Mad Season

Mad Season formed in Seattle in 1994 as a supergroup uniting Layne Staley of Alice in Chains with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and John Baker Saunders. The project's sole studio album Above showcased a more restrained, blues-inflected side of its members' capabilities, with McCready's guitar work trading the explosive solos of Pearl Jam for atmospheric, sustained textures that served Staley's haunting vocal performances. McCready's gear on the Above sessions centered on his Gibson Les Paul through a Union Jack HG 50w amplifier — the same Derek Springer-built boutique amp that would become his main rig for Pearl Jam — complemented by a Fender Stratocaster for cleaner passages. His Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer provided the singing lead tone on River of Deceit, while a Dunlop Cry Baby Wah added expressive sweep to bluesy passages. Mad Season's single album remains one of grunge's most emotionally devastating records, its spacious arrangements allowing each musician's gear choices to breathe in ways their primary bands rarely permitted.