BeatRoute Magazine [AB] print e-edition - [September 2017]

THE MAD CADDIES
hustling horns on the Prairies
California Ska punks The Mad Caddies tease new self-produced album.
The Mad Caddies have been tooting their ska
horns over the world since their inception
in 1995.
The Caddies’ sound is a feast for the ears; it’s thirdwave
ska influenced by their punk predecessors with
dominating guitar riffs. Infused with a mix of reggae
and calypso beats, the band tops it off with jazzy
horns and heavier vocals on a pop-backbone. Combining
these styles gave The Caddies their own brand
of madness, which they’ve maintained and delivered
across numerous releases and tours worldwide.
The Mad Caddies’ last album, Dirty Rice, was
released in 2014 and although new music is in the
works, the guys are keeping the details tightly under
wraps. Vocalist and guitarist Chuck Robertson, who
helped form the band while in high school, reveals
what he can.
“We are recording it on our own, we love our
family at Fat [Wreck Chords] but have decided
to try something different this time around.
Todd [Rosenberg, drums] handles a lot of the
by Sarah Mac
production aspect, and we’ve recently built
a studio in our hometown in the Santa Ynez
Valley in California.”
This may come as a surprise to some since The
Caddies have released all their records, except for
their debut, on Fat Wreck Chords.
“As for musical style, we think our fans will
be very pleased! We’re experimenting with
some new sounds, but it’s definitely still very
Caddies-esque. The creative process is still what
we love about our jobs. And it’s been pretty
collaborative the past few years. One of us may
have an idea, sometimes complete, sometimes
in the early stages and we’ll finish and arrange it
together as a band.”
But, as for the release date, “it’s sort of a surprise.”
Robertson adds.
Fortunately for us Albertans, we’ve been
graced with a second set of shows from The Caddies;
the first set was during a small tour in July
with the Offspring.
“Well, The Offspring tour came up last minute
and we were happy to be a part of it,” says Robertson,
the concludes, “But we’ve always felt a strong connection
with our Canadian fans. So, we love heading
up North for shows. Plus, we are all still really good
friends. So, it’s fun to get out on the road together
whenever we can.”
Don’t miss The Mad Caddies at The Needle Vinyl
Tavern on September 14 (Edmonton) and at Dicken’s
Pub on September 15 (Calgary).
THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS
packing in the California street music
This past summer, the news coming from the camp
of legendary ska-core band The Voodoo Glow Skulls
was hard to swallow.
But first, some context. Hailing from Riverside, California
and formed by brothers Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas in ‘88,
The Voodoo Glow Skulls combine the elements of ska with
traditional punk and hardcore style, and douse it with Mexican
flare and rhythm; they’ve released nine full-length albums,
around a half-dozen EPs and have contributed to well over 30
different compilations. The Glow Skulls’ rowdy and rambunctious
feel, alongside blazing horns and bi-lingual lyrics, have
hooked a legion of fans and given them a distinctive sound
that couldn’t be matched.
Recently though, the Glow Skulls have fallen on hard
times. This past June, lead singer and eldest brother Frank
unexpectedly announced that he was leaving the band,
leaving the remaining Glow Skulls shocked and shaken.
Heartbroken, we chatted with Eddie to discuss the future.
“In hindsight, we might have seen it coming over
the course of a few years, but it wasn’t so clear or evident.
Really, this has a lot to do with personal family business rather
than the band not getting along, there’s a lot more to it that I
won’t get into. But, he [Frank] moved away, to Arizona, about
15 years or so ago and that was the beginning of him distancing
himself from the band. It took a while for things to really
change, but apparently, they did. So, it’s still shocking.”
Pausing for a moment, he resumes.
“And now, we’re about to do a full tour without our
older brother and lead singer of the band. So, it’s an uphill
battle and it’s hard. When you’re used to one guy being the
front man and he’s not there and worse, he’s not coming -
it’s weird. So, we’re in a weird place, but we’re working our
way through it and we’re still thinking positive. So, we just
want to play well and make it a rad show; hopefully people
will respect that.”
There’s a deep appreciation for the members of the Glow
Skulls who are continuing this tour for their fans. Efrem Martinez
Shulz of Manic Hispanic and Death By Stereo fame has
stepped up to front the Glow Skulls for their upcoming tour.
“He’s a hardcore singer in a great band of his own. So, we’re
just glad he can tour, he can help us save face and not cancel
on our fans, which is the most important thing. And also, not
cancel on us. But, he isn’t a permeant member of the band.”
Solemnly, Casillas continues, “we’ve had a career for 29
years now and we’re not sure if we want to stop, but we want
the option. But, to be fair with you, we’re really close to not
doing this again and we might just stop. It’s hard, but we’re
trying not to bum anyone out and fulfill these commitments
to our fans.”
He pauses, and continues.
“The fact that I still get to go on stage and perform these
songs I wrote over the last almost 30 years, that’s a big deal
and I wouldn’t take it for granted. Because it’s all about the
band and all about the music, we’re gonna be at these shows
with a band that’s still functioning 100 per cent. And we’re
not taking it lightly. We’re practicing more than ever, which
makes us tighter than ever.”
So, come ‘on Canada, let’s do Voodoo (hopefully not) one
last time.
Come celebrate 29 years of music with the Voodoo Glow
Skulls at the Windsor Tavern on September 20 (Winnipeg),
at the Exchange on September 21 (Regina), at Dicken’s Pub
on September 22 (Calgary), at the Needle Vinyl Tavern on
September 23 (Edmonton), and at the International Beer Haus
on September 24 (Red Deer).
Wherein we hear sombre news from the long-running ska band.
by Sarah Mac
24 | SEPTEMBER 2017 • BEATROUTE ROCKPILE