Darkness became a catalyst for change and creative inspiration in Madchild’s life.
Madchild, aka Shane Bunting, from the Swollen Members battled addiction. The fight with drug addiction and dependence on Oxycontin, a synthetic substance similar to heroin, pushed him to death’s door. He suffered an incident where his left arm went numb and his lips went purple. He was rushed to the hospital and after that he began the path to sobriety.
That dark journey is the foundation for his debut solo album Dope Sick.
“It absolutely focuses on the whole gambit, focuses on the whole range of addiction,” said Madchild. “It was four and a half years of trial and tribulations as an Oxycontin addict. The first year of sobriety is difficult.
“It takes time to become yourself again and you come back to this ugly reality you created.”
Confronting his addiction led him to some inspiring moments.
“It’s definitely confronting the darkness I’ve gone through but also the light,” he said.
Madchild said his band mates from Swollen Members have been very supportive of him doing a solo album. He said it’s been a great opportunity to create the solo project because it allows him to show different sides of himself.
“There is something special and exciting as a veteran in the genre and being able to start over,” he said. “It’s just refreshing and fun and exciting.”
Dope Sick also allowed Madchild become more creative with his videos. He created what he calls “mini movies” for his music videos.
The video for the song Monster features a group of campers who are attacked by zombies in the woods.
“I’m trying to lead by example and put thought into the visual as well,” he said.
He said the video for the song Jitters is kind of “Silence of the Lambs like.”
Madchild’s songs are created by “gathering words.” He often walks by himself and writes down thoughts that come to him.
After he has a pile of words he starts assembling them like a giant puzzle.
“I call that gathering up my arsenal,” he said.
Madchild performs with guests The New Addiction and SirReal at the Spice Lounge Wednesday (Oct. 31) Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets $15 available at the Queen’s and Guava Apparel.