Mickey A. Madden

Mickey Madden

Michael Allen Madden, also known as Mickey Madden (born May 13, 1979) is an American musician, who is best known for being the bassist in the pop rock band Maroon 5.

Madden was born in Austin, Texas. He began playing in junior high school, playing in garages along with friends Jesse Carmichael (guitar/vocals) and Adam Levine (vocals/guitar). The bands Pearl Jam and Nirvana were among their influences. In 1994, with the addition of Ryan Dusick (drums), the band Kara's Flowers was formed.

After the break-up of Kara's Flowers, Madden attended classes at UCLA. After Madden attended college, before long, however, the guys had reconvened back in Los Angeles to begin writing new songs that featured more groove-based elements than their past songs. The group reformed (with James Valentine (guitar) joining the line-up and Jesse Carmichael mainly playing the keyboards) and pursued a new musical direction, changing their name to Maroon 5.

 After scoring a new deal with Octone Records and writing a bunch of songs directly inspired by Levine's recently failed relationship, Maroon 5 released their debut album, the aptly titled Songs About Jane, in June 2002. The album sold steadily over the next couple of years and was certified platinum by 2004. Maroon 5 scored several hit singles, won two Grammy Awards, and toured constantly in supportThroughout their career, the band has released 5 studio albums: Songs About Jane (2002), It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007), Hands All Over (2010), Overexposed (2012) and V (2014).

Questions Just For Mickey...

1. OK, so originally the band was called Kara’s Flowers. What’s wrong with Kara and her flowers? What made you choose Maroon 5 as a name?

We needed a fresh start when we changed the name. We added a new member, a new direction.  We were all older and into different things. It made the most sense for us, to shed the Kara’s Flowers name and start fresh.  As for the name Maroon 5, it’s a secret that only the band and Billy Joel know the answer to.

2. Oooo, mysterious! Well, it worked and now you guys have toured the world. What is your favorite performance memory?

We played Seoul in early 2008 and the arena was arguably the liveliest we’ve ever played for. Almost everyone in the audience was waving a multicolored glowstick in time with the music, which looked absolutely mind-blowing from on-stage.

3. Maroon 5 has gotten a lot of publicity for the explicit content in your music videos. Why make such steamy videos?

Most of the songs deal with sex or lust on some level, thus the videos reflect that. Also Adam is an exhibitionist.

4. Yeah, I’m not complaining at. all. Moving on, most of your fans expect the success and popularity that came with Songs About Jane for your new album, Hands All Over. Do you think this album will live up to the success that your other albums had? If so, why? What makes this new album different and/or better?

I certainly hope this record finds a big audience, as we’re very proud of it and put a lot of love and energy into it. It’s hard for me to say how it’s different or better since I’m so inside of the process of making it… I can say that Mutt Lange is an exacting and extraordinarily gifted producer, and i do think his fairy dust is present on these recordings.

5. For you, what is the best part about being in Maroon 5? The fans? The guys?

It’s being able to grow up and play with my best friends for the last 15 years.  We’re beyond family members at this point. We’re just a blanket together – well worn and built to last.