- Band Members: Freddy Cricien, Hoya, Will Shepler, John Lafata, Matt Henderson, Vinnie Stigma
- Genre: Rock & Alternative
- Followed By: Terror, Guns Up!, Born from Pain, xBishopx, Full Blown Chaos, Atreyu, Built to Last, Since the Flood, Barricade, Death by Stereo, Donnybrook!, Forever in Terror
- Similar Artists: Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, Primus, Suicidal Tendencies, Biohazard, Bootsauce, Warzone, Kinky Machine, Sick of It All, Shootyz Groove, Dink, Orange 9mm, I Mother Earth, New Kingdom, Sausage, Smokin' Suckaz Wit Logic, Sublime, H2O, Precious Death, Chronic Future, Mind Heavy Mustard, The Bloodhound Gang, Regurgitator, Uncle Mingo, Hatebreed, Blood for Blood, Vietnom, Breakdown
Part of the New York hardcore scene, Madball originated back in 1989, as a side project of the legendary outfit Agnostic Front (Madball vocalist Freddy Cricien's older brother is none other than AF's Roger Miret). After releasing the "Ball of Destruction" single in the same year, an early version of the band began playing live. It wasn't until 1991 when Madball truly hit their stride, when the lineup of Freddy Cricien on vocals, guitarists Matt Henderson and Vinnie Stigma, drummer Will Shepler, and bassist Hoya joined forces. The new version of the band quickly recorded and released an EP called Droppin' Many Suckas, which eventually led to the band signing with Roadrunner in 1994. By releasing a pair of straight-ahead hardcore full-lengths (1994's Set It Off and 1996's Demonstrating My Style) and touring steadily, the band built a sizeable fan base outside their hometown. Now a quartet consisting of Cricien, Henderson, Hoya, and new drummer John Lafatta, the band recorded what many consider their finest album yet, Look My Way, which was released in the spring of 1998. Hold It Down followed two years later. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide