Who is mad chad?

Chad Russell, better known as MAD CHAD out of Lubbock, TX., is a heavy metal recording artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, who plays guitar, bass, drums and piano. He is also a Berklee College of Music Master's Song Writer and has been playing guitar since he was 5 years old.

MAD CHAD says, “I have always been mesmerized by the instrument’s look and sound. When I was a kid, my parents were always listening to music. They taught me about all of their favorite artists and then I started finding artists I enjoyed listening to. It grew from there into where I am today.”

MAD CHAD is also a co-founder and current member (lead guitar, screams) of the metal, hard rock band Texas 223. In 2018, the band made a full length, self-titled record with super producer/engineer, Chuck Alkazian. You can check out the album, Texas 223, on all streaming platforms and look out for new music to be released in 2025-2026.

Not only is MAD CHAD in Texas 223, but he is the main member, writer and sole instrumentalist on his own songs under the name MAD CHAD. All of the music was also produced by MAD CHAD and Chuck Alkazian. He plans to release another full-length record under MAD CHAD in Spring of 2025, that he is super excited about.

When you dig into MAD CHAD’s music, you will find it to contain both metal and hard rock elements. His goal was to compose a metal record that has more hard rock melodies to keep the music more palatable to a larger audience of listeners. MAD CHAD explains, “I have played many styles through the years like blues, hard rock, metal, classical, jazz, rock, country, and many others. I have always been a lover of the guitar, but I have always wanted to be a metal artist since day one.”

MAD CHAD has been inspired by guitarists and song writers like Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Stevie Ray Vaugn, Dimebag Darrell, Joe Satriani, Monte Montgomery, Tom Petty and James Hetfield to name a few. No matter the style or delivery, MAD CHAD has an internal compass that has always led him to amazing music discoveries and inspiration.

It is MAD CHAD’s life goal to make excellent records for his listeners to enjoy. Music is his livelihood and sole purpose as a human. It helps him to get his frustrations and anger out in a healthy manner that is better for his quality of life.

Professionally, MAD CHAD, has owned a studio, Don’t Fret Guitar Studio since 2010. He also just finished his Master’s in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music to help solidify his knowledge as a music educator and creator. He says, “I love learning about all thing’s music, music theory, and music production. We have a large student and clientele load that we see weekly for private lessons and recording sessions. We stay super busy with these and we love it as much as our students love their lessons!” MAD CHAD continues, “Whether I am teaching, playing, practicing, or producing it is a blast and a role that I take very serious as a professional musician.”