Hip-Hop Group Featuring Levittown Resident To Release Debut Album

2007 Division Avenue High School graduate Doug Galiardo is hoping for a successful debut when his hip-hop band Madbeast releases their first album later this summer.

Although they're a hip-hop group, Galiardo believes that the music that he and bandmates Jay Bernard and Gabe Fernandez make can be enjoyed by anyone, as their music and lyrics have themes anyone can relate to.

“Some songs are darker than others," he said. "Other songs are upbeat. Mainly, we just want to keep everything real and down to earth and be really creative."

Galiardo first began experimenting with writing music in high school. “I’ve been writing since I was about 16," he said. "My style is more developed and mature now."

He first met bandmate Bernard in 2009. The two of them saw that they were both ready to put the time and discipline into making quality music. Before long, Fernandez, Bernard’s cousin, joined the group as their DJ. 

“We are all kind of into the same style,” Galiardo said of the group. “[We love] those raw lyrics and hardcore elements of hip-hop, as opposed to the synth-pop driven hip-hop of today that’s on the radio.”

The group listens to all genres of music, feeling that the more music they listen to the more they will be able to learn.  This directly affects the way they sound. “Every song has a different vibe because it was written at a certain time," he said. "All of those times, the feeling we had was different."

Madbeast has performed at a variety of locations on Long Island, including the Crazy Donkey and the Vibe Lounge. Galiardo believes they played their best show at the latter venue.

“It was a really good turnout and the metal crowd showed us hip-hop heads some love,” he said. “We also had my step-dad, who is an R&B singer, on stage with us singing our hooks. He brings that soulful vibe to the group.”

Madbeast’s next performance will be in New York City at The Gramercy Theater on August 11. They will be sharing the stage with other hip-hop singers and groups like Sean Strange, PMD of EPMD and CPR.