLLY HATCHET
and
THE
OUTLAWS.
1986 saw the release of
MAD JACK�S
follow-up, �Down The Road.� More high profile shows followed, this
time in support of the
MARSHALL
TUCKER BAND,
DUKE
ROBILLARD, and BLACKFOOT. Road trips, late nights, and hard
living seemed to agree with
MAD JACK,
who literally worked non-stop throughout the next three years.
In 1989, three of
MAD JACK�S
four members joined the legendary British blues band
SAVOY BROWN.
During their tenure with SAVOY BROWN, the members of
MAD JACK
recorded no less than four albums, including �Make Me Sweat,� �Kings
Of Boogie,� �Live And Kickin�,� and �Let It Ride.� They also toured
extensively, playing shows with
JOHNNY WINTER,
GREGG ALLMAN,
JOHN
LEE HOOKER, and HUMBLE PIE among others.
MAD
JACK
reunited in 1992. Now seasoned by years of roadwork, the band was
tighter and more focused than ever, and their original songs exuded
a new level of confidence and maturity, as evidenced by 1994�s
offering, �On The Run.�
1997-2002 saw the band on
hiatus as marriage, career changes, and re-evaluation of lifestyles
took the members of
MAD JACK
in wildly different directions.
In 2003
MAD JACK
founding member Lou Kaplan (lead vocals, bass, and acoustic guitar)
reunited with 20-year veterans Mike �Smokey� Brown (guitar) and Rick
Jewett (keyboards and vocals). Longtime friend and SAVOY BROWN
alumnus Al Macomber (drums and vocals) was a welcome addition.
MAD
JACK
released their fourth album in June of 2005. Simply titled �Mad
Jack,� the new disc showcases the band�s growth as songwriters, as
well as their ability to draw from a myriad of stylistic influences,
including rock, blues, jazz, country, and folk.
Following the release of �Mad Jack� and an incendiary set in support
of country rock legend
COMMANDER CODY; the decision was made to
expand the group to a five-piece unit. The choice was so obvious
that no auditions were deemed necessary, and songwriting friend Mike
Shaw (lead vocals, guitar, and dobro) officially joined
MAD JACK
as a full time member in July of 2005.
In 2007 Lou Kaplan and Mike Shaw formed a new blues band called
Kaplan-Shaw.
Band Members -
Lou Kaplan - Vocals,
Bass
Mike "Smokey" Brown - Guitar
Mike
Shaw - Guitar, Dobro, Vocals
Rick Jewett - Keyboards, Vocals
Al Macomber - Drums, Vocals |
Mad Jack - Best of Mad Jack 1985 - 2005
Mad Jack - Mad Jack
Mad Jack - On The Run
Mad Jack - Down The Road EP
Mad Jack - Straight Up LP
Kaplan Shaw - Mojo Cafe
Kaplan Shaw - No Stranger To The Blues
