Interview: Mad Caddies

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Chuck Robertson, the frontman of the renowned ska-punk band Mad Caddies. In this insightful conversation, we delve into the band’s latest endeavors, including their highly anticipated new album and recent singles. Chuck shares intriguing insights into the band’s songwriting process, their ability to stay relevant in the ever-evolving music scene after years of success, and the exhilarating experience of touring. Get ready to uncover the behind-the-scenes magic that fuels the enduring creativity of Mad Caddies.

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Can you share more about the inspiration behind “Green Eyes,” particularly how your travels with your girlfriend influenced the song, and the significance of the accordion by Brian Mann in capturing the essence?

Green eyes is a love song I wrote for my girlfriend Tanya. The song is about traveling together the last few years, sharing our backyards together. She showed me all the beautiful places in Western Canada and I showed her my secret spots on the central coast and northern California. We both share a love of travel adventure, and the outdoors, and I think this song epitomizes that. The accordion has always reminded me of romantic travel.

 With “Green Eyes” having a groove reminiscent of “Drinking for 11,” how has the Mad Caddies’ sound evolved over the years, and what can fans expect in terms of musical exploration in the upcoming album “Arrows Room 117”?

I can definitely see the similarities in the two songs thank you for noticing and they are definitely in the same vibe. The Mad Caddies sound has constantly evolved over the years, starting with super manic ska and punk. Throughout each album, we have grown organically and reached out to different genres and found a new sound for each record, while still holding on to our past. This album is very diverse and has many different sounds similar to just one more and keep it going.

How did the collaboration with accordionist Brian Mann come about, and how did his experience with artists like Oingo Boingo and Disney Films contribute to the unique sound of “Green Eyes”?

We have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Brian since 24 years. He played accordion on weird beard and all American badass as well as doing lots of piano and organ work on Mad Caddies records over the years. We grew up, listening to a Oingo Boingo and it was such an amazing coincidence when we found out he lived in our hometown in Santa Barbara, California. Brian is an amazing musician, and he always brings such a cool new sound whenever he joins us in the studio.

“Green Eyes” is the opening track of “Arrows Room 117.” Could you shed light on why this particular song was chosen as the album opener and how it sets the tone for the rest of the record?

Similar to starting just one more with drinking for 11 we wanted to start this album with something mellow and thoughtful so we chose this one. It opens up the space for the rest of the songs to grow naturally.

How did the unique circumstances of the past few years impact the creative process, and what were some of the challenges faced during this period?

Early 2020 I went back to the woodshed for two straight years. I composed well over 100 songs and I was playing with my friends five days a week anywhere from 3 to 6 hours a day rehearsing. In 2021, I released Chuck Robertson and friends all out of dreams solo record with another one on the way later this year.

We were so fortunate to be able to play at least two shows, sometimes three each month outdoors in the park in our hometown or at peoples backyards. I look back on these times very fondly because I know how lucky we were compared to some of our friends around the world who didn’t have this opportunity to still play music and be outside during the time we don’t talk about. There was so much pain in the world yet I found solace in the music with my friends. When the smoke cleared, I had plenty of songs ready for a new Mad Caddies record.

The Mad Caddies have traveled extensively throughout their career. How have these global experiences influenced the band’s music, and are there any specific moments from your travels that left a lasting impact on the creative process for “Arrows Room 117”?

I have been traveling since I can remember my family started taking me to Mexico when I was just a baby and traveling up to Washington to see my family. The travel bug was put in me literally at birth, and I always feel at home on the road. Travel is the best education anyone can get it teaches you humility, love and respect. We have collected music from all over the world playing in at least 50 countries throughout our career, and each album represents all the music subconsciously we have soaked in.

Can you discuss the decision to release “Arrows Room 117” jointly with SBÄM Records (Europe) and 55 Rose Records (USA)? How did this collaboration come about, and what does it mean for the band’s reach and audience?

We have released all our albums on Fat Wreck Chords for 29 years. It was just time for a change. We wanted to try something new. Fat will always be our family and we always had Fat Mike’s blessing to try something new anytime we wanted. Love you fatty. 

“Arrows Room 117” is an intriguing title. Could you share the significance behind the name, and how does it tie into the overall theme or concept of the album?

I wrote the song in room 117 of the foothills Motel in Auburn, California. It’s where I stay when I travel from Santa Barbara up to Lake Tahoe to see my young son, Charlie. I was messing around on Guitar while I was FaceTime in my girlfriend Tanya and she was like that’s a cool riff. The song was born that night Arrows in room 117. The lyrics are about living in a small town, and all the gossip and bullshit that goes along with it. The artwork and theme represent the emotions from the last few years traveling to see my son, closing old chapters and starting new ones.

Having been a leading band in ska and reggae punk for many years, how do you perceive the evolution of these genres, and what role do the Mad Caddies play in keeping the spirit alive in the contemporary music scene?

I think the evolution has come along quite nicely from the mid-90s when we started out. There are so many great new bands out there like the Elovaters, Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Rebullution among others. The Interrupters have shown that classic Ska punk can make it back into the main stream to a whole new generation I just think it’s wonderful. Well, the one thing I can say is we’ve never gone away Caddies never die so I think we have influenced a lot of these bands. Actually, I know we have because many of them have opened up for us before they made it. Big shout out to all the Homies. 

“Arrows Room 117” is the first album since “Punk Rocksteady” in 2018. Looking back, how do you see the impact of “Punk Rocksteady” on the band’s trajectory, and did it influence the direction taken for the new album?

Punk Rocksteady was Fat Mike’s idea, it was his baby. I’m really grateful we did it and I think it was awesome for the whole scene to see how all these classic punk rock songs could be turned into really pretty reggae and ska songs. 

Mad Caddies have been active since 1995. What do you attribute to the band’s longevity, and how do you keep the passion for creating music alive after so many years?

When I was young in middle school, as a very good student, I was terribly bored, and I saw the future and realized I never wanted to work for someone else. My only two dreams were to be a professional musician or a commercial diver fisherman like my father. Both of those jobs require not showing up to an office and having no boss. I’m thankful that I followed my dreams as a musician and after 30 years I wouldn’t want to do anything else. The passion is alive and well and I don’t see it ever going away making music and watching people smile and dance to something that came straight from the soul and the universe is the greatest thing ever and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

 With over 500,000 albums sold worldwide, you have a diverse fanbase. How do you perceive the connection between the band and its global audience, and how has this relationship influenced your approach to creating music?

I think the connection between Mad Caddies and our fans has always been natural and organic. People have always sensed and known intuitively that we are just regular guys, and there is no ulterior motive. We sing songs about pain, love, joy, angst the mundane and everything and I think people can relate to that.

It seems to translate worldwide. Music is not just a language, but it is a soul connection and vibration literally, that connects us all, and brings us together.