Joy & Madness
West Sacramento, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
If ever a band were aptly named, it's Joy and Madness. While three or four contenders were on the table (many along the lines of “So’s Your Mom”), the name Joy and Madness perfectly embodies the frantic, infectious soul-funk vibrations of Sacramento’s most smile-producing act.
Witnesses of all types – young, old, first-timers and long-timers react with near fervor to the group’s live shows. One middle-aged man repeatedly kissed band members. Another fan got a tattoo of the band’s logo on her wrist.
“Jock dudes who would have kicked my butt in high school were ripping the bracelets of my wrists,” says vocalist Hans Eberbach of one experience. “We’ve had an 18-year-old and her grandma enjoying a show.”
And if it seems the musicians are enjoying themselves as much as the audience, they are. According to Eberbach, playing a couple back to back gigs can mean shedding two to three pounds.
“It brings you together and makes you feel like a family with the people you are playing for.” says keyboardist Jeremy Springer.
“A lot of what we are doing is spiritual,” adds Eberbach. “It’s what humans were meant to respond to. It’s putting vibrations in their body.”
The band formed in late 2012, following the split of five members from another local soul outfit. Soon they were joined by Miss Nyxi on bass, and Bobby G, a guitarist who has played with the likes of Lionel Richie and Tower of Power.
“Good players for this music, they don’t come around very often, and when it actually happened, it was kind of a dream come true for me,” says Springer of the current lineup.
Check out the band live at The Torch Club Oct. 10. – Elizabeth Marxen - Sacramento Magazine - Elizabeth Marxen
Discography
Joy & Madness, The EP
Photos
Bio
A nine piece soul and funk explosion out of Sacramento that could be described as Jamiroqui meets J. Geils, Joy & Madness has been rocking stages all over the West Coast since inception. They have shared the stage with the likes of Tower of Power, Collective Soul, The Monophonics, the Motet, and the Pimps of Joytime, Dumpstaphunk, and Trombone Shorty and bring a live performance which leaves everybody inspired, sweaty, and full of joy.
Joy & Madness began with 5 core members who met in a previous local project. They added long-time Sacramento funkateer, Miss Nyxi on bass, and the prolific funk guitarist, Bobby G. Bobby G, who had played with and produced the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Sheila E, Lionel Richie among others, had a chance encounter with Miss Nyxi after sitting in with Tower of Power’s Roger Smith. After Miss Nyxi introduced him to Joy & Madness, he added his impeccable funk chops, production skills and musical ingenuity to the band. The addition of world percussionist Ryan Sacco cemented the layer of groove. With a raucous mix of raw stonesy energy, pulsing groove, and juicy horn lines coloring tightly crafted songs, Joy & Madness brings a modern classic pop sensibility to a new age of joyous funk and soul. Joy & Madness reaches audiences in a way that few live performers can. Front man and vocalist Hans Eberbach brings so much freewheeling energy to the stage, he has literally broken right through the floorboards. His raw, open connection with the audience breaks down barriers and pulls everyone together into the excitement of the experience.
The band’s new EP, Little Bright World was released in November of 2015 at a Sacramento’s Crest Theater. Ozomatli shared the bill for a rousing and memorable performance. Since then Little Bright World has begun spinning on terrestrial and internet radio stations around the world. The band’s two EPs have won both Indpendent Music Awards and Akademia Music Awards and begun to garner glowing reviews. Joy and Madness will be performing at festivals and clubs along the west coast throughout 2016.
Band Members
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