Formed: 1994-1999

The lineup: Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog), Barrett Martin (Skin Yard, Screaming Trees), John Baker Saunders (The Walkabouts)

The story: Another entry into the grunge rock cannon that dominated mid-90s airwaves, Mad Season was a band based around a good cause. Mike McCready went into rehab during the production of Pearl Jam's 'Vitalogy' album. There he met bassist John Baker Saunders. The duo teamed up with Screaming Tree's drummer Barrett Martin and started writing.

They brought in drug-addled Alice in Chains leader Layne Staley, hoping that the three clean musicians would inspire Staley to get himself help. The twisted irony was that it was Saunders who relapsed and died in 1999. Staley died three years later. Mad Season's only album was 'Above', a compelling mix of jazzy experimentation, blues influences and muscular arena rock.

Album to buy: Above