Mad Caddies, Ess-Em @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 14/12/2023
I went in for veteran Californian Ska hooligans Mad Caddies with high expectations and to succumb to the magnetic force of brass and reggae fused punk that would make it impossible to not dance, and it was everything I hoped for. Sadly, it was a modest crowd for Adelaide (a place that bassist Jon Gazi proclaims that if he were to be abducted by aliens, he hopes they would drop him off here- whatever that even means) but with that came a more intimate show with plenty of interaction with the band and a lot more room for dancing.
Sydney Ska outfit Ess-Em were firing out some hefty tracks on arrival and immediately drew me to the stage with the alure of keys and trombone embellishing their rumbling bass lines and fast forced beats. Actively getting around the gig circuit since 2014, I can’t believe they hadn’t flown under my punk obsessed radar sooner, but it is like someone decided to put huge Amanda Palmer energy into a ska band. It is everything I never knew I needed, and it just makes sense. Lead vocalist ‘SM” smashes out dramatic key scores under clever hilarious and politically pungent lyrics delivered with a distinct ocker accent in Dinosaurs portraying the motif of both punk and female lead indie folk gloriously. Stand out single release for the year Bone-Dry intensified the drama with spiralling piano scores, dragging trombone blasts and heartfelt harmonies over hoppy percussion offering that perfect balance of sad happy that ska fans know and love. They could not have picked a better national support for this tour and Ess-Em delivered such a rich and energetic performance I am left waiting for another show here (please)
Mad Caddies followed with a bustling juicy set and the shit was bananas. Covering a massive quarter century career of jovial bangers mostly from the 90s, which inspired Chuck’s new name for the group Dad Caddies, as the audience made up of predominately forty something year old’s trying not to wreck themselves on a school night danced furiously. The slapstick recklessness of tracks Weird Beard, Villians and Monkeys provided ample opportunity for plenty of stage antics and folly, while classics Road Rash and Contraband amplified the punk party evoking a good little head bang to complement the jazz feet. The performances were cheerful and I dare say liquor fuelled but maintained an impeccable standard with every member vigorously delivering nothing but quality sound and uproarious energy.
Watching Mad Caddies perform in the intimate setting of a slender but dedicated crowd of fans with their casual comical approach paired with envious musicianship was perfection for this long-time fan, and the rich and three-dimensional sound of multi percussion and brass instruments delivered the merriment we were all there for. They finished strong with a four-track encore including new single Palm Trees and Pines from forthcoming (available for pre-order) album Arrows Room 117 which revives the quintessential Californian Caddies sound and provides a nice little track for a beer soaked afternoon in the sun. Mary Melody was the perfect finale for the show with everyone in the venue moving and bopping.
It should not surprise me anymore when these veteran punk acts come out and still perform as well, if not better than they did twenty plus years ago, but Mad Caddies are still very much in their element live. There is something about the genre where the bands all age incredibly well but never actually grow up, much like myself and the other forty something year old’s that come out on a school night to watch them play.
Live Review By Bec Scheucher