Mad Aleck

Kalamazoo has plenty of higher-learning institutions, and that means mean plenty of bands to entertain the young crowds -- i.e. a larger-than-average music scene.
Maryz Eyez, 19 Wheels and the other hodgepodge collections of sophomore drummers and senior lead vocalists converge on the weekend bar scene to fill the air with tunes to please patrons. Mad Aleck is one such addition to the Kalamazoo list of bands.
Bassist Brian Hubert, lead singer Nick Buchholz and rhythm guitarist and WMU alumnus Chris Sims sat down in their rehearsal room with Hubert’s technologically advanced speaker phone to discuss what it was like to open for Local H and Vitamin V recently.
“I wasn’t too nervous after I had a few shots of tequila,” Hubert said, of the Local H gig.
With only one gig under their belt, they were stepping into the good fortune of opening for a national act. How did they do? Well, Mad Aleck is playing The Club Soda again Oct. 13, this time as the headliner.
The band doesn’t hold back when it comes to discussing what they think of other bands.
“Puddle of Mudd sux a--,” Sims said.
Buchholz chimed in with own views, listing off Nickelback and Dave Matthews Band as others to be scratched off any WIDR play lists.
But when it comes to the music that they love, they’re just as adamant. Buchholz is a fan of The Clash. Hubert enjoys 19 Wheels and spoke well of Maryz Eyez, saying of the latter, “They’ve got a good sound. They could go places.”
Those wanting to experience “pop-rock punk with a full sack of funk,” as Sims so aptly dubbed it, can check out the band at 9:30 p.m. at The Club Soda with Carmody and Negative Nancy. Mad Aleck will return to The Club Soda Nov. 6th with Maryz Eyez and 19 Wheels. Tickets are available at the door. Ticket and band information is available by visiting theclubsoda.com or madaleck.com.
- Western Herald