Mark Lanegan to Handle Vocals on Unfinished Mad Season Album

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready recently revealed that there is roughly an album's worth of songs that the mid-90's side project, Mad Season, never got to record with vocalist Layne Staley before his return to Alice in Chains and eventual death. Now it appears that Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan will lend his voice to the project that may be out as early as this year.

Mad Season was a side project featuring Staley and John Baker Saunders on bass (both of whom are now deceased) with McCready and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin rounding out the lineup. The band almost became more than just a passing side project, as both Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains were going through "growing pains." Ultimately, Staley returned to AIC and Pearl Jam moved forward as well.

During the time following the release of their only album, 'Above,' the group reconvened without Staley and recorded a number of demos. "We have 13 unreleased songs we never did,” McCready explained before announcing his intentions to draft another singer to finish the songs. We’re trying to find singers that are up to the caliber of Layne to do justice to it. I know a lot of [great singers] but it’s just getting the commitment.”

According to Guerilla Candy, at least one of those singers will be drummer Barrett Martin's former bandmate, Mark Lanegan. This news, delivered by Martin himself, is highly likely, as Lanegan helped pen two of the songs on their debut album and also sang with Staley on 'Long Gone Day.' There was no mention as to whether Lanegan would be the sole vocalist on the project or when it will be released. Previous statements from McCready indicate that the target date for the album is sometime near the end of 2012.

Mad Season ft. Mark Lanegan - 'Long Gone Day'