Review
Mad The Martian
Blast Off

MtM Records (2014) — Scott Wilkinson

Mad The Martian – Blast Off cover artwork
Mad The Martian – Blast Off — MtM Records, 2014

All I keep hearing these days is that Rock is dead, the ever popular Gene Simmons schooled us with this factoid in an interview he did with Esquire (Esquire WTF??) last month. Well friends let me assure you Mad the Martian, a band we interviewed here on Scene Point Blank recently, are here to save Rock and Roll. The band has a great new release out entitled Blast Off and from start to finish this record is a sonic collection of powerful up tempo old school Rock and Roll gems. The band is made up of brothers Bob and Jack Marsh, on guitars and keyboards respectively rounded out by Anthony J. Resta on drums and other sounds.

First off let me say, the record is packed with tunes delivered with a passion for craftsmanship sharpened in the studio and with Anthony Resta on the board the sound and vibe comes off perfectly. Many of the albums songs, like "Cmon Cmon Cmon", "Blast Off", "Boomerang", "Stuff", and "Dagger" showcase the bands finely honed sound with multiple layers of guitars, keys, and percussion along with some awesomely bitching lead vocals.

While tunes like "Living out loud", "Lift Me Up", and "Time Machine" each showing off the bands gentle rock ballad side, the song "Time Machine" in particular comes in as a dreamy psychedelic song oozing with Beatles influences.

The final cut on the record "If Time Stood Still" is another trippy psyche influenced song that has it all lyrically and musically. Overall the record stands out as refreshing with the band not comfortable with resting on their studio abilities but also demonstrating they have what it takes both lyrically as well as vocally. They demonstrate their love for the genre and the time with this release and hopefully we will hear and see more of these guys soon.

Mad The Martian – Blast Off cover artwork
Mad The Martian – Blast Off — MtM Records, 2014

Related features

Mad The Martian

Interviews • September 7, 2014

Recently-posted album reviews

Time Spent Driving

Lost Leaves
Thirty Something Records (2026)

There's a particular challenge facing bands that came out of the late '90s and early '00s emo scene. You can recreate the sound people remember and risk becoming your own nostalgia act, or you can abandon it entirely and risk losing whatever made the band matter in the first place. Time Spent Driving choose neither on Lost Leaves. More than … Read more

Alien Chicks

Toys Taken at Birth
Alcopop! Records (2026)

EP HIGHLIGHTS – “5/4” & “I Killed Uncle Ben” Those who haven’t heard of Alien Chicks by now are sorely missing out. The Brixton trio have been consistently dropping singles and EPs since at least 2022, with funky frenetic energy and a sonic nebula of art punk, jazz, math rock, rap and a whole lotta noise. Released on 2nd October … Read more

Drink Deep

In Reverse EP
Thirty Something Records (2026)

Upon first listen, those close to my age and who may share similar musical tastes may suspect that Drink Deep might be a band from Washington, D.C. For starters, the band takes its name from a Rites of Spring song, wears its influences on its literal sleeves (a brief glance at their social media presence will reveal members wearing official … Read more